It is a concise declaration that contains few letters; light
upon the tongue, yet heavy in the scales.
Prophet sallallahu alaihi
wasallam, who said: "A person from my ummah will be summoned in front of
everyone on the Day of Resurrection. Ninety-nine scrolls will be unfurled for
him, each scroll extending as far as the eye can see. Then it will be said: Do
you deny any of this [i.e. your bad deeds]? So the man will reply: No, 0 Lord.
Then it will be said: Do you have any excuse or any good deed? The man, in a
state of terror, will answer: No. It will then be said: Rather, you do have some
good deeds and no injustice will befall you this Day. So a parchment will be
taken out for him, upon which there will be the testification of laa ilaaha
illallaah and the testification that Muhammad is the Slave and Messenger of
Allah. The man will say: 0h Lord, what is this parchment in comparison to those
scrolls! It will be said to him: No injustice shall befall you. The scrolls will
then be placed in one of the scales and the parchment in the other; the scrolls
will be light in weight, whereas the parchment will be heavy." ( Reported by
at-Tirmidhee (no.2641), from Abdullaah ibn Amr radhiyallahu anhu. It was
declared to be saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah
(no.135).
The first part of the Shahadah is laa ilaaha illallaah
(none has the right to be worshiped except Allah) and the first part if the
Shahadah has two pillars:
The first pillar is the pillar of negation
(nafee), whilst the second is the pillar of
affirmation (ithbaat). What is meant by negation is to negate divinity and
worship (ilaahiyyah) for anything except Allah, the Most High. What is meant by
affirmation is to affirm divinity and worship only for Allah the Most Perfect;
for it is He alone that is the true Deity. So whatever else is taken by the
unbelievers as deities to be worshiped are in fact all false and futile: That is
because Allah is the true Deity to be worshiped, and whatever else they invoke
besides Him is vain falsehood.
[Soorah al-Hajj 22:62]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: The significance of laa ilaaha
illallaah in affirming divinity and worship for only Allah is far greater than
just saying that Allah is an ilaah. This is because the saying that Allah is an
ilaah does not negate divinity and worship to other than Allah. This is
different to the saying: laa ilaaha illallaah; which obligates restricting
divinity and worship to only Allah.
All the messengers of Allah told their people none has the
right to be worshiped except Allah
Allah said: "We did not send any Messenger before you,
except that We revealed to him that none has the right to be worshiped except
Me; so worship Me."
[Soorah al-Anbiyaa 21:25]
Allah the Exalted also said: "He sends down the angels with
the revelation of His commands to whosoever of His slaves that He wills, saying:
Warn mankind that none has the right to be worshiped except Me. So fear Me [by
keeping away from sin and disobedience]."
[Soorah an-Nahl 16:2]
It is a
concise declaration that contains few letters; light upon the tongue, yet heavy
in the scales. Allah's Messenger Peace be upon him said: "Moses said: 0h my
Lord! Teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You.
Allah said: 0h Moses! say laa ilaaha ilallaah. Moses said: 0h my Lord! All Your
slaves say this. Allah said: 0h Moses! If the seven heavens and all that they
contain, other than Me, and the seven earths were placed in one scale, and laa
ilaaha ilallaah were put in the other, then laa ilaaha illallaah would outweigh
them all." (Reported by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh (no.2324) and al-Haakim in
al-Mustadrak (1/528).
Ibn Uyaynah, (radhiyallahu anhu) said: "Allaah has not
bestowed any favour upon His slaves greater than the favour of them realizing
laa ilaaha ilallaah. Indeed laa ilaaha illallaah is to the people of Paradise,
what cool water is to the people of this world." ( Related by Ibn Rajab in
Kalimatul-Ikhlaas (p.53)
The second part of the
"Shahadah" i.e. "Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh" means that
the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allah. No one
should be in any doubt about this matter. In fact, the Muslim has to obey the
commands of the Prophet (PBUH), to believe in what he has said, to follow his
Teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship A11ah alone according
to the message revealed to him.
What is the meaning of worship? It simply means
rendering sincere service; showing reverence for Allah. In a deeper shade of
meaning, it implies total submission and complete obedience to Allah's
Commandments both in utterances and actions, whether explicit or implicit and in
private or public.
