Category 2: Tawheed al-Uluhiyah
Chapter 1: Meaning of Tawheed al-Uluhiyah and the fact that
it was the main object of the Dawah of all Prophets
Tawheed al-Uluhiyah: Uluhiyah is worship
Tawheed al-Uluhiyah is to single out Allah (in worship) through the slave's
actions, which he performs in order to get closer to Allah in the manner
prescribed by the Sharee'ah, like supplication, vow, sacrifice, hope, fear,
reliance, love, reverence, and turning in repentance. This category of Tawheed
was the main object of the Dawah of all Prophets, from the first to the last of
them. Allah says, 'And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community,
nation) a Messenger (proclaiming), 'Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep
away from) Taghoot.' [Soorah an-Nahl (16): 36]
‘And We did not send any Messenger before you but We inspired him (saying), La
ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship
Me (Alone and none else).' [Soorah al-Anbiyah (21): 25]
Every Messenger began his Dawah to his people with the command to establish
Tawheed al-Uluhiyah, like Nooh, Hud, Salih and Shuaib said as Allah relates,
'Indeed, We sent Nooh to his people and he said, 'O my people! Worship Allah!
You have no other Ilah but Him.' [Soorah al-A'raf (7): 59]
‘And to 'Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said, 'O my people! Worship
Allah! You have no other Ilah but Him.' [Soorah al-A'raf (7): 65]
'And to Thamood (people, We sent) their brother Salih. He said, 'O my people!
Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah but Him.' [Soorah al-A'raf (7): 73]
'And to (the people of) Madyan, (We sent) their brother Shuaib. He said, 'O my
people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah but Him.' [Soorah al-A'raf (7):
85]
'And (remember) Ibraheem, when he said to his people, 'Worship Allah (Alone),
and fear Him.' [Soorah al-Ankabut (29): 16]
It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (salallahu alaihe wa-sallam), 'Say, 'Verily, I am commanded to worship
Allah (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah's
sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.'
[Soorah az-Zumar (39): 11]
The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said, 'I have been commanded to fight the people until
they testify that there is no ilah (deity worthy of being worshiped) except
Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.' [Agreed upon]
The first obligation upon the slave is to testify that there is no ilah except
Allah and act upon it, Allah says, 'So know that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin.'
[Soorah Muhammad (47): 19]
The first order for the one, who wishes to enter Islam, is to proclaim the two
testimonies (Shahadatain). This confirms that Tawheed al-Uluhiyah is the main
object of the Dawah of the Messengers. It is termed as such (i.e. Tawheed
al-Uluhiyah) because Uluhiyah is a characteristic of Allah, which indicates His
Name, 'Allah'. So, Allah (means); the One, Who deserves Uluhiyah, meaning the
deity.
Tawheed al-Uluhiyah is also called, 'Tawheed al-Ibadah' on the basis that
Ubudiyah (worshiping Allah) is a characteristic of the slave, whereby it is
obligatory upon the slave to sincerely worship Allah due to his need for Allah.
Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said, 'Know that the Faqr
(neediness, poverty) of the slave for Allah is that he worships Him alone
without associating anything with Him. He does not have an equal to compare Him
with, but the similitude of the slave's need for Allah is like the body's need
for food and drink, although, there is a big difference between the two
similitude. The reality of the slave is his heart and soul, and there is no
rectification for them except through their Lord, Allah, besides whom there is
no deity worthy of being worshiped, and they do not achieve tranquility except
through His glorification. And even if the slave acquires pleasure and
satisfaction in something or someone other than Allah, then such pleasure does
not last long. It would move from one type to another and from one person to
another, whereas the happiness from his Lord is everlasting and can be
experienced in any situation and any time, wherever he goes, Allah will be his
companion.' [Majmoo al-Fatawa (1/24)]
This category of Tawheed was the main object of the Dawah of the Messengers
because it is the foundation of the religion upon which are built all the
actions and without establishing the foundation, the actions are not correct.
Such is because if Tawheed is not established, then its opposite will take place
and that is Shirk (setting up partners with Allah) and Allah says, 'Verily!
Allah forgives not setting up partners in worship with Him' [Soorah an-Nisa (4):
48 and 116]
'But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do
would have been of no benefit to them.' [Soorah al-An'am (6): 88]
'If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will
be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.' [Soorah az-Zumar (39):
65] Because this category of Tawheed is the first obligation upon the slave, as
Allah says, 'Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to
parents …' [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 36]
'And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be
dutiful to your parents.' [Soorah al-Isra (17): 23]
‘Say: 'Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not
anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents' [Soorah
al-An'am (6):151]
End of Part 4 from the book,
Aqeedah at-Tawheed
In the next issue,
Chapter 2: The Shahadatain (the two testimonies); its meaning, pillars,
conditions, requisites and nullifiers
