The Relationship between Rabb and Ilah according to Wahhabism and Shi'ism

The terms Rabb (lord) and Ilah (god) are among the concepts that have an important role in human beliefs. Given their relevance, these two concepts are meticulously studied in this research. The object of research is to examine the relationship between these two terms from the perspectives of both Shia and Wahhabism. Assuming a relationship and rational concomitance between them, one that is characteristic of cause and effect, when one of them occurs, the other one too comes into being. A common example is the sun when it rises causing the horizon to become bright. According to Shia, there is rational concomitance between these two concepts in the sense that in the existence of Rabb, Ilah too would become existent. Some scholars like Ayatollah Subhani maintain that Rabb is the same as Ilah, and that the relationship is more than just a rational concomitance. Apparently, Wahhabism has conceded the rational concomitance between Rabb and Ilah but in practice they do not stick to it. They only maintain that Ilah incorporates the concept of Rabb and if a person attains and believes in divine unity, he will also believe in the oneness of Allah's lordship. Since Wahhabsim misinterprets these concepts and therefore labels others as polytheists, it is highly important to study them and draw out a conclusion.