Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The noble Shari'ah has made it obligatory upon every mukallaf to know Allah the Exalted, as stated in His words [which mean]: "So know [O Muhammad] that there is no deity except Allah..." [Muhammad/19]. Moreover: "Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death. We have made the signs clear for you that you may understand." [Al-Hadid/17].
Knowledge of Allah is achieved by affirming for Him the necessary attributes of perfection, negating from Him the impossible attributes of deficiency, and recognizing the permissibility of His actions—such as giving existence, causing death, granting life, creation, and resurrection. Allah says [what means]:" And that to your Lord is the finality, and that it is He who makes [one] laugh and weep, and that it is He who causes death and gives life." [An-Najim/42-44].
The author of Jawharat al-Tawhid states in verse:
"Every mukallaf, by divine law, must know
What is necessary for Allah, permissible, and impossible too.
The same applies to His Messengers—so listen well,
For this knowledge is what saves from Hell."
The foundational knowledge required by Shari'ah is attained by reflecting upon Allah's signs and His magnificent creation, leading to correct understanding. Such reflection is obligatory because whatever is necessary for fulfilling an obligation is itself obligatory. Allah commands reflection: "Do they not look at the camels—how they are created?" [Al-Ghashiyah/17]. Imam al-Taftazani explained that reflection is obligatory due to the obligation of knowledge, stating: "The absolute obligation is knowledge, and whatever is necessary to achieve an absolute obligation is itself obligatory by Shari'ah." [Sharh al-Maqasid, Vol.1/P.45].
A mukallaf is any sane adult, regardless of status—men and women alike are obligated to know Allah and engage in the reflection that leads to this knowledge. Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni said: "People in Islam are of two types: mukallaf and non-mukallaf. The mukallaf is a sane adult, whether free or enslaved, male or female. Their Islam is valid by their own declaration, and it is inconceivable for them to follow another in matters of faith." [Nihayat al-Matlab, Vol.8/PP.519-520].
Shaykh al-Bayjuri affirmed:'Every mukallaf'—meaning every individual who is accountable, whether male or female." [Jawharat al-Tawhid, Vol. 1/P.77].
It is important to note that scholars do not require believers to engage in detailed philosophical reasoning or structured logical arguments. Rather, they obligate only general reflection—something even common people naturally do. Every mukallaf internally recognizes Allah's existence according to their capacity, even if not articulated. If someone never reflects and blindly follows others, they are considered negligent in some secondary obligations—remaining a believer but sinful in that neglect. As stated by 'Adud al-Iji: "Whoever truly believes is knowledgeable of these matters, even without refining proofs, as that is not a condition for valid knowledge or leaving blind imitation." [Al-Mawaqif, Vol.3/P.548].
In conclusion, every mukallaf—male or female—must know Allah by:
Affirming His necessary attributes (e.g., existence, eternity, permanence, oneness .Negating what is impossible for Him (resemblance to creation, bodily traits, limits, directions, change, etc.). Acknowledging His permissible actions (giving life, causing death, etc.) .Knowing the Messengers’ necessary attributes (truthfulness, trustworthiness, conveying revelation, intelligence). Believing in unseen matters (revealed only through scripture, not independent reason). And Allah the Almighty knows best.