Worship falls into two
categories:
1. Visible (manifest or outward)
Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two
parts of the "shahadah", performing prayers, giving Zakat (obligatory charity),
observing the fast in the month of Ramadan, performing Hajj, recitation of the
Holy Quran, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies
before prayers, etc.
This type of worship is associated with the movement of the
parts of human body, [actions].
2. Invisible (concealed or inward)
Invisible worship
is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgment, in the Hereafter, in the Angels,
in the Books of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny (that good and bad are
determined by Allah alone)
This type of worship does not involve
movements of parts of the body but it surely has a bearing on one's heart which,
subsequently, affects one's way of life (beliefs).
It should be borne in mind that worship not dedicated to
Allah alone, will be rejected as one form of polytheism or "shirk", which
amounts to apostasy, from the Islamic point of view.
How to declare the Shahadah
A person does NOT need to do a course or obtain a
certificate to become a Muslim.
If there are no Mosques or Muslims were you live you can
declare the Shahadah to your self..
At MuslimConverts.com we have helped brothers and sisters
say the Shahadah via phone and via the Net. So if you wish for us to go through
it with you step by step. Please do no not hesitate to leave us a message and we
can arrange an online meeting at a mutually convenient time.
However, it is not sufficient for anyone to only utter this
testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, he or she should
believe in it with a firm conviction and unshakable faith. Once you have said
the Shahadah then you will be like a New Born Person. Free of any sins. Just
like a child is born sinless.
From the Emails I
received on the message board. I noticed some women have delayed their Shahadah
because of menstruation. It does not matter if a woman is menstruating. You can
say your Shahadah even when you are menstruating. The women do not go inside
the prayer area of the Masjid (Mosque) when menstruating. However if they want
to say their Shahadah at the Masjid they can arrange to say it say just outside
the Masjid or part of the Masjid complex which is not regarded as the place of
prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance
During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the
people would also give their Bai'a (pledge of allegiance ) and the Prophet peace
be upon him would accept their pledge.
After the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) the
believing men and women would give their pledge of allegiance to the Muslim
nation (khalif) and the Khalif would accept their pledge of
allegiance.
During the treaty of hudaybiyah believing women would
migrate to the Muslim side in the city of Madina and give their pledge of
allegiance to the Prophet peace be upon him. To check those who migrated to the
Islamic state in Madina were true believers and not just women who had run away
from their non Muslim families. Allah revealed the following verse.
Allah said:
"O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give
you the Bai'â (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with
Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual
intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter
slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children
belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'rûf
(everything good according to Islam) then accept their Bai'â (pledge), and ask
Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". (Quran
60:12)
So the Prophet would say to them "Pledge to me in
that you will not associate any with Allah, nor steal, nor commit Zina, nor kill
your children" Then he would recite the above verse (Quran 60 verse 12) and
when the women agreed to those conditions then he would say I have accepted your
pledge.and he would add "Those among you who fulfill this pledge, will receive
their reward from Allah. Those who deviate from any of it and receive the legal
punishment (in this life), the punishment will be expiation for that sin.
Whoever deviates from any of it and Allah screens him, then it is up to Allah to
punish or forgive if He wills."
The Prophet peace be upon him would shake the hands
of the men who had give their pledge. In case of women he only took their pledge
by word because in Islam a it is not allowed to shake hands with the opposite
sex who are non mehrem.
Narrated 'Ubada
bin As-Samit:
who took part in the battle of Badr and was a Naqib (a
person heading a group of six persons), on the night of Al-'Aqaba pledge:
Allah's Apostle said while a group of his companions were around him, "Swear
allegiance to me for:
1. Not to join anything in worship along with
Allah.
2. Not to steal.
3. Not to commit illegal sexual intercourse.
4.
Not to kill your children.
5. Not to accuse an innocent person (to spread
such an accusation among people).
6. Not to be disobedient (when ordered) to
do good deed."
The Prophet added: "Whoever among you fulfills his pledge
will be rewarded by Allah. And whoever indulges in any one of them (except the
ascription of partners to Allah) and gets the punishment in this world, that
punishment will be an expiation for that sin. And if one indulges in any of
them, and Allah conceals his sin, it is up to Him to forgive or punish him (in
the Hereafter)." 'Ubada bin As-Samit added: "So we swore allegiance for these."
