The Beneficial Summary in Clarifying the Evidence for the Categories of Tawheed

By Shaykh ʿAbd al-Razzāq Ibn ʿAbd al-Muḥsin al-ʿAbbād al-Badr

Before you is a detailed work by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq al-‘Abbaad of al-Madeenatun-Nabawiyyah outlining the categories and types of Tawheed as understood by the people of knowledge, from the time of the Messenger of Allaah, to present times. Also included are replies to some of the modern-day callers to misguidance who have attempted to belittle, and even deny the three well-known categories of Tawheed:

[i]: Tawheedur-Ruboobiyyah

[ii]: Tawheedul-Uloohiyyah

[iii]: Tawheedul-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat

In addition to this, the original source work by Shaykh ‘Abdur-Razzaaq has received critical acclaim from the scholars of our times, such as al-‘Allaamah Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan who said, “Indeed, I have read the reply of Shaykh, Dr. ‘Abdur-Razzaaq concerning this topic. So I found it – and the praise is for Allaah – an appropriate and complete reply that relies upon convincing proofs that have been followed in the manhaj of the Salafus-Saalih from the people of knowledge and insight, such as Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) – rahimahullaah – who said in his sermon: The praise is for Allaah who, in every age and interval between the Prophets, raises up a group from the people knowledge, who call the misguided to guidance, patiently bearing ill-treatment and harm. With the Book of Allaah, they give life to the dead… They expel from the Book of Allaah the alterations of those going beyond bounds and the false interpretations of the ignorant ones…” Refer to al-Qawlus-Sadeed (p. 8) of ‘Abdur-Razzaaq al-‘Abbaad.

Imaam At-Tahawi on the Categories of Tawheed

The Imaam, Aboo Ja’far at-Tahaawee (d.321H) – rahimahullah – said in the introduction of his text concerning ‘aqeedah (belief), commonly-known as, at-Tahaawiyyah, “We say concerning the Tawheed of Allaah, whilst believing in the guidance of Allaah: that Allaah is One without any associate, and there is nothing similar to Him, and nothing can render Him incapable and there is no deity besides Him…”

Refer to al-‘Aqeedatut-Tahaawiyyah (p. 5), with notes of ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn Baaz.

So his statement, ‘Allaah is One without any associate,’ comprises the three categories of Tawheed. So He (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala) is One without any associate in His Ruboobiyyah, One without any associate in HisUloohiyyah and One without any associate in His Names and Attributes.

And his statement, ‘and there is nothing similar to Him,’ is from Tawheedul-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat.

And his statement, ‘and nothing can render Him incapable,’ is from Tawheedur-Ruboobiyyah.

And his statement, ‘and there is no deity besides Him,’ is from Tawheedul-Uloohiyyah.

So these three categories of Tawheed are clear and elucidative in the text of the Imaam (rahimahullah). Indeed, he has mentioned in his aforementioned text that it encompasses, “an explanation of the ‘aqeedah ofAhlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah upon the madhhab of the fuqahaa’ (jurists) of the Religion: Abee Haneefah an-Nu’maan Ibn Thaabit al-Koofee (d.150H), Abee Yoosuf Ya’qoob Ibn Ibraaheem al-Ansaaree (d.182H) and Abee ‘Abdullaah Muhammad Ibnul-Hasan ash-Shaybaanee (d.189H) – RadiyAllahu ‘anhum – and what they believed from the foundation of the Religion and what they worshipped the Lord of the worlds with.”

Source: The Beneficial Summary in Clarifying the Evidences for the Categories of Tawheed, The Noble Shaykh, Dr. ‘Abdur-Razzaaq Ibn ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad, Translations and additions by Maaz Qureshi, Sunnah Publishing, pp.55-56.