alRububiyyah

Al-Rububiyyah, or al-Rububiyyah (Arabic: الربوبية), is a concept in Islamic theology referring to the Lordship of God. It designates that God (Allah) is the sole creator, sustainer, disposer of affairs, and ruler of the universe. It asserts that all that exists is under His will and control, and that He provides for His creatures and governs creation.

In the framework of tawhid, rububiyyah is one dimension of belief in the oneness of God. Belief in rububiyyah affirms God’s exclusive lordship, but it does not by itself establish the full Islamic confession. Mainstream Islam also requires uluhiyyah (worship directed to God alone) and belief in God’s names and attributes. Throughout history, some groups have acknowledged God’s lordship while attributing partners in worship, which is rejected in orthodox Islamic theology.

Scriptural basis for rububiyyah is drawn from the Qur’an and hadith, which describe God as the Lord of the worlds, the Creator, the Provider, and the disposer of all affairs. Verses and narrations emphasize that nothing occurs without God’s will and that He sustains every part of creation.

Historically, discussions of rububiyyah have served to clarify how belief in God’s lordship relates to monotheism, and to distinguish between acknowledging God’s control over creation and directing worship to Him alone. Today, al-Rububiyyah remains a foundational concept in defining the nature of God, the relationship between Creator and creation, and the scope of divine sovereignty within Islam.