(points to Allah's Apostle) (Bukhari Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith Number:
17)
Narrated Jarir bin Abdullah:
I gave the pledge of
allegiance to Allah's Apostle for the following:
1. offer prayers
perfectly
2. pay the Zakat (obligatory charity)
3. and be sincere and true
to every Muslim.
(Bukhari Book Number: 2, Hadith Number: 54)
Narrated
Ziyad bin'Ilaqa:
I heard Jarir bin 'Abdullah (Praising Allah). On the day
when Al-Mughira bin Shu'ba died, he (Jarir) got up (on the pulpit) and thanked
and praised Allah and said, "Be afraid of Allah alone Who has none along with
Him to be worshiped.(You should) be calm and quiet till the (new) chief comes to
you and he will come to you soon. Ask Allah's forgiveness for your (late) chief
because he himself loved to forgive others." Jarir added, "Amma badu (now then),
I went to the Prophet and said, 'I give my pledge of allegiance to you for
Islam." The Prophet conditioned (my pledge) for me to be sincere and true to
every Muslim so I gave my pledge to him for this. By the Lord of this mosque! I
am sincere and true to you (Muslims). Then Jarir asked for Allah's forgiveness
and came down (from the pulpit).(Bukhari 4: Volume: 1, Book Number: 2, Hadith
Number: 55)
Unfortunately the Islamic state was destroyed in 1924 and
since then we have had no khalif. However we will have it one day and in the
meantime those Muslims should take note of this pledge of Allegiance and the
need for a khalif. Thus even in the absence of the Khalif a Muslim should
sincerely adhere to the conditions that Muslims used to pledge to. So a persons
loyalty should be with the true Muslims. Thus a Muslim should not be aiding in
the killing of Muslims or the Invasion of Muslim lands. We should be working for
the reestablishment of the Khailifate (Islamic state) under one leader (Khalif).
We should know we have our own flag and our own nation. We are one nation (one
Ummah) of almost 1.5 billion. We may be scattered all around the globe but our
loyalty should be with each other. Thus we should not be in the armed forces of
the non Muslims. Even in the Armed forces of the Muslim countries we should not
be obeying orders which are against Islam or call for fighting Muslims on bases
of nationalism, or spreading of man made laws and unIslamic
practices.
Although most who convert to Islam leave all unIslamic
habits such as drinking alcohol , dating and sexual intercourse. There are some
who find it initially difficult to get rid of these bad habits for various
reasons. However once they convert to Islam these bad habits go away
eventually as they become more Allah conscious.
Of course from time to time you may mess up and commit
sins. But Allah is most merciful and if you sincerely repent from a sin, Allah
will forgive you. Allah loves to see his slaves turn to Him in sincere
repentance. Allah knows who is sincere in repentance.
The Conditions of the Shahadah
Pronouncing the testimony of faith is sufficient to make
one a convert to Islam. There are however, seven conditions that must be
observed before it can effectively make one a Muslim. These are describe as
follows:
1 Knowledge (Al-ilm)
Knowledge (al-ilm) of its meaning, what it negates and
affirms. If a person says it without knowing its meaning, nor what its
requirements are, then he will not benefit by it, because he has not believed in
what it requires. Rather, he is like someone who speaks in a language that he
does not understand.
2 Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)
The heart must be firmly certain of the meaning of Shahadah without
a blemish of doubt.
Allah the Exalted says:" Verily, the believers are
only those who truly believe in Allah and His Messenger, and then doubt not.
(Quran 49:15).
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "I bear
witness that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah. No
slave meets Allah with this testimony, having no doubt in it but shall enter
Jannah."( Muslim) :
3 Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas)
Exclusively worshiping Allah, which is contrary to shirk.
This is what laa ilaaha illallaah points towards.
Allah, the Exalted,
said:" And they were not commanded but to worship Allah, being sincere in
devoting religion to Him." (Quran 98:5).
Abu Hurairah said:" I asked the
Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: Messenger of Allah! Who will be most
fortunate to enjoy your shafa'ah (intercession) on the Day of Resurrection? The
Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: I was certain that no one else
would ask me about this other than you, because I have noticed your keenness for
hadeeth. The most fortunate of men who will enjoy my shafa'ah on the Day of
Resurrection is the one who says: (La Ilaha Illa Allah) "None has the right to
be worshiped except Allah", sincerely from his heart.."(Musnad al-Imam
Ahmad.)
