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After Me You Will See Others Given Preference to You, So Be Patient Till You Meet Me at The Haud

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “After me you will see others given preference to you, so be patient till you meet me at Al-Haud [the pond (i.e. Al-Kauthar)] (on the Day of Resurrection]”. [Bukhaari]

It has (also) been reported in the Saheehayn [Bukhaari and Muslim] on the authority of Ubaadah Bin As-Saamit [radiyallaahu-anhu] who said, “We gave the Bai’ah (pledge) to Allaah’s Messenger that we would listen to and obey him both at the time when we were active and at the time when we were tired”. “And that we would not fight against the ruler or disobey him, and would stand firm for the truth or say the truth wherever we might be, and in the Way of Allah we would not be afraid of the blame of the blamers”. [End of ahaadeeth]

Indeed, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the Muslims to exercise patience when others are given preference to them. They [must] obey their rulers in [good]- even if others are given preference to them- and should not challenge the authority [of the rulers]. Many of those who rebel against the rulers or most of them only do so when others are given preference to them, so they do not exercise patience when this occurs. Then it may be that the ruler has other sins [i.e. sins committed openly], so the person’s hatred – due to others being given preference to him – leads him to inflate those [other sins of the ruler] and thus he fights the ruler, [whilst] thinking that he is fighting for the sake of stopping fitna and so that the religion is sincerely established for the sake of Allaah alone. However, the greatest drive behind this [path of his] is to achieve his goals – either to seize power or [obtain] wealth, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا مِنْهَا رَضُوا وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ   – If they are given part thereof, they are pleased, but if they are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [Surah At-Tawbah’ Ayah 58]

In the Saheehayn, the Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “There will be three [types] of people whom Allaah will neither speak to them on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them [from sins], and they will have a painful punishment. [They are]: a man who had superfluous water on a way and withholds it from the wayfarers. And a man who sells something to another man after Asr and swears by Allaah [with a false oath] that he has been offered so much for it, whereas the buyer believes him and buys it although the seller has not been offered such a price. And a man who gives a pledge of allegiance to an Imam [i.e. a ruler] and only gives it for worldly [gains]; if he is given he fulfils his pledge, and if he is not given, he does not fulfil it”. [Muslim]

However, when Shub’hah [i.e. an affair that resembles the truth but is falsehood in reality] and Shah’wah [i.e. evil desires] come together, fitna arises. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasalam]- the one who conveyed Allaah’s legislation- commanded [us] with everything that will lead to rectification [or well-being] for an individual and the Muslims, therefore, he commanded the rulers to be just and sincere to their subjects to the extent that he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Any man whom Allaah has given authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, [Allaah] will forbid him from entry into paradise”.’ [Bukhaari] [i.e. the one who dies and failed to repent from this major sin, he is left under the will of Allaah. Allaah will either punish him or forgive him; but if punished, he will not remain in the fire forever. This applies to all major sins that are lesser than Shirk…see link regarding this affair: http://www.wrightstreetmosque.com/the-two-shaikhs-ibn-baaz-al-fawzaan-on-the-position-of-ahlus-sunnah-regarding-a-person-committing-major-sins-not-making-takfeer-of-the-sinners/

And he [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded the subjects to obey [the rulers in good] and to give them advice, as reported in the Bukhaari and Muslim: “The Religion is Naseeha (sincerity and sincere advice).” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allaah [i.e. sincerely worship Allaah alone and not to ascribe partners with Him]; to His Book [i.e. sincerely belief in the Qur’aan, affirm everything it has stated and negate everything it has negated, and judge by it in all affairs]; to His Messenger [i.e. obey the Messenger, believe in everything he has stated and keep away from what he has forbidden]; and [being sincere] to the leaders of the Muslims [i.e. obey the rulers in good, supplicate for them, refrain from rebelling against them, give them sincere advice in private etc ] and their general people [i.e. love for the Muslims what you wish for yourself, repel harm from them, advise them, teach them, stop them from evil, aid them when they need help etc]

He [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] commanded [the believers] to exercise patience when others are given preference to them and forbade them from fighting the rulers. He [forbade them from] challenging their authority, even though the [rulers] commit oppression. That is because the corruption that results from fighting them is greater than the oppression they commit; therefore, a lesser corruption is not to be repelled if it will lead to a greater evil. See link: http://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

How to advice the rulers:

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ16&articleID=MNJ160003&articlePages=1    

http://salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ16&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal-Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 34-38. slightly paraphrased]

[20] Contemplation On The Subject Matter of Tawheed: [Reflection For Those Deceived By Soofees, Peers and Grave Worshippers Who Claim That They Know The Ghaib]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: What is the ruling regarding a man who says, “Had it not been that I would make people grieve, I would have informed every person about the day in which he will die”; and what is your advice to the one who believes what this man says?

