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

Follow @AhleDhikr

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)]