Welcome to the third episode of “Heavenly Call” on the occasion of the blessed fasting month of Ramadhan. Before we start our daily programme here is the special supplication for the 3rd day of Ramadhan:

 “O Allah, grant me this day mental acumen and alertness, and keep me away from foolishness and dissemblance. Appoint me a share of every good that You send down in it with Your generosity, O Most Generous of the generous!

Today we talk about the principle of monotheism which is firm faith in the indivisible Oneness of God Almighty, and negates worship of any deputy as its clear by its wordings: "la ilaha il-Allah", which means “there is no god except Allah.”

This dynamic belief makes Islam different from all other creeds, such as the idol-worshipping Hindus, the dualism of the Zoroastrian dualism, the polytheist ideas of the Jews, and the weird concept of trinity of the Christians.

Ayah 19 of Surah Aal-e Imran is specific in this regard and reads:

 “Allah bears witness that there is no god except Him —and [so do] the angels and those who possess knowledge— maintainer of justice, there is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All-wise.”

It is thus clear that a person who believes in the One and Only Creator of the universe, will neither worship deities or devils, nor will yield to humiliation and the pressure of tyrants. A true believer relies on Divine Power, thereby by safeguarding his intellectual and practical independence. Apart from this, he is free of doubts and is certain of what Islam means.

As a matter of fact, the testimony of monotheism “there is no god but Allah” was the concept of the messages of all previous prophets, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others, but unfortunately, it was distorted by charlatans. Monotheism is the key to self-development and inculcates ethereal values, since we all return to God Almighty.

In Ayah 105 of Surah Mae’dah, God Almighty says:

“O you who have faith! Take care of your own souls. He who strays cannot hurt you if you are guided. To Allah will be the return of you all, whereat He will inform you concerning what you used to do.”

This ayah is clear that the faith of a true believer cannot be corrupted, not even by his closest relatives.

In this regard, God Almighty says in ayah 23 of Surah Towbah:

 “O you who have faith! Do not befriend your fathers and brothers1 if they prefer faithlessness to faith. Those of you who befriend them —it is they who are the wrongdoers.”

Of course, this does not mean we sever our relations with all. On the contrary, it is the duty of Muslims to guide all those in contact with them, whether kin, kith, friends, family members, and other relatives, on the basis of reason and ratioinal discourse.

FK/AS/ME