Meaning of Laa Ilaha Ila Allaah; Evidence for Negation and Affirmation

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The meaning of ‘Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah’ or ‘There is no god but Allaah’ means that there is no god worthy of worship except Allaah and this has been mentioned in various places in the Quraan.

This statement that defines the declaration of faith that one has, consists of negation (denial of any diety worthy of worship except Allaah) and affirmation (the sole object of worship). This has been mentioned by al-Haafith Ibn Hajar where Allaah, the Most High, says:

“And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God - Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” [al-Baqarah 2:163]

And,

“And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad  ) but We inspired him (saying): La ilaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)."” [al-Anbiyaa’ 21:25]

And,

“And to 'Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no otherIlah (God) but Him. (La ilaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Will you not fear (Allah)?"” [al-‘Araaf 7:65]

The response they gave to him was…

“They said: "You have come to us that we should worship Allah Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship…?."” [al-‘Araaf 7:70]

And,

“That is because Allah 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 Batil (falsehood) And verily, Allah He is the Most High, the Most Great.” [al-Hajj 22:62]

So these Ayaat (and many others like it) clearly illustrate that worship for other than Allaah has been nullified and that worship can only be something affirmed to belong to Allaah, Alone, without any partners. In fact, the Qur’aan from beginning to the end emphasises this meaning and guides us to it.

Based on this, all forms of worship start from the acts of worship one does in the heart, whether it be the worship of love, or humility to Allaah, or submission to Allaah, or fear in Allaah or having hope in Allaah. All of these are examples of worship of the heart that belong to Allaah, the Most High, Alone. If anyone fails to single any of these out to Allaah Alone then they have created a partner with Allaah and the rest of their deeds, whether statement of action, will not be accepted.

[Fath al-Majeed Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed (Pg 24)]

Following the Sunnah Means We Are Following the Correct Interpretation of The Religion

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Points taken from the talk ‘How to Honour the Sunnah’

Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

Jaami’ Ameerah Mawdee bint Ahmad as-Sudayree

9/4/1434 - 20/2/2013

The Sunnah is needed to understand the religion, it explains the Quraan and it explains the Sunnah. For example, Allaah, the Most High, says:

“And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat),” [al-Baqarah 2:43]

The question is, how do we pray? The answer is; we must return to the Sunnah for us to receive instruction.

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Pray as you have seen me praying [Narrated by al-Bukhaari (602)]”

Allah, the Most High, also explains this point in His Statement:

“And We have also sent down unto you (O Muhammad) the reminder and the advice (the Qur'an), that you may explain clearly to men what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought.” [an-Nahl 16:44]

Therefore, the Sunnah explains ' what is sent down to them, and that they may give thought '.

Meaning, you will never understand, be guided  and follow the Quraan except via the knowing the Sunnah.

Hadeeth ‘Ubaadah; ‘Whoever Bears Witness to Laa Ilaaha Ila Allaah’

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On the authority of ‘Ubaadah bin Saamit [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Messenger of Allaah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Whoever bears witness that there is no God worthy of worship except Allaah, he does not have partners with him (i.e. does not do Shirk) and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger, that ‘Esaa is the Slave of Allaah and His Messenger and that he is the word of Allaah that was breathed into Maryam, that Jannah is real, then this person will enter Jannah because of (what he believed and) his deeds.”

Al-Qurtoobee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in al-Mufahham ‘ala Saheeh Muslim:

It is not sufficient that one bears witness to the Shahaadah with his tongue and that they testify to it, rather they must believe this in their hearts and implement it therein. This is where many groups have erred such as the Murji’ah (those who believe that doing good or bad deeds has no impact on the level of the faith of a person).

They (the Murji’ah) believe that merely affirming the Shahaadah upon the tongue is sufficient for one to be declared as a believer.

However, this Hadeeth proves that such a belief is wrong, moreover this false belief leads in the spread of corruption through the Sharee’ah as it dictates that hypocrisy (doing actions of a believer but actually disbelieves in Islaam in the beliefs they hold) is acceptable. Those (hypocrites) who merely testify with their tongue will be therefore considered as having Eemaan despite their hearts nullifying it. 

