Tawheed al-'Ebaadah (Maintaining The Unity of Worship)
 

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]In spite of the wide implications of the first two categories of [I]Tawheed[/I], firm belief in them alone is not sufficient to fulfill the Islamic requirements of [I]Tawheed[/I]. [I]Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah[/I] and [I]Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat[/I] must be accompanied by their complement, [I]Tawheed al-'Ebaadah[/I], in order for [I]Tawheed[/I] to be considered complete according to Islaam. This point is substantiated by the fact that Allaah Himself has related in clear terms that the [I]Mushrikoon[/I] (idolators) of the Prophet's time confirmed many aspects of the first two forms of [I]Tawheed[/I]. In the Qur'aan Allaah tells the Prophet (saws) to say to the pagans:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]"Say: 'Who is it that gives you all sustenance from the sky and earth, governs sight and hearing, brings forth life from dead (matter) and death from the living, and plans the affairs of man?' They will all say 'Allaah'."[/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"If you asked them who created them, they would surely say, 'Allaah' "[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]"If you asked them who brings down water from the sky and with it brings the earth to life after its death? They will most certainly say, 'Allaah'.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The pagan Makkans all knew that Allaah was their creator, sustainer, their Lord and Master yet that knowledge did not make them Muslims according to God. In fact, Allaah said:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"Most of them do not believe in Allaah except while joining partners to Him."[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Mujaahid's commentary on this verse was as follows: "Their belief in Allaah represented by their statement, 'Allaah created us, provides for us and takes our lives', did not stop them from worshipping other gods along with Allaah." From the previously mentioned verses, it is clear that the [I]Kuffaar[/I] (disbelievers) knew of Allaah's sovereignty, dominion and power. In fact, they used to faithfully devote various types of worship to Him like Hajj, charity, animal sacrifices, vows and even prayers in times of dire necessity and calamity. They even used to claim that they were following the religion of Abraham. Because of that claim, Allaah revealed the verse:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"Abraham was not a Jew nor was he a Christian, but (he) was a true Muslim and not among those who joined partners with Allaah."[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Some pagan Makkans even believed in the Resurrection and the Judgement and others in predestination ([I]Qadar[/I]). Ample evidence of their belief can be found in pre-Islamic poetry. For example, the poet Zuhayr was reported to have said:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"It is either delayed, placed in a book and saved for the Day of Judgement or hastened and avenged."[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]'Antarah was quoted as saying:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"O 'Ebil to where will you run from death, if my Lord in the sky has destined it?"[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]In spite of the Makkans' confessions of [I]Tawheed[/I] and their knowledge of Allaah, Allaah classified them as disbelievers ([I]Kuffaar[/I]) and pagans ([I]Mushrikoon[/I]) simply because they worshipped other gods along with their worship of Allaah.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Consequently, the most important aspect of [I]Tawheed[/I] is that of [I]Tawheed al-'Ebaadah[/I], maintaining the unity of Allaah's worship. All forms of worship must be directed only to Allaah because He alone deserves worship, and it is He alone who can grant benefit to man as a result of His worship. Furthermore, there is no need for any form of intercessor or intermediary between man and God. Allaah emphasized the importance of directing worship to Him alone by pointing out that this was the main purpose of man's creation and the essence of the message brought by all the prophets. Allaah says:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"I did not create the Jinn and Mankind except for My worship.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]"Verily, We have sent to every nation a messenger (saying), 'Worship Allaah and avoid false gods'."[/FONT][/LEFT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Understanding the purpose of creation in a complete sense is beyond man's innate abilities. Man is a finite created being and can not reasonably hope to fully comprehend the actions of the infinite Creator. Hence, God made it a part of man's nature to worship Him, and He sent prophets and books of divine revelation to clarify the aspect of the purpose of creation which was within man's mental ability to grasp. That purpose is, as was previously mentioned: the worship of God ([I]'Ebaadah[/I]) and the main message of the prophets was to worship God alone, [I]Tawheed al-'Ebaadah[/I]. Consequently, the gravest sin is [I]Shirk[/I], the worship of others instead of Allaah or along with Allaah. In Soorah al-Faatihah, which every Muslim is required to recite in his or her prayers at least seventeen times daily, verse four reads, [B]"You alone do we worship and from You alone do we seek help"[/B]. A clear statement that all forms of worship should only be directed to the One who can respond, Allaah. The Prophet Muhammad (saws) confirmed the concept of unity of worship saying, [I]"If you ask in prayer ask only Allaah, and if you seek help, seek it only from Allaah[/I][I][U][COLOR=blue]."[/COLOR][/U][/I] The absence of any need for intercession is further emphasized by the many verses indicating His closeness to man. For example:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]"When My servants ask you (O Muhammad) about Me (tell them), 'Verily I am close (to them), I listen to the prayer of every one who calls on Me. So let them respond to Me and believe In Me in order that they may he guided aright."[/FONT]
[LEFT][FONT=Times New Roman]"It is We who created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, for We are nearer to him than his jugular vein."[/FONT][/LEFT]
[B][FONT=Times New Roman]The confirmation of [I]Tawheed al-'Ebaadah[/I] conversely necessitates the denial of all forms of intercession or association of partners with Allaah. If someone prays to the dead seeking their influence on the lives of the living or the souls of those who have passed away, they have associated a partner with Allaah, because worship is being shared between Allaah and His creation. The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said, in no uncertain terms, [I]"Prayer (du'aa) is worship."[/I]4The Fundamentals of Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism)[/FONT][/B]