Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allaah

This monumental, oft-repeated statement, “Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allaah,” in its various forms, is the statement of tawheed which all the Prophets and Messengers were sent to instruct the people with. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Give glad tiding to the people that whosoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah alone, without any partners,’ Paradise becomes obligatory for him.” But what does this statement actually mean, and how does knowing and understanding its implications benefit the believer?