Explaining the Difference Between the Oneness of Worship and the Oneness of Lordship
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Q13: The questioner asks: What is the difference between the oneness of worship and the oneness of lordship? And which of the two did the disbelievers affirm?
A13: The oneness of lordship is singling out Allah with His exclusive actions, such as creation, provision, giving life, causing death, creating the heavens and the earth, and other things that no one can do except Allah. This is what the polytheists affirmed, but it did not bring them into Islam, because it is not sufficient on its own. As for the oneness of worship, it is singling out Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) with the actions of the servants that Allah has legislated for them, such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, charity, and so on. This is what brings one into Islam and saves one from disbelief. As for the oneness of lordship alone, it is not sufficient; the disbelievers were associated with it, and they are in the Fire if they die upon it, because as Allah mentioned in the Qur'an:[Al-Mu'minun 23:86-87]
The disbelievers said this, but it did not remove them from disbelief, because they did not believe in the oneness of worship and did not act upon it. The messengers (peace be upon them) only called to the oneness of worship, because the oneness of lordship existed among the nations. So every prophet would say to his people:[Al-A'raf 7:59] .
A13: The oneness of lordship is singling out Allah with His exclusive actions, such as creation, provision, giving life, causing death, creating the heavens and the earth, and other things that no one can do except Allah. This is what the polytheists affirmed, but it did not bring them into Islam, because it is not sufficient on its own. As for the oneness of worship, it is singling out Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) with the actions of the servants that Allah has legislated for them, such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, charity, and so on. This is what brings one into Islam and saves one from disbelief. As for the oneness of lordship alone, it is not sufficient; the disbelievers were associated with it, and they are in the Fire if they die upon it, because as Allah mentioned in the Qur'an:
(86) Say, "Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne?" (87) They will say, "[They belong] to Allah." Say, "Then will you not fear Him?"
قُلْ مَنْ رَبُّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ (86) سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلاَ تَتَّقُونَThe disbelievers said this, but it did not remove them from disbelief, because they did not believe in the oneness of worship and did not act upon it. The messengers (peace be upon them) only called to the oneness of worship, because the oneness of lordship existed among the nations. So every prophet would say to his people:
worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous Day.
اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ إِلَهٍ غَيْرُهُ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.