Introduction
Allah is One and has no partner in His being, His attributes, His rule over the universe, His creation, or His right to be worshipped. Everything was created by Him and is under His complete control and direction. Accepting this great truth requires a person to devote their prayer, sacrifice, worship, and entire life to Allah alone, the Lord of Majesty.
The Quran presents this belief not merely as a theoretical discussion, but as a living and practical truth that determines the direction of a person’s whole life.
Quranic Text and Translation
Surah Al-An‘am (Surah 6, Verses 162–163)
قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Translation: Say, “Indeed, my prayer, all my worship, my living, and my dying are devoted entirely to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.”
لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِکَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
Translation: “He has no partner. This is what I have been commanded, and I am the first of those who submit.”
Surah Al-Furqan (Surah 25, Verse 2)
الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُ تَقْدِيرًا
Translation: To Him belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He has no offspring and no partner in His kingdom. He created everything and determined its proper measure.
Explanation of the Blessed Verses
- Worshipping Allah alone: Verse 162 of Surah Al-An‘am declares the commitment to devote prayer, worship, life, and death to Allah. This shows that Tawhid is not only a spoken statement of belief; it concerns every part of human life.
- Allah’s freedom from partners and submission to Him: Verse 163 clearly declares that Allah has no partner. Here, “I am the first of those who submit” means the first to submit among the community of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The prophets, peace be upon them, are the foremost bearers of Tawhid and obedience to Allah among their respective communities.
- Absolute rule over the universe: Verse 2 of Surah Al-Furqan brings together Allah’s kingship, His freedom from having offspring, His having no partner in His rule, and His setting a precise measure for every created being. This shows that Allah’s having no partner is not limited to human worship. It is also the fundamental truth underlying the creation and governance of the entire universe.
In the Light of Tafsir Ibn Kathir
The surrounding passage in Surah Al-An‘am mentions the straight religion and the way of Ibrahim, peace be upon him. Ibn Kathir explains that Allah’s Prophet is commanded to declare this path, which is free from shirk—associating partners with Allah. It is in this context that prayer and sacrifice are declared to be for Allah alone. These verses therefore establish the connection between belief and worship.
According to Ibn Kathir, this declaration makes clear the difference between this path and the practices of those who worshipped others besides Allah and offered sacrifices to them. The Prophet ﷺ is commanded to state that his prayer is for Allah and his worship is devoted to Him alone, without any partner. The commentary emphasises keeping the heart and intention sincere for Allah.
“لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ” — “He has no partner” is the foundation of this sincerity. No other being deserves worship alongside Allah. The honour or greatness of any created being does not make it a partner in Allah’s divinity. The verses direct the servant to submit fully to their Lord and devote their worship to Him alone.
In explaining “I am the first of those who submit,” Ibn Kathir quotes Qatadah’s explanation that this means the first within this community. He also makes clear that the earlier prophets likewise called people to worship Allah and associate no partners with Him. It is therefore incorrect to understand these words as denying the submission of the earlier prophets.
In his commentary on Surah Al-Furqan, Ibn Kathir explains that Allah is free from having offspring or partners. Everything other than Him is created and subject to Him. He alone is the Creator, Lord, Owner, and the One worthy of worship over all. This makes the distinction between the Creator and creation clear: Allah created everything, and His creation is under His authority.
Reading these two passages together presents a connected message: Surah Al-Furqan explains that Allah has no partner in ruling over or creating the universe, while Surah Al-An‘am explains that human worship must also be devoted sincerely to this Lord who has no partner. Correct belief about Allah determines the direction of a servant’s actions.
What Tawhid Requires in Practice and the Prophetic Hadith
Tawhid is not merely a philosophical idea. It is the foundation of action and devotion.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “O Mu‘adh, do you know what Allah’s right over His servants is?”
He replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “That they worship Him alone and do not associate any partner with Him. Do you know, then, what the servants’ right upon Allah is?”
He replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.”
The Prophet ﷺ said, “That He does not punish them.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book of Tawhid, Hadith: 7373)
This blessed hadith connects belief with everyday practice. Those who pray and offer sacrifices should remain aware that their humble submission and devotion are for this one Lord alone.
Reflection
Recognising our position: Declaring “He has no partner” protects a person from arrogance. When true kingship and authority belong to Allah, a person recognises their own limits and understands that they are only a humble servant.
Sincerity of intention: Reflecting on “my prayer and my worship” raises a question in the heart: What is the purpose of my devotion? Am I seeking my Lord’s pleasure or the approval of His creation?
The whole of life: The words “my living and my dying” remind us that Islam is not limited to a few moments of worship. Our entire lives, priorities, and decisions should be guided by obedience to Allah.
The proper place of creation: Understanding that Allah has no partner does not mean ignoring people’s rights or the kindness they show us. Love, respect, and gratitude towards created beings are due in their proper place. However, divinity and the right to be worshipped belong exclusively to the Creator.
The Connection Between Belief and Worship
Belief is linked to daily worship. Those who pray and offer sacrifices should also understand before whom they are bowing and to whom they are offering their worship.
As Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains, this was also the fundamental call of the earlier prophets. The Quran’s message therefore directs people towards the shared call of the prophets: sincere devotion to Allah alone.
Today, too, a person needs to examine both their beliefs and the intention behind their worship. Is my worship devoted sincerely to Allah? Do I consider any created being a partner in Allah’s divinity? Does the direction of my life agree with my declaration that Allah has no partner?
The first purpose of these questions should be to reform ourselves. Rather than using them to make hasty judgements about others, we should use them to examine our own faith and actions.
Supplication
All praise belongs to Allah, whose kingdom encompasses the heavens and the earth, and who has no partner or associate. You created everything and determined a measure for it.
O Allah! You have shown us the clear path of worshipping You. Make our prayer, our sacrifice, our living, and our dying sincerely devoted to You alone. Make us truthful in what we declare with our tongues and sincere in our worship.
O Allah! Firmly establish certainty in Your oneness within our hearts. Protect us from every form of open and hidden shirk, and enable us to shape our lives in ways that please You. Ameen!