The Meaning of Allah's Saying: "So know that there is no god but Allah" and the Definition of the Word of Sincerity
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The Shaykh : In any case, Allah commanded His Prophet to know that there is no god but Allah. So what is the meaning of "there is no god but Allah"? What is the meaning of "there is no god but Allah"? Does it mean there is no existing god but Allah? Or does it mean there is no true god but Allah? And what is the difference between the two meanings?
The second meaning, namely: that there is no true object of worship but Allah. Accordingly, all objects of worship other than Allah are worshipped falsely, and they themselves are false:[Al-Hajj 22:62].
It is not correct to say the meaning is "there is no existing god but Allah." This is not correct because reality refutes it, for there are gods worshipped besides Allah, but they are false gods. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said:[Al-Mu'minun 23:117], He said thereby affirming His divinity, and He, the Exalted, said: [Hud 11:101], [Hud 11:101] meaning: not a loss.
If this is the meaning, "there is no true god but Allah," meaning there is no true object of worship but Allah, why is there no true object of worship but Allah? Because every object of worship other than Allah is false and does not deserve to be worshipped, because it does not benefit its worshippers, because it does not benefit its worshippers. Allah, the Exalted, said:[Fatir 35:13]. The qatamir is the shell that is on the kernel. Do you know what the kernel is? The kernel of the date. It contains three things that Allah mentioned in His Book: the fatil, the naqir, and the qatamir [An-Nisa 4:124], [An-Nisa 4:49], [Fatir 35:13]. The qatamir, as we told you, is the shell wrapped around the kernel. The fatil is the vein that is in the belly of the kernel, and the naqir is the hollow that is on the back of the kernel.
This is used as an example in the case of scarcity. Those who invoke besides Allah do not possess even a qatamir. They do not possess a qatamir independently. To whom belongs the kingdom? To whom belongs the kingdom?
The student : To Allah.
The Shaykh : To Allah,[Ali 'Imran 3:189].
Now, do they possess the ability to ward off harm from us? Do they possess the ability to ward off harm from their worshippers? No,[Fatir 35:14] assuming hearing [Fatir 35:14] from the Expert? From the Expert?
The student : Allah.
The Shaykh : Allah, Mighty and Majestic, meaning no one informs you about these idols that are worshipped, nor about their state, nor about the end of their worshippers, like Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
[Fatir 35:14], these idols that are worshipped disbelieve in those who worshipped them, as clarified by His saying, the Exalted: [Al-Ahqaf 46:5-6] [Al-Ahqaf 46:6]. Who are the ones who become enemies? The ones worshipped meaning the ones worshipped, meaning for the worshippers [Al-Ahqaf 46:6]. So there is no true object of worship but Allah, because He is the one who deserves worship, being the one who possesses benefit and harm, and who possesses sending down rain and causing the earth to grow, and every thing [Al-Furqan 25:2].
By this, we know that those who invoke the awliya (close friends of Allah), who circumambulate their graves, who invoke them besides Allah, saying "O so-and-so, help me! O so-and-so, save me! O so-and-so, aid me!" We know that these people are mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah), mushrikin with Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Their prayer does not benefit them, their charity does not benefit them, their fasting does not benefit them, their Hajj does not benefit them, and their 'Umrah does not benefit them, due to Allah's saying, the Exalted:[At-Tawbah 9:54]. Give us the verse! [At-Tawbah 9:54]. The charity, which is a benefit that extends to others, is not accepted. It is not accepted as worship, because they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger.
And He, the Exalted, said:[Al-Furqan 25:23]. There is no benefit in it and no good in it.