Imaam an-Nawawee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

This Hadeeth is one of the greatest Ahadeeth which discuss the issue of ‘Aqeedah. This is because the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] clearly outlined those who are included within Islaam and those taken out of it; the disbelief that results from having differences of opinions in ‘Aqeedah and being mistaken in it.

Concise words of the Prophet of a situation that applies to all of them.[Fath al-Majeed Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed (Pg 23-24)]

To Follow the Evidences from the Sunnah

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Another way to honour the Sunnah is to honour the evidences that are found within it, and there are many. So it sufficient for us to say, ‘He is The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] therefore we give him precedence to our views and opinions, thus we are followers of him.’

“Muhammad ( ) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).” [Fath 48:29]

And,

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything.” [Ahzaab 33:40]

So a way to honour the Sunnah is to follow the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]; by acting upon its evidences and ending up obeying Allaah.

Following the Sunnah actually means we are following Allaah;

“Say (O Muhammad): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbelievers.” [aal-Imraan 3:32]

And,

“But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission.”  [Nisaa 4:65]

And,

“…and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) that you may receive mercy (from Allah).” [an-Noor 24: 56]

All of these Ayaat teach us that rejecting the Sunnah and not following it means we do not follow Allaah, and end up disobeying Him;

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad ), has indeed obeyed Allah” [Nisaa 

4:80]

Even more so, entering Jannah is on the condition that one follows the Sunnah:

“By the One Whose in His Hands is my soul, all of you will enter Jannah except the one who disobeys me…” [Silsilah as-Saheehah of Al-Albaanee (2044)]

Connected to this, it is also proven that the Sunnah is all from Allaah, the Most High.

“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired” [Najm 53: 3-4]

So denying the Sunnah is like denying the revelation, a message from Allaah, the Most High.

Ruling on Mocking and Depicting the Prophet(s) and the Impermissibility of Witnessing it

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The Prophets Came with Tawheed and a Message to Instil Fear of Allaah, not Entertainment.

Question: Did the Mushrikeen of Makkah have Shirk in the aspect of fear, despite them admitting and believing that Allaah controls the universe?

Answer: Having fear in something and believing something controls the universe is something else. The Mushrikoon used to fear their idols despite them admitting that they did not control the universe. So because of this, Allaah, the Most High, said;

“And if you (O Muhammad) ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth,’ they will certainly say: ‘Allah.’” [Luqman 31:25]

Despite this, they still feared their idols. There are many examples of stories from the times of the Prophets, like in Surah Mu’minoon, that the Mushrikoon used to fear punishment from their idols despite them knowing that the universe was controlled by Allaah Alone. Therefore, it is from the fear that is included in Shirk, to fear something that cannot harm you and that it does not control the universe.

[Taken from Questions asked to Shaykh Sa'd bin Naasir bin Abdul-Azeez ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him] after explanation of Kitaab at-Tawheed, 14/05/1433 - 05/04/2012]

Depicting the Prophet(s) or Using Immoral Actors to Portray Them is a Mockery of One of the Pillars of al-Eemaan: Belief in the Prophets.

Question: Recently we have seen a huge number of mockery upon the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] via the means of films, newspapers, cartoons etc. What is the way we should deal with this?

Answer: It’s clear, we should reject and condemn these acts and explain the mistakes that people are spreading.

Question: What is the ruling on watching films or the like which portray the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] in a way?

Answer: This is not permissible, Allaah, the Most High, says:

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'an) that when you hear the Verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.” [an-Nisaa 4:140]

So I say watching these things is Haraam and not necessary.

[Answered by Muftee ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Muhammad bin Ibraaheem aal ash-Shaykh [May Allaah Preserve him], Grand Muftee of Saudi Arabia and the Head of the Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars. Seerah Khulafaa Sayyid al-Mursaleen Conference, Prince Faisal bin Fahad Masjid, Riyadh: 6/11/1433 - 22/9/2012]

Question: What is the Islamic way of reacting to the depiction of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] that we see in the west?

