Tawheed - An Explanation of its Meaning

There has never been in the history of mankind a greater or more controversial statement as the Kalimah: 

“LAA ILAAHA ILL-ALLAH” 

(there is no one worthy of worship except Allah). These divinely revealed words divided the world into two camps: the camp of falsehood and the camp of truth. The callers of Tawheed throughout history had to endure severe testing and persecution because of the Kalimah. Moreover, they were the most vilified amongst their people:

“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe’, and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars.” [EMQ 29:2-3]

Despite the intense provocation and animosity directed towards them, they held an uncompromising position where they were able to sacrifice their whole lives for Tawheed, and concerning themselves only in pleasing their Creator:

"Say: 'Verily, my Salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the 'Aalameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists)'." [EMQ 6:162]

They took this firm stance because they understood that Allah sent down the revelation (i.e. the Qur'aan) to the final Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to establish the truth and to guide mankind by it. The people of Tawheed understood that Allah (the Most High) is the one who defines the purpose of mankind’s existence:

 

"And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone)." [EMQ 51:56]

So what is Tawheed? Why is it so controversial? And what are its implications?

Tawheed is to believe with the heart, to testify with the tongue and manifest with the limbs that there is no one worthy to obey, submit to and worship except Allah. To further explain, it is to single out Allah in His Lordship (ruboobiyyah) in His worship (uloohiyyah) and His names and attributes (al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat). The Lordship of Allah is to recognize that Allah alone is the Creator, the Provider and the Most-Merciful etc. Tawheed ul-Uloohiyyah is the absolute right of Allah (glory be to Him) to be worshipped, elevated, obeyed, and for all ritual acts to be offered for Allah’s sake alone and should not be offered to anybody or anything else, such rituals as salaah (prayer), du’aa (supplication), at-tahaakum (arbitration), slaughtering and fasting etc.

 

“Say: ‘Shall I seek a lord other than Allah, while He is the Lord of all things?’" [EMQ 6:164]

The opposite or nullifier of Tawheed is Shirk. Shirk is to ascribe partners to Allah. It is in the form of directing the names, attributes or functions of Allah (glory be to Him) towards anyone or anything other than Him or along side Him. For example one of Allah’s name and attribute is al-Hakam meaning 'the Legislator' or 'Law Maker'; thus, legislation is His (glory be to him) exclusive right. Therefore, anyone who legislates other than Allah is a Mushrik (one who commits shirk).

The Muwahhid (the one who worships Allah without committing shirk) must understand, accept and believe in two principles or Tawheed: The first is to disbelieve or reject Taaghout (anything that consents to being obeyed, followed or worshipped other than Allah) and then to believe, worship, submit and obey Allah alone:

“…Whosoever disbelieves in (or rejects) Taaghout then believes in Allah, he has grasped the most trustworthy knot of Islam (understood the meaning Laa ilaaha ill-Allah).” [EMQ 2:256]

If one understands the principles of Tawheed it is clear to see where the conflict arises as there must be a total rejection of all false religions and ideologies (i.e. democracy, socialism, Christianity or Judaism etc.) before one can call himself a believer in Allah. Allah condemns all those who practice another way of life other than Islam:

“Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a deen (way of life, ideology) which Allah has not allowed…” [EMQ 42:21]

To Allah belong the purest and the best qualities. In His infinite wisdom and knowledge, Allah knows what is best for mankind: 

“Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).” [EMQ 67:14]

Allah chose Islam as the Deen that should be believed in and followed: 

“…This day, I have perfected your Deen for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your Deen.” 

[EMQ 5:3]. The Deen of Islam is the haq (truth) which Allah decreed to supersede over all other ways even if the people detest it:

“It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him) with guidance and the Deen of truth (Islam), to make it superior over all ideologies even though the Mushrikoon (those who ascribe partners to Allah, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) hate (it).” [EMQ 9:33]

Allah is most severe in Chastisement and warns the disbelievers of a torment facing them for not accepting Islam:

"And whoever seeks a deen other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." [EMQ 3:83]

Allah promises severe burning and scolding for all those who die on disbelief:

"And whosoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad SAW), then verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers a blazing Fire." [EMQ 48:13]

But for those who believe in Allah and Islam, Allah promises happiness and contentment: 

“Verily! Those who believe (in Tawheed) and do righteous deeds, shall have the gardens of Paradise for their entertainment," [EMQ 18:107] 

and: 

“(There is for him) rest and provision, and a Garden of delights (Paradise).” [EMQ 56:89]

Without Tawheed, the life of a person is meaningless and a total waste. The whole purpose of man's creation is to worship Allah alone and if man fails to acknowledge this exclusive right of Allah then one will be amongst the dwellers of the Fire (Hell). He will have no one to blame but himself: what a horrible conclusion.

One must learn and act upon Tawheed if one wishes to be from the inhabitants of the Garden of Bliss where Allah will be pleased with him forever.