The must-know duties

The must-know duties that every Muslim man and woman should perceive:

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The three basics that every Muslim man and Muslim woman should know are:

The knowledge of the slave: to his Lord and his religion and his Prophet Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

If you were asked: who is your Lord? Say: My Lord is Allah who graced me and all the ‘almîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists) by His bliss, He is my Lord and I have no other Lords but Him.

If you were told: what is your religion? Say: My religion is Islam: it is to surrender to Allah by believing in His oneness and by following His orders in obedience and by being innocent of polytheism and its people.

If you were told: who is your Prophet? Then say: Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd Al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, and Hashim is from Quraish and Quraish is from the Arabs and the Arabs are the descendants of Ismâ'il (Ishmael), son of Ibrâhim (Abraham), the best prayers and peace of Allah be upon them and upon our Prophet.

The origin of religion and its base consist of two things:

The first: enjoining to worship Allah alone with no partners, and to incite doing so, persisting in doing so and to consider those who leave it as disbelievers.

The second: warn against taking partners to be worshipped with Allah; and to thicken punishment against it and to consider those who do this as disbelievers.

The Conditions of (there is no god but Allah)

The first: to literally realize its meaning in the negative and the affirmative.

The second: certainty: which is the complete unquestioned knowledge of it, opposed to doubt and distrust.

The third: sincerity which is contrary to polytheism.

The fourth: truth which is contrary to lying.

The fifth: the love for this word and to all that it indicates and to feel the pleasure in doing so.

The sixth: the compliance to its rights, namely: performing due obligations in devotion to Allah and asking for His satisfaction.

The seventh: the acceptance which is opposed to refutation.

The evidence of these conditions from the Book of Allah (the Quran) and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him:

The Evidence of Knowledge:

The words of Allah the Almighty: {So know that there is no god but Allah,} [Muhammad 47:19],
 

Transliteration: FaiAAlam annahu la ilaha illa Allahu

And His saying: {but only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know.} [Az-Zukhruf 43:86],
 

Transliteration: illa man shahida bialhaqqi wahum yaAAlamoona

(i.e. there is no god but Allah) “and they know” by their hearts what their tongues have uttered.

And the evidence from the Sunnah: it is established in the authentic Hadith that Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, has said: The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "Whoever dies knowing that there is no god but Allah will enter Paradise". [Narrated by Muslim]
 

The Evidence of Certainty:

Allah the Almighty has said: {The believers are only the ones who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful.} [Al-Hujurat 49:15]
 

Transliteration: Innama almuminoona allatheena amanoo biAllahi warasoolihi thumma lam yartaboo wajahadoo biamwalihim waanfusihim fee sabeeli Allahi olaika humu alssadiqoona

So, Allah has stipulated in the sincerity of their faith in Him and His Messenger that they have no doubt whatsoever, however he who doubts is a hypocrite.

From the Sunnah: it is established in the authentic Hadith that Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, has narrated that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, no slave of Allah will meet Him having no doubt in them but he will enter Paradise". [Narrated by Muslim]
 

And in another version: "any slave of Allah who will meet Him having no doubt in them but will not be denied Paradise". [Narrated by Muslim]
 

Abu Huraira, from a long Hadith, narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has also said: "whoever you meet behind this wall who bears witness that there is no god but Allah and that his heart is assured about it, so give him the good tidings that he shall enter paradise". [Narrated by Muslim]
 

The Evidence of Sincerity:

Allah the almighty has said: “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion.” [Az-Zumar 39:3]
 

Transliteration: Ala lillahi alddeenu alkhalisu

And His saying: {And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth,} [Al-Baiyinah 98:5]
 

Transliteration: Wama omiroo illa liyaAAbudoo Allaha mukhliseena lahu alddeena hunafaa

From the Sunnah: it is reported in the authentic Hadith that Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, has narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "the happiest people who will enjoy my intercession is he who has said 'There is no god but Allah, sincerely from his heart (or from his soul) ". [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

It is established in the authentic Hadith through 'Utban ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "Allah has forbidden to hellfire whoever said 'there is no god but Allah seeking by it the face of Allah the Almighty". [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

An-Nasa'i reported in his book Al-Yawm wa Al-Laila (The Day And The Night) from the Hadith of two men of the companions that the Messenger of Allah, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "whoever says that 'La ilaha il-Allah Wahdahu la Sharika lahu Lahu-l-mulk, wa-lahu-l-hamd wahuwa 'ala kullishai'in Qadir.' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. He is the Only One and He has no partners, His is the dominion, and to Him belong all the praises and thanks, and He is Able to do all things'), whoever says these words sincerely from his heart and confirmed by his tongue but that Allah will open a crevice in heaven for them, so that He looks at their speaker from the people of the earth; and it is due to a slave who Allah has looked at to be given whatever he has asked for".
 