Answer: We should explain to them the Sunnah and challenge what they accuse him of that he is free of, and to refer back to the books and the scholars that have been discussing this. All of this needs sensitivity and the truth, and we should be careful not to transgress the rights of the people, as Allaah, the Most High, says:

“…and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping you from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) lead you to transgression (and hostility on your part).” [al-Maaidah 5:2]

This Aayah has a great lesson; that even if they were physically preventing us (entering al-Masjid al-Haraam) and we had no way of bringing about justice, then it still remains upon us to instil their rights and not transgress them (i.e. by being violent towards them).

[Answered by Shaykh Saaleh bin ‘Abdullah bin Humayd [May Allaah Preserve him], Royal Advisor to the King and Member of Committee of Senior Scholars. Seerah Khulafaa Sayyid al-Mursaleen Conference, Prince Faisal bin Fahad Masjid, Riyadh: 11/11/1433 - 28/9/2012]

Question: Movies that have been made impersonating The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] have been made in a derogatory light and some movies are even being spread, not making fun out of him but to give a wrong impression of Islaam, what is your advice on this?      

Answer: We should help by spreading the authentic Seerah and we can use the media to do so, just as they do, so as long as it is not Haraam. So we need to spread the Seerah and show people how he lived, the Hikmah of Sharee’ah that he came with and to make people aware that these people are spreading lies. Mocking the Prophets [Peace be Upon them all] is nothing new, it’s the way of the people of the past and will continue to be their way until the Last Day.  

“Indeed (many) Messengers were mocked before you (O Muhammad), but the scoffers were surrounded by that, whereat they used to mock.” [al-Anbiyaa 21:41]

But Allaah, the Most High, has Protected The Prophets [Peace be Upon them all] and their mocking does not affect their status in the slightest.

“Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.” [al-Hijr 15:95]

So those who wish deceive the Muslims in leaving the Sunnah, his Seerah and his religion, then this is exactly what they want and have fear of. However, the Muslim must realise that the Kufr that they are already upon is far worse than mocking the religion.

Also, it is the Universal Sunnah of Allaah, the Most High, that those who try to ridicule the religion and prevent people from entering it,  Allaah actually causes it to increase those who enter the religion, the opposite of what they are trying to achieve.

“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcomed. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell.” [al-Anfaal 8:36]

This is the Sunnah of Allaah but this is not the problem, they want to stop the religion from spreading and want the Muslims to leave their religion. So it is Waajib, not only for the ‘Ulema or the Dua’at, but on everyone to defend the religion.

[Taken from Points taken from the talk ‘How to Honour the Sunnah’ by Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]. Jaami’ Ameerah Mawdee bint Ahmad as-Sudayree: 9/4/1434 - 20/2/2013]

The Prohibition of Signalling in Greeting

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It is reported by at-Tirmidhee that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Those who imitates others from us, are not from us. Do not resemble the Jews or the Christians; the Jews greet one another by signalling with their fingers and the Christians greet one another by signalling with their hands.”

[Sunnan at-Tirmidhee (2695) in the Chapter of the Disliking of Waving or Signaling in Greeting; classed as Hasan by al-Albaanee in Saheeh at-Tirmidhee]

It says in the well-known book ‘Tuhfah al-Awadhee’, in explanation of this Hadeeth:

“Those who imitates others from us…”: meaning, those who are indifferent to us in what we follow.

“…are not from us”: meaning they are not from our religion.

“Do not resemble the Jews or the Christians…”: repetition here shows the emphasis (of the prohibition).

“…the Jews greet one another by signalling with their fingers and the Christians greet one another by signalling with their hands”: meaning, do not resemble them in every aspect (major or minor) of their religion. Especially in these two mentioned here…Perhaps it is because they differed in the way Salaam was given, pronouncing the words of Salaam, from the time of Aadam which transcended throughout his children, from the Prophets and the pious [Peace be upon them all].

Although this Hadeeth has some weakness in it, what has been reported by an-Nasaa’ee with an acceptable from Jaabir [May Allaah be Pleased with him] strengthens it, as mentioned by Ibn Hajar in al-Fath:

“Do not greet (or give Salaam) in the manner that the Jews do. They bow their heads or wave/signal with their hands.” [Sunnan al-Kubraa (9750)]

An-Nawawee mentioned as a benefit: As for the narration of Asmaa’ bin Yazeed which states, “The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] passed by a group of women in his Masjid who were sitting there, so he waved to them in greeting.”

