IMPORTANCE OF TAWHEED

Shaikh Husain Aale Sheikh

It is in order to actualize the worship for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Alone, that all creatures were created, that Messengers (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) were sent and Books were revealed. It is in this act of worship, that people are divided into believers and disbelievers; the fortunate and the wretched. For actualization of worship for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Alone is the foundation of religion and its basis.

The position of Laa ilaaha illAllaah (There is no God but Allah) in Islam is too great to be described. It is a great word that has immense virtues and noble qualities that can never be encompassed. It is the very essence of the mission of all Messengers. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We revealed to him (saying): None has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah), so worship Me.”  (Al-Anbiyaa 21:25)

Laa ilaaha illAllaah (There is no God but Allah) is the most trustworthy handhold. Whoever holds fast to it is saved and whoever neglects it perishes. Allah says:

“Whoever disbelieves in Taaghoot and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.”  (Al-Baqarah 2:296)

The statement of Tawheed (oneness or monotheism) is the most correct thing and the best word. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“The Day that Ar-Rooh (Angel Jibreel) and the angels will stand forth in rows, they will not speak except him whom the Most Gracious allows, and he will speak what is right.”  (An-Nabaa’ 78:38)

Hadhrat Ibne Abbas said, “What is right is ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’.”

Laa ilaaha illAllaah (There is no God but Allah) is the greatest of all righteous deeds. In Musnad, Hadhrat Abu Zarr asked Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam), “Is the word ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ among righteous deeds?” The Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) said, “Whoever says: ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah, Wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli sha’yin qadeer’ 100 times everyday, it will be for him an equivalent of freeing ten slaves; 100 good deeds will be recorded for him and 100 sins will be wiped out for him; and none will do a better deed than him except one who does more than that.”

If this word had to be measured against the heavens and the earths, it would have outweighed them. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) said, “Prophet Noah told his son: ‘I command you with the word ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ for if the seven heavens and earths were to be placed on a scale and ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ was to be placed on a scale, the word ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ would have outweighed them. If the seven heavens were to be in an obscure circle, the word, ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ would have shattered them.’”

Among the merits of the word is that, there is no barrier between it and Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa). The Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) said, “No one says ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ sincerely from his heart except that the gates of the heaven is opened for him until the word reaches the Throne (Al-’Arsh) as long as the man keeps away from major sins.”

Laa ilaaha illAllaah salvages its speaker from Hell. The Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam), when he heard a Mu’azzin saying: “Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illAllaah”, he said, “He has gone out of the Fire.” (Muslim)

He also said, “Allah has made it forbidden to Hell-Fire anyone who says, “Laa ilaaha illAllaah” seeking by that the pleasure of Allah.”  (Bukhari and Muslim)

Laa ilaaha illAllaah is the best and greatest act of worship. The Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) said, “The best act of remembrance is the word: Laa ilaaha illAllaah and the best supplication is Alhamdulillah”. Whoever says this word sincerely from his heart will be the most fortunate to have the intercession of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam).

In Saheeh Bukhari, Hadhrat Abu Hurairah asked the Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam): ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Who will be the most fortunate to win your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?’ The Prophet (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) answered: ‘O Abu Hurairah! I have wished that none shall ask me this before you because of what I see of your endeavour to learn knowledge. The most fortunate person to win my intercession on the Day of Resurrection is the one, who says, ‘Laa ilaaha illAllaah’ sincerely from his heart.’

With all these noble rewards and great virtues, the Muslim should know that saying of this word should not only with the tongue only, rather than one should also fulfil its obligations and conditions that are mentioned in the Quraan and Sunnah. When Hadhrat Al-Hasan Al-Basree was told that some people are saying: “Whoever says, Laa ilaaha illAllaah will enter Paradise?” He said, “Whoever says it and fulfil its obligations will enter Paradise.” When someone asked Hadhrat Wahb bin Munabbah: “is not Laa ilaaha illAllaah the key to Paradise?” He answered: “Yes. But there is no key without teeth. So if you bring a key with teeth, the door will be opened for you and if not, it will not be opened.”

The word of Tawheed will not be accepted without fulfilling its obligations by denouncing polytheism and affirming the Oneness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and having a sure belief in its meaning.

This great word means that any other thing besides Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) is not a deity to be worshipped and that worshipping any other thing besides Him is falsehood. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“That is because Allah, He is the Truth and that which they invoke besides Him is falsehood; and that Allah is the Most High, the Most Great.”  (Luqmaan 31:30)

Indeed, Laa ilaaha illAllaah has a meaning that must be understood. For all scholars agree that mere saying of this word without understanding its meaning and implementing its obligations is of no avail. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession – except for those who bear witness to the truth knowingly (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allah, and obeyed His Orders) and they know.”  (Az-Zukhruf 43:86)

So whoever says this word and yet directs acts of worship like supplication, slaughtering, vowing, seeking for aid, repentance, fear and highest level of love for others besides Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa), is regarded as one who associate partners with Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) even if he says Laa ilaaha illAllaah.