4 Truthfulness (As-Sidq)
Truthfulness (as-sidq), which prevents hypocrisy
(nifaaq). Indeed, the hypocrites uttered it with their tongues, but did not
inwardly believe in what it signified.
The Messenger of Allah said: "Anyone testifies that
there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truthfully
from his heart, Allah would forbid his admittance to the
Fire."(Muslim)
5 Love and affection (Al-Mahabbah )
Love (al-mahabbah) for this kalimah and having love and
pleasure for whatever it necessitates. This is contrary to the [state of the]
hypocrites.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "There are
three (qualities), whoever possesses them, will taste the sweetness of Iman
(belief): to love Allah and His Messenger more than anyone else, to love the
Muslim only for the sake of Allah, and to dread returning to kufr (apostasy) as
he dreads being thrown in fire." ( Bukhari and Muslim.)
Allah says to His
Messenger (peace be upon him)
Say (O Muhammad SAW to mankind): "If you
(really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the
Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)
Allah says: "Allah shall
bring forth a people whom He loves and they love Him." (Quran 5:54)
The
Prophet, peace be upon him, also said: "None of you shall (really) believe until
I become dearer to him than his own father, and son and all mankind." ( Bukhari
and Muslim.)
6 Submission (Al-Inqiyaad) internally and
externally
Submissive compliance
(al-inqiyaad), by fulfilling its rights - which are the obligatory actions -
with sincerity to Allah and seeking His good pleasure. This is its
requirement.
Allah, the Exalted, says: "And he who submits himself to
Allah, and does good, he has surely grasped a strong handle." ( Quran
31:22).
Allah also says:" And turn you to your Rabb, and submit
yourselves to Him." (:Quran 39:54).
7 Acceptance and conformity (Al-Qubool )
Acceptance (al-qabool), which prevents
rejection.
This is achieved by acting upon what Allah has commanded and
abandoning whatever He has prohibited.
Abu Musa al-Ash'aree reported that
the Prophet, peace be upon him said: "The parable of guidance and knowledge
which Allah has sent me with is like a rain which fell on a land. A patch of
that land received the water and produced much herbage and grass. And a patch
which was barren. The latter retained water wherewith Allah extended benefits to
men: they drank from it, irrigated and planted their vegetation. And a patch
which was a sandy plain, it neither retained water nor produced herbage. This is
parallel to the person who conceived the religion of Allah and benefited from
the Message with which Allah has sent me, whereby he learns and taught others.
The other person turned away from it (from my Message), and rejected the
guidance of Allah with which I am sent.." Bukhari and Muslim.)
Allah
says "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad peace be upon him) you have a
good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the
Last Day and remembers Allah much."(33:21)
And Allah also says in Surah
Al-Hashr
....And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him)
gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) , and fear
Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. (59:7)
Again Allah
says:
O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad
peace be upon him), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if
you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (
peace be upon him), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better
and more suitable for final determination.(4:59)
And Allah
says:
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you
(O Muhammad ) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no
resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full
submission.
In the next verse Allah again tells his Messenger
Say
(O Muhammad peace be upon him): "Obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad peace
be upon him)." But if they turn away, then Allah does not like the disbeliever's
(3:32)
Islam unites together people of different colours, languages,
races. and nationalities into one brotherhood.
Allah says: "Indeed the
Believers are but brothers." [Quran 4 9:10]
Before Islam people in
Arabia were dived into different tribes. Some of them were at constant war with
each other, Islam came and Allah put peace and love in their hearts for each
other.
Allah the Most High said: "And remember the favor of Allah upon
you, for you were once enemies to one another but He joined your hearts together
in love, so that by His Grace you became brothers." [Soorah Aal-Imraan
3:103]
And Allah the Most High said: "He it is that has strengthened you
with His help and with the Believers. And moreover, He has united their hearts
with love and affection. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could
not have united their hearts with love and affection. However, Allah has united
them. Indeed Allah is the All-Mighty, All-Wise." [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:62-
63].
Allah has stated in the Holy Quran:
"... whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes
in Allah, hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that will never break..."
(2:256)
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