The Virtue of Studying the Science of Tawhid and Knowing Its Rulings

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, this questioner, Abu Ibrahim, says: What is the virtue of studying the science of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and knowing its rulings?

Answer:
The science of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is the foundation; it is the first pillar of the pillars of Islam. It is the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, in speech, action, and belief. It is the first pillar of the pillars of Islam, and there is no benefit in the remaining matters of Islam without the creed.
Even prayer: if they establish the prayer while they do not establish the creed and do not purify their religion for Allah, then the prayer is not valid. And so it is with the remaining pillars of Islam. If the first foundation is realized, which is the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, in speech, action, and belief, and in learning and teaching, then much good is attained. The remaining pillars become valid, and the religion becomes upright.
And so it is that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, willed for us when He sent to us a Messenger, revealed to us a Book, and legislated for us a religion. Allah willed that we perform these matters in the required manner: in learning and teaching, in action, and in belief, speech, and deed. We ask Allah for steadfastness upon that.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.