Answer: The one who believes what this man says has indeed disbelieved in that which has been revealed to Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi Wa sallam] (ref 1), because he has believed that which nullifies the statement of Allaah: [قُل لَّا يَعۡلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ‌ – Say (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allaah]. [Surah An-Naml. Aayah 65]

It is well known that the [time, day and place] of death of a person is an affair of the unseen which none knows except Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]; therefore if one claims to possess knowledge of this, then indeed he is a liar. The man who claims that he knows when people will die is no doubt a liar, and the one who believes what he says is a disbeliever (ref 2) due to the statement of Allaah: [قُل لَّا يَعۡلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلۡغَيۡبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ‌ – Say (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allaah]. [Surah An-Naml. Aayah 65]

And my advice to the one who believes what this man says is that he repents to Allaah and then holds as his belief that this man is a liar and is [submerged] in myths [illusion, superstitions]; and it is not permissible to believe what he claims regarding knowledge of the unseen. [Fataawaa Fadheelah Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaamah Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen Fil Aqeedah. Vol 1-2. Page 109. Slightly paraphrased]

Refs 1 and 2: Refer to articles by Shaikh Uthaymeen [rahimahullaah] regarding Takfeer of an individual [i.e. to pass the judgement against a person that he or she has disbelieved]:

http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090003&articlePages=1

http://www.spubs.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ09&articleID=MNJ090001&articlePages=1

 The Statement of Taqwaa

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Most High] said:

إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا

When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness- the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance, then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and made them stick to the word of piety [i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah], and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allaah is the All-Knower of everything. [Surah Al-Fath 26]

[إِذۡ جَعَلَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلۡحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ  – When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance]:

This was when the polytheists refused to allow [the scribe of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] to write the statement [بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ] whilst an agreement was been made between them and the Messenger. They also refused to allow the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] and the believers to visit the kabah in that year lest the people say that the Muslims entered Makkah by overcoming the Quraish. [Ref 1] This affair [i.e. this pride and haughtiness of theirs] is from the [manners] of the people of the Pre-Islamic era of ignorance. It was something that did not cease be present in their hearts until it led them to commit many acts of disobedience [to Allaah].

Then Allaah said: [فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَڪِينَتَهُ ۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ – then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers]:

Anger did not lead them to deal with the polytheists in the manner the polytheists dealt with them, rather they exercised patience, whilst adhering to Allaah’s judgement. They adhered to the conditions that obligated on them to refrain from violating what Allaah [The Most High] prohibited them from violating, regardless of the speech and blame of the blamers.

Then Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَأَلۡزَمَهُمۡ ڪَلِمَةَ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ – And made them stick to the word of piety (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah]: Meaning: Allaah made them adhere to Laa ilaaha illal laah and the obligations attached to it. Allaah [The Most High] made them adhere to it and fulfil its obligations, so they adhered to it and fulfilled it. [وَكَانُوٓاْ أَحَقَّ بِہَا وَأَهۡلَهَا‌ۚ  – and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it]: Meaning: They were entitled to it more than others and were from those worthy of it, because Allaah knows the good [i.e. Eemaan, obedience to Allaah and His Messenger etc] that was in their hearts, and this is why Allaah said: [وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيمً۬ا – And Allah is the All-Knower of everything].

[Source: (Tayseer al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan). slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 1: Read the long narration in Saheeh Al-Bukhaari regarding this incident. Hadeeth Number 2731 Vol 3. Book of Conditions]

The Heart is the King and the Limbs are The Soldiers – Shaykh ‘Alee Naasir al-Faqihee

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Monotheism - Tawheed, Purification of The Soul.

Shaykh ‘Alee Naasir al-Faqihee (hafidahullah) said,

“These [are] Four Rules(1),that the Muslim benefits from throughout his life. And they address affairs of creed, and it is known that if the creed is correct and sound, everything else [will also be] correct.

Because the Messenger of Allah informed us that,

“ There is a morsel of flesh in the body, if it is sound, the whole body is sound. And if it is corrupt the whole body is corrupted, and it is the heart.”(2)

Therefore, if the heart is sound, then all of the limbs are in obedience; meaning the heart is (like a) king and the limbs are (like) soldiers. When the heart is righteous it does not reach out except to good, and it does not perform except [that which is] good.”

