A Brief Biography of the Author – (Rahimahu-llah)
His is
al-Imaam al-Mujaddid (Reformer of his era) - Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab ibn
Sulaiman ibn ‘Alee ibn Ahmad ibn Raashid ibn Buraid at-Tamimi an-Najdee. He was born in the city of
He acquired his primary education from his learned father, and
completed the memorization of the Qur’an at the age of ten. He read books of Tafseer (explanation of the
Qur’an), Hadeeth (narrations of the Prophet) and Fiqh (Jurisprudence), and
early on became interested in the books of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and
his noble student al-‘Allamah Ibnu-l-Qayyim.
After reaching the age of puberty, he travelled to Makkah to
perform the Hajj, at which time he benefited from the scholars in Makkah. He also travelled to al-Madeenah, Basrah (
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhaab authored many book,
including Kitaab at-Tawheed, Kitaab al-Kabaa’ir (Major Sins), Usool al-Emaan
(Fundamentals of Faith), Fadaa’il al-Qur’an (Virtues of the Qur’an), al-Usool
ath-Thalaatha (the Three Fundamentals), al-Qawaa’id al-Arbaa’a (The Four
Principles), al-Usool as-Sittah (the Six Foundations) and many other books,
including this small essay under study (the Shuroot of Laa ilaaha ill Allah).
The Fundamentals of his blessed Da’wah (Call):
The Fruits of his blessed Da’wah (Call):
He died in the year 1206 AH at the age of 91 –
May Allah shower him with His Divine Favor, Mercy and Forgiveness!
The Importance of Kalimat
at-Tawheed: Laa ilaaha illa Allah
Narrated Ibn
Abbaas: When the Prophet sent Mu’aadh to
ISLAMIC CREED TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
Al-'Ilm: Knowledge, [which negates ignorance]
Knowledge of its meaning, and what it negates (Nafyan) and affirms (Ithbaatan).
[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.]
The evidence for (the condition of) ‘Ilm is His Saying:
So know (O
Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill Allah (none has the right to be worshipped except
Allah) and seek forgiveness for your sins… [Muhammad 47:19]
Also, His Saying:
And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allâh, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allâh). [az-Zukhruf 43:86]
And from the Sunnah, the confirmed Hadeeth in as-Saheeh (Muslim), on the authority of Uthman, who said: the Prophet said: Whoever dies knowing that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (i.e. laa ilaaha ill Allah) will enter paradise. [Muslim]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
Al-Yaqeen:
(Certainty), which is the perfection
of the knowledge of the Kalimah
(La ilaaha ill Allah); which negates doubt and uncertainty.
The evidence (for the condition of) al-Yaqeen is His Saying:
The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not, but they strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful.
[al-Hujuraat 49:15]
From the Sunnah, the confirmed Hadeeth in the Saheeh (i.e. Muslim), on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Messenger of Allah said:
I bear witness that nothing deserves to be worshipped
except Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah. No one will meet Allah with these two [words
of testimony] – while he has no doubt about them, except that he will
enter
Also, from Abu Hurairah – from a long Hadeeth – [the saying of the Prophet]:
Whoever you meet on the other side of this wall, who testifies that nothing deserves to be worshipped except Allah, while his heart is certain of this (testimony) – give him the good news of al-Jannah. [Muslim]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss the second Shart
(condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah.
2.
What is the difference between
this Shart (under discussion) and the previous one?
3.
Mention a daleel
(evidence) for this Shart from the Qur’an.
4.
What can be understood from the
words: ‘then afterwards, they doubt not…
5.
How is this ayah a proof
that actions/deeds are a part of ‘Emaan’?
6.
Mention a daleel from
the Sunnah for this Shart (condition).
7.
Discuss the two types of Hajb (i.e.
being screened/excluded) from the Jannah.
8.
How did the Prophet explain ‘al-Emaan
in Allah Alone’ in the Hadeeth of Abu Jamrah?
