This topic covers the fundamental beliefs of Islam. It includes the three types of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), the two types of Shirk (polytheism), the difference between a Nabi and a Rasul (prophets a...
Definition and Importance
Linguistically: Tawhid comes from the Arabic word wahhada meaning "to make one" or "to unify."
Islamically: Tawhid means believing that Allah is One, Unique, and Alone in His essence, attributes, and actions. He has no partner, equal, or rival.
Importance:
Tawhid is the first pillar of Iman (faith).
It is the essence of the call of all prophets.
The Quran states: "Say: He is Allah, the One." (Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1)
Whoever dies upon Tawhid enters Paradise.
The Three Types of Tawhid (Very Important for Exams)
| Type | Definition | Evidence | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (ربوبیت – Oneness of Lordship) | Believing that Allah alone is the Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Manager of everything in the universe. | "Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days..." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:54) | Only Allah sends rain, gives life and death, controls the sun and moon. |
| Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (الوهیت – Oneness of Worship) | Believing that only Allah deserves to be worshipped. All acts of worship (prayer, fasting, supplication, sacrifice, etc.) must be for Allah alone. | "And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion." (Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:5) | Praying only to Allah, sacrificing only in His name, making vows only to Him. |
| Tawhid al-Asma wa as-Sifat (اسماء و صفات – Oneness of Names & Attributes) | Believing that Allah has unique names and attributes as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. Affirm them without resemblance (Tashbih),without questioning how (Takyeef), and without denial (Ta'teel). | "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing." (Surah Ash-Shura 42:11) | Allah is Ar-Rahman (Most Merciful), Al-Aleem (All-Knowing), Al-Qadeer (All-Powerful) – but His knowledge is not like human knowledge. |
Detailed Explanation of Each Type
A. Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)
This is the belief that Allah is the sole Creator, Owner, Sovereign, and Controller of the universe.
Even the polytheists of Makkah believed in this type of Tawhid. The Quran says:
"If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say: Allah." (Surah Luqman 31:25)
B. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship)
This is the most important type because it distinguishes a Muslim from a disbeliever.
It means directing all acts of worship exclusively to Allah.
The polytheists of Makkah were fought and declared disbelievers because they directed some worship to idols and saints, even though they believed in Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah.
C. Tawhid al-Asma wa as-Sifat (Oneness of Names & Attributes)
Rule #1: Affirm for Allah what He affirmed for Himself in the Quran or through His Prophet ﷺ.
Rule #2: Do not distort (Tahreef), deny (Ta'teel), ask how (Takyeef), or compare (Tashbih) Allah's attributes to creation.
Example: Allah has a "Hand" (Yad), but it is not like a human hand. We affirm it without asking how.
Definition and Warning
Linguistically: Shirk means "to associate" or "to share."
Islamically: Shirk means associating partners with Allah in His Lordship, Worship, or Names & Attributes.
Warning:
Shirk is the greatest sin in Islam.
The Quran states: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him (Shirk), but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills." (Surah An-Nisa 4:48)
Whoever dies upon Shirk will enter Hellfire forever.
The Two Main Types of Shirk
| Type | Definition | Examples | Repentance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Shirk (شرک اکبر) | Associating partners with Allah in worship or lordship. It takes a person out of Islam. | Praying to a saint, sacrificing to an idol, believing in a creator besides Allah, seeking help from the dead. | Must repent sincerely, regret, stop the act, and renew Islam. |
| Minor Shirk (شرک اصغر) | Actions or words that lead to major shirk but do not exit one from Islam. | Riya (showing off in worship), swearing by other than Allah, saying "If Allah and you will." | Repent and stop the act; no need to renew Islam. |
Detailed Explanation
A. Major Shirk (Shirk Akbar)
Effect: All good deeds become null and void. The person is no longer a Muslim.
Quranic evidence: "If they had associated partners with Allah, all that they did would have been worthless." (Surah Al-An'am 6:88)
Types of Major Shirk:
Shirk in Worship: Praying or prostrating to other than Allah.
Shirk in Lordship: Believing someone else creates or sustains the universe.
Shirk in Names & Attributes: Believing someone has Allah's unique attributes (e.g., knowing the unseen).
B. Minor Shirk (Shirk Asghar)
Effect: Reduces Tawhid and can lead to major shirk if continued. The person remains a Muslim but commits a major sin.
Hadith evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: "The thing I fear most for you is minor shirk – Ar-Riya (showing off)." (Ahmad)
Examples:
Ar-Riya: Praying longer or giving more charity so people praise you.
Swearing by other than Allah: Saying "By the Prophet" or "By my father's life."
Saying "What Allah wills and you will" (correct is "What Allah wills, then what you will").