The first lesson of the Shaykh’s explanation of Al-Qawā’id Al-‘Arba’a,

(1) Al-Qawā’id Al-‘Arba’a authored by Shaykh Al-Islām Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Al-Wahhāb (rahimahullāh)
(2) Bukhāri & Muslim

Seek Forgiveness at All Times, Especially as You Become Older or Encounter Ill Health – Shaykh al-Fawzaan

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Basics, Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

Regarding seeking forgiveness, Shaykh Fawzan in explanation of the final verse of soorah an-Nasr said,

“It is better to complete ones lifespan with seeking and supplicating for forgiveness, because people, whether they are upon righteousness, uprightness and performance of righteous actions; then indeed they still have shortcomings regarding the right of Allah, so they should seek forgiveness. Subsequently it takes precedence and is obligatory for the sinful servant to seek and supplicate for forgiveness from Allah.

There is great virtue in seeking forgiveness and seeking of forgiveness is legislated to be done when completing righteous actions; when your life is approaching its end; when getting up from a gathering (1) and when completing the prayer.

On the authority of Thawbaan (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: When he had finished his prayer, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to ask for forgiveness three times and say: “Allaahumma anta al-salaam wa minka al-salaam, tabaarakta yaa dhaa’l-jalaali wa’l-ikraam (O Allaah, You are al-Salaam (the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies) and from You is all peace, blessed are You, Possessor of Majesty and Honour).” (2)

Likewise he completes his life with asking for forgiveness, just (as he does at the end of each obligatory prayer) because seeking of forgiveness is sought after (at then end of an action, or one’s life).

Maa Tayyasara wa Tahassala min Duroos al-Quraan fee Hizb al-Mufassal pg. 527 with additional benefits from the recorded lesson.

(1)Sunan at-Tirmidhi 3433, Authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaani
(2) Muslim 135

Fear Allah Oh Haasid (Envier)! You are Harming Yourself – Shaykh al-Fawzaan

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Fatawa-Rulings, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Purification of The Soul.

After explaining Sooratul Iklaas and al-Muawwidhatayn (Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah an-Naas) Shaykh Fawzaan was asked a question regarding envy and the envious person.

Questioner: You mentioned – Allah preserve you – that the envier only harms himself and his envy does not prevent the blessings of Allah for the one who is envied; the question is, why did Allah command us with seeking refuge from the envier if he harms himself?

Shaykh: Because he is afflicted with anxiety and distress more than the the envied one is afflicted, he is afflicted with anxiety and extreme sorrow more than the person who is envied.

Shaykh bin Baz said(1):It has come in the hadeeth that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said,

“Be warned of envy, for indeed envy devours good deeds, just as fire devours wood” (2)

Shaykh bin Baz (Allah have mercy upon him) continues, “Therefore envy is harmful and evil, however it begins with the envier and harms him before anyone else.

Fawzaan’s audio lessons entitled “Majaalis fee Tafseer al-Mufassal” recording 114

(1) Shaykh’s Official Website

(2) Sunan Abu Dawood 4903)

Which of Us Truly Loves Allah & His Messenger – Shaykh al-Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq'.

Al-Allaamah al-Faqeeh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) in explanation of aayatul imtihaan:

 

‎قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Aali Imraan: 31)

This verse is named the aayatul mihna, meaning the verse of examination, because a people claimed that they loved Allah, so Allah said to the Messenger,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ

Say (O Muhammad) if you (truly) love Allah

This is the sign of a persons love for his Lord, that they follow the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) and everyone who is more ardent in following the Messenger then he is more beloved to Allah, however lets ponder and look at the result of loving Allah; Allah did not command the Messenger to say “If you love Allah, follow me and be truthful in that” rather He said

يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

Allah will love you

and this is the tremendous fruit and result which every person seeks. Hence the reality is that you loving Allah is not the same as you being loved by Allah. Due to this He said,

فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ

then follow me, Allah will love you

Therefore if you were to seek after the Love of Allah and you love Him, then it is upon you to follow the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah upon him).

Is it possible to understand from this verse that the actions of the people of innovation belies their claim of loving the messenger (peace and blessings upon him)?

The answer to this, is yes, because we say, if you truly loved the messenger, you would indeed follow him, and if you truly loved Allah, you would definitely follow the Messenger, and if you truly took him (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) as a leader you would not precede him (i.e. utter statements or perform actions which he did not legislate), and how can he be your leader in reality whilst you oppose him, so where is the following of this leadership?

And due to this blatant opposition, how easy it is to destroy their claims; those who say, you don’t celebrate the birthday of the Prophet, and you don’t perform long extended poetic salaat and salaam and praise upon him,  therefore you don’t love him. So we say in reply to them, Glory be to Allah! Which of us has more right to loving the Messenger?! Those who follow his Sunnah and do not leave it, or those who perform that which he (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) warned against of innovations?! There is no doubt that those who truly love Allah is the first type, and destroying their claims does not require a strong axe, rather it is very easy to destroy.

Paraphrased from Sharh Iqtida as-Siratul Mustaqeem pg 723-724

Why is Your Soul Inclined to a Good or Bad person? Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Purification of The Soul.

