What Does Lā Ilaha Ilā Allāh Mean? - Shaykh Muḥammad b. Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn
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Shaykh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (رحمه الله) Said:
The Kalimah (Statement) of Tawḥīd; Lā Ilaha Ilā Allāh… Firstly, it is a must that we understand its meaning! Its meaning is that none is truly deserving of worship except Allāh. None is truly deserving of worship except Allāh, this is its meaning. Therefore, all that is worshipped besides Allāh, be it an angel, a prophet, a tree, a rock, the sun, (or) the moon.. then it is (worshipped in) falsehood - i.e. it is not truly deserving of worship being directed to it - Due to He, The Most High’s statement;
ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِۦ هُوَ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْكَبِيرُ
That is because Allâh - He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Bâtil (falsehood). And verily, Allâh - He is the Most High, the Most Great.
Sūrah al-Ḥajj:62
This is the meaning of this mighty statement! And it is built upon two pillars; Nafy (Negation) and Ithbāt (Affirmation). Negation of worship being directed to anyone besides Allāh, and affirmation (of worship being) for Allāh (alone). And by way of this Tawḥīd is truly established! Meaning by bringing forth both negation and affirmation Tawḥīd is truly established.
Translated by AMMAN CIRCLE Editorials.
