As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. May Allah have mercy upon me, you and all of Al-Muwahhideen (those who establish the Oneness of Allah, without associating partners unto Him, in all aspects of the religion of Al-Islaam).
Al-Allaamah, Ad-Ductoor, fadheelatush-Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan bin Abdillahi Al-Fawzaan, hafidhahullahu (may Allah preserve him upon good), said in his book: Ahamiyyatut-Tawheed, wa Makaanatihi fil-Islaam (the Importance of Establishing the Oneness of Allah, and its Position in Al-Islaam). ((The Importance of Establishing the Oneness of Allah, and its Position in Al-Islaam)), that topic which is obligatory upon us always, that we converse about it, that we explain it, that we study it and we work within it. Because within it is the achievement of happiness in Ad-Dunyaa (this world) and Al-Aakhirah (hereafter).
At-Tawheed its meaning: To single out Allah in (all) aspects and acts of Al-Ibaadah (which is all that Allah loves and pleases him, from Al-Aqwaal (statements), and Al-A’maal (actions), which are Ath-Thaahirah (apparent) and Al-Baatinah (hidden), and leaving of worshiping what is made equal to Him as a partner.
This subject is repeatedly mentioned in Kitaabul-Allah (The book of Allah, Al-Qur’aan), there is hardly devoid from a verse from the verses of Al-Qur’aanul-Atheem except that within it mentions towards At-Tawheed, and commands in it, and encourages upon it. There are an abundant amount of verses, especially the verses revealed in Makkah. So there exists the verse from the first of it to the last of it in the subject of At-Tawheed.
Even that Al-Imaam ibn Al-Qayyim, rahimahullahu says in his book ((Madaarijus-Saalikeen (Paths of the Righteous))): Verily Al-Qur’aan all of it is about or concerning At-Tawheed, because it is that which informs about Allah, Subhaana wa ta’aalaa (the Glorified and the Most High), and His Names, His Attributes and the commands in worshiping Him, His Oneness without associating partners unto Him and f
From the book “La Ilaha Illallah, Ma’naahaa, Shurootuhaa, Nawaaqidhuhaa, Fadhluhaa (There is no god deserving of worship in truth and in existence except Allah), its Meaning, its Conditions, its Nullifiers, it Superiority), Shaykhunaa (our Shaykh), fadheelatus-Shaykh (the Esteemed and Noble Scholar) Aboo Abdillahi Muhammad bin Sa’eed Raslaan, hafidhahullahu (may Allah preserve him upon good) says: Verily Allah ta’aalaa created the creation for Ibaadah, as He said: ((and I did not create Al-Jinn (invisible creatures made from smokeless fire) and Al-Ins (Mankind) except to worship Me (Allah))) [Adh-Dhaariyaat : 56).
Al-Ibaadah it is taa’atullahi (obedience to Allah) upon obeying His commands, and avoiding what He prohibited. Similar to what Subaanahu (Glorified is He) distinguished upon the tongues of His Messengers, alayhimus-Salaatuh was-Salaam (peace and blessings upon them), Al-Ibaadah (Worship): an inclusive noun for all what Allah loves and pleases Him from Al-Aqwaal (statements) and Al-A’maal (actions) Ath-Thaahirah (apparent) and Al-Baatinah(hidden).
So worshiping Him Subhaanahu it is obeying Him by actualizing the commands and abandoning the forbidden, and that is the reality of Deenul-Islaam (the Religion of Islaam). Because the meaning of Al-Islaam: Al-Istislaam (Submission/Subjugation) to Allah ta’aalaa (the Most High), including Al-Gaayah (intention/purpose), Al-Inqiyaad (submission/obedience), Adh-Dhull (humbleness/subservience) and Al-Khudhoo’ (a combination of all of the above, submission, obedience, humbleness/lowliness).
It was once said to me by Shaykhunaa, Al-Ustaadh (the Teacher/Professor), fadheelatus-Shaykh, Hasan Abdil-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Bannaa, hafidhahullahu: establish At-Tawheed first, this is the most important of Uloom (Sciences). Tawheed should be learned first and foremost, mankind must know Who their Lord is. He said that: “At-Tawheed is what separates the Muslim from the non-Muslim. Our Aqeedah (Creed and Doctrine, concerning the Oneness of Allah, in His Ruboobiyyah (Lordship), His Uloohiyyah (Singling Him out out alone in all aspects of Ibaadah) and His Asmaa wa Sifaat (Names and Attributes, which are for Allah alone, and are beautiful and perfect) is what separates us from the non-Muslims. This is Aqeedatu-Ahlis-Sunnati wal-Jamaa’ah (the Creed of the People of the Narrations of Rasoolullahi, salallahu alayhi was Sallama, and The Body of Muslims adhering to Al-Qur’aan and As-Sunnah, as understood by As-Sahaabah (the Companions) and those Righteous people who came after them and clung onto what they (As-Sahaabah) had established without deviation), separates us from all of the other Jamaa’aat (groups) within the fold of Al-Islaam. He said, hafidhahullahu: we must establish At-Tawheed first and at all times. We must understand the One Who we are worshiping, we must understand the One Who we are praying towards. This only makes sense. Ash-Shaykh he said: if you see a man in the street drinking khamr (all forms of intoxicants), you establish upon him that this is Haraam (forbidden) in Al-Islaam, but you also are to teach him about the One Who made this haraam and why.
Waalidunaa fi Misr (our father in Egypt), Shaykhunaa Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Bannaa, may Allah preserve him and us upon khayr said: Al-Bid’ah (innovation) is Al-Jahl (ignorance), and At-Tawheed is Al-Ilm (knowledge). Al-Bidah is conquered by At-Tawheed. Knowledge prevails over ignorance. Seek knowledge of Allah, His Messenger Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and of His Religion, Al-Islaam.
Translators note: I ask you would one jump into a 10 feet deep pool or into the ocean, before he learned how to swim, or drive upon a busy highway before taken driving lessons (I hope not). So is the prayer of one who prays upon Ilm (knowledge) of his Lord and Creator, similar to the prayer of one who prayers upon jahl (ignorance/stupidity)? Are they the same? Its time for us to know who our Lord is, don’t you think?
Translated by: Aboo Abdir-Rahmaan Abdur-Raqeeb
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