Ali Shariati Invitation of the Ummah to Monotheism

It is a clear fact that Islam and Islamic ideology invite the ummah or community to monotheism, the belief in the One God. As Muhammad Abduh expresses it, “The original meaning of monotheism (tawhid) is the belief that God is one in inalienable divinity.  Monotheism was the great aim of the mission of the Prophet Muhammad, the blessings and peace of God be upon him.”

Monotheism announces that all of creation is one empire, in the hands of One Power and that all human beings are from One Source, are guided through One mill, are oriented towards One Way, are made of one type, have One God and that all powers, symbols, manifestations, values and signs must be destroyed before the Truth, thereby necessitating the unity of the universe and the unity of human beings.

The belief in the One God has been stressed by all Muslim scholars, whether part of the Islamic movement or not for it is a universal principle of Islam. The criteria is whether or not it is solidified in theory, as has quite often been the case in Islamic history, or applied in practice, for ours is not just a school of thought, but a school of action as well.

This ‘desire’ for action, which is an Integral part of the world view of Iqbal Lahouri is in reference to a fiery and revolutionary action, one which is the product of the explosion of pain and the flames of love.

It is clearly the application of monotheism, the putting of it into practice, the desire for action which has been distorted throughout our turbulent history. It has often been presented by a person, group, class or society, friend and foe, which is afraid of the people awakening, becoming literate, becoming scholars. They want knowledge to always be the monopoly of one thing—themselves. Why? Because as knowledge progresses, the people gain consciousness and awareness and this, in turn, causes the awakening of a spirit of objection and criticism and the seeking of justice in people.