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57 Chapter 1 the knowledge of god’s unity Lesson 1: The Science of Theology (‘ilm al-tawhid): Its Nobility and of What It Consists S: Dear teacher, I have come to rely on your guidance. You are a father to my intellect, training me to become a true human being and servant of God, as He desires. You wish to place me before God in the ranks of the righteous. There is no doubt that the useful sciences include those pursued for the sake of things other than themselves (fi ’l-‘ulum al-nafi‘a ma huwa maqsud li-ghayrihi) as well as that which is pursued for its own sake. Undoubtedly something that is pursued for its own sake is nobler than something that is pursued for the sake of something else. Isn’t it true that the latter is but a means to the former? T: Yes, my son, you have hit upon the heart of the matter (al-fass wa-’l-nass). “I only wish to reform you as much as I can, and I can have no success unless it is given by God” (Q 11:88). God has enabled you to see the nobility and importance of the science that is pursued for its own sake, so do not go without it, but bind your ambition to it and throw off all impediments, for it is the science of the highest rank and virtue, the most beneficial, useful, and worthy of persistent study. S: How thirsty I am (ma a‘tash kibdi) for this science! What is it, then, so I may turn my efforts and time to it? T: It is the science of theology (‘ilm al-tawhid), also called (al-mu‘abbar ‘anhu bi) the science of discourse (‘ilm al-kalam).1 1. The term ‘ilm al-kalam (literally, “the science of discourse/speech/debate”), traditionally used to mean speculative theology in Islam, appears to derive from the fact that theology emerged out of and in the form of debates on matters of faith. Ibadis prefer to use the term ‘ilm al-tawhid. 58 • Al-‘Aqida ’l-Wahbiyya S: Of what does this noble science consist? T: This science consists of the affirmation of the existence of the eternal Maker (ithbat al-sani‘ al-qadim), His unique divinity (tawhiduhu fi ’l-uluhiyya), His transcendence beyond all likeness to originated things (tanzihuhu ‘an mushabahat al-hawadith), His description with the attributes of majesty (ittisafuhu bi-sifat al-jalal) and generosity (ikram), which are the attributes of greatness (‘uzma) and beneficence(ihsan). [It also consists of] the affirmation of prophethood , which is the foundation (asas) of Islam. The laws (al-shara’i‘) and regulations (al-ahkam) [of the Shari‘a] are built upon this science, for were it not for the immutability (thubut) of the Maker with His attributes, the sciences of exegesis, Hadith, jurisprudence and its roots would not have been formed. By this science one progresses (yataraqqa) in faith in the Last Day from the rank of merely imitating the beliefs of others (min darajat al-taqlid) to the rank of verification (iqan), which is the only cause (huwa ’l-sabab al-wahid) of guidance and success (najah) in this world, and victory (al-fawz) and prosperity (al-falah) in the next. It is the science by which you can prove (ithbat) religious doctrines (al-‘aqa’id aldiniyya ) to others and compel them to recognize the truth (wa-ilzamuhu iyyahu) by bringing forth proofs (bi-irad al-hujaj) and countering specious arguments (daf‘ al-shubah). Lesson 2: The Definition of Tawhid S: What is the literal meaning of tawhid (ma huwa ’l-tawhid lughatan)? T: It is a second-form verbal noun (taf‘il) referring to one who makes a thing one or declares it to be one or unique. Tawhid means declaring uniqueness (tafrid), which can also be called ifrad.2 S: What does tawhid mean according to Islamic law (al-shar‘)? T: It means believing in God’s uniqueness (ifrad Allah) in His essence (dhatihi), attributes (sifatihi), words (aqwalihi), acts (af‘alihi), worship (‘ibadatihi), 2.The difficulty in translation here is that tawhid, which we typically translate as God’s oneness or monotheism, is a verbal noun carrying a form of causation, literally meaning “making one,” but in this case “declaring one.” It therefore refers to the believer who holds God to be one, whereas English correlates do not always carry the same reference...

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