This narration is proof that one may combine waving with uttering the Salaam. This is because Aboo Dawood add to this narration, “and he greeted them with Salaam.” End quote from an-Nawawee. End quote from Tuhfah.

Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

It is not permissible to give Salaam by signalling. The Sunnah is to say ‘As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum’ if one greets or responds. As for signalling, then this is not permissible because it resembles the ways of some of the Kuffaar. Additionally, it opposes the Sharee’ah of Allaah.

However, if one was to wave or signal to another Muslims, and the recipient understands that he is being greeted, perhaps because of the distance between the two, then in this case, if one signals or waves whilst uttering the Salaam, then there is no harm in this.

This is because there is evidence that supports this, such as the situation of a person who is praying. The one who busy in praying Salaah may respond by waving or signalling (to the one who greeting them with Salaam). This has been authenticated in the Sunnah of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him].

http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/323

Tafseer of the Aayah: For Them There is Security and They are The Guided

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“It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.” [al-An’aam 6:82]

Ibn Jareer At-Tabaree [May Allaah have Mercy on him] narrated that Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said about this Aayah:

Those who will have protection are those who have Eemaan and Ikhlaas for Allaah Alone. End quote.

Ibn Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in his Tafseer:

Meaning, those who make worship for Allaah Alone, do not practice Shirk in the slightest, then they will be protected on the Day of Judgement. They are the guided ones in the Dunyaa and the Aakhirah. End quote.

Zayd bin Aslam [May Allaah be Pleased with him] and Ibn Ishaaq [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about this Aayah:

This is a favour from Allaah upon Ibraheem [May Allaah be Pleased with him]. Tawheed is what divided him and his very own people, those who rejected him. End quote.

Ibn Mas’ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said about this Aayah:

When this Aayah was revealed, the Companions become overwhelmed with worry. They asked themselves, “Who does not oppress himself?” So they asked the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] worriedly and he replied, “Have you not here the statement of Luqmaan:

Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed?” [Luqmaan 31:13]  End quote.

‘Umar bin al-Khattab [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “The one who will be protected from all forms of punishment are those who abstain from sinning.”

Hasan al-Basree and al-Kalbee [May Allaah have Mercy on them] both said, “Those who are protected in the hereafter and they are those who are guided in the Dunyaa.”

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Those who are filled with fear are those who are afraid of falling into the form of oppression mentioned here, which is Shirk. Their fear is of losing the protection that the people of Tawheed will have, thus ending up misguided and unprotected. This state of negligence is not the state of anyone except those who oppresses themselves.

Therefore the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] explained to the Companions [May Allaah be Pleased with them all] that the oppression mentioned in the Book of Allaah refers to Shirk, and as a consequence, those who oppress themselves with Shirk will not be guided unless they protect themselves via Tawheed. Resulting in them being from those who are guided.

“Then We gave the Book the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad  ). Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur'an), that is indeed a great grace.” [Faatir 35:32]

This Aayah shows that even if one was sinful and he oppressed himself by sinning, without repenting, then he will still have this protection via the virtue of Tawheed (as he did not fall into any form of Shirk).

So it is clear; if a believer (who has Tawheed) dies then he will enter Jannah even if he commits all the sins in the world. This means that it is absolutely imperative and a condition for one to enter Jannah and for one to be guided to the straight path, the one that has no reward except Jannah, that they have and die upon Tawheed.

[Fath al-Majeed Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed (Pg. 10-11)]

Honour the Sunnah by Refuting those who Oppose It

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Points taken from the talk ‘How to Honour the Sunnah’

Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]

Jaami’ Ameerah Mawdee bint Ahmad as-Sudayree

9/4/1434 - 20/2/2013

Another way to honour the Sunnah is to make the Sunnah the highest, by refuting those who oppose it, explaining their mistakes it, calling to the truth, explaining aspects from the Sunnah which people may not understand, refuting innovations, teaching people the correct opinion in where they may have deviated. One must take the statements from the scholars that explain the Sunnah, this will shun and openly expose those who have deviated, warning against those who reject and oppose the Sunnah. By all of this, we get closer to Allaah by refuting them and defending the Sunnah.