The Evidence of the Truth

Allah the almighty has said: {Alif, Lam, Meem (1) Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? (2) But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.} [Al-'Ankabût 29:1-3]

Transliteration: Aliflammeem (1) Ahasiba alnnasu an yutrakoo an yaqooloo amanna wahum la yuftanoona (2) Walaqad fatanna allatheena min qablihim falayaAAlamanna Allahu allatheena sadaqoo walayaAAlamanna alkathibeena

And He has said: {And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah and the Last Day," but they are not believers. (8) They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not. (9) In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they [habitually] used to lie.} [Al-Baqarah 2:8-10]
 

Transliteration: Wamina alnnasi man yaqoolu amanna biAllahi wabialyawmi alakhiri wama hum bimumineena (8) YukhadiAAoona Allaha waallatheena amanoo wama yakhdaAAoona illa anfusahum wama yashAAuroona (9) Fee quloobihim maradun fazadahumu Allahu maradan walahum AAathabun aleemun bima kanoo yakthiboona

From the Sunnah: It is reported in the authentic Hadith (Muslim) through Mu'az ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger, sincerely from his heart, but he is forbidden the hellfire by Allah".
 

The Evidence of Love

Allah the almighty has said: {And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.} [Al-Baqarah 2:165].
 

Transliteration: Wamina alnnasi man yattakhithu min dooni Allahi andadan yuhibboonahum kahubbi Allahi waallatheena amanoo ashaddu hubban lillahi

And He has also said: {O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:54]
 

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo man yartadda minkum AAan deenihi fasawfa yatee Allahu biqawmin yuhibbuhum wayuhibboonahu athillatin AAala almumineena aAAizzatin AAala alkafireena yujahidoona fee sabeeli Allahi wala yakhafoona lawmata laimin

From the Sunnah: It is reported in the authentic Hadith through Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith: The one to whom Allah and His Apostle becomes dearer than anything else, and the one who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake, and the one who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) after Allah has brought (saved) him out from it, as he hates to be thrown into the fire". [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

The Evidence of Obedience

It is what has been indicated by the words of Allah the almighty: {And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.} [Az-Zumar 39:54]
 

Transliteration: Waaneeboo ila rabbikum waaslimoo lahu min qabli an yatiyakumu alAAathabu thumma la tunsaroona

And His saying: {And who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while being a doer of good} [An-Nisaa’ 4:125]
 

Transliteration: Waman ahsanu deenan mimman aslama wajhahu lillahi wahuwa muhsinun

And His saying: {And whoever submits his face to Allah while he is a doer of good - then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold.} [Luqman 31:22], (i.e. there is no god but Allah).
 

Transliteration: Waman yuslim wajhahu ila Allahi wahuwa muhsinun faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa

And His words: {But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.} [An-Nisaa’ 4:65]
 

Transliteration: Fala warabbika la yuminoona hatta yuhakkimooka feema shajara baynahum thumma la yajidoo fee anfusihim harajan mimma qadayta wayusallimoo tasleeman

From the Sunnah: the saying of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, that "none of you is completely a believer unless his inclination is in conformity with what I have come with" [Narrated by Ahmad Shaker]
 

,Which is the full incarnation of obedience and its utmost degree.

The Evidence of Acceptance

The words of Allah the Almighty: {And similarly, We did not send before you any warner into a city except that its affluent said, "Indeed, we found our fathers upon a religion, and we are, in their footsteps, following." (23) [Each warner] said, "Even if I brought you better guidance than that [religion] upon which you found your fathers?" They said, "Indeed we, in that with which you were sent, are disbelievers." (24) So we took retribution from them; then see how was the end of the deniers.} [Az-Zukhruf 43:23-25].
 

