The Pillars of Tawheed

1. the wrath of Allah (swt) will be upon us.
Today we have taghoot dominant all
over the world
This taghoot is manifested in the rulers, governments and
constitutions that are implemented and enforced throughout
the world. These regimes have taken it upon themselves to
become legislators by making and enforcing kufr law and in
doing so have rivalled with Allah (swt) as this is an attribute
that is exclusive to Himv. Instead of adhering to the
command of Allah (swt) by implementing the shariah we find
that these regimes implement kufr law and give more
credence to ideologies like capitalism over Islam. Hence
according to the very first pillar of our belief they must be
rejected and nullified by distancing ourselves from them,
believing that they are our enemies, having hatred for them
and declaring kufr upon them. Again this is not a mere
statement upon the tongue rather this should be manifested
in our actions, as belief by definition includes the actionsvi,
for it is our actions that display what is within our hearts.
Therefore to believe that these governments/rulers
are falsehood is a part of our belief, to speak out by
declaring the kufr upon these institutions is to testify
belief upon the tongue, to work for their removal is a
manifestation of our belief into action and to replace
it with the shariah is a direct command upon every
Muslim.
This is the belief of every Muslim and this is the
stance of ahle sunnah wal jammah.
I
The
Pillars of
Taghoot is defined as anything that is worshipped, followed,
obeyed or submitted to other than Allah (swt). This could be a
person (king, ruler, prophet), jinn, shaytaan, rocks, stones, idols,
animals, objects, governments, law and order, ideology etc.
Tawheed
ii
illah is defined as the one who has the right to be worshipped,
followed, obeyed and submitted to.
iii
Ibaada means to follow, submit, obey and worship.
iv
The total and absolute belief in the exclusivity of Almighty Allah
(swt) in all His names, attributes and functions.
v
Al-Hakim is the attribute of Allah (swt) which means that it is only
Him who has the right to legislate and make law. Allah (swt) says in
the Quran; “the rule is for none but Allah” [EMQ12:67]
vi
Imaan is to have conviction in your heart, to testify upon the
tongue and to act upon willingly in accordance to the sunnah of
the prophet (saw), which increases with obedience and decreases
with disobedience.

2. The very foundation of the belief of a Muslim is the The statement laa ilaaha asserts this nullification of taghoot
testification to laailaahah illallah, the exclusive by declaring that there is no possible illahii to be followed,
worship to Allah (swt). This testimony forms the obeyed, worshipped or submitted to. Then comes the
basis of our deen and lays the foundation for which affirmation to the belief in Allah (swt) by stating illallah
all else is built upon. This testimony declares the (except Allah). The combination of these pillars results in
tawheed in Allah (swt) exclusively and rejects all declaring the exclusivity in the worship (ibaadahiii) to Allah
other forms of worship. (swt), setting the foundation of our belief and the basis for
our life.
The kalima if understood correctly will build a firm basis for
which the Mu’min can then begin to develop, if the very The second pillar i.e. to believe in Allah (swt)
basis of our deen is misunderstood or if we carry an involves the tawheediv of Allah (swt).
incomprehensive understanding about it then this will only
naturally go on to affect other areas of life. It is imperative This tawheed has been classified for ease of understanding
that we have a firm grounding in the foundation of our into the following divisions;
Imaan for us then to be able to withstand whatever else is
to be built upon it. Tawheed al-Rububiyyah – the belief in the exclusive
Lordship of Allah (swt)
The kalima has two pillars Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah – the actions of man in relation to
the exclusive worship of Allah (swt)
The first being to reject all taghoot (al-Kufr bil Taghoot) and
the second being to declare your belief in Allah (swt) (al- Tawheed al-Asmaa wa al-Sifaat - the belief in the
Imaan billah). exclusive names and attributes of Allah (swt)
The first pillar is to reject all other deities, idols, By having a comprehensive understanding of tawheed you
religions, gods, points of reference, anything that is become aware that any deviation from this in any action,
worshipped, obeyed, followed or submitted to (other than saying or conviction will result in the violation of ones
Allah (swt)). This part of the kalima is in fact declared even tawheed. It will make one aware of the shirk, kufr, nifaaq
before making the declaration to the belief in Allah (swt). and biddah and the dangers in involving in any of these. It
The point being that before we testify to our belief in Allah will allow you to have a much greater awareness of Allah
(swt) we are obliged to make nullification to all Taghooti . By (swt), the one who we devote our lives towards and are in
declaring kufr upon taghoot we are wiping the slate clean constant worship to, by enhancing this understanding you
from all other possible gods (i.e. purifying ourselves) in order increase your imaan and it enables you to put your life into
to then declare our firm and exclusive belief in Allah (swt). perspective giving you a clear understanding of your role
and responsibility as a Muslim.
The way to reject taghoot is to firstly believe that all
taghoot is falsehood, to then keep distance from it, to The implications of this one statement are insurmountable.
have enmity towards it together with the utmost hatred
and to declare takfir upon it. This is the manner within
which to fulfil this pillar of the kalima. It is also important to
The kalima is a statement that binds one
note that one has to ensure that this is adopted as a into a contract with Allah (swt)
conviction in the heart, testified upon the tongue and by declaring that you are no longer responsible for
practically implemented in our actions. It is not sufficient for determining right and wrong, good or bad and that you will
one to reject taghoot solely by the tongue as this would obey and follow none other than Allah (swt) in all of your
result in one carrying out acts that nullify this pillar i.e. acts affairs. It is to Him exclusively that you will devote all
of shirk and hence negate the belief. This pillar must be worship towards and give full submission to, ensuring that
enacted in all spheres of life and not just regarded as a we remain subservient and loyal to our word at the same
statement that has no bearing to reality. time recognising that if we deviate from this in any way then