Tawheed (to affirm the oneness) of Allah The Almighty, and worshipping Him Alone is the basis of religion, and the centre round which all acts of worship and deeds revolve.
It is for the sake of Tawheed that Allah created the creation as He Says (what means): {And I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me.} [Quran 51:56] According to Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with them, “It means to affirm His Oneness in worship.” For the same reason, Allah The Almighty sent down the Messengers and revealed the Books, as He Says (what means): {And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghoot."} [Quran 16:36]
It was for this that the swords of Jihaad (fighting in the way of Allah) were unsheathed, and Paradise and Hell were set up, and the people were divided into wretched and happy, righteous and wicked. The Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation) texts have come to honor the matter of Tawheed and warn of anything that might blemish or violate it.
Tawheed of Allah The Almighty is among the most important principles affirmed by Hajj in the hearts of believers and strengthen in the souls. Indeed, Allah The Almighty did not prescribe Hajj, nor command Ibraaheem (Abraham), may Allah exalt his mention, to build the House but for this reason. He The Almighty Said (what means): {And [mention, O Muhammad], when We designated for Ibraaheem the site of the House, [saying], "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate.} [Quran 22:26] Allah The Almighty warned, in the Holy Verses of Hajj, of Shirk and the filth that is associated with it. He Said (what means): {So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement, inclining [only] to Allah, not associating [anything] with Him.} [Quran 22:30-31]
If you reflect on the acts of Hajj, you would find that the importance given to Tawheed is self-evident. Talbiyah, which is the call of Hajj, means to announce Tawheed, and dedicate worship and direction to Allah Alone, unlike the practice of the people of Jaahiliyyah who used to announce Shirk publicly in their Talbiyah, saying, “I am responding to your call, there is no partner with you, except for one partner, which you possess along with all that it possesses”.
It is narrated on the authority of Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said, in description of the Hajj of the Prophet “He raised his voice with Tawheed: “Labbayka Allahumma labbayk. Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-hamda wan-ni‘mata laka wal-mulk. Laa shareeka lak (I am responding to Your call O Allah, I am responding to Your call! I am responding to Your call, You have no partner with You, I am responding to Your call. All perfect praise and bounty belongs to You, and dominion is Yours. You have no partner with You).” [Muslim]
In the two-Rak‘ah prayer of Tawaaf, the pilgrim who is performing Hajj and ‘Umrah recites Soorat Al-Kaafiroon (Chapter 109) and Soorat Al-Ikhlaas (Chapter112), in imitation of the Prophet on the one hand, and because they include announcement of Tawheed and clearance from Shirk and its people on the other hand. Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “He (The Prophet ) recited in them (the two Rak‘ahs of Tawaaf) Tawheed (i.e. Soorat Al-Ikhlaas) and Soorat Al-Kaafiroon.” [Abu Daawood] According to another version, “He recited in the two Rak‘ahs of Tawaaf the two Soorahs of Al-Ikhlaas: {Say, "O disbelievers…} [Quran 109:1] and {Say, "He is Allah, [Who is] One...} [Quran 112:1]
In the places that the people of Jaahiliyyah used to dedicate to Shirk and worship of others than Allah The Almighty, he was eager to announce Tawheed publicly therein. He called with Tawheed on As-Safa and Al-Marwah (mountains). Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “He first ascended As-Safa till he saw the House. Facing Qiblah, he affirmed the Oneness of Allah Whom he glorified, and said: "There is none worthy of worship except for Allah, The One, with Whom there is no partner. His is the Dominion, and to Him be all perfect praise, and He has Power over all things. There is none worthy of worship except for Allah The One, Who accomplished His promise, enabled His servant to emerge victorious, and (He) alone defeated the parties (of disbelievers)." He invoked (Allah) in that way, reciting these statements thrice, until when he reached Al-Marwah, he did the same as he had done at As-Safa.” [Muslim]
On the Day of ‘Arafah, the supplication of the Messenger of Allah was, for the most part: "There is none worthy of worship except for Allah, The One, with Whom there is no partner. His is the Dominion, and to Him be all perfect praise, and good lies in His Hand, and He has Power over all things.” [Ahmad]
In his (farewell) Hajj, he was eager to oppose the polytheists in many rulings and rites of Hajj. He stood with the people at ‘Arafah, in opposition to the disbelievers of Quraysh who used to stand at Muzdalifah and say, “We do not depart but from the Sanctuary.” He also departed from ‘Arafah after sunset, in opposition to the polytheists who used to depart before its setting. The men of Jaahiliyyah used to leave Al-Mash‘ar Al-Haraam in Muzdalifah after sunrise, saying, “(The sun) rose on (the mountain of) Thabeer (and it is time) for us to move forward.” But he opposed them and left before sunrise.
In his Khutbah of Farewell Hajj, he cancelled out all acts and ceremonies of Jaahiliyyah, saying: “Behold! Everything belonging to the pre-Islamic Days is to be under my feet, fully abolished.” [Muslim]
All of this confirms that this great rite is connected with Tawheed. Does he comprehend the significance of Hajj, he who turns towards the dead and inhabitants of graves with invocation, begging, slaughtering and other kinds of worship, or thinks that anyone (other than Allah The Almighty) possesses the power to harm and benefit along with Allah, The Exalted, The Almighty? It is He Who Says (what means): {That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed. If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you. And on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your association. And none can inform you like [one] Acquainted [with all matters].} [Quran 35:13-14]
Does he comprehend the significance of Hajj, he who attaches himself to the sorcerers, tricksters and impostors, thinking they know anything of the unseen?
Does he comprehend the significance of Hajj he who appeals for judgment to anything other than the Sharee‘ah of Allah The Almighty, or thinks that anyone other than Allah The Almighty has the right to ordain, make matters lawful or unlawful for people? Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
· {Or have they other deities who have ordained for them a religion to which Allah has not consented?} [Quran 42:21]
· {His is the creation and the command.} [Quran 7:54]
Does he comprehend the significance of Hajj, he who takes as allies the enemies of Allah The Almighty, or imitates them in their characteristics, manners and behavior?
All of this opposes the real nature of that great rite. It is but contradiction and double standards from which a pilgrim should refrain. So, you should, O my pilgrim brother, keep in your mind the matter of Tawheed while performing the ceremonies of Hajj, in order for your Hajj to be Mabroor (accepted by Allah The Almighty).