In life, we all strive for success, but true success for a believer is rooted in understanding Tawhid in Islam. People follow countless paths to achieve their goals; however, for a Muslim, is it possible to attain real success without following the path shown by Allah (SWT)? The answer is a clear “no.” Indeed, it is impossible to reach the golden gates of success without adhering to the roadmap that Allah has laid out for us.

Let’s explore this divine path to success, drawing from the wisdom of Dr. Abdul Muhsin bin Muhammad Al Qasem, the respected Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi).

The First Step to Success: The Purity of Worship

A servant’s true success and fortune lie in the complete and sincere worship of Allah. For this worship to be correct and complete, it must meet two fundamental conditions:

Ikhlas (Sincerity): The act must be done solely for the pleasure of Allah.
Itteba (Following the Sunnah): The act must be performed according to the methods shown by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

If an act of worship is not for Allah’s satisfaction, it consequently becomes worthless. Allah says:

وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَىٰ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَّنثُورًا
“And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We will make them [as] scattered dust.”
(Surah Al-Furqan: 23)

Similarly, Allah rejects any act of worship that does not align with the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلاً لَيْسَ علَيْهِ أمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَدٌّ
“Whoever performs an act that is not in accordance with our matter (our religion), it will be rejected.”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadis: 4589)

Therefore, only deeds done with sincerity and in accordance with the Sunnah will be accepted by Allah, making one worthy of being a guest in Jannah al-Firdaws (the highest level of Paradise).

(See Surah Al-Kahf: 107)

The Foundation of Faith: Understanding Tawhid in Islam

The entire structure of Tawhid in Islam rests upon a statement of negation and affirmation: ‘La ilaha illallah’ (لا إله إلا الله) — “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” Without understanding and internalizing both parts of this statement, a person’s Islam cannot be sound.

‘La ilaha’ (لا إله): This is the negation. It means to reject all false deities and to free oneself from those who worship them.
‘illallah’ (إلا الله): This is the affirmation. It means to affirm that Allah alone is the one true God and to worship Him exclusively.

Allah explains this, saying:

فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ
“So whoever disbelieves in Taghut (false deities) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 256)

In fact, the importance of Tawhid cannot be overstated; it stands as the most crucial matter in Islam, while the most dangerous and forbidden matter is Shirk (polytheism). When someone asked the Prophet (ﷺ) what the greatest sin was, he replied:

أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِلَّهِ نِدًّا وَهُوَ خَلَقَكَ
“To set up a rival unto Allah, while He is the One who created you.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 4471 & Muslim 86)

The Importance of Tawhid: Security in This Life and the Hereafter

Whoever establishes pure Tawhid as commanded by Allah will, as a result, find security in their life, wealth, family, and society. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
“They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice (i.e., Shirk) – those will have security, and they are the [rightly] guided.”
(Surah Al-An‘am: 82)

Moreover, other rewards of Tawhid include:

Forgiveness of Sins: Pure Tawhid erases past sins.
Protection from Hellfire: Whoever sincerely says ‘La ilaha illallah’ seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah will forbid the Fire for him. (Bukhari & Muslim)
Entry into Paradise without Reckoning: Whoever perfects their Tawhid will enter Paradise without being held to account. (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Devastation of Shirk in Islam: The Greatest Obstacle on the Path to Success

The consequences of committing Shirk in Islam are terrifying. It nullifies all good deeds and leads to eternal damnation in the Hellfire.

For instance, Allah addressed His own Prophet (ﷺ) with this stern warning:

لَئِنْ أَشْرَكْتَ لَيَحْبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
“If you should associate with Allah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers.”
(Surah Az-Zumar: 65)

Indeed, Allah will not forgive the sin of Shirk if a person dies upon it. Allah says,

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۚ
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 48)

For this reason, even the great Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) prayed that Allah would protect him and his children from Shirk.

(See Surah Ibrahim: 35)

Common Forms of Shirk and Other Nullifiers of Islam

Shirk is not limited to just worshipping idols. In reality, it takes many forms that are common in our societies, and avoiding them is obligatory for every Muslim. Many of these actions count as major sins and can even act as nullifiers of Islam, taking a person out of its fold.