So if a man comes to the grave of one who claims to be a wali (close friend of Allah)—I say "claims" because he may be a wali and he may be an enemy. He may be among the awliya (close friends of Allah) and he may be among the enemies of Allah. If he calls people to worship himself, is he a wali? Is he a wali of Allah or not?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : An enemy of Allah. Perhaps this dead person calls people to worship himself, then he dies, and people cling to his grave and invoke him and ask him, saying "This is a wali of Allah! This is a wali of Allah!" If he invokes him, saying "My master, my lord, my wali, my Lord, help me, aid me, give me wealth, provide me with a child," was he thereby a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah)? Was it minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) or major shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Major shirk, which is an exit from the religion. So he is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) in his religion, misguided in his intellect, a fool[Al-Baqarah 2:130]. A fool, why? Because this man is now a corpse, and perhaps the earth has consumed him, and he does not possess benefit or harm for himself. How can he possess it for you? But Satan, may Allah protect me and you from him, plays with the minds of the children of Adam until he makes the calm one a fool and the sensible one insane. Otherwise, how can a man who was carried on shoulders and buried in a hole in the ground be able to benefit you or harm you? Think, think rationally. Is this possible? It is not possible. So why do you invoke him? Instead of saying "O so-and-so, aid me, help me, save me, provide me with a child, provide me with wealth, return my lost item," and the like, say "O Lord, O Lord," so that you are one who invokes Allah, Mighty and Majestic. And if you invoke Allah, you will not be disappointed. You will not be disappointed. Two things will happen to you, and it is necessary. Two things will happen to you, and it is necessary.
The first thing: worship, because du'a' (supplication) is worship[Ghafir 40:60]. What?
The student :
The Shaykh :. He did not say about my supplication, because du'a' (supplication) is worship [Ghafir 40:60]. So he made du'a' (supplication) worship, and diverting some types of worship to other than Allah is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
I say: The one who invokes Allah must obtain two things. The first of them? The first?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Worship. Not "either," do not say "either." "Either" is for division. Rest. The first: worship. He obtains worship, because du'a' (supplication) is worship, and if it is worship, it is a good deed[Al-An'am 6:160].
The second: If he invokes Allah for something, or if he asks Allah for something, either he obtains that thing, and this is common. This is common. A person invokes his Lord and the thing happens. Do you remember in the Qur'an someone who invoked Allah for something and He answered him?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Huh?
The student : ... Ibrahim said ...
The Shaykh : Other than this? A prophet, something clearer than that. Rest.
[Al-Anbya 21:87-88]. Any person who is grieved says "There is no god but You, Glory be to You, indeed I was among the wrongdoers," Allah saves him from the grief.
[Al-Anbya 21:76].
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) invoked Allah at Badr. Did He answer him? Answer! Allah answered him. He killed a great number of the leaders of Quraysh. Seventy killed from Quraysh, and twenty-four of their leaders were dragged as corpses and thrown into a well of the wells of Badr. Until the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) stood over them at the well and said: meaning: They hear me more than you hear. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) called out to them with that as a rebuke, and how great was their regret at that hour, and refuge with Allah.
On one of the days he invoked and Allah answered him.
This is one. If a person invokes his Lord, either Allah answers him, or He averts from him evil that is greater than what he asked for, or He stores it for him on the Day of Resurrection. This is a blessing.
So you do not invoke this dead person, this wali (close friend of Allah), this prophet, nor Jibril, nor Mikail, nor Israfil, nor Muhammad, nor Ibrahim, nor anyone else. Invoke their Lord, Mighty and Majestic. Invoke Allah. If you invoke other than Allah to ward off hardship or to bring about blessing, you are a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) and a disbeliever. Your fasting does not benefit you, nor your prayer, nor your charity, nor your Hajj, nor your 'Umrah, nor anything else.
The second meaning, namely: that there is no true object of worship but Allah. Accordingly, all objects of worship other than Allah are worshipped falsely, and they themselves are false:
That is because Allah is the Truth, and that which they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allah is the Most High, the Grand.
ذلك بأن الله هو الحق وأن ما يدعون من دونه هو الباطل وأنّ الله هو العلي الكبيرIt is not correct to say the meaning is "there is no existing god but Allah." This is not correct because reality refutes it, for there are gods worshipped besides Allah, but they are false gods. Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, said:
And whoever invokes besides Allah another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord
ومن يدع مع الله إلها آخر لا برهان له به فإنما حسابه عند ربّهanother god
إلها آخرAnd they were not availed at all by their gods which they invoked other than Allah when there came the command of your Lord. And they did not increase them in other than ruin.