Shayaateen today spread doubts and they spread them to the masses via the media and by other means. Added to this, new forms of Bid’ah have increased to the extent that Bid’ah has become widespread within the people. Some of these innovations even take people outside the fold of Islaam. So we must realise that innovations are a way to remove people from being close to Allaah, they take peoples reward away and at time even nullify peoples Eemaan.

“O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet , nor speak aloud to him in talk as you speak aloud to one another…” [Hujaraat 49: 1-2]

Meaning , your views and opinions are not superior to what has been narrated in the Sunnah of The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]. It must be our attitude to submit to the Sunnah and make ourselves humble to it. If one doesn’t do this, then the Ayaah goes on to say…

“…lest your deeds may be rendered fruitless while you perceive not” [Hujaraat 49: 2]

And Allaah, the Most High says:

“And let those who oppose the Messenger's commandment beware, lest some Fitnah befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [an-Noor 24:63]

Imaam Ahmad explained the word ‘Fitnah’ in this Ayaah to mean Shirk [See: Saarim al-Mawsool (2/116)].

Consequently, if one denies the Sunnah then he will inevitably fall into Fitnah. Punishment may fall upon people because of his rejection of the Sunnah, making them disgraced, stripped of any reward and besieged with sin.

Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said:

"Soon stones from heaven will be sent down upon you (as a punishment). I say to you, 'The Messenger of Allaah said,' and you say, 'Aboo Bakr and 'Umar said'!?"

[Musnad Ahmad (1/377); Musannaf ‘Abdur-Razaaq (2/206); Ibn Abdul-Bar in Jaami’ Bayaan al-‘Ilm wa Fadlihi (2378); Majmoo al-Fataawaa Ibn Taymiyyah (20/215)]

The Purpose of Creation is That We Have Tawheed of Allaah: We Make Him Our Object of Worship Alone

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“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” [adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in defining worship:

“Worship is to do acts of obedience to Allaah, whether they are commands which are obligatory upon us or recommended.”

He also said, “Worship includes every single deed that Allaah Loves (meaning what He has Legislated in His religion), seeking His Pleasure in your speech and deeds, in your inner and outer selves.”

Ibn al-Qayyim [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Worship is connected to ones tongue and limbs all of which stems from ones hearts (i.e. it includes your speech, deeds and beliefs).

Al-Qurtubee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said:

Worship has two components; that you humble and submit yourself.

So the meaning of the Aayah is that Allaah, the Most High, has informed us of the purpose of creation and the reason for why you exist; to worship Him Alone. This is from the wisdom of our creation.

Ibn Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said about this Aayah:

Worship is to obey Allaah by fulfilling His Commands upon you and to leave what He has Prohibited. This, in essence, is the religion of al-Islaam. Therefore, the meaning of Islaam is to submit yourself to Allaah, the Most High.

This submission must comprise of humility towards Him, obedience and total compliance (TN: These are three characteristics which define worship, others from the scholars added a fourth, which is love. Therefore, if any of these is directed at other than Allaah in its totality, then the object has become the deity being worshipped).

Ibn Katheer [May Allaah have Mercy on him] also stated in his Tasfeer:

The meaning of this Aayah is that Allaah Created the creation to worship Him Alone, without having any partners. Whoever obeys Him in this, He Will Reward them with the greatest of rewards and whoever disobeys Him in this then He Will Punish them with the severest of torments.

At the same time, He has told us that despite the command of worship upon us, He is not in any need of us or our worship towards Him. Rather, we are the ones who are poor servants in front of Him. He is the One Who is Rich and Provides the creation with their sustenance and rectifies their affairs.

‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said about this Aayah (51:56), “This Aayah commands us to worship Him Alone and to supplicate to Him Alone.”

Mujaahid [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in Tafseer of this Aayah, “We have not been created except that Allaah gives us Commands and Prohibitions.”

Shaykh al-Islaam [May Allaah have Mercy on him] commented after quoting Mujaahid: this explanation of the Aayah is more precise based on the Aayah:

“Does man think that he will be left Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by his Lord (Allah) on him]?” [al-Qiyaamah 75:36]

[Fath al-Majeed Sharh Kitaab at-Tawheed (Pg. 10-11)]

What they Call 'April Fools' Day' or 'All Fools' Day'

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him and grant him the highest station in Jannah] said:

Caution my Muslim brothers! Some of the foolish people have this day, ‘April fools’[1], I think this day is coming soon.

