Kalimah Ash-Shahada (Testimony that Laa Ilaah Illa- Allah) By Faeez Idris Ibrahim. Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah, this phrase has two parts. 1) Laa Ilaaha: which negates that anything or any one deserves to be worshipped other than Allah. 2) Illa- Allah: which affirms that Allah alone truly deserve to be worshipped. Allah (S W T) said: And [mention, O Muhammad] when Abraham said to his father and his people,Indeed,I am disassociated from that which you worship, except for He who create me;and indeed, He will guide me.( Q. 4:36) Allah said again worship Allah and Associated nothing with him...(Q. 4:36) Therefore it is not sufficient to worship Allah rather one must worship him alone. The Shahadah of person will not be correct except by singling out Allah in worship and freeing Ones self from polytheism (shirk) and those who commit it. It has been mentioned in Hadith that Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah is the key to paradise (Jannah). But does everyone who says it deserve to have the door of this house (Jannah) opened for him? It has been reported that Ibrahim bn Hamd Alwakysy, may Allah forgive him, that Wahab ibn Munabbih was asked: Isnt the statement Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah the key to paradise (Jannah)? He answered: Yes, but every key has a set of teeth. If you come with the key that has the correct set of grooves, the door will open for you. If you come with a key that does not have the correct set of grooves, the door will not open for you. There are many Hadith, that have been reported from the prophet (peace be upon Him) which explain the correct grooves which it must have. The Rasuwl Alayhi Assalam said: whoever says Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah sincerely and he also said With certainty in his heart and also said again truthfully from his heart and so on. These Narrations clarify that in order for this key to open the Door of paradise (Jannah),Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah must be said with submission to what its meaning entails, remaining firmly upon it throughout ones life and with other characteristics. Based on the above evidence from Kitab was- Sunnah (Quran and Hadith), the scholars of Islam have concluded that certain conditions must be fullfilled, and certain factors must not be present for this phrase to serve as the key to paradise (Jannah) and to benefit the person who utters it. The conditions include the following: 1). Knowledge: its opposite being Ignorance. Since every statement has a meaning, one must know the meaning of Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah. The meaning of this phrase is that One rejects that anything or everyone else deserves worship, affirming it for Allah alone. Thus this means that none deserves worship except Allah. The evidence and proof that one must know the meaning is the saying of Allah (S.W.T.) ...but only those who testify to the truth (can benefit), and they know. (Q. 43:89) Also the prophet (S.A.W.) said: whoever dies knowing that none has the right to be Worship except Allah(Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah) will enter paradise (Jannah). [Muslim] 2). Certainty [the opposite of which is doubt]: this means that one must believe that none has the right to be worship except Allah (Laa Ilaaha, Ill-Allah) with surety, having no doubt whatsoever. Allah (S.W.T.) said describing the true believers: The (true) believers are only those who have believed in Allah and his Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is those who are the truthful. (Q. 49:15) It is not enough that a person merely utters this phrase (Kalimah), but he must have absolute certainty about its meaning, or it is purely hypocrisy. The prophet (S.A.W.) said: I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allah) and that I am His Messenger. None meet Allah with these two(testimonies), having no doubt about them, except that they will enter paradise (Jannah). [Mislim] 3). Acceptance: If one has a knowledge of the meaning of this phrase and he is certain about it, then this should have an effect on a person: that one accepts what this phrase (Kalimah) necessitates with his heart and tongue [by accepting Islam]. Whoever rejects the call of Tawheed and does not accept it, then he is a disbeliever, whether that rejection be due to arrogance, stubborness or Jealousy. Allah (S.W.T.) said about disbelievers who rejected Tawheed due to arrogance: Indeed they, when it was said to them, there is no deity but Allah, were arrogant and were saying, Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet. (Q. 37:35-36) 4).Compliance: to Tawheed completely. This is the real and outward proof of belief. It is to abide by what Allah legislate and abstain from what He prohibited. Allah (S.W.T) said:And whoever submits his face (I.e., self) to Allah while he is a doer of good- then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand hold. And to Allah will be the outcome of (all) matters. (Q.31:22) 5).Truthfulness: the opposite of which is Lying. This is to say the testimony truthfully. Since if one utters it without being truthful, he is a hypocrite. The proof of this is the saying of Allah (S.W.T.): ...They say with their tongue what is not within their heart.(Q. 48:11) 6). Love: The believer must love this phrase (kalimah), what it necessitates, and also those who act according to it. The sing of this is to prefer what Allah loves even though it may be against ones desire. He follows in the messengers (S.A.W.) Footprints and accepts his guidance. 7). Purity of intention: This means to only say this statement seeking the face of Allah and his pleasure, As Allah (S.W.T.) Said in the Quran: And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, (being) sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakah. And that is the correct religion. (Q.98:5) The prophet (S.A.W.) Also said Allah has forbidden the hell-fire for anyone who says none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (Laa Ilaaha, Ill- Allah), desiring the face (and pleasure) of Allah. [Bukhari and Muslim]
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:49:36 +0000
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