Du`a – Essence of `Ibadat Part One - Uluhiyyat (Divinity)

Uluhiyyat (Divinity)

The third part of the Fatihah is about uluhiyyat or Divinity and this meaning is hidden in the word “Allah”. The word “Allah” originally was al-ilah the definite form of ilah, but because of frequent usage has become “Allah”. It is therefore not a plastic (jamid) noun, but is derived from ilah. However, there is no doubt that the word “Allah” is mostly used in the sense of God. Sometimes it also means 'Worshipped One' (ma`bud) and in fact this is its original meaning, as it is said in the Qur'an: “Wahuwa'llahu fi's-samawati wa-fi'l-ardh (And He alone is Worshipped in the heavens and in the earth)” (6:3). Thus the word “Allah” is the subject of uluhiyyat. That is, the subject of Godhead and servitude [of the servants]. However here again the question arises: What is the means of the recognition of the True Worshipped (ma`bud)? And what is the true way of God's worship through which His pleasure can be attained? The detailed answer to this important question is related to all those Qur'anic verses in which divinity, recognition and servitude are dealt with, and the key to every detail can be obtained from those holy personalities to whom alif and lam allude, as mentioned earlier.

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