Alhumdulillah

It is also called Tawheed Al-Ibaadah (Uniqueness of Worship), which means to perform Monotheism for Allaah subhanu wa taala in worship because He subhanu wa taala only deserves to be worshiped not anybody else, no matter how noble and how honourable he is.

The linguistic meaning of worship is subservience and submission. And in Shari’ah (Islaamic Legislation), it is as Sheikh Al-Islaam Ibn Taimiah said: “it is the obedience of Allah, in doing what He has ordered through His Messengers.” And he also said: “worship is a collective name for all what Allah likes and pleases at among actions, sayings and deeds apparently and concealed.” Therefore, a Muslim has to admit Oneness to His Lord in all kinds of worships, and do it sincerely the way the Prophets has ruled by word and deed.

Worship encompasses the 5 pillars of islam,fear, tawakkul, hope, asking, slaughtering, vows, love etc.

This is the consequence of the first two categories. (Tawheed Rububuah and Tawheed Asma’ was sifaat). As if Allah is the one in control of everything and he is unique in His names and attributes, then why should we call on or worship anyone besides Him. Common sense tells us that if He has these attributes then we should worship only Him.

In fact, it is the kind of Monotheism with which the Messengers of Allaah have been sent to their people. This is because the Messengers of Allaah were sent to admit Tawheed Ar-Rububiah, which was already adopted by their people and then asked to call them to believe in Tawheed Al-Uluhiah, as Allaah subhanu wa taala told about them in His Glorified Book.

Allaah subhanu wa taala said informing about Nuh alaihis salaam:

“We sent Nuh (Noah) to this People (with a mission): “I have come to you with a Clear Warning: “That you worship none but Allaah: verily I do fear for you the Penalty of Grievous Day.”

and He subhanu wa taala informed about Musa alaihis salaam in his debate with Pharaoh:

“Pharaoh said: “And what is the ‘Lord and Cherisher of the worlds’? (Moses) said: “The Lord and the Cherisher of the heavens and the earth, and all between, if you want to be quite sure.”

and Allaah subhanu wa taala told us about Eesa alaihis salaam:

“It is Allaah who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is the way that is straight”

and Allaah subhanu wa taala has ordered His Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alaihi wassalam to say to the people of the Book:

“Say (O Muhammad): “O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allaah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allaah”

and finally He subhanu wa taala said calling mankind:

“O you people! Adore your Guardian Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, that you may have the chance to learn righteous.”

As a whole, all Messengers were sent to admit Tawheed Al-Uluhiah, and to call their people for the Monotheism of Allaah in worship, and avoiding worshiping Tawagheet and statues.

Likely, Allaah subhanu wa taala said:

“For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), “Serve Allaah and eschew Evil”

and the call of all Allaah’s Messengers to their people was heard and understood, and the first thing they used to hear,

“He said: “O my people! Worship Allaah! you have no other Ilaah (god) but Him””

Praying to anyone other than Allah in Islam means calling on anyone who cannot answer the call. If you call on anyone who does not have the capability to answer your call – you are worshiping him. But if you call someone to help you with your car, he has this ability then its ok and its not worship. Hadeeth – prophet sal Allahu alaihi wasslam said Ad dua al ibadah. Asking dua (to call) is worship. (Ya muhammad is worship!)

Although the higher level of Imaan is not to ask anyone anything. Hadeeth – Prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said if you can guarantee me that you will not ask anything of anyone I will guarantee you paradise. Narrated by abu dharr al ghifari. And abu dhar said I since then never asked anyone for anything. This implies that they ask only of Allah. But this is not required of all as our imaan is not at that level. If we call on someone who is living but not here – you can call on a sheikh, he is not present – that is worship. Even if he is dead – this is worship. e.g. if you call on Al gouse e azam (the greatest source of strength) this is worship.

If you even call on the prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam, this is worship and is not allowed. Some people say he is living! And they quote the hadeeth that the prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said the earth does not consume their bodies – but this is a miracle from Allah. If the prophet did not die – what did the sahabah do in burying a live person – they committed a grave sin then. Fact is he is dead. Abu bakr on the occasion of his sal Allahu alaihi wasslam’s death, said whoever was worshiping muhammad know that he is dead and whoever was worshipping Allah, know that He is alive and never dies.

And Allah knows best.