Is the knowledge that there is no god but Allah innate or acquired?

Question:
Shaykh, is the knowledge of "La ilaha illa Allah" (there is no god but Allah) innate or acquired?

Answer:
Knowledge of Allah is grasped by fitrah (the innate natural disposition). Knowledge of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is grasped by fitrah. It is also grasped through knowledge. . So it is known by fitrah.
When the Muslim looks at this wondrous universe, these creations and creatures, and these marvels, he realizes that their Creator is One, Glorified and Exalted is He, with no partner. For if He had a partner, there would be disorder in this universe. . So whoever reflects with his fitrah and intellect on these wondrous creations, he realizes that their Creator is One with no partner. As the poet Ibn al-Mu'taz said: "How wondrous it is that the Divine is disobeyed? Or how does the denier deny Him? In every thing is a sign indicating that He is One." So fitrah points to tawhid, but it is not sufficient; it is not sufficient. Knowledge and learning are necessary. Fitrah only points to it and guides to it. Therefore, when a boy reaches puberty, he is not ordered to say, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," because he knows this by his fitrah. But he is ordered to pray. When he distinguishes right from wrong, he is ordered to pray, and when he reaches puberty, prayer and worship become obligatory for him. Yes. May Allah reward you.