Tawheed
ul-`Ibaadah
(The
Monotheism of Worship)
Tawheed
ul-`Ibaadah
(The
Monotheism of Worship)
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We Muslims often use the term `Aqeedah, but what do we mean by it? Is `Aqeedah something that is memorized and simply rattled off on one's tongue? And what is the relationship between one's `Aqeedah and one's actions?
`Aqeedah is the firm creed
that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering and doubt, creed which
excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion. The Qur'aan uses the term
"Emaan" instead. In the understanding of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah, it
is well known that Emaan is profession in the heart and by the tongue,
and action by the heart, tongue and the limbs. [al-`Aqeedat ul-Wasitiyyah
of Ibn Taymeeyah]. Therefore, Emaan is much more than just a mere profession.
For that reason, we find that early Makkans refused to say the Shahada
- even though mere saying of it is not a difficulty - as they understood
its implications. They understood that one's belief in Allaah 
which is stated by tongues must be present in the heart and must manifest
in one's actions of heart (such as love and fear of Allaah), of tongue
(dhikr, saying of the Shahada...) and of limbs (prayer, enjoining good
and forbidding evil...).
Today, however, some people pronounce the Shahada without a second thought and without realizing the intended meaning and implications of the testimony of faith..
The unity
of Allaah's Lordship (Tawheed ur-Ruboobeeyah): That Allaah is the One Who
Creates, Owns and Administers what He Created, the One Who Brings Benefit
and Averts harm, and the Sole Power in the universe. Allaah's unity
regarding His Perfect Names and Attributes (Tawheed Asmaa' Allaah wa Sifatih)-
describing Allaah according to the names and attributes by which He has
described Himself in the Qur'aan or by those used by Prophet Muhammad 
to describe Him.
All those who profess these beliefs
should naturally submit to Allaah
and worship Him alone, by doing whatever He commanded and by avoiding whatever
He has forbidden, which is Tawheed ul `Ibaadah. Without this aspect of
Tawheed, one's belief in Allaah's Tawheed (Oneness) is not complete. In
fact, if any of the above aspects of Tawheed is missing, one's realization
and maintaining of Tawheed in one's life is lacking and defective.
However, an aspect of Tawheed that perhaps needs to be stressed in particular is Tawheed ul-`Ibaadah, as it is often either not understood properly or is neglected to a varying degree. Absence of such understanding and practice leads to various deviations, from believing that faith is mere statement on the tongue and thus not fulfilling one's true purpose of creation, to the very common ritualism, wherein the religion is taken as a set of ritualistic actions without much meaning and impact on one's life.
Tawheed ul `Ibaadah is to single-out Allaah alone for all worship and not to worship anything along with Him, whether it be an angel, a Messenger, a Prophet, a pious person, a tree, a stone, the sun, the moon, or other than these, such as money or one's desires. Allaah says (which means): "And your Lord is one Lord, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful" [2:163]. Also (which means) , "And the Mosques are for Allaah (alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allaah" [72:18]. And as regards to worshipping other than Him, Allaah the Exalted says (which means), "That is because Allaah is the Truth, and what they invoke besides Him, it is falsehood. And verily, Allaah is the Most High, the Most Great" [22:62].
How
does one take others as god besides Allaah?
In brief, Ibn al-Qayyim says that "Taghoot" (false god, anything
worshipped besides Allaah) includes everyone who rules by other than the
Revelation of Allaah and the example of His Messenger ;
or that which is worshipped instead of, or in addition to, Allaah; or which
is followed in opposition to the Commands of Allaah. Therefore, if one
chooses to love, revere, obey or follow other than Allaah and His Revelation,
then he could be regarded as a god besides Allaah.
To
un the reality of ul-`Ibaadah and what it means to worship Allaah
alone, without attributing partners to Him, is of extreme importance, and
all those who succeed in it will be a step closer to becoming true `Ibaad
(worshippers, servants) of the Merciful, and those who are doing their
best to fulfill the purpose of their creation and maintain Tawheed in their
lives. The following are some reasons which point to the essentially of
Tawheed ul-`Ibaadah, hoping that they would increase us in our desire to
understand it and apply it in our short lives:
said, "I
was sent between the hands of the Hour with the sword until Allaah will
be worshipped alone with no partner, my sustenance was made under the shadow
of my spear, and humiliation and lowliness were made for those who disobey
my order." [Narrated as mu`allaq 
by al-Bukhari and Abu Dawood; Ibn Hajr classified it as hasan]
alone and affirmers of Tawheed) are distinguished by from mushrikoon.
This aspect of Tawheed is based mainly
on action, rather than knowledge, unlike the other two aspects of Tawheed,
and it is by affirming this Tawheed that one truly submits to Allaah (s.w.t.).
To affirm this Tawheed by action until the end of this life is a command
in the Qur'aan:
on behalf of the muwahhid. "I will say, 'O Lord, allow me to intercede
for whoever said, 'Laa ilaaha ill Allah'.' Then Allaah will say, 'By My
Power, and My Majesty, and My Supremacy, and by My Greatness, I will take
out of Hell whoever said, "Laa ilaaha ill Allaah" [Al-Bukhari]. Of
course mere saying, without affirming the testimony of faith with action,
is not sufficient.
describes the best of His creatures by their distinctive mark of performing
`Ibaadah to Allaah (s.w.t.). "As to the righteous, they shall drink
of a cup containing a mixture of Kaafoor. A fountain where `Ibaad-Allaah
(worshippers of Allah) do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance."
[76:5-6]
from the Shaytan, accursed.
was mentioned in his most perfect states, he was called `abd, a true worshipper
of Allaah (s.w.t.) and affirmer of Tawheed al-`Ibaadah.
"Glorified
be He Who took His `Abd for a journey by night from the Sacred Masjid to
the Farthest Masjid, the neighborhood whereof We have blessed that We might
show him of Our signs. Verily, Allaah is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer"
[17:1]. Also, "And when `Abdullaah stood up, calling unto
Him, they gathered against him and almost suppressed him" [72:19].
