Ash-Shahadah (The Testimony)

''To bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. "

Here is an outline of our discussion regarding the first pillar of Islam:

A discussion about Laa Ilaha Illallah (None has the right to be worshipped except Allah):

i) The meaning of Laa Ilaha Illallah
ii) What it means to bear witness to Laa Ilaha Illallah.
iii) Its status
iv) Its virtues
v) The pillars of the two testimonies
vi) The conditions of Laa Ilaha Illallah vii) Its effects





The Meaning of Laa Ilaha Illallah

This phrase of Tawhid (Islamic Monotheism) contains many lofty meanings and implications; and we must first understand those meanings if we are to apply them; that way our application of the phrase will be based on knowledge. The phrase Laa Ilaha Illallah has been mentioned in the Qur'an more than thirty times.


What It Means To Bear Witness To Laa llaha Illallah

Ash-Shahadah, or to bear witness, means to inform about something that you know of and that you believe to be true and established. That is the meaning of Shahadah in the Arabic language; in the Shari'ah it has this meaning: To admit and to believe that none deserves worship except Allah alone, and He has no partners. So by saying Laa Ilaha Illallah, we believe and affirm that none deserves worship except Allah; we must stay steadfast upon this phrase and apply it. Therefore we must worship Allah alone without associating any partner with Him. Allah Almighty says:


Other Ahadith give a similar meaning and the Islamic nation agreed that the two testimonies, "I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," are the first pillar of Islam, and upon them actions are based, meaning that no deed is accepted without them. The Imams of Hadith relate that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



When we reflect on these five pillars, we should appreciate that each one of them deals with an important aspect related to man, and that each one makes up a strong and firm pillar in the house of Islam, a house that no one stays in except for the believer.

The phrase of Tawhid (Laa Ilaha Illallah) therefore wholly engages the heart while its effects surface on the limbs. The prayer uses all limbs, it is the strong and firm link between the creature and his Creator. A Muslim's relation to other Muslims is solidified through the rich giving the Zakat to the poor. A person is comprised of a soul and a body, of purity and desire; if man were left to himself, he would stray far away from Allah, which is why Allah legislated fasting for us. When we fast, our soul is cleansed and polished. After the heart has been filled with faith and after wealth is distributed as Allah wishes, time comes for the societal ties to be strengthened in the Islamic world, and that occurs during their huge national conference during Hajj, when Muslims come from all places and gather.

We can also view the pillars from another perspective: the Shahadah is a test for the heart; prayer is a test for the limbs and for a Muslim's ability to organize himself and his time; Zakat is a test for man in his wealth; the fast is a test to see how much one is able to leave his desires for the sake of his Creator and Lord; and the Hajj is a test to see how much one is able to bear hardship and the difficulties of traveling in the way of Allah. (Taken from "Ma'ni Laa Ilaha Illallilh" by Badrud-Din Muhammad bin 'Abdullah Az-Zarkashi, who died in the year 794 after Hijrah.)




The Status of Laa llaha Illallah

When they call to prayer, when they straighten the rows for prayer, during their sermons and conversations - Muslims announce the phrase of Tawhid on all of those occasions; it is the phrase by which the earth and the heavens are raised; all of creation is created for this phrase, and with it Allah sent His Messengers, revealed His Books, and legislated His Laws. The Scale and Book of deeds have been set up for it. By this phrase we distinguish between the believers and the disbelievers. And concerning the phrase of Tawhid, all will be asked and held accountable for their deeds, some being rewarded and some punished.

The Qiblah and the swords of Jihad are both founded on this phrase, the phrase that is Allah's right upon all of His creatures. It is the phrase of Islam and the key to Paradise. On the Day of Judgement everyone will be asked regarding two matters:

1) Whom did you worship?
2) How did you answer the Messengers?

