Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah — Oneness of Worship

Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (also called Tawhid al-Ibadah) is the most critical dimension of Islamic monotheism. It means directing all acts of worship, devotion, love, fear, hope, supplication, sacrifice, and obedience exclusively to Allah, with no partner or intermediary. This is the Tawhid that every prophet was sent to establish: "And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, saying: Worship Allah and avoid taghut (false gods)" (Quran 16:36). The first half of the Shahada, "La ilaha illAllah," is fundamentally a declaration of this Tawhid: there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.

The Meaning of Ibadah (Worship)

Ibadah in Islam is broader than ritual prayer alone. Ibn Taymiyyah defined it as: "A comprehensive term for everything that Allah loves and is pleased with, from words and actions, both outward and inward." This includes Salah, Zakat, fasting, Hajj, dua (supplication), tawakkul (reliance), raja (hope), khawf (fear), dhabh (sacrifice), nadhr (vows), isti'adhah (seeking refuge), and isti'anah (seeking help). Each of these must be directed to Allah alone. Directing any of them to other than Allah constitutes major shirk. The Quran says: "Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He" (Quran 6:162-163).

Why This Tawhid Is Central

The significance of Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah is that it is the practical application of monotheism. A person may believe Allah is the Creator (Rububiyyah) yet worship other beings for intercession or blessings. This was the precise error of the Quraysh: they acknowledged Allah as Creator but worshipped idols as intermediaries, saying: "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah" (Quran 39:3). The Quran rejected this rationale entirely. No intermediary is needed between the servant and Allah: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me" (Quran 2:186).

Violations of Uluhiyyah

Common violations include: supplicating to the dead, asking the deceased for help or intercession, making vows to saints or shrines, sacrificing animals in the name of other than Allah, believing that religious leaders have the inherent authority to make halal what Allah made haram or vice versa, and excessive veneration of any created being to the point of worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against this repeatedly: "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam. I am but a servant, so say: the servant of Allah and His Messenger" (Sahih al-Bukhari).

Fulfilling Uluhiyyah

The Muslim fulfills this Tawhid by making every act of worship sincerely for Allah, learning what constitutes worship and ensuring it is directed correctly, avoiding all forms of shirk however subtle, relying on Allah while taking the means He has provided, and maintaining consciousness of Allah's sole right to devotion in all circumstances. This is the meaning of the opening of al-Fatiha, recited in every prayer: "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help" (Quran 1:5).