Transliteration: Wakathalika ma arsalna min qablika fee qaryatin min natheerin illa qala mutrafooha inna wajadna abaana AAala ommatin wainna AAala atharihim muqtadoona (23) Qala awalaw jitukum biahda mimma wajadtum AAalayhi abaakum qaloo inna bima orsiltum bihi kafiroona (24) Faintaqamna minhum faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almukaththibeena

And His saying: {Indeed they, when it was said to them, "There is no deity but Allah," were arrogant (35) And were saying, "Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?"} [As-Sâffât 37:35-36].
 

Transliteration: Innahum kanoo itha qeela lahum la ilaha illa Allahu yastakbiroona (35) Wayaqooloona ainna latarikoo alihatina lishaAAirin majnoonin

From the Sunnah: it is reported in the authentic Hadith that Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, has narrated that the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. And a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)" [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

Nullifications of Islam

Know that the nullifications of Islam are ten things

The first: setting partners in the worship of Allah the Almighty:
Allah the Almighty has said: {Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.} [An-Nisâ' 4:48]
 

Transliteration: Inna Allaha la yaghfiru an yushraka bihi wayaghfiru ma doona thalika liman yashao

And He has also said: {Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.} [Al-Ma'dah 5:72]
 

Transliteration: innahu man yushrik biAllahi faqad harrama Allahu AAalayhi aljannata wamawahu alnnaru wama lilththalimeena min ansarin

The second: he whoever puts mediators between him and Allah; invoking them and asking them for intercession.

The third: those who do not expiate the infidels or deviate from their disbelief or correct it.

The fourth: whoever believes that other than the guidance of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, is more complete than his guidance or that the ruling of others is better than his ruling; like those who prefer the rule of the Tâghût (evil and false judges), is an infidel.

The fifth: who hates anything that was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, even if he acts according to it, is an infidel.

The sixth: whoever makes fun of anything of the religion of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, or its reward or punishment is an infidel.

Allah the Almighty says: {And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" (65) Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you - We will punish another faction because they were criminals.} [At-Taubah 9:65-66]
 

Transliteration: Walain saaltahum layaqoolunna innama kunna nakhoodu wanalAAabu qul abiAllahi waayatihi warasoolihi kuntum tastahzioona (65) La taAAtathiroo qad kafartum baAAda eemanikum in naAAfu AAan taifatin minkum nuAAaththib taifatan biannahum kanoo mujrimeena

The seventh: magic and all its actions and practices, whoever performs it or consents to performing it is an infidel.

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {But they do not harm anyone through it except by permission of Allah. And the people learn what harms them and does not benefit them.} [Al-Baqarah 2:102]
 

Transliteration: wama hum bidarreena bihi min ahadin illa biithni Allahi wayataAAallamoona ma yadurruhum wala yanfaAAuhum

The eighth: supporting the infidels and helping them against the Muslims; and the evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people. } [Al-Ma’idah 5:51].
 

Transliteration: waman yatawallahum minkum fainnahu minhum inna Allaha la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena

The ninth: whoever believes that some of the people can afford to depart from the Shariah (law) of Muhammad, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, as Al-Khidr (one of the slaves of Allah, on whom He had bestowed mercy from Him, and whom He had taught knowledge from Him) could afford to depart from the Shariah of Moses, peace be upon him, is an infidel.

The tenth: turning away from the religion of Allah the Almighty: not learning it nor working according to it, and the evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: { And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord; then he turns away from them? Indeed We, from the criminals, will take retribution.} [As-Sajda 32:22]
 

Transliteration: Waman athlamu mimman thukkira biayati rabbihi thumma aAArada AAanha inna mina almujrimeena muntaqimoona

There is no difference in all of these nullifications between the joker and the serious and the fearful, except for the forced (he is being forgiven because of his lack of will during the time). All of them are of the greatest danger and are more frequent to take place.

So the Muslim should be careful and fearful from them. We seek refuge with Allah from the causes of His wrath and His painful punishment.

Monotheism has three types

The first: the Unity of Lordship

Which is recognized by the infidels in the time of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, and he fought them and did not include them in Islam; and he deemed their blood and money as permissible, it is the unification of Allah by His doing, the Almighty, and the evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: { Say, "Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Or who controls hearing and sight and who brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and who arranges [every] matter?" They will say, " Allah," so say, "Then will you not fear Him?"} [Yunus 10:31]
 

Transliteration: Qul man yarzuqukum mina alssamai waalardi amman yamliku alssamAAa waalabsara waman yukhriju alhayya mina almayyiti wayukhriju almayyita mina alhayyi waman yudabbiru alamra fasayaqooloona Allahu faqul afala tattaqoona

The verses about this matter are abundant.

