The danger of the one who says the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) but does not act upon it.
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The Shaykh : All Muslims, in secret and in public, say, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." In the minarets of the mosques, the call is raised five times every day saying, "What do they say?" "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." Muslims in their prayers recite the tashahhud, and each one of them says, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." When he purifies himself, he says, "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah." All Muslims say this, but I ask: do those who say this apply it in their actions? The answer is yes, except for a few people. You will find that the one who says "La ilaha illa Allah" among these people is few, but he believes that a specific wali (close friend of Allah) or a specific imam is to be turned to for complaint, supplication, and the removal of distress, and the like. We even hear that some people call upon Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in easy matters and call upon other than Allah in difficult matters. So, by Allah, is this person realizing the meaning of "La ilaha illa Allah" or contradicting it? He is contradicting "La ilaha illa Allah." How can you say "La ilaha illa Allah" while you worship other than Allah? And let it be known that whoever worships other than Allah has worshipped Shaytan. Allah the Exalted said: [Ya-Sin 36:60] What comes after that?
The student:.
The Shaykh : So these people who attach themselves to the awliya (close friends of Allah) or to the imams, who call upon them other than Allah and turn to them in times of distress, are mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah) with Allah, and the saying "La ilaha illa Allah" will not benefit them; it will not benefit them on the Day of Resurrection. Allah has mocked these people and clarified their misguidance, and He said, (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-Baqarah 2:130] And what is the religion of Ibrahim? It is al-hanifiyyah, pure tawhid (the oneness of Allah). [An-Nahl 16:123] And Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) misled these people in their minds, mocked their minds, and misled their opinions, and He said: [Al-Ahqaf 46:5] Who is more misguided? Is this "who" a question in the sense of?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : It is in the sense of negation, meaning no one is more misguided than the one who calls upon other than Allah one who does not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they are heedless of their supplication. They do not respond to them, as Allah the Exalted said:[Fatir 35:14] And what will be the result on the Day of Resurrection? [Al-Ahqaf 46:6] [Fatir 35:14].
Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan - [for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy -
ألم أعهد إليكم يا بني آدم ألاّ تعبدوا الشيطان إنه لكم عدو مبينThe student:
And that you worship Me.
وأن اعبدونيThe Shaykh :
And that you worship Me; this is the straight path.
وأن اعبدوني هذا صراط مستقيمAnd who would be averse to the religion of Abraham except one who makes a fool of himself
ومن يرغب عن ملة إبراهيم إلاّ من سفه نفسهThen We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah.
ثم أوحينا إليك أن اتبع ملة إبراهيم حنيفاً وما كان من المشركينAnd who is more astray than he who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection
ومن أضل ممن يدعو من دون الله من لا يستجيب له إلى يوم القيامةThe student: ...
The Shaykh : It is in the sense of negation, meaning no one is more misguided than the one who calls upon other than Allah one who does not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and they are heedless of their supplication. They do not respond to them, as Allah the Exalted said: