The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 1: Knowing Allah
A study of Chapter 1 from The Three Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab, focusing on the knowledge of Allah.
The Three Fundamental Principles – Chapter 1: Knowing Allah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Introduction
This post begins our journey through The Three Fundamental Principles by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab. This book is a concise guide to the essential knowledge every Muslim must have.
Chapter 1: Knowing Allah
The First Principle: Knowledge of Allah
The first fundamental principle is knowing Allah - understanding who He is, His attributes, and His rights upon us. This is the foundation of all Islamic knowledge and the first question every person will be asked in the grave.
The Question in the Grave
The first question every soul will be asked in the grave is: Who is your Lord?
Arabic Text: مَنْ رَبُّكَ؟
Transliteration: Man Rabbuk?
English Translation: Who is your Lord?
The Answer
Arabic Text: رَبِّيَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي رَبَّانِي وَرَبَّى جَمِيعَ الْعَالَمِينَ بِإِحْسَانِهِ وَهُوَ إِلَهِي لَا إِلَهَ لِي سِوَاهُ
Transliteration: Rabbiy Allaah alladhee rabbaanee wa rabbaa jamee’al-‘aalameen bi-ihsaanihi wa huwa ilahee laa ilaaha lee siwaah
English Translation: My Lord is Allah, Who nurtured me and all creation by His favors. He is my deity; I worship none but Him.
Quranic Evidence
“So know that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin.” (Quran 47:19)
“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him.” (Quran 17:23)
Hadith Evidence
- The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The right of Allah upon His servants is that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
What It Means to Know Allah
- Knowing His Existence - Understanding that Allah exists and is the Creator of everything
- Knowing His Lordship - Recognizing that Allah is the Lord of all creation
- Knowing His Names and Attributes - Learning about Allah’s beautiful names and perfect attributes
- Knowing His Right to Worship - Understanding that only Allah deserves to be worshipped
The Four Matters of Knowledge
The author mentions four essential matters that every person must know:
- Knowledge - Knowing Allah, His Messenger, and the religion of Islam
- Action - Acting upon this knowledge
- Calling - Inviting others to this knowledge
- Patience - Being patient upon the harm that comes from calling to the truth
Key Lessons
- Knowledge of Allah is the foundation of all Islamic knowledge
- This knowledge must be followed by action
- We must call others to this knowledge with wisdom and patience
- True knowledge leads to proper worship and obedience
Previous: Introduction - The Four Matters Next: Chapter 2 – Knowing the Religion of Islam