This is the monotheism that forms the foundation of Islam. It is Allah’s religion, with which He sent all His messengers and for which He created creation. It is His right over His servants: that they worship Him and associate nothing with Him.

Alongside this, the deed must be righteous—that is, something commanded by Allah and His Messenger. This is obedience: every act of obedience is a righteous deed, and every righteous deed is an act of obedience. It is action prescribed by the revealed law and the Sunnah, for what they prescribe is commanded either as an obligation or as a recommendation. Such action is righteous, good, virtuous, and beneficial. Its opposite is disobedience, corrupt action, evil, wickedness, and wrongdoing.

Every action necessarily involves two things: intention and activity. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The truest names are Hārith and Hammām.”

Everyone is a worker and one who forms intentions: everyone has deeds and intentions. Yet the praiseworthy intention that Allah accepts and rewards is to seek Him through that deed. The praiseworthy deed is the righteous one: that which He has commanded. This is why ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, would say in his supplication:

“O Allah, make all my deeds righteous, make them sincerely for Your Face, and let no one else have any share in them.”

Since this is the definition of every righteous deed, whoever enjoins what is right and forbids what is wrong must himself meet these requirements. His action cannot be righteous unless it is based on knowledge and understanding. As ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz said: “Whoever worships Allah without knowledge