Sound instincts and normal minds have ascertained that this universe has a Lord and that these creatures have a Creator, and they all agree on Allah’s Lordship. They incline to Him as the only Lord, and thus declare loud and clear that He Alone is worthy of this divinity, and that He has no rival and that none shares in His divinity. The signs about this are crystal clear, and include:
Minds are obliged to acknowledge that there is only One God, as if there were two gods – just for argument sake - the question remains: what would happen if there was a conflict and disagreement between them and each of them wanted to have his own way?!! The one wanted something one way and the other another. There would inevitably be one who would win, and thus the other would consequently become powerless. Can a god be powerless?!! It certainly remains a reality then that there is only One God. The Almighty says: }91. No son (or offspring or children) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him; (If there had been many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!{ }92. All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!{(Al-Mu’minun:91-92)
It is really a wonder how one might worship a powerless being who does not have the ability to help himself, let alone others, nor does he own the heavens and the earth, nor could he own them. Moreover, he would never be able to create anything, nor harm or benefit himself or others, nor cause death, life or resurrection!! Allah says: }1. Blessed be He Who sent down (Nazzala) the criterion to His servant that he may be a warner to all nations.{ }2. He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Who has begotten no son and for Whom there is no partner in the dominion. He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements.{ }3. Yet they have taken besides Him other gods who created nothing but are themselves created, and possess neither harm nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead.{(Al-Furqan:1-3)
Otherwise, if the matter was as the polytheists say: that there are other gods besides Allah who should be worshiped alongside Allah in order to grow closer to Him and to intercede for them, Allah forbid, then those other worshipped gods would also be worshippers of Allah, and would also seek a path to Him and a way to draw closer to Him. Allah says: }42. Say: “If there had been other gods along with Him as they assert, then they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne.{ }43. Glorified and Exalted is He high above what they say!{(Al-Isra:42-43)
Certainly Not! He is Allah, Who is One, the Eternal Refuge. He begets not, nor is born, and there is nothing comparable to Him.
Those other worshipped gods do not own any power or ability to do anything. Allah says: }22. Say (O Muhammad SAW to those polytheists, pagans, etc.) “Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allah, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them.’’{ }23. Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits.{(Saba’:22-23)
In this Qur’an excerpt there is a meaning that should be said to those who ascribe other creatures as partners to Allah; that such partners do not bring benefit or harm, since they are powerless, and that worshiping such creatures is invalid. So pray to those you think are partners with Allah, if your prayer is of any benefit, for they possess all the reasons that make them incapable of answering your prayers, in any way at all. Those partners do not have power over anything; because they do not own any iota in the heavens or on the earth, either independently, or in a partnership. Furthermore, those gods which have been invented do not own anything at all, either in the heavens or on the earth, for they own nothing, nor are they partners in anything with Allah. What remains to be said is the example of the hierarchy of royalty. There may be some who are aides to their master, and others who are ministers for him, so using them may be useful; because – as the king needs them – they are able to grant those who ask them what they need. Allah, however, rejects such a situation. He says: (nor there is for Him) That is: for Allah the One, the Subduer. (from among them) That is: from them, from those who are worshipped beside Him. (any supporter) That is: an aide, a visor or minister to help Him in running the affairs of the universe.
Contemplating over this universe and its movement in one perfect regular pattern in a miraculous, creative manner is the strongest proof that it is controlled by the single All-Knowing, All-Capable God. Allah says: }163. And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God ـ Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.{ }164. Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidences, signs, etc.) for people of understanding.{(Al-Baqarah 163-164)
What a perfect pattern and system that continues throughout life, never breaking down nor ceasing even for a second, as if that were to happen it would result in the destruction of the world. All of this cannot be patterned except by Allah. Is not the Originator of this ingeniousness in the creation and in the management of the universe’s affairs one being, without an opponent or a partner?! Does that not clearly and firmly suggest the impossibility of the existence of more than one god, for those who have a mind (to think)?!