The real meaning of Laa ilaaha illAllaah is there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Alone without any partner.

This word is not a mere word that has no meaning as some people think. It is rather a word that carries the greatest meaning. It means, to be free from worshipping any other thing besides Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa); It means worshipping Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Alone through having hope of Him and fearing Him; returning to Him in repentance and putting trust in Him; it means invoking Him Alone and seeking for His aid. Whoever believes in this word and does not ask but Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and he does not perform any act of worship except in seeking His pleasure alone. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“Say (O Muhammad): Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only. And I am commanded this in order that I may be the first of those who submit themselves to Allah as Muslims. Say: ‘Verily, if I disobey my Lord, I am afraid of the torment of a great Day.’ Say: Allah Alone I worship by doing righteous deeds sincerely for His sake only.” (Az-Zumar 39:11-14)

The word of Tawheed is that pure word by which hearts move out of darkness, shirk, superstitions and illusions. It is by fulfilling its obligations that a Muslim can be regarded as truthful in his worship and sincere in his love for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and his humility to Him.

The one who believes in the Oneness of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) fulfils the meaning of the word of Tawheed and always make his heart remember Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa); he obeys His orders and refrain His prohibitions; he respects His limitations and always seek for His pleasure. His whole life is humbled absolutely for Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) Alone.

“Say: Verily, my prayers, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims.”  (Al-An’aam 6:162-163)

Human life cannot be upright without the word of Tawheed and implementing its meaning in all aspects; and the Ummah cannot prevail or be saved from all calamities except by deriving its values, concepts and laws from the Word of Tawheed, and submitting to its obligations. The word of Tawheed enjoins man to conquer his lusts as it directs the society in all its relationship and orders. It controls the life of man in all aspects and enjoins it on men to submit themselves to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and abide by His Law.

The word of Tawheed makes it obligatory on Muslims to follow the law of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) in all their affairs. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”  (An-Nisaa 4:65)

When will the people claim to be from Muslim Ummah review their situations? When will they wake up from their heedlessness: When will they understand that they have wronged themselves much by keeping far from the path of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam)? When will those who based their economy system on usury and follow laws other than Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s heed the warning? When will this strong affinity to this worldly life and being totally engrossed in its lusts stop? Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) said, “Let the slave of Dinar and Dirham (money) and luxurious clothes perish.”

Muslims are totally in dire need of what can make them proud of their faith and what can give them hope of a bright future, so that the Word of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) may prevail and the word of disbelievers defeated.

Muslims must have sense of responsibility and leadership and the first thing that must be reformed and purified is their faith. Their faith should be purified from all kinds of innovation; the Sunnah should be absolutely distinguished from Bid’ah and the correct thing should be distinguished from error. So, whenever there is a sincere determination and truthful intention and the correct path is followed, the affairs of the Muslim, will be in order, their ranks will be united and their nation will be strong. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“It is those who believe and confuse not their belief with wrong (by worshipping others besides Allah, that will have security and they are the rightly guided.”  (Al-An’aam 6:82)

However strong the calamity and tribulations experienced by the people of Ummah of Tawheed, they shall always be firm on the truth in terms of their faith, conduct and system of life; and never can any difficulty they experience create any doubt in them as regards to their faith and basic principles. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says about truthful believers who were affected with calamities:

“But they never lost heart for that which befell them in Allah’s Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient.”  (Aale ‘Imraan 3:146)

The Muslims, the members Ummah of Tawheed, know that whatever befalls them is only meant to test them. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) says:

“And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers and destroy the disbelievers.”  (Aale ‘Imraan 3:141)

Muslims are therefore, passionately urged not to forsake or cast doubt on any aspect of this great religion, for doing that is the greatest loss and that no glory can Muslims achieve without this religion.

Enemies of Islam are employing all their energies and efforts to alter pure concepts and cast doubt on this religion and Islamic Law and way of life. Let us therefore, remain steadfast and confront the evil actions of the enemy.

Nothing can unite the ranks of Muslims except Tawheed in the face of which all slogans and other ideologies should vanish.

Allegiance should be given to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa) and His Messenger (SallAllahu alaihe wa sallam) Alone. Let the brotherhood among us be the one based on this religion, for that is the only source of power and glory.

Though the world is now submerged in wars and contentions over material possessions of this life, the Muslims should endeavour to fulfil their responsibility of guiding the world to the Straight Path and to all that is good. This should however be done under strict adherence to the basics of this religion.

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