فما أغنت عنهم آلهتهم التي يدعون من دون الله من شيء لما جاء أمر ربّك وما زادوهم غير تتبيبthey were not availed at all by their gods which they invoked other than Allah when there came the command of your Lord. And they did not increase them in other than ruin.
ما أغنت عنهم آلهتهم التي يدعون من دون الله من شيء لما جاء أمر ربّك وما زادوهم غير تتبيبIf this is the meaning, "there is no true god but Allah," meaning there is no true object of worship but Allah, why is there no true object of worship but Allah? Because every object of worship other than Allah is false and does not deserve to be worshipped, because it does not benefit its worshippers, because it does not benefit its worshippers. Allah, the Exalted, said:
And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed.
والذين تدعون من دونه ما يملكون من قطميرwill not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.
ولا يظلمون نقيراand injustice is not done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed].
ولا يظلمون فتيلاdo not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed.
ما يملكون من قطميرThis is used as an example in the case of scarcity. Those who invoke besides Allah do not possess even a qatamir. They do not possess a qatamir independently. To whom belongs the kingdom? To whom belongs the kingdom?
The student : To Allah.
The Shaykh : To Allah,
And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth
ولله ملك السماوات والأرضNow, do they possess the ability to ward off harm from us? Do they possess the ability to ward off harm from their worshippers? No,
If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard
إن تدعوهم لا يسمعوا دعاءكم ولو سمعواthey would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters].
ما استجابوا لكم ويوم القيامة يكفرون بشرككم ولا ينبّئك مثل خبيرThe student : Allah.
The Shaykh : Allah, Mighty and Majestic, meaning no one informs you about these idols that are worshipped, nor about their state, nor about the end of their worshippers, like Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association
يوم القيامة يكفرون بشرككم(5) And who is more astray than he who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they, of their invocation, are unaware. (6) And when the people are gathered [that Day], they [who were invoked] will be enemies to them, and they will be deniers of their worship.
ومن أضل ممن يدعو من دون الله من لا يستجيب له إلى يوم القيامة وهم عن دعائهم غافلون وإذا حشر الناس كانوا لهم أعداء وكانوا بعبادتهم كافرينthey [who were invoked] will be enemies to them
كانوا لهم أعداءThey will be.
كانواTheir.
لهمenemies to them, and they will be deniers of their worship.
أعداء وكانوا بعبادتهم كافرينand has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination.
خلق كل شيء فقدّره تقديراBy this, we know that those who invoke the awliya (close friends of Allah), who circumambulate their graves, who invoke them besides Allah, saying "O so-and-so, help me! O so-and-so, save me! O so-and-so, aid me!" We know that these people are mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah), mushrikin with Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Their prayer does not benefit them, their charity does not benefit them, their fasting does not benefit them, their Hajj does not benefit them, and their 'Umrah does not benefit them, due to Allah's saying, the Exalted:
And what prevents their expenditures from being accepted from them but
وما منعهم أن تقبل منهم نفقاتهم إلاAnd what prevents their expenditures from being accepted from them but that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger and that they come not to prayer except while they are lazy and that they do not spend except while they are unwilling.
وما منعهم أن تقبل منهم نفقاتهم إلا أنهم كفروا بالله وبرسوله ولا يأتون الصلاة إلا وهم كسالى ولا ينفقون إلا وهم كارهونAnd He, the Exalted, said:
And We will regard what they have done of deeds and make them as dust dispersed.