9.
Mention the Qaa’idah
(Principle) related to the advice of Umar to the Prophet, that he should not
inform the people that every who pronounces the Shahaadah with Yaqeen
will enter the
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
al-Ikhlaas (Purity and Sincerity). (Worshipping Allah exclusively), which negates shirk.
The evidence (for the condition of) al-Ikhlaas is His Saying:
Surely, the pure religion (i.e. the worship and obedience) is for Allah alone. [az-Zumar 39:3]
Also, His Saying:
And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)… [al-Bayyinah 98:5]
And from the Sunnah is the confirmed Hadeeth in the Saheeh (i.e. al-Bukhaaree), on the authority of Abu Hurairah, from the Prophet [that he said]:
The most fortunate of people who will receive my Shafaa’ah (intercession), will be the one who said: ‘La ilaaha ill Allah – sincerely from his heart or his soul. [al-Bukhaaree]
Also, in the Saheeh (i.e. al-Bukhaaree), on the authority of Utbaan ibn Maalik, from the Prophet, that he said: Allah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says Laa ilaaha ill Allah, seeking by this the Face of Allah (i.e. saying this sincerely for Allah Alone). [al-Bukhaaree]
Also, that which is reported by an-Nasaa’ee, in ‘Amal al-Yawm wa-l-Lailah, from the Hadeeth of two men from among the companions, that the Prophet said: Whoever said: Laa ilaaha ill Allah, Wahda-hu, Laa Shareeka la-hu, la-hu-l-Mulk wa la-hu-l-Hamd, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in Qadeer – the heart being sincere, the tongue being truthful – Allah will make an opening in the sky due to it, such that He will look at the one who has said it from the people of the earth; and it is the right of a servant whom Allah looks at that he be given what he asks for. [This hadeeth has two weak narrators in its Isnaad (chain): Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Maimoon and Ya’qoob ibn ‘Aasim ibn ‘Urwah ibn Mas’ood]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss
Ash-Shart ath-Thaalith (the Third Condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah; and mention the
previous two Shuroot (conditions) briefly.
2.
Mention
a Daleel (evidence) from the Qur’an for this Shart
(condition).
3.
Mention
a Daleel (evidence) from the Sunnah for this Shart
(condition).
4.
al-Haafidh
Ibn Katheer mentioned Ikhlaas as a condition for the acceptance
of any deed. What is the other basic
condition for acceptance of deeds?
5.
What
is the argument used by Shaykh as-Sa’dee for the right of Allah to be
worshipped alone?
6.
Discuss
the verse: ‘…And they were commanded not, but that they should worship
Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone …and to perform the Salat and
pay the Zakah, and that is the straight/right Deen…
7.
‘The most fortunate of people who will receive my
Shafaa’ah…’ Who are these people?
8.
‘Allah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says Laa ilaaha ill
Allah…’ Mention the 2 types of ‘Forbidden’ mentioned in this
Hadeeth.
9.
What
may be understood from the Hadeeth: ‘…seeking by this the Face of
Allah …’
10.
What
was the statement of Wahb ibn Munabbih concerning the Shahaadah Laa ilaaha ill Allah?
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
As-Sidq: Truthfulness, which negates lying (kadhib) and prohibits hypocrisy (nifaaq).
The evidence (for the condition of) as-Sidq is His Saying:
AlifLâmMîm.
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We
believe,’ and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test). [al-‘Ankaboot 29:1-3]
Also, His Saying:
And of mankind, there are some (i.e. hypocrites) who say: ‘We believe in
Allâh and the Last Day’ while in fact they believe not.
They (think to) deceive Allâh and those who believe, while they only
deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not!
In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allâh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. [al-Baqarah 2:8-10
And from the Sunnah, that which is confirmed in as-Saheehain
(i.e. al-Bukhaaree and Muslim), on the authority of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, from the
Prophet:
…There is none who testifies truthfully from his heart that there is no deity (god) worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, except that Allah will make Haraam for him (i.e. save him from) the Hell-Fire... [al-Bukhaaree. (Al-Albaanee said that this narration is not in Muslim. See: Mishkaat, 1/15, no. 25)]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss
Ash-Shart ar-Raabi’ah (the Fourth Condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah; and mention the
previous Shuroot (conditions) briefly.
2.
Mention
a Daleel (evidence) from the Qur’an for this Shart
(condition).
5.
Give
an example of how earlier believers were tested.
6.
Discuss
the sickness/disease mentioned in the verse: In their hearts is a disease….[al-Baqarah
2:10]
7.
What
is meant by: al-Jazaa’u min Jins al-Amal
8.
Mention
the Sifaat (characteristics) of the Munaafiqoon mentioned
in soorah an-Nisaa’ 4:143
9.
What can be derived from the
words: There is none who testifies truthfully from his heart…
10.
Mention
two benefits derived from the Hadeeth of Mu’aadh ibn Jabal.
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
Al-Mahabbah: Love for this Kalimah (laa ilaaha ill Allah) and for that which it indicates (entails), and being happy, joyous and delighted with it.
The evidence (for the condition of) al-Mahabbah is His Saying:
And of mankind are some who take [for worship] others besides Allah as Andaal (rivals). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else).
[al Baqarah 2:65]
Also, His Saying:
O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islâm), Allâh will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allâh, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers…[al-Maa’idah 5:54]
And from the Sunnah, that which is confirmed in the Saheeh (i.e. Muslim) on the authority of Anas, that he said, that the Messenger of Allah said:
Whoever possesses the following three characteristics will taste the sweetness of faith: (1) That he loves Allah and His Messenger more than anything else; (2) that he loves a person, and he only loves him for the sake of Allah; (3) and that he hates to return to disbelief after being saved from it just as he would hate to be thrown into the Fire. [Muslim]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss
Ash-Shart al-Khaamisah (the Fifth Condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah; and mention the
previous Shuroot (conditions) briefly.
2.
Mention
a Daleel (evidence) from the Qur’an for this Shart
(condition).
(A)….. ……………………………………………………………………….
(B)…………………………………………………………………………….
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
Al-Inqiyaad: Complete Submission and Compliance with its
rights, which are the obligatory duties, doing it purely for Allah, seeking His
Pleasure.
The evidence (for this condition of) al-Inqiyaad is His Saying:
And turn in repentance and in obedience with true faith to your Lord, and submit to Him before the torment comes upon you, and then you will not be helped. [az-Zumar 39:54]
Also, His Saying:
And who can be better in religion than one who submits his face (himself) to Allah, and he is a Muhsin (a doer of good), and follows the religion of Ibraaheem, Haneefan (to worship none but Allah alone). And Allah did take Ibraaheem as a Khaleel (an intimate friend). [an-Nisaa’ 4:125]
Also, His Saying:
And whoever submits his face [i.e. himself] to Allah, while he is Muhsin (a doer of good), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [i.e. laa ilaaha ill Allah. [Luqmaan 31:22]
Also, His Saying:
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad Sallahu alaihi wa sallam) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. [an-Nisaa’ 4:65]
And from the Sunnah, his saying:
No one of you with have (true) Faith, until his Hawaa (desires,whims etc.) are in accordance with what I have come with. [al-Baghawee, Sharh as-Sunnah 1/213. Its chain contains Nu’aim ibn Hammad, who has been declared to be da’eef (weak)]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss
Ash-Shart As-Saadis (the Sixth Condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah; and mention the
previous Shuroot (conditions) briefly.
ISLAMIC CREED
TRAINING COURSE VIII
Evidences of the Conditions of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn
Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
(1115 - 1206H)
Al-Qubool: Acceptance,
which negates ar-Radd (rejection).
