The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Mu`adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Not to punish them (if they do so).
Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)
Sahih al-Bukhari 7373
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "O Mu`adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Not to punish them (if they do so)."
Scholarly Commentary
This profound hadith establishes the fundamental principle of Tawheed (Divine Oneness) which is the foundation of Islam. Allah's right upon His servants is pure monotheistic worship - directing all acts of worship to Him alone without associating partners. This encompasses both outward actions and inward beliefs.
The reciprocal right of servants upon Allah demonstrates His infinite mercy and justice. When servants fulfill their obligation of Tawheed, Allah's promise of protection from punishment becomes binding upon His Divine Will. This reflects the perfect balance between Allah's rights and His mercy toward creation.
The dialogue format between the Prophet and Mu'adh ibn Jabal emphasizes the importance of this teaching, making it a foundational lesson for every Muslim. The repetition of "Allah and His Apostle know best" shows proper etiquette in seeking knowledge and acknowledging the superiority of prophetic understanding.