Tawheed Lesson 04 (Sisters) – “I Love Not Those That Set” | Tawheed, the Dunya, and the Struggle of the Nafs

This sisters’ lesson continues the structured study of Tawheed by moving beyond the enumeration of Allah’s attributes toward a deeper reflection on the nature of creation and the human heart’s attachment to what is fleeting.

Having previously established the foundational attributes of Allah — including existence, pre-eternity, everlastingness, absolute independence, and complete dissimilarity to creation — the discussion now examines what these realities mean when we observe the world around us.

The lesson begins with the Qur’anic reflection of Ibrahim (ʿalayhi as-salām), who looked at the celestial bodies and declared:

“I love not those that set.”

When the star disappeared, it was rejected as an object of devotion. When the moon set, it too was rejected. When the sun vanished, the conclusion became clear: anything that rises and falls, appears and disappears, cannot be worthy of ultimate attachment.

Through this example, the lesson highlights a central principle of Tawheed: everything in creation is contingent, dependent, and passing. Only Allah possesses true permanence.

From this foundation, the discussion turns toward the nature of the dunya itself. The word “dunya” carries the meaning of that which is low, fleeting, and close at hand. People pursue it with intensity, yet it continually escapes their grasp. Attachment to what inevitably disappears leads to disappointment, frustration, and grief.

The human being was created with longing and desire. If that longing is not directed toward the Eternal, it inevitably attaches itself to what fades.

The lesson then shifts inward to examine the role of the nafs, particularly nafs al-ammārah, the lower self that commands toward wrongdoing. The nafs seeks immediate gratification and temporary pleasure, often resisting discipline and spiritual growth. Without awareness and restraint, its impulses dominate behaviour.

Gatherings of sacred knowledge are presented as a remedy for this condition. When teachings transmitted from the Prophet ﷺ reach the heart, they illuminate the soul and gradually reshape character. Such circles of knowledge are described as moments of spiritual elevation where divine remembrance transforms the inner state.

A key theme throughout the session is sincerity. Believers are encouraged to remove blameworthy traits such as impatience, heedlessness, and self-centeredness, replacing them with sincere intention directed purely toward Allah.

The lesson also reframes life’s difficulties through the lens of Tawheed. People frequently find themselves in situations they did not choose and cannot easily escape. Without spiritual understanding, such circumstances lead to resentment or complaint. Tawheed, however, teaches the believer to ask a different question: not “What do I want?” but “What does Allah want from me in this moment?”

The example of the Prophet ﷺ at Taif is recalled, where he endured rejection and injury yet remained focused only on whether his Lord was pleased with him.

True faith is revealed precisely in these moments — when the believer continues to act sincerely even when circumstances conflict with personal preference.

The lesson concludes with a reminder that life itself unfolds according to the will of Allah. Through patience, remembrance, and sincere effort, the heart gradually detaches from what passes and turns toward the One who never passes.