Allah Almighty says: }22. Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily, both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above all that (evil) they associate with Him!{(Al-Anbiya:22)
That is, if there are in the heavens and the earth gods beside Allah, the heavens and the earth would have become corrupt, together with all the creatures living on and in them. The world – as it is seen – is in the most perfect form it can be with regards to goodness and regularity, without either flaws or defects, and without anything that restricts it or opposes it. This indicates that it has but one Manager, and its Lord is One and its god is One. For if this universe had two or more gods managing it, its order would have been broken and turned into chaos, and its foundations would have crumbled. For the gods would have disagreed with and opposed each other. If one wanted to carry out a particular task, while the other did not want to do this task at all, then it would be impossible to fulfill the two wishes together at the same time, but to fulfill the wish of the one and neglect that of the other means that one of them is incapable of managing the universe. It is also impossible that both of them would agree on everything all of the time. It is therefore a must that only the will of Allah the All-Powerful alone runs the universe, without any opponents or aides.
All prophets and messengers, from Adam, to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and then lastly Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all) with all their traits of infallibility of the soul, intelligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, right guidance and piety- have agreed on the Oneness of Allah Almighty, and that there is no God but Allah. Allah says: }25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We revealed to him (saying): “There is no God but I, so worship Me.’’{(Al-Anbiya:25)
Allah (Glorified be He) says the following about Noah (pbuh): }59. Indeed, We sent Nuh to his people and he said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him. Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day!’’{(Al-A`raf:59)
He says about Jesus (pbuh): }But the Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)) said: “O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.{(Al-Ma’idah:72)
The Almighty ordered Muhammad (pbuh) to say the following to his people: }108. Say (O Muhammad SAW): “It is revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is only one Ilah (God). Will you then submit to His Will (become Muslims and stop worshipping others besides Allah)?’’{(Al-Anbiya:108)
It is, therefore, more fitting of people with reasonable minds to follow their prophets, and to believe in Allah’s Oneness, and believe that He is the Lord and God; so as to be granted happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah says: }97. Whoever does righteous deeds - whether male or female - while he (or she) is a believer; then We will certainly give them a good life, and We will certainly grant them their rewards in proportion to the best of what they used to do.{(An-Nahl:97)
Good deeds with faith are rewarded with a pleasant life on this earth. This does not necessarily mean a life of wealth and riches, though that may also be the case, but it could be a pleasant life without money and wealth. In life there are many things besides money by which life becomes enriched - as there is the life wherein there is a continual contact with Allah and trust in Him, as well as a continual feeling of being satisfied that He is surrounding us with His Protection and Shelter. Also there is a life that contains health, tranquility and contentment, as well as blessings and peace in the home and love between the hearts, and a life that experiences the joy of doing good deeds and experiences the good effects of such acts on the conscience and on life in general. Money is but one element of the adornments of this worldly life: }46. Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for reward and better for hope.{(Al-Kahf:46)
When the heart is connected with what is greater, purer and more lasting with Allah, goodness of life has another meaning and happiness has another meaning too.
If, however, one insists on turning away from Allah, he then would have chosen for himself the avenues of misery and unhappiness, in which he would wander incessantly. He would fall deep into sorrow and anxiety, with these tearing the heart with agony and grief, in which he would wander aimlessly. Allah says: }And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky.{(Al-An`am:125)
Whoever believes in the Oneness of Allah Alone, with him having no partner, he may expect to have an open chest, comfort and reassurance. Whoever, on the other hand, Allah misguides, he will have a tight chest filled with intense anxiety, and bitter regret. May Allah protect us from becoming like such people. This is a similitude given for those who believe in Allah and in His Oneness, and those who are misguided and ascribe partners to Allah. Allah also gives another similitude. He says: }Allah puts forth a parable: a man belonging to many partners disputing with one another, and a man belonging entirely to one master. Are those two equal in comparison. All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them know not.{(Az-Zumar:29)
The similitude of a polytheist is that of a man owned by several men of fierce character and foul disposition. They dispute over him. One orders him to come, and another orders him to sit, while the third orders him to stand. He is confused. He has no comfort in his body, conscience, or soul. The similitude of one who believes in the Oneness of Allah, on the other hand, is that of a man who is owned by only one master. He is commanded and ordered only by him. Can such men ever be equal?! Praise be to Allah, perfect gratitude be to Him, and great thanks, that He is the One Lord and the One god, and that there is no other god or lord beside him. As for those who do not know, they live in the misery of internal conflict, with the resulting distress, depression, confusion, floundering and the suicide that may accompany it.
