By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab

In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful the Bestower of Mercy.  Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is obligatory upon you to have  knowledge of the four matters:

•  Knowledge (al – ‘ilm), which is knowledge and awareness of Allaah, and knowledge of His Prophet, and knowledge of the deen of Islaam  with the proofs.
•  Action upon that.
•  Calling to that.
• Patiently persevering and bearing any harm encountered upon that  way.

The proof is the saying of Allaah, the Most High:

“By time, mankind is in loss,except for those who truly believe and worship Allaah alone, and do righteous deeds, performing that which is obligatory upon them and avoiding that which they are forbidden and enjoin one another with patient perseverance upon obedience to Allaah and in facing harm and trials.”

[Soorat Al ‘Asr] Ash Shaafi’ee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “If Allaah had sent down to His creation no other proof besides this Soorat, it would have been sufficient for them.”

Al Bukhaaree, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Chapter: Knowledge precedes speech and action’ and the proof is the saying of Allaah, the Most High,  “Know that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and ask  forgiveness of your Lord for your sins.” [Soorat Muhammad: 19]. So He began by mentioning knowledge before speech or action.’

Know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that it is obligatory upon every Muslim, male and female, to learn and act upon the following three matters:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9OImFeTDtM

THE FIRST: That Allaah created us and provided sustenance for us, and He did not leave us without a purpose rather He sent Messengers to us. So whoever obeys him will enter Paradise, and whoever rejects and disobeys him will enter the Fire, and the  proof is the Saying of the Most High:

“We sent a Messenger to you, o people, as a witness in favor of you or against you on the Day of Resurrection, just as We sent a Messenger to the Pharaoh. But the Pharaoh denied and rejected the Messenger, so We seized him with a severe punishment.” [Soorat al Muzzammil: 16]

 

THE SECOND: Allaah is not pleased that anyone should be made a sharer in worship along with Him, neither any angel brought near, nor any prophet sent as a messenger, and the proof is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High,

“And the places of worship are for Allaah alone, so do not invoke anyone along with Allaah.” [Soorat al Jinn: 18]

 

THE THIRD: That whoever is obedient to the Messenger and singles out Allaah with all worship, upon Tawheed, then it is not permissible for him to have friendship and alliance with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even if they are those most closely related to him, and the proof is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High: 

“You will not find a people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger, even if they are their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kinsfolk. Rather Allaah has decreed true Belief for their hearts, and strengthened them with proof, light and guidance from Him; and He will enter them into the gardens of Paradise beneath whose trees rivers will flow, and they will dwell therein forever. Allaah is pleased with them and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Indeed the party of Allaah are the successful.” [Soorat al Mujaadilah: 22]

 

Know, may Allaah direct you to obedience to Him, that the true and straight Deen, the way of Ibraaheem is that you worship Allaah alone making the Deen purely and sincerely for Him. This is what Allaah commanded all of the people with, and it was  for this that He created them. Allaah, the Most High, says: “I did not create jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me.” [Soorat adh Dhaariyaat: 56] and the meaning of worship, ‘ibaadah, here is to single Allaah out with all  worship, Tawheed. And the greatest of all that Allaah has commanded is Tawheed  which is to single out Allaah with all worship. The most serious thing that He forbade is shirk, which is to invoke others besides Him, along with Him. The proof is His Saying, the Most High: “Worship Allaah alone, making all worship purely for Him, and do not associate anything in worship along with Him.” [Soorat an Nisaa: 36]

So if it said to you: What are the three principles which a person must know? Then say the servants knowledge of His Lord and His Deen and his Messenger Muhammad.