The Essence of Tawhid: Turning Towards Allah
Tawhid, the cornerstone of Islamic belief, is more than just reciting the declaration of oneness; it signifies directing one’s entire being towards Allah. Abdülkadir Geylani (r.a.) emphasizes this profound meaning in his works, stating that worship is not merely about rituals but requires internalizing feelings such as love, reverence, hope, and awe. Reaching the truth of tawhid means not serving anyone other than Allah; this means considering His pleasure in all our actions. Geylani’s teaching expresses that a sincere understanding of tawhid will lead to a profound transformation within a person’s inner world and bring them closer to their Lord.
Errors on the Path of Will and the Risk of Shirk
The journey of those progressing on the spiritual path can sometimes be misleading. It is possible to make mistakes during the pursuit of a desired goal or in trying to determine the correct way to achieve it. Geylani (r.a.) clearly states that seeing someone other than Allah as a source of fear and hope, and substituting this for turning towards Him, carries the risk of shirk (associating partners with God). At this point, understanding the depth of tawhid and directing all our emotional ties towards Allah is of great importance; because those who cannot correct this wrong direction cannot reach true tawhid.
The Importance of Sharia: The Balance Between Destiny and Will
Geylani (r.a.) emphasizes the importance of sharia, expressing that spiritual progress is possible only by correctly establishing the balance between destiny and will. Sharia is the totality of Allah’s revealed rulings and forms the basic framework guiding a person’s behavior. Those progressing on the path of will must act in accordance with legal precepts and prevent selfish desires and fatalistic approaches. As taught by Sheikh Abdülkadir (r.a.), instead of trying to understand the Lord’s will, it is essential to obey His commands and act under the guidance of sharia; thus, the servant gains Allah’s pleasure and achieves spiritual maturity.
The Essence of Reliance on God: Acting According to Command
Geylani (r.a.)’s teaching clearly reveals that reliance on God is not merely about accepting fate but is also possible by acting as Allah commands. Reliance on God means seeking refuge in Him and asking for His help when facing impossibility, instead of despairing; however, this help gains meaning with the servant doing their best. Fulfilling commandments and avoiding what is forbidden are a requirement of reliance on God, through which the servant both serves Allah and strives to gain His pleasure; thus, they reach a true understanding of tawhid.