Monotheism was introduced by all messengers

Painted in 2008, entitled Al Alaq 1 & 8. Emulsion on Linen. Measures: 51 cm X 105.

The meaning of ayat Al Alaq 1 & 8: In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the most Merciful. 1. Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). 2. He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). 3. Read! And your Loard is the Most Generous. 4. Who has taught the writing by pen. 5. He has taught man that which he he knew not. 6. Nay! verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed). 7. Because he consider himself self-sufficient. 8. Surely,unto your Lord is the return.

Charles is a new friend of Shukor Yahya, he is from Long Island, USA, the home to the late Jackson Pollock. He is an artist and a regular chatter at Saatchi Gallery Chat-Live. Last night both of them had a nice chat on line. He was not sure if Muhammad S.A.W. was a fighter, a prophet or an artist. Out of the whole world population only about 1/6 recognizes who Muhammad S.A.W. is.

Ever since people innovated the dogma of Shirk, (i.e. joining others in worship along with Allah), Allah had been sending Prophets and Messengers to His devotees in order to invite them to the worship of Allah alone, to order them not to ascribe partners unto Him and bring them out of the darkness of polytheism into the light of Monotheism.

All the Prophets preached Tauhid (i.e. Monotheism, the Belief in the Oneness of Allah, the Glorious, the Elevated). The following Verses from the Noble Qur'an illustrate this fact:

Painted in 2008, entitled Nuh: 5-11. Emulsion on Linen. Measures: 72 cm X 102 cm.

The meaning of ayat Nuh : 5 -11.

5. He said, O my Lord! I have called to my people night and day 6. But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right). 7. And every time I have called to them, that you might forgive them, they have (only) thrusts their fingers through their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance. 8. So I have called them aloud; 9. Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private. 10. Saying, ask forgiveness from your lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving: 11. He will send rain to you in abundance.

"Indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a great Day!" (V. 7:59).

"And to 'Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Will you not fear (Allah)?" (V. 7:65).

"And to the people of Madyan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you, so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not make mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers.' " (V.7:85)

"And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).' " (V. 7:73).

"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)." (V. 16:36).

(1) The word Taghut covers a wide range of meanings: It means anything i.e., all the false deities worshipped other than the Real God (Allah). It may be Satan, devils, idols, stones, sun, stars, angels human beings e.g. 'Isa (Jesus), Messenger of Allah, who were falsely worshipped and taken as Taghut. Likewise saints, graves, rulers, leaders, are falsely worshipped, and wrongly followed.

Muhammad :7

Painted in 2008,

Emulsion on Linen.

Measures : 64 cm X 64 cm

The meaning of ayat Muhammad : 7

O you who believe! If you will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.

Prophet was sent unto his own nation for their guidance, but the Message of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W., was general for all mankind and jinn. As in Surat Al-A'rdf (Allah addresses His Messenger S.A.W.):

"Say (0 Muhammad S.A.W.): '0 mankind: Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." (V. 7:158).

So the aim of sending these Prophets and Messengers to men and jinn was only that they should worship Allah Alone, as Allah S.W.T. said:

"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they should worship Me (Alone)" The Qur'an (V. 51:56).

And to worship Allah means to obey Him and to do all He has ordained, and to fear Him by abstaining from all He has forbidden.

Then those who will obey Allah will be rewarded in Paradise, and those who will disobey Him will be punished in the Hell-fire.

Supplification Painted in 2008, Emulsion on Linen. Measures 64 cm X 64 cm

The meaning: O lord, please accept us into paradise and save us from the fire of Hell.

Copyright © 2008 by Shukor Yahya

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