The right to authority is neither divisible nor plural.

The right to authority is neither divisible nor plural. It is either for God alone without any associate or rival, which is monotheism, or for other-than-God, wholly or partially, which is unbelief or polytheism. Based on this issue mankind is divided into two groups: one believes in the unity of God with regard to loyalty and obedience and does not accept any associate for God in matters of loyalty and authority.

The other subscribes to and obeys other centres of loyalty, which could be taghut, country or personal desires. The conflict between these two groups of people is the greatest of all conflicts and constitutes the most important events in man's history on earth.

The Theatre Of Conflict Entails A Stand And Rejects Onlookers Although one can be indifferent towards many issues, one cannot be a mere onlooker with regard to the question of loyalty because it is a fundamental issue of human existence which requires of man a clear and specific stand, whatever this may entail by way of sacrifice.

The question of loyalty is not akin to bargaining or sweet talk, and a person whose loyalty is not for God would be simply tossed about by personal desires, political and social changes. It is loyalty to God that defines a man’s personality and course of action and gives him his real worth, which is the position of vicegerency to God on earth. It also determines his stand, movement, course and goal.

One is not allowed to treat a question as important as this with indifference and negligence; one must be firm and serious about it!

Elements And Instance Of Loyalty Loyalty to God is crystallized by having a relationship with Him through the following ways: 1- Obedience and Submission God Most High says: "All the response of the faithful when they are summoned to God and His Apostle that He may judge between them is to say, 'We hear and obey.' It is they who are felicitous." [^1] Just as loyalty to God requires obedience and submission to Him and His Apostle (S), it requires disobedience to other-than-God as well.