Tawheed – A Term Deserving An Explanation – Part II – Its Effect On Man & Society

By Mass L. Usuf –JUNE 10, 2021

Mass Usuf

In the previous article (CT, 12/05/2021) monotheism as the foundation of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam was explained. The positions were substantiated with Scriptural references from all the three faiths. As a continuation of that understanding, ‘Its Effect On Man And Society’ will be explored in this column. The bedrock of Tawheed is seen in the Arabic phrase ‘La ilaha illallah’, “there is no God except Allah.” Also, seen in the Bible, Isaiah 45:5, “There is no God except Me, “

This declaration, to a Muslim, influences his interaction with religion, family, society, economics, politics, culture etc. In Islamic theology Tawheed is the precursor towards establishing a Godly society, Godly law and Godly system. Therefore, it is not one of spirituality alone but, is connected with the worldly duties and responsibilities of man, which may be broadly categorised as (1) The relationship of man with his God. (2) Man’s relationship with his own self. (3) Man’s relationship with society. (4) Man’s relationship with nature. This constitutes the overall foundation for human civilisation based on values of piety, truthfulness, equity, justice, love, and beauty.

Everyone Submits To “Fitra”

The English Philosopher, John Locke (1704), expounded the, ‘tabula rasa’.  It means that at birth the (human) mind is a “blank slate” without rules for processing data, and that data is added and rules for processing are formed later.  Abu Jaafar Ibn Thufail. (c. 1185), Arab Philosopher in his famous work “The Improvement of Human Reason”, demonstrated “By what Methods one may, by the mere Light of Nature, attain the Knowledge of things Natural and Supernatural; more particularly the Knowledge of God, and the Affairs of another Life.” (“Philosophus Autodidactus” (‘The Self-Taught Philosopher’).   John Locke, was greatly influenced by the thoughts of Ibn Thufail. Other legends of modern Western philosophy and the Scientific Revolution such as Thomas Hobbes, Isaac Newton, and Immanuel Kant were some others who followed Ibn Thufail’s thinking. (See: Samar Attar, The Vital Roots of European Enlightenment: Ibn Tufayl’s Influence on Modern Western Thought.)

Long before these Philosophers, Prophet Muhammed (May peace be upon him – PBUH) said:

“No baby is born but upon ‘Fitra’. It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 33, Number 6426).

The Arabic term ‘Fitra’ means, the state of purity and innocence; the “innate nature”. This refers to the natural disposition of any new born baby. The infant reacts not according to instructions or directions of anyone; Neither does it have any acquired knowledge from outside to act on its own. But, the infant with certitude responds instinctively, purely on the inbuilt nature.  This is one of the meanings of the ‘Fitra’ that the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was referring to. The Quran states:

“So, direct your face toward the religion as a man by nature upright – the nature (Fitra) made by Allah, in which He has created man. There is no altering (the laws of) Allah’s creation. That is the right religion, but most men know not.” (Chapter 30 Verse 30).

No person, be it the greatest Scientist, Reformer, Philosopher or, the greatest whoever, has ever been able to live outside the laws of nature (Fitra). Every person submits to this innate nature of his whether he likes it or not or, whether he believes in God or not.  They are the essentials for human existence. 

In the Arabic language, the triliteral letters (Siin-Lam-Miim) depicted in English as “SLM” inter alia, refers to this submission.  Innumerable derivations with variant meanings may be constructed with these letters. Some examples are: ‘Silm’ – Peace; ‘Tasleem’ – a person who submits; ‘Islam’ – Submission to Allah; ‘Muslim’ – a person who submits to Islam and so on. Thus, at childbirth, every child is born in this state of submission, conformance and obedience to the ‘Fitra’.  There can never be any alteration to the laws that Allah has created. At a universal level, the sun cannot be made to rise from the West and settle in the East. The Quran emphasises:

“Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the earth do bow (prostrate) themselves to Allah (acknowledging subjection), – willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows in the morning and evenings.” (Chapter 13 Verse 15).

Tawheed As Liberator

Lundstedt, the Scandinavian Realist questioned, “What would happen to human beings if legal activities were discontinued?” Little imagination is necessary, this would mean the collapse of society and the destruction of human beings. (Legal Thinking Revised, 1956). Would the status be any different if the legal activities continue nominally but, is as good as discontinued? Then, too, the collapse of society will be evident.

The quintessence of Tawheed is that it aims at creating a direct relationship between God and man. At the primordial stage this relationship was in coherence with the crude requirements and desires of man in that epoch say, at the hunter-gatherer stage. As man gradually progressed from his primordial state to a more complex social structure due to circumstances, he became enslaved in various ways, against his will. This condition requires liberating man from subjection. The freeing of man from the perception of fear which drives him to be subservient to phenomena in the natural world like earthquakes, the corona virus pandemics etc. Freeing man, who, with hope and fear, surrender to superstitious views and other forms of mythical beliefs and irrational practices.

In the same vein, to free man from all forms of worldly fetters by which he is entangled and, to unshackle him from the chains of bondage, both physical and psychological. Through this liberation, Islam endeavours to create for man an environment wherein he can think and act freely, without bias or prejudice or coercion, using the intellect and intelligence bestowed on him.  Both as an individual and, by the use of the collective wisdom of the society. Consciousness, hope, fear, submission and surrender is only to God. What Tawheed does is to clear and open the path for man to ponder and appreciate God and His creations. Islam does not force any human to follow it and the freedom to choose any religion is respected. 

“There is no compulsion in religion. The Right Path is clear from the wrong path.” (Chapter 2 Verse 256).

Tawheed Establishes Equality

The world and everything in it have been created for man for his use and enjoyment. Thus, Tawheed binds all of humanity in this common platform. Man, however, has fashioned to himself divisions and distinctions in relation to colour, race, ethnicity, geography, caste, rich and poor.   

In Sri Lanka, we see the early “feudal social order accompanying political system, ritual order, land tenure and extraction of services around the institution of caste ..” (See: Caste Discrimination and Social Justice in Sri Lanka: An Overview by Prof. Kalinga Tudor Silva).  In Sinhala society, Radala identified as a “born to rule”, Govigama ‘peasantry’, ‘Rodi’, to perform “menial” and “unclean” services were caste based social order. Professor Kalinga says, “Caste discrimination, included groups like Vahumpura (domestic servants of Goigama), Padu (farm workers of Goigama), Kumbal (potters), Berava (drummers and dancers), Rada (washermen) and Nawandanna (smiths).”

The caste system among Tamils in Jaffna is seen as very rigid with inequality, discrimination and social rejection driven by the notion of untouchability.  “The power, influence and high status in Jaffna society have been held by the land-owning Vellâlar caste.  The bottom layer of the Jaffna caste system is collectively referred to as “Panchamar”, consisting of Vannâr (Dhoby, i.e., Washerman), Ampattar (Barber), Pallar (Landless labourers), Nalavar (Toddy tappers) and Parayar (Funeral drummers) traditionally accorded untouchable status in Jaffna society.” (Ibid).  Speaking about the variances in human societies, the Quran states:

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