Monotheism in Islamic Ideology

Monotheism in Islamic Ideology

The Qur'anic monotheism is not an indifferent and irresponsible concept. It is rather a committed and a constructive notion. It is a way of thinking which has an effective role in the construction and administration of society. It defines the aim and the strategy of the society. Monotheism is indeed one of the corner-stones-the principal one-of Islamic Ideology.

The dependence of the world and man on a superior power (God) demands the world to have been created for a purpose. It also demands responsibility; that is, man by using his power of thinking and decision should choose the straight path in order to achieve an aim. He should actually know this aim and the direction which ends in it.

Considering God as the only creator of the world necessitates that the power of legislation be exclusive to His Will, and all the animates who possess common sense be subject to follow His rules (Exclusive Divinity). Also, the infinite knowledge of God demands that the competency of making rules for men, which are unavoidably based on man's needs and interests, be solely confined to Him.

The uniform servitude of all the living things towards God necessitates that none of His creatures be granted the right to govern over others (negation of idolatry). It also necessitates that the leader of mankind be the one whom God himself has chosen to govern, either by appointing the innocent Imams or by defining the criteria for Islamic governors at the time of the innocent Imam's absence (Exclusive Divinity).

Thinking about the following verses of the Qur'an will elucidate parts of the Islamic thought about monotheism:

﴾Yet there be men who take to themselves compeers apart from God, loving them as God is loved. But those that believe love God more ardently: "if the evildoers might see, when they see the chastisement, that the power altogether belongs to God, and that God is terrible in chastisement, when those that were followed disown their followers and they see the chastisement, and their cords are cut asunder, and those that followed say, "if only we might return again and disown them, as they have disowned us.' Even so God shall show them their works. O bitter regrets for them. Never shall they issue from the Fire. (2:165-167)﴿

* THE GENERAL PATTERN OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT IN THE QUR'AN. By: SAYYED ALI KHAMENEI. Translated by: Alireza Anoushiravan