The One True God is a reflection of Islam’s unique and exclusive concept of God. Allah (SWT) is the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe; there is nothing that can be likened to or compared to Him. The contemporaries of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asked him about God; The answer came from Allah Himself in a brief chapter of the Quran, considered the essence of unity or the motto of tawheed. This is chapter 112, which says:
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘He is God, the One and Only. God is the All-Powerful [Whom all depend upon, Who needs no one]. He neither begets nor is begotten. There is nothing and no one like Him.’”
Why This Journey Matters: The Book’s Purpose
Shahid Siddique’s “Way to God” offers a profound roadmap for those yearning to strengthen their relationship with the Divine. Delving into foundational Islamic principles such as Tawheed (the oneness of God), cultivating love for the Prophet, and engaging in dhikr (remembrance of God), the book inspires readers to transform their daily lives.
The Challenge of Sincerity in Faith
Firm belief in the oneness of God requires unwavering awareness of the heart to reject every whisper that attempts to adulterate the worship of the servant of his Lord and to reject every diabolical suggestion, so that one can sincerely direct and dedicate every action to Allah. Unfortunately, most people are distracted by certain sins that can corrupt and distort their beliefs, even when their decisions are very sincere. Similarly, most Muslims always declare themselves free from such sins and become angry if accused of committing them. And this is correct. Yet, due to the subtle nature of these sins, some people commit them carelessly. Through contemplative insights and practical guidance, Sahibzada motivates seekers to rediscover sacred teachings, embrace deeper meaning, and embark on a heartfelt journey towards Allah, grounded in devotion, discipline, and longing.
Scriptural Reminder: Divine Sovereignty
“There is no god but Him! All things perish except His face! His is the decision! And to Him you will be returned.” (Al-Qasas: 88)
“Those who tremble in fear of their Lord, who believe in the signs of their Lord, who do not associate other gods with their Lord, who give what has been given to them with a fearful heart, thinking that they will return to their Lord—those are the ones who compete in good deeds and are the first to do them.” (Al-Mu’minun: 57-61)
Understanding Divine Unity: The Oneness of God
The Quran speaks to us about the falsehood of the gods associated with God. To those who worship objects created by men, God asks:
“Do you worship what you yourselves carve?” (Quran 37:95)
“Do you take [idols] as protectors instead of Him, which can neither benefit nor harm themselves?” (Quran 13:16)
A Lesson from Prophet Abraham: Challenging Celestial Worship
The story of the Prophet Abraham refers to those who worship celestial bodies:
“And when night came, he saw a star [and to make his people reflect, he gave them examples they could understand] and said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it disappeared, he exclaimed, ‘I do not worship those who are absent.’ Then, when he saw the moon appear, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it disappeared, he exclaimed, ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I will be among the astray.’” (Quran 6:76-79)
The Believer’s Attitude: Faith in Action
To be a Muslim, that is, to freely submit to the oneness of God, it is necessary to believe in the oneness of God, in Him as the sole Creator, Preserver, Sustainer, etc. But this belief alone is not enough. Many idolaters believed that only the Supreme God could do these things. However, that was not enough for them to be considered monotheists. In addition to this belief, one must believe that only God deserves to be worshipped, and that this implies turning away from the worship of other beings.
Faith in Practice: Living Tawheed
Having attained this knowledge about the one true God, one must constantly have faith in Him and must not allow anything to lead one astray from the truth. This means that if one willingly submits to God without reservation and acknowledges that He alone deserves to be worshipped, one must consequently worship Him alone. That is to say, one must strive to be obedient to God and put this knowledge into practice in daily life. God asks rhetorically in the Quran:
“Did you think We created you without purpose, and that you would not appear before Us?” (Quran 23:115)
“Indeed, We created the jinn and mankind to worship Me.” (Quran 51:56)
Faith and Action: The Heart’s Proof
Therefore, when faith enters the heart, it produces a consciousness that leads to action. Together, consciousness and actions are the proof of true faith. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“Faith resides in the heart, and actions prove it.”
The Essence of Worship
The most important of these states of consciousness is gratitude towards God, which is the essence of worship.
The feeling of gratitude is so important that a non-believer is called a ‘kafir’, which means ‘one who denies the truth’ and also ‘one who is ungrateful’.
Guarding the Faith: Innovation, Apostasy, and Correct Belief
For AHLUSUNNAH WA AL’YAMA (All-Powerful) does not judge anyone as an unbeliever for committing a sin unless it declares it permissible and does not consider it haram (forbidden). Likewise, scholars continue to discuss the problem of apostasy and its causes, as well as the reasons for religious deviation and innovation, to warn people against these sins. Whoever studies the correct belief, teaches it to others, refutes deviations, and denounces the paths that lead to these deviations, to unbelief, and to innovation in religion, follows the correct methodological path and adheres to the righteous path.
Take the next step in your spiritual journey—pick up Shahid Siddique’s “Way to God” and explore the timeless guidance to oneness of God.
