How many gods do you worship?
How many gods do you worship?
As for the disbelievers, they say (as Allaah says on their behalf):
{Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing.}[Saad: 5]
It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said to Abu Taalib: “O uncle, all I want from them is one word which, if they say it, the Arabs will become their followers and the non-Arabs will pay Jizyah (tribute tax) to them.” They were worried about what he said, so they said, “One word Yes, by your father, (we will say) ten words! They added: “What word is it?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “(Laa ilaaha illallaah, there is not god but Allaah).” They stood up in agitation, brushing down their clothes, saying:
{Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing.}[Saad: 5][1]
As for the believers, they said:
{And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity.}[Al-Kahf: 14]
Negation then affirmation[2]
Belief in the divinity of Allaah The Almighty has two important pillars:
First: Negating all the gods that are worshiped other than Allaah The Almighty and disbelieving in them all. That is the meaning of “Laa ilaaha”
Second: Affirming the divinity to Allaah The Almighty alone Who has not associate nor rival. That is the meaning of “Illa Allaah.”
For example: Al-Khaleel (intimate friend) Ibraaheem, those who followed him disassociated themselves from disbelief and its people, so they said to their people (as Allaah The Almighty says on their behalf):
{Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allaah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allaah alone.}[Al-Mumtahanah: 4]
Another example: Allaah The Almighty says: {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 Allaah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allaah is Hearing and Knowing.} [Al-Baqarah: 256]
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[1] Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i.
[2]By Ibn Al-Qayyim who has insightful words in this regard in his valuable book entitled “Badaai‘ Al-Fawaa’id” (3/56).
