Below is an english translation and a brief commentary on Aqidah Tahawiyah, which is a famous Arabic treatise written by Imam Tahawi رحمه الله [d. 321 AH]. It is a concise and foundational text on Islamic creed, known for its simplicity and focus on core beliefs.
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بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, most merciful and most compassionate.
Creed 1
نَقُولُ فِي تَوْحِيدِ اللَّهِ مُعْتَقِدِينَ بِتَوْفِيقِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاحِدٌ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ
Imam Tahawi [Allah have mercy on him] says: With the help of Allah, we say about our belief in tawhid (oneness in Allah): Allah is one and has no partners. |
His statement ‘we say’, this refers to ‘Ahl al-Sunnah wa’ al-Jamaah’.
His statement ‘With the help of Allah’ indicates humility and submission to Allah, and also shows we as humans are dependant on Allah.
Our belief is that Allah is one and has no partners. There are many verses from the Quran indicating this.
Examples are:
Example 1
وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Translation: Your god is one God: There is no god but He, the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful. [2:163]
Example 2
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَٱسْتَقِيمُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ
Translation: Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I am only a man like you, ˹but˺ it has been revealed to me that your God is only One God. So take the Straight Way towards Him, and seek His forgiveness. [41:6]
Example 3
هَـٰذَا بَلَـٰغٌ لِّلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنذَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَلِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Translation: This is a message for mankind, so that they (take lessons and) be warned, and so that they may know that He is One God, and so that the people of understanding may observe the advice. [14:52]
Example 4
قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Translation: Say, ‘O Prophet,’ “The truth is that Allah is One’’. [112:1]
Example 5
لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُۥ ۖ وَبِذَٰلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا۠ أَوَّلُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
Translation: For Him there is no partner. And thus I have been commanded, and I am the first one to submit.” [6:163]
Both these meaning come together in the following verse –
Example 6
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ ۖ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ لِقَآءَ رَبِّهِۦ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَـٰلِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَحَدًۢا
Translation: Say, “Surely, I am but a human being like you; it is revealed to me that your God is the One God. So the one who hopes to meet his Lord must do righteous deeds and must not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord.” [18:110]
Creed 2
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌThere is nothing like him. |
This is based from the statement of Allah, as mentioned in Surah al-Shura:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ
There is nothing like unto him [42:11]
Also as mentioned in Surah al-Ikhlas, ‘And Nor is there to him any equivalent‘ [112:4].
Also we find in Surah al-Baqarah: ‘So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to him].’ [2:22]
Finally, we also find in Surah Maryam,
رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَٱصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَـٰدَتِهِۦ ۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُۥ سَمِيًّۭا ٦٥
Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them – so worship Him and have patience for His worship. Do you know of any similarity to Him?” [19:65]
To conclude, this creed refutes those who worship any thing that is created be it a human or an object.
Creed 3
وَلَا يَعْجِزُهُ شَيْءٌThere is nothing that can overwhelm him. |
This emphasises Allah’s absolute power and control over everything. It asserts that nothing, no matter how great or complex, can overpower or incapacitate Allah in any way. This is a foundational belief in Islam, affirming Allah’s omnipotence and perfection in all aspects.
Almighty Allah says:
لِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
“To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over all things competent.”
One of the beautiful names (Asma’ul Husna) of Almighty Allah is Al-Qadir (الْقَادِر). This highlights his absolute power and capability.
The name is derived from the root word ق-د-ر (q-d-r), which conveys the meanings of power, ability, authority, and determination.
Key lessons:
- Tawheed (Oneness of Allah): Believing in Allah as Al-Qadir affirms that all power belongs to Him alone, and no one can challenge or compare to Him.
- Reliance on Allah: Recognising that Allah is Al-Qadir encourages reliance (tawakkul) on Him in all matters, as nothing is impossible for Him.
- Humility and Gratitude: Acknowledging Allah’s ultimate power humbles a believer and fosters gratitude for His blessings and decrees.
- Hope and Fear: Knowing Allah’s power inspires hope in His ability to resolve difficulties and fear of His punishment for those who disobey.
