INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION
Belief in one God, the Creator and Lord of the universe, initiates an intellectual storm within one’s mind, turning an ocean of realization into a raging tempest.
Monotheism is not merely a traditional belief; it represents the most significant intellectual revolution based on a remarkable intellectual discovery. Monotheism entails the recognition of God as the Creator and Lord of humanity. When an individual realizes the existence of God, the Creator and Lord of the universe, it initiates an intellectual storm within their mind, turning an ocean of realization into a raging tempest.
Subsequently, a profound transformation occurs in one’s thoughts and emotions, resulting in the emergence of a new person—a monotheist in the true sense of the word. The initiation of the Islamic call aims to bring about an intellectual revolution within individuals based on the belief in monotheism. Only after this intellectual revolution can individuals become true monotheists, and when this revolutionary thought inspires many people, they form a society known as an Islamic society.
What is monotheism (tawheed)? Monotheism entails the belief in the oneness of God, recognizing that all power and authority belong solely to Him. He alone is deserving of worship, and no act of worship should be directed to anyone other than God. Only God fulfills the needs, desires, and wishes of human beings. He governs the system of the entire universe, and the right of superiority belongs solely to Him. Any belief that associates anyone other than God with these aspects is false. The concept of monotheism in the Quran is expressed in the following verse:
“God: there is no deity save Him, the Living, the Eternal One. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belong whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is on the Earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows all that is before them, and all that is behind them. They can grasp only that part of His knowledge which He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the Earth, and their upholding does not weary Him. He is the Sublime, the Almighty One!” (2:255)
Worshipping God means worshipping one’s Creator and Lord, the only entity deserving of such worship. When a person bows down to someone other than God, he is bowing down to a creature like himself, unworthy of such reverence. Worshipping God grants greatness to humans while worshipping anyone other than God leads to a life of superstition. Worshipping God opens the door to the realization of God, whereas worshipping anyone else closes that door.
Monotheism is belief in the one God, but there are countless forms of polytheism. For a monotheist, there is only one God who becomes his sole concern, the centre of his attention, and the object of his worship. His entire life is dedicated to this one God. On the other hand, a polytheist lacks a single central point of focus, leading to the emergence of countless forms of polytheism, ranging from the worship of stars, the earth, idols, saints, graves, wealth, power, and family.
The Quran explicitly condemns such practices. A monotheist attributes all greatness to one God and seeks the fulfillment of his desires solely from Him. His worship is directed only to God, and he places his utmost trust in Him, considering Him superior in every aspect. Worship represents the ultimate expression of attachment to someone, which is why all forms of worship are exclusively the right of the one God. Worship of any kind is impermissible for anyone other than God.
