and Muslim likewise narrates—on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him)—that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his child, his parent, and all people.” In other words, no one attains perfect faith unless the Messenger is more beloved to him than his own self and even the dearest of his relatives.

Love for the Messenger stems from, and is inseparable from, love for Allah. Whoever truly loves the Messenger ﷺ follows him. Hence, anyone who claims to love him yet contradicts what he brought—obeying instead the deviant, the innovators, and the deluded, reviving bidʿahs (religious innovations) while abandoning the sunnah—has lied in his claim, for the lover obeys the one he loves.

Those who introduce innovations opposed to the Prophet’s sunnah—such as reviving the Mawlid (the Prophet’s birthday celebration) and the like—or who commit something even worse by exaggerating about the Prophet: calling upon him instead of Allah, seeking assistance and relief from him, and the like, while still alleging that they love him, are engaging in one of the greatest falsehoods. They resemble those about whom Allah says, “They say, ‘We believe in Allah and the Messenger, and we obey’; but then a group of them turns away after that—and such people are not believers.” 1 The Messenger ﷺ forbade these practices, yet they defy his prohibition and disobey him while claiming to love him; they have lied—may Allah grant us safety.

3 – Shirk in reliance (tawakkul)

Linguistically, tawakkul means depending upon and entrusting; it is a work of the heart. One says, “He performed tawakkul concerning the matter,” when he undertakes to carry it out, and “I entrusted my affair to so-and-so,” when he relied on him.

Placing one’s trust in Allah is among the greatest acts of worship and must be devoted solely to Him. Allah the Exalted says, “And put your trust in Allah if you are believers.” 2

Relying on anyone other than Allah falls into several categories: