The first and the foremost step in Islam is to forsake all (other) ilah and betake ourselves only to Allah. LA ILAH ILLA ALLAH.

But we need to understand what ilah means and what are the implications of forsaking all ilah other than Allah?

The dictionary meanings of the word ilah

= The One who is served, or worshipped or adored

= The One by Whom one seeks protection, preservation or refuge or aid or succour, in fright or fear

= The one who renders secure by delivering from evil

= The One to Whom one betakes oneself  in confusion, perplexity, or in inability to find the right course

= The One to Whom one renders acts of devotion

= Any object of worship or adoration i.e. a god or deity or idol

The Quranic use of the word ilah

In the Quran, the word Ilah has been used in the following meanings,  contexts or implications:

Ilah  = The One to Whom Ibadat is rendered [See the following verses where the word ilah and ibadat are used together: 2:133, 6:102, 7:59, 7:65, 7:73, 7:85, 9:31, 11:50, 11:61, 11:84, 18:110, 20:14, 21:25, 23:23, 23:32]. To see what is Ibadat, click here.

= The One to Whom belongs the Command, judgement, Rule [28:70, 28:88] (lahu al-hukm)

= The One to Whom belongs the Sovereignty, Authority, Dominion or Ownership [39:6] (lahu al-mulk)

= The One to Whom belongs Ad-Deen [40:65] (lahu ad-deen)

= The One whose Guidance /revelation/ inspiration is followed [See the verses where la ilah illa Huwa is used along with following the revelation of Allah: 6:106]

= Any object of worship or adoration i.e. a god or deity or idol [See the verses where ilah is used to mean idols or object of worship: 7:138-140, 20:88, 6:74, 71:23]

= The One by Whom one seeks protection, preservation or refuge in fright or fear OR the One in Whose service or duty one is careful [See the verses where ilah is used along with TAQWA: 16:2, 23:23, 23:32 and istaghfaar 41:6, 47:19]

= The One from the inevitable consequences of disobedience of whose Laws one fears [16:51]

= The One to Whom {or to Whose Laws} one submits [21:108, 22:34, 29:46]

= The low human desires or evil inclinations  that are against the Quran [25:43, 45:23]

= The One to Whom one betakes himself [41:6]

= The One in Whom (or in Whose Laws) one puts his trust OR the One Whom one takes as the Manager or Dispenser or Disposer of his affairs OR the One according to Whose Laws one manages his affairs {Wakeel} [73:9, 6:102, 64:13]

The Implications of La ilah illa Allah

1. Service, obedience and adoration (ibadat) ONLY of Allah

2. Following the Commands, Rules or Judgements ONLY of Allah {and the commands, rules and judgements that are according to the Commands, Rules and Judgements of Allah alone} (lahu al-hukm)

3. Attributing Sovereignty, Authority, Kingship, Rule, Dominion or Ownership ONLY to Allah (lahu al-mulk)

4. Rendering obedience, submissiveness and conformance to the Laws of Allah ONLY (and those laws which are made according to Allah's Laws only) (lahu ad-deen)

5. Following ONLY the guidance of Allah (or what is according to ONLY His Guidance and/or not against it)

6. Submitting ONLY to the Laws of Allah (or laws that are made according to ONLY His Laws and/or not against His Laws)

7. Seeking protection, preservation or refuge ONLY with Him i.e. His Laws (or only with Laws that are according to His Laws and/or are not against His Laws)

8. Fearing ONLY from the inevitable harmful consequences of disobeying His Laws and not fearing from anything else

9. Not following any evil desires, inclinations or  emotions that are against His Guidance

10. Betaking ourselves ONLY to Him i.e. His Laws in the Quran  (for guidance, refuge, preservation, protection) or to laws that are made according to His Laws and are not against His Laws)

11. Taking ONLY His Laws as a guide to manage our affairs (or laws that are made according to His Laws and/or are not against His Laws) and putting our trust in none but His Laws, no other system but the Deen or the statute or the Ordinance or the Way of Life given ONLY by Him.

12. Not worshipping any idols

Let’s forsake all (other) ilah and betake ourselves ONLY to Allah.

Remember!

'La ilah illa Allah'  is not just a sentence to be uttered with tongue only

BUT

 it is a declaration of a firm conviction that is to be substantiated by actions.