In explanation of the supplication for entering toilet, Shaykh Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) brought the following benefit.

It is said that the place for relieving oneself is dirty, and every place which is similar is the abode of the shayateen, due to His statement The Most High, 

الْخَبِيثَاتُ لِلْخَبِيثِينَ وَالْخَبِيثُونَ لِلْخَبِيثَاتِ 

Bad statements are for bad people (or bad women for bad men) and bad people for bad statements (or bad men for bad women). (1)

In explanation of this ayah, Imam as-Sadi (rahimahullah) said, “Every evil man and woman, statement and action is fitting, in agreement and similar to each other.” (2)

And this is from the wisdom of Allah, that he has made the evil souls incline to each other. And the righteous souls incline to each other, due to this the place of the angels is the masaajid, the masaajid are righteous places and their purpose is for the worship of Allah. 

Ad-Duroos al-Fiqhiyya min al-Muhaadaraat al-Jaami’eeyah Slightly Paraphrased 

(1) An-Noor:26 Translation by Muhsin Khan

(2) Tayseer al Kareem ar Rahman pg.658

Soofiyah and it’s Books – Shaykh Uthaymeen

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Bid'ah (Innovation), Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Fatawa-Rulings, Innovations In Islam (Bidah), Refutations, Sufis.

Al-‘Allaamah Al-Faqeeh the Noble Scholar Muhammad ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) was asked regarding the books of the Soofiyah, 

He responded, my view with regards to tassawuf is the same as to other than it from that which has been innovated into al-Islaam. The Messenger of Allah clarified this when he said,

“Upon you is my sunnah, and the sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me; and be warned of newly innovated matters, for every innovation is misguidance.” (1)

Therefore, tasawwuf (and it’s people) are in opposition to the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him), innovation and misguidance is obligatory for the Muslim to stay far away from. He should take his path to Allah from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger. 

As for the books of tasawwuf, then it is impermissible to acquire them or review (or read) them, except(2) for an individual (who is qualified to do so; i.e. a person of knowledge) who wants to know what is in them of innovation, so as to refute it; (in this instance) this persons looking through them is of a tremendous benefit. 

And this benefit is: refuting this innovation so that the people are safe from it. And this is an affair which is sought after; if the person is safe from deviating by way of these books.

Fataawa Nur ala ad-Darb Vol.2 Pg.66 Fatwa 675 

(1) Ahmad, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah

(2) See following links for more details regarding books of innovators and their harms

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2013/04/reading-the-books-of-the-innovators-ash-shaykh-saalih-al-fawzaan/

Shaykh Rabee (hafidahullah) clarifies two dangerous doubts; one of them regarding books of people of misguidance; he explains the harms and gives examples of knowledgeable individuals, scholars, who fell into misguidance due to doubts of the people of misguidance. 

https://salafidawahmanchester.com/2017/02/24652/

There Is No Deity Worthy of Worship Except Allaah, Alone, Without Partner: [Negation, Affirmation And Emphasis]

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Purification of The Soul, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

[لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner].

The one who makes this testimony requires knowledge, truthfulness and must act upon what he has testified to. The scholars say that knowledge of this testimony removes a person from the path of the Nasaaraa- those who act but have no knowledge; acting upon it removes a person from the path of the Yahood- those who have knowledge but do not act; and truthfulness removes a person from the path of the hypocrites- those who claim that they believe but have no certainty.

This testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, alone, without partner] has two pillars- Nafi [Negation] and Ithbaat [Affirmation]. A person cannot be from the people of Tawheed [pure Islamic Montheism] until he fulfils these two pillars. [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship (i.e. Negation)] and [إلاَّ اللَّه – Except Alaah (i.e. Affirmation)]. The negation has to be comprehensive and the affirmation has to be specific – comprehensive negation of the worship that is devoted to all other objects of worship, and specific affirmation that only Allaah has the right to be worshipped.

If a person utters the negation without the affirmation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]; and if he affirms without uttering the negation, he is not a person of Tawheed [pure Islamic monotheism]. If a person were to negate only by saying [لا إلهَ  – There is no deity worthy of worship], he is an atheist; and if he were to affirm that Allaah has the right to be worshipped without negating that other objects of worship do not have the same right, he is a Mushrik [polytheist]. Therefore, one cannot be a person upon Tawheed [pure Islamic Monotheism] until he testifies that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

And due to the mighty affair of this testimony [لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللَّه  – There is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah], it is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لهُ  – alone, without partner]. The affirmation is emphasised through the statement [وحْدهُ – alone]; and the negation is emphasised through the statement [لاَ شَرِيكَ له – without partner].

Source: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 2. Slightly paraphrased