The second: the Unity of Worship

It is where there has been a conflict in the old times and in the modern times; which is to unify Allah by the acts of His subjects: such as praying and making vows and offering sacrifices, hope and fear, trust, desire and dread, and turning to Allah in repentance, to each one of these types there is a Qur'anic evidence.

The third: the Unity of Allah's Names and Attributes

Allah the Almighty has said: {Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One, (1) Allah, the Eternal Refuge. (2) He neither begets nor is born, (3) Nor is there to Him any equivalent."} [Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4]
 

Transliteration: Qul huwa Allahu ahadun (1) Allahu alssamadu (2) Lam yalid walam yooladu (3) Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahadun

And His saying: {And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers.} [Al-A'raf 7:180]
 

Transliteration: WanazaAAa yadahu faitha hiya baydao lilnnathireena

Allah the Almighty has also said: {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing} [Ash-Shura 42:11].
 

Transliteration: laysa kamithlihi shayon wahuwa alssameeAAu albaseeru

Polytheism is opposed to Monotheism

Polytheism (setting up partners (in worship) with Allah) has three types: the greater polytheism, the smaller polytheism and the hidden polytheism

The first type: the greater polytheism

Allah does not forgive nor accepts any righteous deeds with it, Allah the Almighty has said: {Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray.} [An-Nisaa' 4:116]
 

Transliteration: Inna Allaha la yaghfiru an yushraka bihi wayaghfiru ma doona thalika liman yashao waman yushrik biAllahi faqad dalla dalalan baAAeedan

Allah Glorified has also said: { They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.} [Al-Ma'idah 5:72]
 

Transliteration: Laqad kafara allatheena qaloo inna Allaha huwa almaseehu ibnu maryama waqala almaseehu ya banee israeela oAAbudoo Allaha rabbee warabbakum innahu man yushrik biAllahi faqad harrama Allahu AAalayhi aljannata wamawahu alnnaru wama lilththalimeena min ansarin

Allah the Almighty has said: { And We will regard what they have done of deeds and make them as dust dispersed.} [Al-Furqân 25:23].
 

Transliteration: Waqadimna ila ma AAamiloo min AAamalin fajaAAalnahu habaan manthooran

The Almighty has said: { And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers."} [Az-Zumar 39:65]
 

Transliteration: Walaqad oohiya ilayka waila allatheena min qablika lain ashrakta layahbatanna AAamaluka walatakoonanna mina alkhasireena

And the Glorified has also said: {That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whomever He wills of His servants. But if they had associated others with Allah, then worthless for them would be whatever they were doing. } [Al-An'am 6: 88]
 

Transliteration: Thalika huda Allahi yahdee bihi man yashao min AAibadihi walaw ashrakoo lahabita AAanhum ma kanoo yaAAmaloona

The greater polytheism has four types

The first: invoking other than Allah

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him} [Al-'Ankabût 29:65]
 

Transliteration: Faitha rakiboo fee alfulki daAAawoo Allaha mukhliseena lahu alddeena falamma najjahum ila albarri itha hum yushrikoona

The second: the polytheism of faith, will and intent

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. (15) Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do.} [Hud 11:15-16].
 

Transliteration: Man kana yureedu alhayata alddunya wazeenataha nuwaffi ilayhim aAAmalahum feeha wahum feeha la yubkhasoona (15) Olaika allatheena laysa lahum fee alakhirati illa alnnaru wahabita ma sanaAAoo feeha wabatilun ma kanoo yaAAmaloona

The third: the polytheism of obedience

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {They take their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, and the Messiah, son of Mary, though they were ordered to worship but one God, there is no god except He. Exalted is He above that they associate with Him! } [At-Taubah 9:31]
 

Transliteration: Ittakhathoo ahbarahum waruhbanahum arbaban min dooni Allahi waalmaseeha ibna maryama wama omiroo illa liyaAAbudoo ilahan wahidan la ilaha illa huwa subhanahu AAamma yushrikoona

and the interpretation of this verse which is not disputed is that: it is the obedience to the scholars and the slaves of Allah in disobeying Him because of their claims, as being interpreted by the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, to 'Udai ibn Hatim when he asked him and said: "We do not worship them, so the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, told him: 'worshipping them is to obey them in committing sins'

The fourth: polytheism of love

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah.} [Al-Baqarah 2:165]
 

Transliteration: Wamina alnnasi man yattakhithu min dooni Allahi andadan yuhibboonahum kahubbi Allahi

The second type of polytheism: the smaller polytheism

It is hypocrisy (pretence), and the evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.} [Al-Kahf 18:110]
 

Transliteration: faman kana yarjoo liqaa rabbihi falyaAAmal AAamalan salihan wala yushrik biAAibadati rabbihi ahadan

The third type of polytheism: the hidden polytheism

Disbelief has two types:

The first type; the disbelief that banishes out from the pale of Islam

It has five kinds

The first kind: disbelief of denial

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allah or denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a [sufficient] residence for the disbelievers?} [Al-'Ankabût 29:68]
 

Transliteration: Waman athlamu mimmani iftara AAala Allahi kathiban aw kaththaba bialhaqqi lamma jaahu alaysa fee jahannama mathwan lilkafireena

The second kind: the disbelief of refusal and arrogance with believing

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers. } [Al-Baqarh 2:34]
 

Transliteration: Waith qulna lilmalaikati osjudoo liadama fasajadoo illa ibleesa aba waistakbara wakana mina alkafireena

The third kind: the disbelief of doubt

Which is the disbelief of assumption, and the evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. (35) And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." (36) His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man? (37) But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.} [Al-Kahf 18:35-38]
 

Transliteration: Wadakhala jannatahu wahuwa thalimun linafsihi qala ma athunnu an tabeeda hathihi abadan (35) Wama athunnu alssaAAata qaimatan walain rudidtu ila rabbee laajidanna khayran minha munqalaban (36) Qala lahu sahibuhu wahuwa yuhawiruhu akafarta biallathee khalaqaka min turabin thumma min nutfatin thumma sawwaka rajulan (37) Lakinna huwa Allahu rabbee wala oshriku birabbee ahadan

The fourth kind: the disbelief of rejection

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {We did not create the heavens and earth and what is between them except in truth and [for] a specified term. But those who disbelieve, from that of which they are warned, are turning away.} [Al-Ahqâf 46:3]
 

Transliteration: Ma khalaqna alssamawati waalarda wama baynahuma illa bialhaqqi waajalin musamman waallatheena kafaroo AAamma onthiroo muAAridoona

The fifth kind: the disbelief of hypocrisy

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.} [Al-Munhfiqûn :3]
 

Transliteration: Thalika biannahum amanoo thumma kafaroo fatubiAAa AAala quloobihim fahum la yafqahoona

The second type of the two types of infidelity: it is the smaller disbelief that does not banish from the pale of Islam which is the disbelief of denying the favors of Allah:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.} [An-Nahl 16:112]
 

Transliteration: Wadaraba Allahu mathalan qaryatan kanat aminatan mutmainnatan yateeha rizquha raghadan min kulli makanin fakafarat bianAAumi Allahi faathaqaha Allahu libasa aljooAAi waalkhawfi bima kanoo yasnaAAoona

The types of hypocrisy:

Hypocrisy has two types: hypocrisy in the doctrine and hypocrisy in practice

Hypocrisy in the doctrine:
It has six types the owner of which is in the lowest depth (degree) of hell fire:

The first: to belie the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

The second: to belie some of what has been revealed to the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

The Third: to hate the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

The fourth: to hate some of what has been revealed to the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

The fifth: to be pleased by the declination of the religion of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

The sixth: to hate the triumph of the religion of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him.

Practical hypocrisy

Practical Hypocrisy has five types

The evidence is the words of the Prophet, prayers and blessings of Allah be upon him: "the signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks, he tells a lie, whenever he promises, he always breaks it (his promise) and if you trust him, he proves to be dishonest. (If you keep something as a trust with him, he will not return it)" [Narrated by Muslim]
 

And in another version: "…Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner. And whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous]…" [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]
 

The meaning of Tâghût and the heads of its different forms:

O brother, may Allah bless you, know that the first thing Allah has imposed on the son of Adam is to disbelieve in the Taghut (The word Tâghût covers a wide range of meanings: It means anything worshipped other than Allâh, i.e. all the false deities. It may be Satan, devils, idols, stones, sun, stars, and angels, human beings, who were falsely worshipped and taken as Tâghûts. Likewise saints, graves, rulers, leaders, etc., are falsely worshipped and wrongly followed. Sometimes "Tâghût" means a false judge who gives a false judgment) and to believe in Allah.

