34 / The Import and Meaning of the Declaration of Monotheism: There Is No Deity Worthy of Worship Except Allah

The declaration of monotheism—“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah”—is the best, most excellent, and most perfect form of remembrance. Yet it is not accepted by Allah merely by being uttered with the tongue, unless the servant truly realizes its import and implements its fundamental purpose: rejecting polytheism and affirming Allah’s oneness, together with firmly believing what it entails and acting upon it. Only then is the servant truly a Muslim, and only then is he among the people of the declaration that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.

This great declaration affirms that nothing besides Allah is a deity, that the alleged divinity of anything besides Him is the most baseless of falsehoods, and that affirming such divinity is the gravest of all wrongs and the utmost misguidance. Allah Most High says:

“And who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection and who are unaware of their invocation? When mankind is gathered, they will become their enemies and will deny their worship.” 1

He Most High also says:

“That is because Allah is the Truth, while what they invoke besides Him is falsehood, and because Allah is the Most High, the Most Great.” 2

He Most High also says:

“Indeed, associating partners with Allah is truly a tremendous wrong.” 3

And He Most High says:

“And it is the disbelievers who are the wrongdoers.” 4

Wrongdoing means putting something where it does not belong. Directing worship to anyone besides Allah is undoubtedly wrongdoing, for it places worship where it does not belong. Indeed, it is the gravest and most dangerous form of wrongdoing.