1. Seeking Help from the Deceased, Saints, or Pious People

The dead cannot hear or help. Calling upon anyone other than Allah is, therefore, the greatest form of injustice.

وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّن يَدْعُو مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ مَن لَّا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَهُ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ
“And who is more astray than he who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection?”
(Surah Al-Ahqaf: 5)

2. Black Magic, Astrology, and Fortune-Telling

Black Magic actively destroys faith. Furthermore, going to a fortune-teller or astrologer and believing their words is an act of disbelief (Kufr). The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever does so has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad (ﷺ). (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadis: 3904)

3. Amulets, Talismans, and Charms

Wearing amulets, bracelets, or strings for protection against illness, the evil eye, or any other harm is an act of Shirk. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ تَمِيْمَةً فَقَدْ أشْرَكَ
“Whoever hangs an amulet has committed Shirk.”
(Musnad Ahmad, hadis: 17422)

4. Making Vows or Sacrificing Animals for Other Than Allah

A vow is an act of worship, so it can only be made for Allah. Similarly, sacrificing an animal for the pleasure of anyone other than Allah incurs the curse of Allah upon the one who does it. (Sahih Muslim, Hadis: 1974)

5. Swearing by Other Than Allah

Taking an oath in the name of one’s parents, a prophet, the Kaaba, or any created being is a form of Shirk. The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

“Whoever swears by other than Allah has committed disbelief or polytheism.”
(Tirmidhi, Hadis: 1535)

Reflecting Tawhid in Islam Through Daily Life

A believer’s life should be a reflection of Tawhid in every aspect.

Trust in Allah (Tawakkul)

While taking permissible measures, one’s heart must ultimately rely solely on Allah for the results. Trusting in Allah makes difficult tasks easy and brings blessings (Barakah) to one’s livelihood.

Facing Calamities

When faced with hardship, a believer should not panic but instead seek help only from Allah. Remember that trials are a part of life (Surah Al-Ankabut: 2). One must be content with the divine decree (Qadr) and avoid saying “if only,” as this opens the door for Satan. (Sahih Muslim, hadis: 2664)

Beware of Showing Off (Riya)

The Prophet (ﷺ) referred to showing off good deeds to gain praise from people as ‘minor Shirk,’ a trial more feared than the Dajjal. (Sunan Ibn Majah 4204). Therefore, every good deed must be done to please Allah alone.

Earning a Lawful (Halal) Livelihood

Additionally, earning a Halal income is a prerequisite for the acceptance of worship. It strengthens the body, leads to the acceptance of prayers (Du’a), and brings blessings into one’s life.

Do Not Mock the Religion

وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ
Finally, making fun of Allah, His verses, His Messenger, or any aspect of Islam is an act of disbelief that takes a person out of the fold of Islam.
(Surah At-Tawbah: 65-66)

Self-Purification and Social Purity

Guarding the Gaze

Lowering your gaze from what is forbidden is a sign of a pure heart. For this reason, Allah says:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ
“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts.”
(Surah An-Nur: 30)

Hijab and Modesty

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
The Hijab is a woman’s honor and adornment. In essence, it protects both her and society from corruption (Fitnah). Allah commanded the believing women to cover themselves with their outer garments.
(Surah Al-Ahzab: 59)

Abstaining from Music and Idle Entertainment

Music and musical instruments can create hypocrisy in the heart and make a person heedless of the remembrance of Allah and the Quran. The Prophet (ﷺ) foretold that a time would come when people from his Ummah would consider such things lawful. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadis: 5590)

Conclusion: The Key to Success is in Your Hands

Ultimately, true, everlasting success lies in holding firmly to the pure concept of Tawhid in Islam and avoiding all paths that lead to Shirk. Turn to your Lord, Allah, in every aspect of your life. By doing so, all your affairs will be rectified, and you will achieve success in this world and the Hereafter. May Allah accept us all as true believers. Ameen.

(Source: Dr. Abdul Muhsin bin Muhammad Al Qasem, Imam and Khateeb, Masjid an-Nabawi | Translation based on the work of Md. Sumon Ahmed)