The Meaning of the Word of Tawhid and Its Conditions

Question:
We begin this session with a letter from the questioner Fahd from the Prophet’s City. He says: I am sending you these inquiries and I hope for answers to them. First, in my first question, I ask about the meaning of the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and what are its conditions? And how can a Muslim hold the belief in its meaning without being exposed to trial and test?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions. As for what follows, the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is "La ilaha illa Allah," and its meaning is "There is no deity worthy of worship in truth except Allah." It contains negation and affirmation. The negation is in the phrase "La ilaha," which entails the invalidation of everything that is worshipped other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The affirmation is in the phrase "illa Allah," which entails affirming that worship is for Allah alone, because worship is the right of Allah, and no one shares in it with Him. As He the Exalted said: that they feed. Indeed, Allah is the Provider, the Owner of strength, the Prevailing. Tawhid is the right of Allah, and worship is the right of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) upon His servants. As the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): "Indeed, something." He (Mighty and Majestic) said: the verse. He mentioned His right as the first of the rights. This is its meaning, and its implication is that the servant singles out Allah for worship. If he knows its meaning, if he pronounces it, and knows its meaning, then it is obligatory for him to act in accordance with its implications and its indication, which is that he does not worship except Allah alone, having no partner. If he worships other than Allah and calls upon other than Allah, then he is contradicting "La ilaha illa Allah," invalidating it, and corrupting the meaning of this word. It does not benefit him with shirk (associating partners with Allah). He must act in accordance with its implications and make his religion, worship, and deeds sincere for Allah (Mighty and Majestic). His deeds must be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), without bid'ah (religious innovations), newly invented matters, or superstitions. He worships Allah (Mighty and Majestic) with what Allah has prescribed, not with what his desire or his whims dictate, or what people do without evidence and without a basis from the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Yes.