The first is answered by the realization of one knowing, affirming, and applying Laa Ilaha Illallah. The second is answered by knowing, following, and obeying the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) (Zaadul-Ma’aad)

It is the phrase that distinguishes between disbelief and Islam; it is the phrase of piety; it is the firm rope, and it is the phrase that Ibrahim made lasting among his offspring:



Allah testified to this phrase Himself, and so did the angels and those who have knowledge from His creation:



To continue Insha Allah

The Virtues Of Laa Ilaha Illallah

It has many virtues and superior merits that give it a high status; whoever says it sincerely, Allah makes him enter Paradise; whoever says it without believing in it, his blood is spilled and his wealth is taken, in this world and the Hereafter - and his account is with Allah. Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab mentioned some of the many virtues of this phrase in his book, Kalimatul-Ikhlaas. One of its virtues is that it is the price for entering Paradise; when one's last words are Laa Ilaha Illallah, he enters Paradise. It also protects one from the Hellfire.

Laa Ilaha Illallah necessitates forgiveness, wipes away sins, and it is the best of good deeds. It breaks through all barriers until it reaches Allah. It is the best phrase ever spoken by the Prophets, it is the best form of remembrance, and it is the best deed, and the deed most multiplied. Saying it is equivalent to freeing slaves and it protects one from the Shaitan. It is safety from the terrors of the Day of Gathering and it is the slogan of the believers when they will be raised from their graves. For whoever speaks it, the eight doors of Paradise are opened for him: he enters whichever one he pleases.

Another one of its virtues is that those who say it but also do evil deeds might enter the Hellfire, but they will necessarily exit from it.

What is mentioned above consists of the titles written by Ibn Rajab to enumerate the virtues of Laa Ilaha Illallah; he then went on to clarify and expand on each one of them in his book Kalimatul-Ikhlaas, pp 54-66.




There Are Two Pillars Of Laa Ilaha Illallah

1) The first involves a negation by Laa Ilaha, a statement that does away with all forms of Shirk and that necessitates disbelief in all that is worshipped other than Allah Almighty.

2) The second involves an affirmation by Illallah, wherein we affirm that only Allah deserves to be worshipped.


Both of these pillars are present in the following verse:




The first pillar is:




And the second pillar:



In another verse Allah Almighty says:




The first pillar:




The second pillar



As Shaikh Muhammad bin 'Abdul-Wahhab said, "To bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) means to obey him in what he orders, to believe him in what he informs, to stay away from that which he forbids, and to worship Allah only in ways that are legislated in Islam."

When we obey the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) we are in fact obeying Allah, for Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) says:



We must believe what the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) informed us about regarding the past and the future, and regarding the unseen. And we should obey and follow him when he orders us, staying away from that which he forbids:




The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



Also, we are limited in our worship of Allah to only that which the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) legislated, which is why the second condition for our deeds to be accepted is following the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who said:





There are two pillars to the Testimony Muhammadur-Rasoolullah (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah):

1) To believe in and accept his message.

2) To believe that he is a slave of Allah.


He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) himself said:



Therefore he is not to be raised above his status, nor are we to attribute to him any of the qualities that solely belong to Allah, such as knowledge of the unseen, the ability to harm or benefit, the ability to remove hardship from the afflicted. In the most important occasions and contexts, Allah described him as being His slave:

i) In regard to the revelation of the Qur'an:



ii) In relation to the Night Journey:



iii) In relation to prayer and supplication:



iv) In the context of Allah being sufficient for him as his Protector and Guardian:



Indeed Allah honored the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), and He granted him many noble and wonderful characteristics, characteristics through which Allah raised him in status and significance in relation to the rest of creation. Some of the ways in which Allah distinguished him are listed as follows:

1) Allah mentioned him among the elite group of Prophets, Prophets who were inspired by Allah Almighty:



2) He is the last of the Prophets:



3) He is the first of the Muslims, those who submit themselves to Allah:



4) We should appreciate his high ranking when we learn that he is closer to the believers than their own selves are and that his wives are their mothers:


5) On the Day of Gathering, he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) will have special rights from Allah to intercede for Muslims; he is the Prophet of mercy, the best of creation. The general nature of his message is meant for both mankind and jinn. He is the chief of the children of Adam and he is the Prophet of Islam.