The evidence (for the condition of) al-Qubool is His Saying:
And similarly, We sent not a warner before you (O Muhammad Sallahu
alaihi wa sallam) to any town (people) but the luxurious ones among them said:
‘We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we will indeed
follow their footsteps.’
(The warner) said: ‘Even if I bring you better guidance than that which
you found your fathers following?’ They said: ‘Verily, We disbelieve in that
with which you have been sent.’
So We took revenge of them, then see what was the end of those who denied (the worship of Allah alone). [az-Zukhruf 43:23 – 25]
Also, His Saying:
Truly when it was said to them: 'laa ilaaha ill Allah', they puffed
themselves up with pride (i.e. they denied it), and they said: Are we going to
abandon our gods for the sake of a mad
poet?
[as- Saaffaat 37:35, 36]
[End of the Shuroot of Laa ilaaha ill
Allah]
[Notes]
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
1.
Discuss
Ash-Shart as-Saabi’ (the Seventh Condition) of Laa ilaaha ill Allah; and mention the
previous Shuroot (conditions) briefly.
So, What Are We Required
To Do Now?
What is required is that each
one of us must say Laa ilaaha illa-llah - on the tongue -
while knowing it in their heart - knowing and understanding
its meaning, and believing in that which it indicates. This means
believing in the fact that Allah should be singled out as being Unique
and Alone, nothing being equal to Him, similar to Him nor comparable to
Him and that He Alone deserves to be worshipped.
Singling out Allah as being One and Unique in
His Divinity; and He is also One and Unique in His right
to be worshipped.
It is expected that the person should
believe in his heart what is required or what is indicated by the meaning of Laa
ilaaha ill Allah. The
importance of that is singling out Allah with Al Wahdaniyyah
(Uniqueness) and Al Uboodiyyah (Worship). This is the affirmation that Allah is Unique
and Alone, and there is nothing like him in His Qualities or Characteristics
(Sifaat) and His Actions (Af'aal) and that
He Alone deserves to be worshipped.
So, after knowing what Laa
ilaaha ill Allah means, and saying it with sincerity, truthfulness,
and certainty, while also having love for it and acceptance,
then one must comply with whatever this Shahaadah necessitates of
action, and the most important of these is the Prayer [along with the other
pillars of Islam].
The Place of Laa
ilaaha illa Allah in the life of a Muslim
These are Merits
of the ‘kalimah’ summarized
by Haafidh Ibn Rajab in
his essay entitled Kalimatul-Ikhlaas.
The Meaning of the
Declaration of Faith
ash-Shahaadatain
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
The Place of Laa
ilaaha illa Allah in the life of a Muslim
It is pronounced daily by a Muslim in:
(a) The call to prayer (adhaan).
(b) At the beginning of their prayers (opening supplication).
(c) During Tashahhud.
(d) During times of Dhikr which is before and after prayers, in the late evening and also in the early mornings.
(e) Allah has sent all His Messengers with this 'kalimah'.
(f) People will be questioned about it and its obligations.
(g) It is the root cause for [there being] creation, command, rewards and punishment.
(h) The first question in the grave will be about this 'Kalima'.
(i) It is the key to Al-Jannah (
(j) It is the first thing required of the unbelievers when they are invited
to embrace Islaam, as is established in the Hadeeth of Mu’adh when he was sent
to
(k) It is the word which both human beings and jinn were created for.
(l) It is the right of Allah over His servants.
(m) It is a declaration of Islaam.
(n) For the preservation of this kalimah swords are drawn for striving and fighting (Jihaad).
(o) This kalimah is the dividing line between unbelief (kufr) and Islaam.
(p) It is the word of piety (kalimatul-taqwaa), the firm and trustworthy hand-hold (al-‘urwatul-wuthqaa) and it is what Ibraheem made as a lasting word (al-Kalima al-Baaqiyah).
