MEANING
Tawheed al-Ebaadah or tawheed al uluhiyyahis to single out Allaah with all forms of worship and devotion, the likes of which is not befitting for any other person or deity except Him the Most High, Sublime and Exalted. He says:
"Worship Allaah alone, making all worship purely and sincerely for Him, and do not associate anything in worship along with Him..." (An-Nisaa [4]: 36) Allaah is not pleased that anyone should be made to share in worship along with Him, neither of the angels nearest in rank to Him, nor any Prophet sent as a Messenger, nor any saint or pious person. Allaah says: that is because AIlaah is the Truth (the only True Deity of all that exists, who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the unbelievers) call upon besides Him is falsehood. And verily, Allaah, He is the Most High, the Most Great" (AI-Hajj [22]: 62)
What is worship?
Worship covers whatever Allaah loves and is pleased with, sayings and actions, the manifest and the hidden such as fear love prayer, fasting and other such practices. To worship Allaah is to submit yourself to Him with love, fear and awe, by doing that which He has ordered and avoiding that which He is forbidden, in the manner laid down by Him and described by His Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him). Worship does not include those things other people suggested as 'good additions' to what Allaah and His Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) has laid down. Aisha (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessing be upon him) said:
"Whoever performs any deed. Not based on a command from us then it will be rejected." (Muslim)
It is the reason for creation
To worship Allaah is the reason for creation. All of mankind and the jinns have not been brought to life merely to eat, drink and pass the time like cattle. Rather, they have been created to worship Him alone not associating anything with Him. Allaah says: "I did not create jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me alone." (Ad-Dhaariyaat[51]: 56)
His worship is not limited only to these two beings, all of the other creatures praise Allaah and they worship in a way only He can describe. He says:
"the seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, often Forgiving." (AI-Israa' [17):44)
It is the reason for sending Messengers
Tawheed-ul-Ebaada is the greatest commandment given by Allaah and it is the foundation upon which the whole of the religion is based because it has to do with the worship of Allaah. It was for this, that Allaah sent Prophets and Messengers. Allaah says: "And verily, we have sent among every community and nation a Messenger saying: "Worship Allaah Alone, and avoid or keep away from all false gods.
It is the cause of dispute
The call to make worship for Allaah alone was the main dispute between the unbelievers amongst the earlier nations to the various Prophets and Messengers sent to them. And it still so today, So Tawheed al-ebaadah distinguishes between what is true and false. The unbelievers accepted Allaah as their Lord and Sustained but they give a part of their worship to other gods!
Allaah says:
"And verily, if you ask them: "Who created .the heavens and the earth?" Surely, they will say: "Allaah has created them." Say: 'Tell me then, the things that you invoke beside Allaah, if Allah intended some harm for me,. Could they remove His harm, or if He intended some mercy for me, could "they withhold His Mercy?" Say: "Sufficient for me is AIlaah; in Him those who trust (i.e. believers) must put their trust. "(Zumar [39]: 38)
So whoever believes in the lordship' of Allah and in His beautiful names and attributes but denies making worship for Him alone and instead directs a part of it to those 10 the graves or offered a sacrifice to someone other than Allaah is a keen to the unbelievers. Allaah says:
"And the places of worship are for AIlaah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allaah." (Jinn [72: 18)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited