The meaning of “Laa ‘ilaaha illallaah (there is no deity except Allaah)”
The meaning of “Laa ‘ilaaha illallaah(there is no deity except Allaah)”
Linguistic meaning:
Raaghib Al-Asfahaani said: God is the one who is worshiped.[1]
It was also said that its Arabic root refer to the one who is deemed god for the whole universe which is created. This can be done by the means of subjection only such as what is done to the inanimate beings and animals, or by both means of subjection and giving some will such as what is done to some people and so on.
Some of the wise men said: Allaah The Almighty is the beloved One to all creatures and this was proved in the words of Allaah The Almighty:
{And there is not a thing except that it exalts [ Allah ] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving.}[Al-Israa’: 44] [2]
Az-Zajaaj said: It means that He is the one who truly deserves worship and that all of the creatures should worship Him.[3]
Linguists said: It is used in Arabic with the object form referring to the one Who is worshiped.[4]
The disbelievers have taken the idols as gods for they believed that they deserve worship.
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[1]Mufradaat Al-Faath Al-Quraanby Al-Asfahaani (82-83).
[2] Ibid
[3] Ishtiqaaq Al-Asmaa’ by Az-Zajaaj (p.24).
[4] Taaj Al-‘Aroos (p. 9).
