Nur al-Tawhid wa Zulumat al-Shirk fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna
- Author died
- 1440 AH
- Editions
- Maṭba'at Safīr
Nur al-Tawhid wa Zulumat al-Shirk fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (The Light of Monotheism and the Darkness of Polytheism in the Light of the Quran and Sunna) is a concise treatise on Islamic creed by the Saudi scholar Saeed bin Ali bin Wahf al-Qahtani (d. 1440 AH / 2018 CE), dedicated to defining Islamic monotheism (tawhid) and detailing the reality and perils of polytheism (shirk) through scriptural evidence .
Composition and Context
The author completed the drafting of the treatise on Tuesday afternoon, 16 Shawwal 1419 AH . It forms part of al-Qahtani's wider thematic series contrasting the "lights" of Islamic virtues with the "darknesses" of deviation, and was also incorporated as the seventh treatise within his comprehensive compilation Aqidat al-Muslim fi Daw al-Kitab wa al-Sunna (The Muslim's Creed in the Light of the Book and the Sunna) .
Structure and Content
The work is organized into an introduction followed by two primary chapters (mabhath), each containing several sub-sections (matlab) :
- The Light of Monotheism (Nur al-Tawhid): This chapter begins by defining monotheism as firm conviction in God's exclusivity in His names and attributes, lordship, and divinity, along with the singular dedication of all worship to Him . It proceeds to enumerate scriptural proofs establishing tawhid, outlines its divisions, and expounds on its fruits and spiritual benefits .
- The Darkness of Polytheism (Zulumat al-Shirk): This chapter examines the definition of polytheism and presents proofs refuting it . It discusses the theological distinctions between affirmed and negated forms of intercession (al-shafa'a), clarifies that God alone is the Bestower of blessings worthy of worship, and outlines the causes, avenues, categories, and detrimental effects of shirk on individuals and society .
Methodology
Al-Qahtani constructs the work's doctrinal arguments primarily through thematic citations of Quranic verses and prophetic hadiths, supplemented by explanations and definitions drawn from classical and later scholars, including al-Tabari, al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir, and Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di .
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