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut."} [An-Nahl 16:36]
 

Transliteration: Walaqad baAAathna fee kulli ommatin rasoolan ani oAAbudoo Allaha waijtaniboo alttaghoota

As for the Attribute of disbelieving in the Tâghût

It is to believe in the invalidity of worshipping other than Allah, and to leave and loath it and to deem its people as infidels and to antagonize them.

As for the meaning of believing in Allah:

It is to believe that Allah is the only deity to be worshipped and none other than Him, and to be sincere in all kinds of acts of worship for His sake only and to deny it from any other than Him, to love the people of sincerity and to befriend them and to hate the people of polytheism and to antagonize them.

This is the religion of Ibrâhîm (Abraham) who has stultified the one who turned away from it, and this is the example which Allah has shown in the verse: {There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone"} [Al-Mumtahinah 60:4]
 

Transliteration: Qad kanat lakum oswatun hasanatun fee ibraheema waallatheena maAAahu ith qaloo liqawmihim inna buraao minkum wamimma taAAbudoona min dooni Allahi kafarna bikum wabada baynana wabaynakumu alAAadawatu waalbaghdao abadan hatta tuminoo biAllahi wahdahu

And the Tâghût is a general term; it is whatever is being worshipped rather than Allah, it is whoever accepted to be worshipped: a deity or a chief, or being obeyed in other than the obedience of Allah, all the previous is considered Tâghût t. Tâghûts are numerous, the heads of which are five:

The first: Satan who calls for the worship of deities other than Allah:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: { Did I not enjoin upon you, O children of Adam, that you not worship Satan - [for] indeed, he is to you a clear enemy -} [Yaseen 36:60]
 

Transliteration: Alam aAAhad ilaykum ya banee adama an la taAAbudoo alshshaytana innahu lakum AAaduwwun mubeenun

The second: the unjust ruler who alters the provisions of Allah the Almighty:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: { Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taghut, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray. } [An-Nisaa' 4:60]
 

Transliteration: Alam tara ila allatheena yazAAumoona annahum amanoo bima onzila ilayka wama onzila min qablika yureedoona an yatahakamoo ila alttaghooti waqad omiroo an yakfuroo bihi wayureedu alshshaytanu an yudillahum dalalan baAAeedan

The third: whoever judges with what Allah has not revealed:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:44]
 

Transliteration: waman lam yahkum bima anzala Allahu faolaika humu alkafiroona

The fourth: whoever claims knowledge of the unseen beside Allah:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: [He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone} [Al-Jinn 72:26]
 

Transliteration: AAalimu alghaybi fala yuthhiru AAala ghaybihi ahadan

And His words: { And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows what is on the land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls but that He knows it. And no grain is there within the darknesses of the earth and no moist or dry [thing] but that it is [written] in a clear record.} [Al-An'âm 6:59]
 

Transliteration: WaAAindahu mafatihu alghaybi la yaAAlamuha illa huwa wayaAAlamu ma fee albarri waalbahri wama tasqutu min waraqatin illa yaAAlamuha wala habbatin fee thulumati alardi wala ratbin wala yabisin illa fee kitabin mubeenin

The fifth: whoever being worshipped other than Allah, and he is pleased with that:

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him"- that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers. } [Al-Anbiya' 21:29]
 

Transliteration: Waman yaqul minhum innee ilahun min doonihi fathalika najzeehi jahannama kathalika najzee alththalimeena

And know that man does not become a believer in Allah but by disbelieving in the Tâghût.

The evidence is the words of Allah the Almighty: {There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.} [Al-Baqarah 2:256]
 

Transliteration: La ikraha fee alddeeni qad tabayyana alrrushdu mina alghayyi faman yakfur bialttaghooti wayumin biAllahi faqadi istamsaka bialAAurwati alwuthqa la infisama laha waAllahu sameeAAun AAaleemun

The right course: the religion of Muhammad.

The wrong course: the religion of Abu Jahl (a major polytheist, disbeliever and antagonist to Allah and His Messenger).

The most trustworthy handhold: the testimony that there is no god but Allah including the meanings of negation and confirmation: the negation of all kinds of worship to other than Allah, and the confirmation of all kinds of worship to Allah alone, the One who has no partners.

Praises and thanks be to Allah with whose grace righteous deeds are whole and complete.

Written by: Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab, may Allah have mercy on him.

Dar Ibn Khuzaymah


Translated by Wathakker.info website