وقدمنا إلى ما عملوا من عمل فجعلناه هباء منثوراSo if a man comes to the grave of one who claims to be a wali (close friend of Allah)—I say "claims" because he may be a wali and he may be an enemy. He may be among the awliya (close friends of Allah) and he may be among the enemies of Allah. If he calls people to worship himself, is he a wali? Is he a wali of Allah or not?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : An enemy of Allah. Perhaps this dead person calls people to worship himself, then he dies, and people cling to his grave and invoke him and ask him, saying "This is a wali of Allah! This is a wali of Allah!" If he invokes him, saying "My master, my lord, my wali, my Lord, help me, aid me, give me wealth, provide me with a child," was he thereby a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah)? Was it minor shirk (associating partners with Allah) or major shirk (associating partners with Allah)?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Major shirk, which is an exit from the religion. So he is a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) in his religion, misguided in his intellect, a fool
And who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself
ومن يرغب عن ملة إبراهيم إلا من سفه نفسهThe first thing: worship, because du'a' (supplication) is worship
And your Lord says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Indeed, those who disdain
وقال ربكم ادعوني أستجب لكم إن الذين يستكبرون عنThe student :
from worshipping Me
عن عبادتيThe Shaykh :
from worshipping Me
عن عبادتيMy worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.
عن عبادتي سيدخلون جهنم داخرينI say: The one who invokes Allah must obtain two things. The first of them? The first?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : Worship. Not "either," do not say "either." "Either" is for division. Rest. The first: worship. He obtains worship, because du'a' (supplication) is worship, and if it is worship, it is a good deed
Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit]
ومن جاء بالحسنة فله عشر أمثالهاThe second: If he invokes Allah for something, or if he asks Allah for something, either he obtains that thing, and this is common. This is common. A person invokes his Lord and the thing happens. Do you remember in the Qur'an someone who invoked Allah for something and He answered him?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Huh?
The student : ... Ibrahim said
My Lord, make this a safe land
رب اجعل هذا بلدا آمناThe Shaykh : Other than this? A prophet, something clearer than that. Rest.
(87) And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers." (88) So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.
وذا النون إذ ذهب مغاضبا فظنّ أن لن نقدر عليه فنادى في الظلمات أن لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين فاستجبنا له ونجّيناه من الغمّ وكذلك ننجي المؤمنينAnd [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allah] before [that time], so We responded to him
ونوحا إذ نادى من قبل فاستجبنا لهMuhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) invoked Allah at Badr. Did He answer him? Answer! Allah answered him. He killed a great number of the leaders of Quraysh. Seventy killed from Quraysh, and twenty-four of their leaders were dragged as corpses and thrown into a well of the wells of Badr. Until the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) stood over them at the well and said:
“O so-and-so, son of so-and-so” — he called each one by his name and his father’s name — “Have you found what your Lord promised you to be true? Indeed, I have found what my Lord promised me to be true.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can you call out to people who have been buried in the ground?” He said, “You are not more able to hear what I say than they are.”
يا فلان ابن فلان -يدعو كل واحد باسمه واسم أبيه- هل وجدتم ما وعد ربكم حقا فإني وجدت ما وعدني ربي حقّا، قالوا: يا رسول الله كيف تدعو أناسا قد جيّفوا؟ قال: ما أنتم بأسمع لما أقول منهمOn one of the days
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the Friday sermon to the people when a man entered and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the wealth has been destroyed and the roads have been cut off, so call upon Allah to send us relief.” He raised his hands and said, “O Allah, send us rain,” three times. Then Allah caused clouds to gather and it rained. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not descend from the pulpit until the rain was dripping from his beard.
كان النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلّم يخطب الناس يوم الجمعة فدخل رجل فقال يا رسول الله هلكت الأموال وانقطعت السبل فادع الله يغيثنا فرفع يديه وقال اللهم أغثنا ثلاث مرات، فأنشأ الله السحاب فأمطر ولم ينزل الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام من المنبر إلا والمطر يتحادر من لحيتهThis is one. If a person invokes his Lord, either Allah answers him, or He averts from him evil that is greater than what he asked for, or He stores it for him on the Day of Resurrection. This is a blessing.
So you do not invoke this dead person, this wali (close friend of Allah), this prophet, nor Jibril, nor Mikail, nor Israfil, nor Muhammad, nor Ibrahim, nor anyone else. Invoke their Lord, Mighty and Majestic. Invoke Allah. If you invoke other than Allah to ward off hardship or to bring about blessing, you are a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) and a disbeliever. Your fasting does not benefit you, nor your prayer, nor your charity, nor your Hajj, nor your 'Umrah, nor anything else.