The matter has become established with the Imams of guidance – after wholly submitting to the Nusoos (Texts) of the Kitaab and Sunnah – that indeed one has failed to know Allâh in the manner which will save one from the Tormenting Fire on the Day of Resurrection if one has not made Allâh the Only Lord (that is, in His Ruboobiyyah), the Only Illah (in His Uloohiyyah ) and the Only One in His Names and Attributes (in His Asma Wa Sifaat). Whoever falls short in any of these three divisions of has not singled his Deen for Allâh.

Tauheed-ur-Ruboobiyyah [Allaah being the Creator, the Sustainer, etc.]

This means singling Allâh for His Actions; that He is the Creator, the Nourisher, the Controller of affairs of His creation, the One that sustains them with what is good for them from His Favour. This also entails having belief in the rest of Allâh's Actions, may He be glorified.

Allâh the Majestic said:

"Say (O Muhammad): "Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?" They will say: "Allâh." say: "Will you not then be afraid of Allâh's punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allâh)?" [Yunus: 31].

This type of (that is, ur-Ruboobiyyah) brings no benefit to the one that observes it in the Sight of Allâh except when Allâh guides him to the two other divisions of : Al-Uloohiyyah (Divinity of Allâh) and Asma Wa Sifaat (His Names and Attributes), this is because Allâh informs that the polytheists (of Makkah) knew Him as the Rabb (the Creator, the Nourisher, the Controller of affairs, etc.) yet that did not avail them because they did not make Him the Only Being worthy of worship. Allâh the Majestic said:

"And Verily, if you ask them: "Who created the heavens and the earth?" surely, they will say: "Allâh (has created them)." [Zumar: 38].

Ibn al-Qayyim said (rahimahu-Llah):

If only this form of could save, then the polytheists (of Makkah) are safe; but the issue is in -Ilaahiyyah (that Allâh alone is worthy of worship) which is the criterion between the polytheists and the Muslims. [Madaarikus-Saalikeen: 1/327].

Tauheed-Al-Uloohiyyah (Divinity of Allâh)

This is making Allâh the only being worthy of worship; it is not permissible to worship except a being who only has the qualities that were mentioned earlier on (under Ar-Ruboobiyyah); thus Salat cannot be observed except for Him nor supplication and slaughtering made except for Him. Also it is only His House that can be circumambulated; a dead person's or third-person's help cannot be sought. None can be relied on except Allâh Who Creates and issues Command, the Most Sublime. Allâh the Majestic said:

"Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)." [Al-Kauthar: 2].

And He said:

"Is not He (better than your gods) who responds to the distressed one, when he calls him…" [Naml: 62].

He also said:

"…and put your trust in Allâh if you are believers indeed." [Maidah: 23].

Therefore none should be loved as Allâh is loved. Allâh the Mighty said:

"And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allâh as rivals (to Allâh). They love them as they love Allâh. But those who believe, love Allâh more (than anything else)." [Baqarah: 165].

Ibn Al-Qayyim said:

'You will see a polytheist's condition and deed belying his statement; he would say: 'We do not love them as we love Allâh and we do not equate them with Him.' Still this polytheist vents anger when their idols are attacked more than he would vent anger for Allâh. And when their idols are mentioned, he shows joy especially when those idols are praised with what they do not possess such as bringing succor to those in need, removing harm and answering their needs. They also believe that their idols are a door between Allâh and His slaves. You will see the polytheist being joyful, pleased and having contentment in his heart out of the estimate he gives his idols, submission to them and his friendship to them (when those idols are mentioned). But when you mention only Allâh to him and you mention that Allâh is One, the polytheist will begin to feel disturbed, constrained and hurt. He will accuse you of reducing Allâh's right of monotheism and he may take you as a foe.' [Madaarikus-Saalikeen (1/341-342)].

I (Ash-Shaykh Ramadaanee) say: Allâh the Mighty said:

"And when Allâh alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the hereafter are filled with disgust (from the Oneness of Allâh) and when those (whom they obey or worship) besides Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice!" [Zumar: 45]

Allâh also said:

"Say: (O Muhammad) Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allâh, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them. Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. "[Saba': 22-23]

Among the wonders Allâh had bestowed on Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahu-Llâh) with regard to the (meaning) of the Verse above is that he said:

'The polytheist takes what he worships beside Allâh upon the belief that such an idol will avail him of benefit. (He does not know that) benefit cannot come except from a being that has these four traits:

But Allâh, the Majestic, negates these four levels (from other than Himself) in a very profound manner; from the topmost to the least. He negates dominion, partnership, aiding and the type of intercession which the polytheist is thinking of, but establishes a form of intercession which a polytheist will not have any portion thereof; that is the intercession that will come by His Leave. Thus this Verse suffices as light, proof, (source of) safety, vindication of , destroyer of the bases of Shirk and its components.' [Madaarijus-Saalikeen, 1/343].

I (Ash-Shaykh Ramadaanee) say: The fact that the polytheist will have no portion from the intercession of those who Allâh is going to grant is well-known by virtue of many narrations (of the Qur'ân and Sunnah). Among those is the statement of the Messenger of Allâh (Sallaahu alahy wa sallam) to Abu Hurairah (radiya Allaah anhu) after the latter asked him:

'Who is more entitled to your intercession among the people O Messenger of Allâh?'

The Messenger of Allâh (Sallaahu alahy wa sallam) replied:

'The most entitled person to my intercession among the people is whoever says Laa-ilaaha illâ Allaah truly from his heart.' [Reported by Al-Bukhâri (99)]

Source: Sittu Durar Min Usuuli Ahlil'Athar [Six Pearls from the Foundations of People of Tradition]

By Ash-Shaykh Abdul-Malik bn Ahmad Al-Mubârak Ramadaanee Al-Jazâirî - hafidha-huLlaah