Comparison Table: Major vs. Minor Shirk
| Feature | Major Shirk | Minor Shirk |
|---|---|---|
| Effect on faith | Exits Islam | Does not exit Islam |
| Good deeds | All become worthless | Deeds are reduced in reward |
| Hellfire | Eternal punishment | Temporary punishment (if not forgiven) |
| Repentance | Must renew Islam | Repentance only |
| Examples | Worshipping an idol, praying to a grave | Showing off, swearing by other than Allah |
Definition and Importance
Definition: Risalah means the system of sending messengers and prophets from Allah to guide humanity.
Purpose: Prophets and messengers were sent to call people to the worship of Allah alone (Tawhid) and to guide them to the straight path.
Belief: A Muslim must believe in all prophets and messengers of Allah. Denying even one prophet is disbelief.
Quranic evidence: "And there is no nation but that a warner (prophet) has passed among them." (Surah Fatir 35:24)
Difference Between Nabi (Prophet) and Rasul (Messenger)
This is a very common exam question.
| Feature | Nabi (نبی – Prophet) | Rasul (رسول – Messenger) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A prophet who receives divine revelation (Wahi) but is not necessarily given a new scripture or law. | A messenger who receives a new scripture or law (Shariah) and is sent to a people who have gone astray. |
| New scripture? | No – follows previous Shariah | Yes – brings a new book or law |
| Sent to whom? | Usually to those who already believe | Sent to disbelieving nations |
| Order | Every Rasul is a Nabi, but not every Nabi is a Rasul | Higher rank than Nabi |
| Number | 124,000 (approx.) | 313 (approx.) |
| Example | Harun (Aaron) AS – followed Musa's (Moses) law | Musa (Moses) AS – brought the Torah |
| Quranic evidence | "And We did not send before you any messenger (Rasul) or prophet (Nabi) except that when he spoke..." (Surah Al-Hajj 22:52) | "And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger (Rasul)..." (Surah An-Nahl 16:36) |
Summary Table: Nabi vs. Rasul
| Aspect | Nabi | Rasul |
|---|---|---|
| Receives revelation | Yes | Yes |
| Brings new scripture | No | Yes |
| Sent to disbelievers | No | Yes |
| Rank | Lower | Higher |
| Number (approx.) | 124,000 | 313 |
Definition and Importance
Definition: Akhirah means the life after death. It includes everything that happens after a person dies until they enter Paradise or Hell forever.
Importance:
Belief in Akhirah is the fifth pillar of Iman.
It encourages good deeds and prevents evil.
The Quran states: "And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life." (Surah Ad-Duha 93:4)
The Stages of the Hereafter (In Order)
| Stage | Arabic Term | Description | Duration / Ruling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Grave (Qabr) | القبر | The first stage after death. The deceased is questioned by Munkar and Nakir. | Until the Day of Judgment |
| 2. Barzakh (Barrier) | البرزخ | The intermediate period between death and resurrection. The soul lives in this state. | From death to resurrection |
| 3. The Trumpet Blast (Sur) | الصور | Israfil (AS) will blow the Trumpet. The first blast kills all living beings. The second blast resurrects them. | Two blasts |
| 4. Resurrection (Ba'ath) | البعث | All humans, from Adam to the last person, will be raised from their graves. | Happens on the Day of Judgment |
| 5. Gathering (Hashr) | الحشر | All of humanity will be gathered in one plain for judgment. | 50,000 years long |
| 6. Reckoning (Hisab) | الحساب | Allah will judge every person. Their book of deeds will be given in their right hand (good) or left hand (bad). | Varies per person |
| 7. The Scale (Mizan) | الميزان | Good and bad deeds will be weighed. Heavy good deeds mean salvation. | Happens after reckoning |
| 8. The Bridge (Sirat) | الصراط | A bridge over Hell, sharper than a sword and thinner than a hair. Believers will cross to Paradise. Sinners will fall into Hell. | Varies per person |
| 9. Intercession (Shafa'ah) | الشفاعة | Prophets, angels, and righteous people will intercede for sinners to be forgiven or to enter Paradise. | On the Day of Judgment |
| 10. Paradise (Jannah) | الجنة | The eternal home of believers. Rivers of milk, honey, and wine. No sickness, death, or sadness. | Eternal – forever |
| 11. Hell (Jahannam) | جهنم | The eternal home of disbelievers and sinners. Fire, boiling water, and punishment. | Eternal – forever (for disbelievers) |
Detailed Explanation of Each Stage
Stage 1: The Grave (Qabr) and Barzakh
After burial, two angels called Munkar and Nakir come to the deceased and ask:
"Who is your Lord?"
"What is your religion?"
"Who is this man (Muhammad ﷺ)?"
Believers answer correctly and experience peace and gardens from Paradise.
Disbelievers fail to answer and experience punishment in the grave.
Barzakh is the barrier between this world and the Hereafter. The soul remains in Barzakh until resurrection.
Stage 2: The Trumpet Blast (Sur)
Israfil (AS) will blow the Trumpet twice.
First Blast: All living beings in the heavens and earth will die except whom Allah wills.
Second Blast: All humans will rise from their graves, alive again.