This form of permitted lying is from the ways of the Jews, Christians and the Zoroastrians and others from the people of Kufr.

Some of the reservations we have of this day:

1) They lie, and lying in our Shar’eeah is Haraam.

2) It involves imitating the Kuffaar and imitating the Kuffaar is Haraam. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever imitates a nation then he is from them.” [Narrated by Aboo Dawood (4031); classified as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Aboo Dawood (3401)]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “It’s authenticity is acceptable. The ruling on imitation based on this Hadeeth is that it is Haraam but if we look at the apparent wording, imitation would mean one has done an act of Kufr (disbelief) as they are behaving like those who disbelieve.” [‘Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/042)]

Added to these are two are other major reservations:

3) The Muslims are succumbing to the ways of their enemies, because it is known by human nature, that the one who follows is impacted by the one whom he is following. If someone takes another to follow, then he believes that the one he is following is better than him. 

Based on this, following them in their practices (i.e. religious, acts of worship, festivals etc.) causes weakness for this nation and causes the believers to be downgraded in their status, causing inferiority of the Muslims to the Kuffaar. 

4) The fourth reservation is that most often, meaning the lies that spread, lead to people's wealth being lost. It also leads to another Muslim being frightened. Because of these lies, sometimes families are also affected. For example, a person may lie to another person by saying, “You are invited to eat at our house and many people will gather and we will prepare a huge banquet" but he is lying, and examples similar to this are all impermissible.

So it is obligatory upon the Muslim, to fear Allaah, the Glorified and the High, and that you uphold His Religion, be proud and pleased with it.

 
I have a guarantee to every Muslim, those who seek honour in the Religion of Allaah, that if they uphold their religion then they will be honoured with the people and their enemies will become inferior to them.

Do not think - oh Muslim – that following the Kuffaar, their manners and habits, causes one to be honoured and given superiority! Rather it causes one to be debased!

You are aware that if someone was to copy you in one of your deeds or actions, then you will experience these people following you will humble themselves towards you. To the extent that some of them will even imitate you in (everything that you do), and this is again something known by human nature.

So everyone who looks at our enemies, they will soon realise that we are actually stronger than them. We have more honour than them through our religion. We are not affected by their plotting against us. We are given guidelines on how to interact with them according to our Shar’eeah. The One Who Has Legislated (i.e. Allaah) for us has given us a solution for every time and every place (through being steadfast upon the religion). After He Sent the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] to mankind, the following Aayah was revealed:

“Say (O Muhammad): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah”  [A’raaf 7:158]

It is also narrated that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “By the One Whose Hands is in my soul, there is not a Jew or a Christian, that doesn’t believe in what I have come with, except he will be from the people of the fire.” [Narrated by Muslim (153)]

If this is the affair of the People of the Book, then what about those lesser than them from the Kuffaar?

Everyone who hears of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] and does not follow him will be in the fire.

So if this is the reality of the situation, then what is wrong with us - oh Muslims – that we have made ourselves inferior and follow the way of those who are against us!?

We all know that what happened in the incident with Hercules, the great ruler of the Romans, and Abee Sufyaan. Aboo Sufyaan went to Hercules (to complain against the Prophet) yet he was not able to lie against him [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]. He was careful in not saying anything that is not true about the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him].

So if this how the Kaafir (at that time Aboo Sufyaan was not a Muslim) dealt with the honour of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], then what is wrong with you – Oh Muslim – that you need to lie?

And all Strength is from Allaah.

[Noor ‘ala al-Darb (Tape 17, 7:39 mins)]

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[1] Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him]:

‘Alee bin Abee Taalib (May Allaah be Pleased with him) merely forbade the Muslims from using the same names (i.e. that it is not permissible to use names like Christmas, Boxing Day, Mother’s Day, April Fool’s Day etc.) that the Kuffaar do for their religious festivals (and special occasions), so how about those who participate on these days as they do?

[Iqtidaa’ as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/516)]