To continue Insha Allah

The Conditions Of Laa llaha Illallah Are Seven

While some scholars believe that there are seven conditions to the Phrase of Ikhlaas (purity, i.e., the phrase, Laa Ilaha Illallah), others hold that there are eight:

1. Knowledge: When one knows that Allah is the only One Who deserves to be worshipped and that to worship other than Him is falsehood, and when he adheres to the implications of that knowledge, he truly knows its meanings. Allah Almighty says:


The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



2. Certainty: One must not only say this phrase, but he must also believe with certainty and conviction in his heart that what he is saying is true: That Allah truly deserves to be worshipped and that all others taken as gods are false:



Abu Hurairah, (Radhi Allahu Anhu), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



In another Hadith, Abu Hurairah, (Radhi Allahu Anhu), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him:




Allah Almighty described the believers:



Meaning, they have a complete level of certainty and conviction. Those who have doubts are the hypocrites:



3. Sincerity that negates Shirk: one must perform all deeds and actions, sincerely and purely for Allah, seeking His pleasure. That intention must not be corrupted or polluted in the least:


Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



'Uthman (Radhi Allahu Anhu), related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



4. Truth which negates denial: One must be truthful with Allah in his faith, truthful in his belief, truthful in his sayings, and truthful in the way he carries the message of Islam. Allah Almighty says:



Mu'ath bin Jabal, (Radhi Allahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



5. Love which negates hate:One must love this phrase, its implications, and its adherents who act according to its mean¬ings. Also, one must love Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), giving preference to loving them over all objects of love:



6. Submission which negates Shirk: One must submit himself to all that this magnificent phrase requires of him - Allah Almighty says:



Submission means compliance to Allah's Commands. Allah Almighty says:



And Allah said:



And:



7. Acceptance which negates rejection: One must accept all of the implications of this phrase, both with his heart and tongue, for Allah Almighty says:



As for those who say it without accepting it, they are those about whom Allah Almighty says:



8. Disbelief in all that is worshipped other than Allah: Allah Almighty says:



The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



To continue Insha Allah

Some of The Effects of Laa Ilaha Illallah

When one says this phrase truthfully and sincerely, applying its implications both outwardly and inwardly, there will be many blessed effects on him as an individual and on society; here are a few of those effects:

1. The Muslims will be united on one basis, which results in strength for the Muslims and victory over their enemies:


And He Almighty says:



Different views regarding beliefs leads only to disunity and strife, for Allah Almighty says:



And:


What is mentioned in this last verse occurred among the Arabs before the advent of Islam and after it.


2. Because unity results when all members of society accept and apply Laa Ilaha Illallah, safety and peace will be widespread:



3. Happiness and purity of religion will not only be achieved for the believers, but it will be perpetuated for them:



We must understand, however, that the benefits mentioned in this verse hinge upon our worship of Allah alone, without associating partners with Him.


4. The one who says Laa Ilaha Illallah and applies its meanings, achieves inner peace and mental stability:




5. The adherents of Laa Ilaha Illallah are treated gently and are raised in status, as opposed to the disbelievers and polytheists:


This verse indicates that Tawhid is highness and exaltedness, while Shirk represents a downfall and decline.


6. Inviolability of blood, wealth, and honor, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



What does the last sentence, "by its right" mean? It means that if one does not fulfill the rights of Tawhid and has not truly distanced himself from Shirk; then it doesn't benefit him to say Laa Ilaha Illallah."

This phrase has far-reaching implications on both individuals and society - in their worship, dealings, characteristics, and manners.

The last of the Prophets, Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was sent not only to the Arabs, but to the rest of mankind as well; he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came at a time when mankind was in dire need to be taken out of darkness and brought into the light.