Kitab At-Tawhid: (And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

Concise Commentary On the Book of Tawhid

Dr.Saalih Al-Fawzaan

Allah, Exalted be He, says:

And I (Allâh) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

The book of Tawhid elaborates on the concept of Islamic monotheism as being enjoined by Allah on His servants, whom He has created for fulfilling this ultimate objective. Meanwhile, the book clarifies the concept of major polytheism, which categorically contradicts monotheism. It further clarifies the concepts of minor polytheism and bid’ahs, which impair perfect or desirable belief.

Keywords and Phrases

· Tawhid: The devotion of one’s acts of worship to Allah Alone.

· ‘Ibaadah (worship): Literally, it signifies surrender or submission. Technically, it is an umbrella term, which refers to all acts of devotion including sayings, apparent and hidden deeds, which bring about Allah’s Pleasure.

General Meaning of the Qur`aanic Verse

According to this Qur`aanic verse, Allah created the jinn and men to worship Him. The Qur`aanic verse, thus, specifies the wisdom behind creating them. Unlike worldly masters, Almighty Allah does not sustain His servants in return for benefits, for He intends all good for them.

Relevance of the Qur`aanic Verse to the Chapter

The Qur`aanic verse illuminates the obligation of tawhid i.e. devoting all acts of worship solely to Allah since He has created the jinn and mankind for fulfilling this objective.

Lessons Drawn from the Qur`aanic Verse

· The jinn and mankind are obliged to devote all acts of worship solely to Allah.

· The Qur`aanic verse expounds the wisdom behind the creation of the jinn and mankind.

· It is only Allah, the Creator, Who deserves worship rather than other false deities incompetent to create. This point is a refutation of the idolaters’ arguments.

· Almighty Allah is the Self-Sufficient and thus He is in no need of His creatures, whereas they are in dire need of Him. This is, definitely, because Allah is the Creator and they are His creatures.

· The Qur`aanic verse, further, proves that Allah is All-Wise in his actions.