Threats to Devotional Monotheism

In Tafsir al-Tasnim, Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli provides a profound analysis of the threats that undermine devotional monotheism (tawḥīd ʿibādī), shedding light on the inner and outer enemies that imperil the human journey toward spiritual perfection. The Qur’an, described as “a healing for what is in the breasts” (10:57), identifies these threats and offers guidance on overcoming them. Through this lens, monotheism in worship is not merely a verbal affirmation of God’s oneness but a sincere devotion that requires constant vigilance against forces that distort and corrupt the soul.

The first and most insidious threat comes from within: the carnal desires (hawā al-nafs) of the human self. As narrated in Islamic traditions, “Your most hostile enemy is your self that is between your two sides.” This internal foe is deemed the most hostile because it operates from the closest proximity to the individual, exploiting human vulnerabilities in a manner no external adversary can match. Carnal desires, when left unchecked, lead to a life dominated by excessive indulgence in eating, sleeping, and speaking. These habits not only stifle spiritual growth but also weaken a person’s capacity for meaningful action, leaving them incapacitated and filled with regret. The unchecked dominance of desire transforms the individual into a servant of their whims rather than a servant of God. The Qur’an sternly warns against this condition, stating: “Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him? Or do you think that most of them hear or reason? They are not except like livestock. Rather, they are [even] more astray in [their] way” (45:23–24).

When desire takes the throne in a person’s heart, it becomes their object of worship, displacing God from the central position in their life. Such a person may utter the words “You [alone] we worship” (1:5) in prayer, but their actions reveal a lie. Their heart becomes an idol temple where the ego reigns supreme, reducing the individual to a worshipper of self rather than a worshipper of God. This condition represents one of the gravest forms of idolatry (shirk), for it replaces divine servitude with servitude to fleeting whims.

The second threat to devotional monotheism is external: the whisperings and machinations of Satan. The Qur’an portrays Satan as a relentless adversary who manipulates human desires to lead them astray: “I will surely mislead them and surely arouse in them [sinful] desires” (4:119). Unlike the internal enemy of desire, which directly influences the individual, Satan operates through an intermediary. He gains control over the human perceptual and motivational faculties by magnifying desires and adorning sinful actions. Satan’s approach can be likened to poison: it can only harm the body if ingested or absorbed. Similarly, Satan’s deceptions are effective only when an individual allows their desires to align with his whispers. Without this internal susceptibility, Satan’s influence is powerless.

The Qur’an repeatedly warns humanity against succumbing to Satan’s deception: “Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan—[for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy” (36:60). Worshipping Satan does not necessarily take the form of overt rituals directed toward him; rather, it manifests in obedience to his whispers, which align with the carnal desires of the soul. This dual influence of internal desire and external temptation creates a powerful synergy that threatens devotional monotheism.

The consequences of yielding to these enemies are severe. The Qur’an records the rebuke of Abraham (a), “Fie upon you and what you worship besides God!” (21:67), which is directed at all forms of idolatry, whether external or internal. Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli emphasizes that this rebuke is timeless and applies even today to those who worship their desires or fall prey to Satan’s influence. In the Qur’anic worldview, worship is not merely ritualistic but encompasses the entirety of human action and intention. To follow one’s desires or succumb to Satan’s whispers is to misdirect one’s devotion, making such individuals worshippers of something other than God.

True monotheism (tawḥīd) requires overcoming these internal and external threats. It is a state in which the worshipper directs all actions, intentions, and devotion exclusively toward God. This state elevates the individual to the highest spiritual station, the pinnacle of divine guardianship (wilāya). In contrast, surrendering to the dual enemies of desire and Satan leads to the abyss of misguidance, depriving the individual of the honor of divine servitude and making them deserving of the same rebuke given to idol worshippers.

The Qur’anic emphasis on restraining desire and resisting Satan’s influence serves as a guide for achieving true monotheism. Restraint, self-discipline, and spiritual vigilance are the tools that enable the believer to neutralize these threats. By conquering the inner enemy of desire, one strengthens their defenses against Satan’s external attacks, for Satan’s whispers lose their potency when they encounter a heart purified of ego and aligned with divine will.

Ultimately, the journey toward devotional monotheism is not passive but an active struggle against these two powerful adversaries. It is through this struggle that the believer transforms their worship into a sincere and exclusive devotion to God, embodying the essence of tawḥīd. As Ayatollah Jawadi Amuli’s commentary reminds us, the path to God requires the discipline to resist distractions and the courage to confront the enemies within and without, ensuring that one’s worship remains pure and directed solely toward the Creator.

Reference

Tafsir al-Tasnim (Surah Al-Hamd)