Stage 3: Resurrection (Ba'ath) and Gathering (Hashr)
Humans will rise from their graves barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.
They will be gathered on a great plain.
The sun will come very close (one mile away).
People will sweat according to their sins. Some will be covered in sweat, some will be in shade.
Stage 4: Reckoning (Hisab) and the Scale (Mizan)
Each person will receive their Book of Deeds:
Right hand: Success – will go to Paradise.
Left hand or behind back: Failure – will go to Hell.
Allah will ask about five things (Hadith of Mu'adh):
Life – how spent
Youth – how used
Wealth – how earned and spent
Knowledge – how acted upon
Mizan: The scale will weigh every atom of good and evil.
Stage 5: The Bridge (Sirat)
The Quran states: "And indeed, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates; for every gate is a portion of them assigned." (Surah Al-Hijr 15:43-44)
Sirat is a bridge stretched over Hell.
Believers: Will cross it at different speeds (like lightning, wind, or walking).
Sinners: Will fall into Hell.
Disbelievers: Cannot cross at all.
Stage 6: Intercession (Shafa'ah)
Only Allah can grant permission to intercede.
Who will intercede?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (the greatest intercession)
Other prophets, angels, martyrs, and righteous believers
Who will be interceded for?
Muslims who committed major sins but had Tawhid
What is the greatest intercession?
Muhammad ﷺ will intercede for the people of Paradise to enter it, and for some sinners to be taken out of Hell.
Stage 7: Paradise (Jannah)
Description in the Quran:
"Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and pleasure, rejoicing in what their Lord has given them, and their Lord protected them from the punishment of Hellfire." (Surah At-Tur 52:17-18)
Features of Paradise:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Rivers | Rivers of water, milk, honey, and pure wine (non-intoxicating) |
| Food & drink | Never-ending, delicious |
| Dwellings | Palaces and tents of pearls and rubies |
| Clothing | Silk and gold (for men and women) |
| Health | No sickness, no death, no aging (33 years forever) |
| Entertainment | Whatever the soul desires |
| Seeing Allah | The greatest blessing – believers will see Allah on Friday |
Levels of Paradise: There are 100 levels. The highest is Firdaws. The Prophet ﷺ asked believers to ask for Firdaws.
Stage 8: Hell (Jahannam)
Description in the Quran:
"Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong – Allah will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any path except the path of Hell, wherein they will abide forever." (Surah An-Nisa 4:168-169)
Features of Hell:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Fire | 70 times hotter than worldly fire |
| Drink | Boiling water, pus, and filth |
| Food | Zaqqum (a bitter, thorny tree) and thorns |
| Punishment | Burning skin repeatedly (skin is renewed to feel pain again) |
| Chains | Heavy chains and shackles |
| Guardian | Angel Malik presides over Hell, with 19 stern angels |
Levels of Hell: There are 7 levels. The lowest and worst is Hawiyah.
Who stays in Hell forever?
Disbelievers (Kuffar) and polytheists (Mushrikeen)
Hypocrites (Munafiqeen)
Anyone who died without Tawhid
Muslims who committed major sins: Will enter Hell temporarily (if not forgiven), then be taken out to Paradise.
| # | Stage | Arabic | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grave | القبر | Questioning by Munkar & Nakir |
| 2 | Barrier | البرزخ | Intermediate state between death and resurrection |
| 3 | Trumpet | الصور | Two blasts by Israfil (AS) |
| 4 | Resurrection | البعث | Rising from graves |
| 5 | Gathering | الحشر | All humans gathered on one plain |
| 6 | Reckoning | الحساب | Book of deeds given (right or left hand) |
| 7 | Scale | الميزان | Weighing of deeds |
| 8 | Bridge | الصراط | Path over Hell to Paradise |
| 9 | Intercession | الشفاعة | Prophets intercede for sinners |
| 10 | Paradise | الجنة | Eternal home of believers |
| 11 | Hell | جهنم | Eternal home of disbelievers |
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How many types of Tawhid are there? | 3 |
| Which type of Tawhid did the polytheists of Makkah believe in? | Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (Lordship) |
| Which type of Tawhid is most important? | Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Worship) |
| What is the greatest sin in Islam? | Major Shirk |
| How many types of Shirk are there? | 2 (Major and Minor) |
| What is the difference between a Nabi and a Rasul? | A Rasul brings a new scripture; a Nabi follows a previous scripture |
| Total number of Rasuls (approx.) | 313 |
| Total number of Anbiya (approx.) | 124,000 |
| Which angels question in the grave? | Munkar and Nakir |
| What is Barzakh? | The barrier between death and resurrection |
| Who blows the Trumpet (Sur)? | Israfil (AS) |
| How long is the Day of Judgment (for disbelievers)? | 50,000 years |
| What is the bridge over Hell called? | Sirat |
| What is the highest level of Paradise? | Firdaws |
| What is the lowest level of Hell? | Hawiyah |
| Do believers see Allah in Paradise? | Yes – the greatest blessing |