Let us set sail in “the ship of Tawheed”, this week, with our family and friends and attain security and guidance from Allah as He the Exalted says: It is those who believe in the Oneness of Allâh and worship none but Him Alone and confuse not their belief with Zulm wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allâh , for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. (Qur'an, 6:82) It is Allah's promise that the one who actualizes Tawheed and keeps his belief clear from the many shades of polytheism for him there will be complete security in five things; his religion, mind, health, wealth and offsprings. Not believing in Tawheed will result in loss of security and guidance, greatest loss a person can ever suffer. Even the Prophets were constantly reminded of Tawheed as Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “ When Musa [Moses] said: “O my Rabb, teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You.” Allah answered: “say, O Musa La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped).” Musa said: “O, my Rabb, all Your slaves say this.” Allah said: “O, Musa, if the seven heavens and all of their inhabitants besides Me, and the seven earths were in a pan (of a scale) and La ilaha illallah was in (another) pan La ilaha illallah would outweigh them.” (Al Hakim) This means that if the sins of the slaves of Allah reached the weight of the seven heavens along with all its inhabitants besides Him, and the weight of the earth, the statement La ilaha illallah would outweigh the weight of the sins. This is the greatest virtue of Tawheed and it is only for those in whose heart it is planted firmly with a strong belief and complete faith. He should be a sincere believer and should have no doubts relating to it. He should understand its value, seek pleasure in it and love its meaning. He must also not associate anything with Him in worship and that is when his heart will be strong and pure with the statement of Tawheed. The mere uttering of it enlightens him, gives him peace apart from washing away his sins. The Messenger of Allah said,”Allah says: O, son of Adam! If you came to Me with sins filling the earth, then you meet Me without associating anything in worship with Me, I would come to you with its (the earth's) full of forgiveness.” (Al-Tirmidhi) Now,why is it that the statement of Tawheed outweighs every thing except Allah, the Most High? It is because the statement with its conditions has great value and virtue that no man or Jinn can imagine. The statement singles out Allah, the Most High, in a unique way. It contains negation of worship to anyone besides Him and affirmation of worship solely for Him. The pure essence of singling out can only be obtained through negation and affirmation. To ponder upon is the fact that if Prophets were in need of reminders then how is it that we are ignorant of such a great matter and to top it all most of us don't even strive toward learning it. Nowadays many of the ignorant Muslims claim that one who utters the Kalimatul Ikhlas will enter paradise. Merely uttering the Kalima will not lead to the peace and blessings of paradise. One has to say the Kalima wholeheartedly, observe the five pillars of Islam, adhere to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and read the Qur'an. Only then that he will be granted bounties and favours from Allah, the Most High. However, if he says the statement of Tawheed, but does not abstain from Shirk he will not be entitled to the promise mentioned in the Hadith above. Thus, one's hearts must be filled with Allah's greatness, praise, glory, magnificence, honour and love. When it is totally suffused with these attributes of Allah, The Supreme , He will forgive him and make the fire forbidden for him that is without any punishment. For indeed Allah has forbidden hell for those people who say: “There is nothing worthy of being worshipped but Allah, thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah.” (Bukhari and Muslim) May Allah, The All-Forgiving forgive us and admit us to paradise without reckoning, so that we may also be a part of His abundant favors, blessings and mercy. __
