The Study of Tawheed
Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him)
The study of Tawheed is based on seeking knowledge about the Oneness of Allaah in His Lordship, Names and Attributes and His sole right to be worshipped without partners. This is the most virtuous of all knowledge. And among the virtues of Tawheed is that it is what makes acts of worship sound and accepted by Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic). All acts of worship-be they few or numerous-are not accepted unless when established upon Tawheed. And for this reason, Allaah (The Most High) said:
فَمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُوا لِقَاءَ رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا
”So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” That is: (righteous actions) sincerely perform for Allaah (alone).” [Soorah Al-Kahf: Ayah:110]
And in another ayah, Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) said:
وَمَنْ أَرَادَ الْآَخِرَةَ وَسَعَى لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُمْ مَشْكُورًا
”And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it, with the necessary effort due for it (i.e. do righteous deeds of Allaah’s Obedience) while he is a believer (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), then such are the ones whose striving shall be appreciated, thanked and rewarded (by Allah).”[Soorah Al-Israa: Ayah: 19]
Therefore acts of worship will not be accepted, except when accompanied by Tawheed. And if Tawheed is absent, then acts of worship will not be accepted. Allaah (The Most High) said:
وَمَا مَنَعَهُمْ أَنْ تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ
”And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad)….”[Soorah At-Tawbah: Ayah: 54]
And Allaah (The Most High) said:
وَلَقَدْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ (65) بَلِ اللَّهَ فَاعْبُدْ وَكُنْ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ
”And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad), as it was to those (Allah’s Messengers) before you: “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.” Nay! But worship Allah (Alone and none else), and be among the grateful.” [Soorah Az-Zumar: Ayah: 65-66]
And Allaah (The Most High) said:
وَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ
”And whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in (one or all the other Articles of Faith [i.e. His (Allah’s), Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and Al-Qadar (divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work’’[Soorah Al-Maa-idah:Ayah:5]
Therefore, actions (i.e. acts of worship, righteous actions) cannot be sound and they are not accepted by Allaah, unless when founded upon Tawheed, and sincerely carried out for the sake of Allaah.
[Source: Arabic Audio ‘Introduction to the study of Tawheed’ Lesson 4]
