A By Shaykh ’Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn Hasan
aalush-Shaykh (d.1258H)
Taken from the explanation of Kitaabut-Tawheed –
the monumental work of Shaykhul-Islaam Muhammad
Ibn ’Abdul-Wahhaab (d.1206) – rahimahullaahu
ta’aalaa – it will serve as an excellent
introduction.
And ’ibaadah is obedience to Allaah by acting
upon what He commands, and abandoning what He
forbids; and this is the reality and essence of
Islaam. And the meaning of Islaam is: istislaam
(submission and surrender) to Allaah – the Most
High – along with the utmost compliance,
humility, and submissiveness to Him.
THE MEANING OF WORSHIP:
The statement of Allaah – the Most High - : “I
did not create the Jinn, nor mankind, except to
worship Me.” [Sooratudh-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) –
rahimahullaah – said:
“Worship (al-’Ibaadah) is obedience to Allaah by
following that which He ordered upon the tongues
of His Messengers.” He also said,
“Worship (al-’Ibaadah) is a comprehensive term
covering everything that Allaah loves and is
pleased with – whether saying, or actions,
outward and inward.” [2]
Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) – rahimahullaah – said:
“Worship revolves around fifteen principles.
Whosoever completes them has completed the
stages of ’uboodiyyah (servitude to Allaah). The
explanation of this is that ’ibaadah is divided
between the heart, the tongue, and the limbs.
And that for each one of these three come five
types of rulings, covering all actions: waajib
(obligatory), mustahabb (recommended), haraam
(prohibited), makrooh (disliked), and mubaah
(permissible).” [3]
“The root of ’ibaadah is humility and
submissiveness. The various duties that have
been prescribed upon the people are called
’ibaadaat (acts of worship), since what is
required is that these acts of worship must be
done with humility and submissiveness to Allaah
– the Most High.” [4]
Ibn Katheer (d.774H) – rahimahullaah – said:
“And ’ibaadah is obedience to Allaah by acting
upon what He commands, and abandoning what He
forbids; and this is the reality and essence of
Islaam. And the meaning of Islaam is: istislaam
(submission and surrender) to Allaah – the Most
High – along with the utmost compliance,
humility, and submissiveness to Him.”
He also said whilst explaining the above aayah:
“Indeed Allaah – the Most High – created the
creation so that they could worship Him alone,
without associating any partner with Him.
Whoever obeys Him will be completely rewarded,
whereas whoever disobeys Him would be punished
with a severe punishment. And He has informed
that He is neither dependant, nor does He have
any need for them. Rather, it is they who are in
dire need of Him, in every condition and
circumstance, since He is the One who created,
sustains, and provides for them.” [5]
THE MEANING OF TAAGHOOT:
The statement of Allaah – the Most High - : “And
to every nation We sent Messengers, ordering
them that they should worship Allaah alone, obey
Him, and make their worship purely for Him; and
that they should avoid at-Taaghoot.” [Sooratun-Nahl
16:36]
And at-taaghoot is from the word at-tughyaan,
which means: going beyond the limits.
’Umar Ibnul-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said:
“The taaghoot is Shaytaan.” [6]
Jaabir (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said:
“The taaghoots are the soothsayers and
fortune-tellers upon whom the devils descend.”
[7]
Imaam Maalik (d.179H) – rahimahullaah – said:
“Taaghoot: that which is worshipped besides
Allaah.” [8]
So this is what has been mentioned by certain
people. However, Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim –
rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa – has given a very
comprehensive definition, so he said, “The
taaghoot is all that which causes the person to
exceed the limits with regards to that which is
worshipped, followed, or obeyed. So the taaghoot
in any nation is whosoever turns to other than
Allaah and His Messenger for matters of
judgement; or is pleased to be worshipped
besides Allaah; or is followed without a clear
proof from Allaah; or is obeyed in that which is
known to be disobedience to Allaah.” [9]
[4] Al-Jaami’ li-Ahkaamil-Qur‘aan (1/225), and
(17/56) of al-Qurtubee.
[5] Tafseerul-Qur‘aanil-’Adtheem (7/402)
[6] Related by at-Tabaree in Jaami’ul-Bayaan
’an-Ta‘weelil-Qur‘aan (no. 5834), al-Haafidh Ibn
Hajar said in Fathul-Baaree (8/251), “Its chain
of narrators is strong.”
[7] Related by at-Tabaree in his Tafseer (no.
5845)
[8] Related by as-Suyootee in ad-Durarul-Manthoor
(2/22), by way of Ibn Abee Haatim.
