Worshipping Allah Alone & The Path to Victory

The Obligation of Worshipping Allah Alone and the Means of Victory Over the Enemies of Allah

The most paramount duty incumbent upon every accountable individual and the greatest obligation upon them is to worship their Lord, the Sovereign of the heavens and the earth and the Lord of the Mighty Throne, as stated in His Glorious Book:

"Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, chasing it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected to His command. Unquestionably, to Him belongs the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds." (Al-A‘rāf: 54)

Furthermore, Allah the Exalted has informed in another passage of His Book that He created both jinn and humankind solely for His worship, declaring:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Adh-Dhāriyāt: 56)

This worship, for which Allah has created both races, entails the absolute devotion of all forms of servitude to Him alone, including prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage, bowing, prostration, circumambulation, sacrifice, vows, fear, hope, seeking aid, seeking refuge, and all other supplications. It also encompasses obedience to His divine commandments and the abstention from His prohibitions, as dictated by His Noble Book and the Sunnah of His trustworthy Messenger, upon whom be the most excellent blessings and salutations from His Lord.

Allah has enjoined this exclusive worship upon both jinn and humankind, sending forth messengers and revealing scriptures to elucidate and affirm it, commanding that it be rendered purely unto Him. As the Almighty declares:

"O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah: 21)

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and to parents, (show) excellent conduct." (Al-Isrā’: 23)

The term decreed in this verse signifies commanded and enjoined.

"And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and give alms; and that is the correct religion." (Al-Bayyinah: 5)

Numerous other verses in the Divine Book expound upon this fundamental doctrine.

Allah further states:

"And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty." (Al-Ḥashr: 7)

"O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best (course) and best in outcome." (An-Nisā’: 59)

"Whoever obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah." (An-Nisā’: 80)

Similarly, the Almighty states:

"And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, (proclaiming): ‘Worship Allah and shun false deities.’" (An-Naḥl: 36)

"And We did not send before you any messenger except that We revealed to him, saying: ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.’" (Al-Anbiyā’: 25)

"Alif, Lām, Rā. (This is) a Book whose verses are perfected and then presented in detail from (One who is) Wise and Acquainted. (Saying): ‘Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I am to you from Him a warner and a bringer of glad tidings.’" (Hūd: 1-2)

These decisive verses and their counterparts throughout the Divine Scripture unequivocally affirm the obligation of dedicating all acts of worship exclusively to Allah. This doctrine constitutes the foundation of faith and the very essence of the divine message. It is also the underlying wisdom behind the creation of jinn and humankind, the mission of the messengers, and the revelation of the scriptures.

Consequently, it is incumbent upon all accountable individuals to devote the utmost attention to this fundamental tenet, to acquire a profound understanding of it, and to remain vigilant against the errors into which many adherents of Islam have fallen. These include excessive veneration of prophets and saints, the construction of edifices over their graves, turning them into sanctuaries and domes, invoking them, seeking their intercession, and supplicating them for the fulfilment of needs, relief from distress, recovery from illness, or victory over adversaries—acts that constitute grave polytheism.

Authentic traditions from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) corroborate the teachings of the Divine Book. In the two Ṣaḥīḥ collections, it is recorded that Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him:

"Do you know the right of Allah upon His servants and the right of the servants upon Allah?" Mu‘ādh replied: "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet then said: "The right of Allah upon His servants is that they worship Him and do not associate anything with Him. And the right of the servants upon Allah is that He does not punish those who do not associate anything with Him."

Likewise, it is reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī that Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"Whoever dies while invoking a partner besides Allah will enter the Fire."

Similarly, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim records from Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stated:

"Whoever meets Allah without associating anything with Him will enter Paradise; and whoever meets Him while associating anything with Him will enter Hell."

These and numerous other narrations unequivocally establish the gravity of this issue. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was commissioned to call to monotheism and to prohibit polytheism. He conveyed this divine mandate with utmost diligence, enduring severe trials in the cause of Allah. His noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) likewise bore hardships in disseminating this message until the Arabian Peninsula was purged of all idols and false deities, and multitudes embraced Islam. The idols surrounding the Ka‘bah were demolished, and the pagan shrines of Lāt, ‘Uzzā, and Manāt were obliterated.

Islam subsequently expanded beyond the Arabian Peninsula through the twin forces of da‘wah (invitation) and jihād, illuminating vast regions of the world with divine truth and justice. The believers thus became the vanguards of guidance, the champions of righteousness, and the bearers of justice and reform. Their noble path was followed by the righteous successors, who persisted in spreading the faith, enjoining monotheism, and striving in the cause of Allah without fearing reproach. Consequently, Allah granted them His support and fulfilled His promise:

"O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant your feet firmly." (Muḥammad: 7)

"And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Almighty. (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer, give alms, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of (all) matters." (Al-Ḥajj: 40-41)

Then, in the course of time, people altered their ways, became divided, and exhibited laxity in their commitment to jihad. They prioritised ease and the pursuit of desires, while transgressions became widespread among them, except for those whom Allah, the Most High, safeguarded. Consequently, Allah altered their circumstances, subjecting them to their adversaries as a recompense for their actions. And your Lord is never unjust to His servants. As stated in the Qur'an:

"That is because Allah would not change a blessing He had bestowed upon a people until they change what is within themselves." [Al-Anfal: 53]

It is therefore incumbent upon all Muslims—governments and nations alike—to return to Allah, to devote worship solely to Him, and to repent from past shortcomings and transgressions. They must hasten to fulfil their obligatory duties, abstain from what has been prohibited, enjoin one another towards righteousness, and cooperate in the pursuit of virtue and piety.

A most critical aspect of this obligation is the establishment of the prescribed legal punishments, the enforcement of divine law in all matters, and the abandonment of man-made laws that contravene the dictates of Islam. It is imperative to reject arbitration by any rule that contradicts divine legislation and to compel all societies to adhere to the divine decree. Scholars, in turn, must educate the people in their faith, disseminate Islamic awareness, and exhort one another to uphold the truth with patience and perseverance. They must also encourage rulers to adhere to these principles, striving to combat pernicious ideologies such as socialism, Ba'athism, and the fervent nationalism that deviates from divine guidance.

By adhering to these directives, Allah shall rectify the corruption that has afflicted the Muslim community, restore what has been lost, and return to them their former glory. He shall grant them victory over their adversaries and establish them in the land, as He, the Most Truthful, declares:

"And it is an obligation upon Us to grant victory to the believers. " [Al-Rum: 47]

He also states:

"Allah has promised those who believe and perform righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them, and He will establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and He will replace their fear with security. They worship Me and do not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves thereafter—then those are the defiantly disobedient." [Al-Nur: 55]

Moreover, the Almighty affirms:

"Indeed, We shall grant victory to Our messengers and to those who believe in the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand—on the Day when the excuses of the wrongdoers will be of no benefit to them, for theirs is the curse, and theirs is the worst abode." [Ghafir: 51-52].

We beseech Allah, the Most High, to guide the Muslim leaders and their people, to grant them a sound understanding of the faith, and to unite them upon piety. May He guide them all to His straight path, grant them victory in upholding the truth, and cause them to vanquish falsehood. May He enable them to cooperate in righteousness and piety and to enjoin one another upon truth and patience. Verily, He alone is the Guardian of this, and He alone is capable of bringing it to fruition. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon His servant and Messenger, His chosen one from creation, our Prophet, leader, and master, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as well as upon his family, his companions, and all who follow his guidance.

And peace and blessings be upon you all, and may the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you.