Section 1: Explanation of the Meaning of Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah and That It Is the Theme of the Invitation of the Messengers

Tawhid-al-Uluhiyyah: al-Uluhiyyah means worship. Therefore, Tawhid-ul- Uluhiyyah means to restrict all actions creatures perform in worship to Allah, the Most High, Alone, such as invocation, oath, sacrifice, hope, fear, reliance, desire, dreading and turning unto in repentance. This category of Tawhid is the theme of the invitation of the Messengers, from the first amongst them till the last. Allah - the Most High - said: “‘M/irf verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid (or keep away from) taghut (all false deities etc. i.e. do not worship taghuts besides Allah)...” (Qur’an 16: 36) Also, He - the Most High - said: “And We did not send any Messenger before you [O Muhammad but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha ilia Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none Also, every Messenger begins his invitation to his people, by commanding them to Tawhid -al-Uluhiyyah (Unity of Godship), as Nuh (Noah), Hud, Salih and Shu'ayb said: O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but “And (remember) Ibrahim (Abraham) when he said to his people: ‘Worship Allah (Alone), and fear Him.... ” (Qur'an 29:16) Similarly, Allah revealed to Muhammad: “Say 10 Muhammad j: ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allah (Alone) fby obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allah sake and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in Also, the Prophet is said: 7 have been commanded to fight mankind till they testify that none has the right to be worshipped besides Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’n Reported by al-Bukharl and Muslim The first obligation upon a Mukallaf (a sane Muslim who has attained the age of puberty) is the testification: ‘La ilaha illallah ’ (none has the right to be worshipped besides Allah) and to act according to it. Allah - the Most High - said: “So know [O Muhammad k j that La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your The first thing one who wishes to enter the fold of Islam is commanded with, is to utter the two testifications [i.e. La ilaha illallah, Muhammad Rasulullah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad SU is His Messenger)]. So, it becomes clear that 'Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah’ is the intent of the invitation of the Messengers. It has been so named because al-Uluhiyyah is an Attribute of Allah, the Most High, which points to His name ‘Allah.’ So, Allah means, the One with the right of Uluhivyah i.e. the worshipped. It is also known as Tawhid-ul- 'Ibadah (Unity of Worship), from the perspective that servitude (worship) is an attribute of the slave, since it is mandatory upon Him to worship Allah Alone in sincerity as a result of his dependence upon and dire need of his Lord. Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: 'Know that the need the slave is in of Allah [i.e. of worshipping Him (Alone) and not associating partners with Him in worship] has no similitude with which it can be compared, although, the need the body is in of food and drink, is similar to it from some perspectives. However, there are several distinctions between the two. The real essence of a slave is his heart and soul, and there can be no good for both without their God, Allah, the One that none but Him deserves worship. So, they (the heart and soul) can never be tranquil in this life without His remembrance. Even if the slave experiences pleasures and joy with other than Allah, they will not last. Rather, they change from type to type and they get transferred from person to person, but his God is ever available in all situations and at all times. Wherever he is, He is with him.''3 13 Majmu' al-Fatawa v. 1, pg. 24 So, this category of Tawhid was the theme of the invitation of the Messengers, because it is the foundation upon which all deeds are erected and without it, all deeds are invalid. If it is not realized, its opposite, Shirk (polytheism) occurs. Allah - the Most High - said: “Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him in worship.... ” (Qur’an 4: 48, 116) He - the Most High - also said: “...But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them. ” (Qur’an 6:88) He, the Most High, also said: ‘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. ” Also, it is the first obligatory responsibility upon the slave as Allah - the Most High - has said: “Worship Allah and join none with Him in Worship, and do good to Also, He - the Most High - said: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and thatyou be dutiful to your parents...” (Qur’an 17:23) Also, He - the Most High - said: “5«j [O Muhammad: ‘Come, I will recite to you what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents;...” (Qur’an 6:151)