(q) It is a kalimah that Allah Himself has testified to, and the angels and those who possess knowledge from amongst His creation.
(r) It is a kalimah of purity and sincerity (kalimatul-Ikhlaas).
(s) A witness and an invitation to the truth.
(t) A declaration of dissociation from Shirk (polytheism).
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
These are Merits of the ‘kalimah’
summarized
by Haafidh Ibn Rajab in
his essay entitled Kalimatul-Ikhlaas.
These include:
(a) It is the price to pay for the Gardens of Paradise (Jannah).
(b) He whose last words are laa ilaaha illa-llaah will enter the Gardens of Paradise.
(c) It is salvation from the Hellfire.
(d) It necessitates being forgiven.
(e) It is the best of all good actions.
(f) It wipes away sins.
(g) It renews the faith (Eemaan) that is planted in the heart.
(h) It outweighs, on the scales, the records of sins.
(i) It overcomes all barriers until it reaches Allaah, the Majestic.
(j) It is a kalimah whose speaker who declared truthful by Allaah.
(k) It is the best of what the Prophets have said.
(l) It is the best form of remembrance, the best of all actions and the one that is multiplied the most [in reward].
(m) It is equivalent to freeing slaves.
(n) It is a protection against Shaytaan (Satan).
(o) It is a means of safety from the darkness in the grave and from the terror of the gathering on the Day of Resurrection (al-hashr).
(p) It is a distinguishing sign for the Believers when they emerge from their graves.
(q) All eight gates of
These were the main points that Ibn Rajab mentioned in his essay concerning the virtues of the kalimah, bringing a proof for each one of these points.
Evidences of the Conditions
of Laa ilaaha ill Allah
Al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab at-Tamimi An-Najdi
The Meaning of the
Declaration of Faith
ash-Shahaadatain
The testimony (Shahaadah) is
classified as an announcement, decree, notification, or explanation. The term Shahaadah was employed for
the testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah
because it is the greatest declaration and testimony in existence, due to the
greatness of the Truth that it testifies to [i.e.'that nothing deserves
to be worshipped except Allah]. Thus, when the word Shahaadah is
mentioned in an unrestricted (absolute) sense, it automatically implies this
particular declaration.
Allah bears witness for Himself that none has the right to be worshipped but Him, and
likewise that the angels and the people of knowledge bear witness
to that also, and that He, the Most High maintains justice and He affirms that
with His saying: "Allah bears witness that none has the right to be
worshipped but He". [Aali Imraan 3:18]
This means that there is no true deity in
existence but Him alone. He is the true
deity and if anything is described as being a deity besides Him, it is the
greatest falsehood and deviation. Allah
is the true deity, who deserves worship alone, and nothing else.
The first level of Shahaadah
is knowledge, comprehension and believing the correctness of what
one attests to. The second level is verbalization
of that, and the third level is notifying others of
what he attests to. The fourth level is his adherence
to the meaning (purport) of what he testifies to. The testimony
of Allah about His Self with Oneness and maintenance of justice includes [all]
these four levels: His knowledge of that, His mention of it, His notification
and announcement of it to His creation and His order to them to
abide by it.
This testimony is the greatest testimony due
to the exaltedness of the One testifying and of that which is being testified
to, since the witness is Allah, and His angels
and the people of knowledge, and that which is witnessed to is the Tawheed
of Allah in worship.
The testimony (Laa ilaaha Illa-llah
) comprises two pillars:
The first pillar is the pillar of negation
(Nafyee), while the second is the pillar of affirmation (Ithbaat).
Laa ilaaha - 'there is
no deity', negates
divinity and worship for any and every
thing (except Allah).
Illa-llah - 'except
Allah', affirms divinity and worship for Allah Alone
The First Pillar:
The first pillar of the testimony of faith denies
the attribute of divinity to anyone and anything other than Allah, the
Exalted. All those other than Allah,
such as the angels, the Prophets, and the rest of mankind, not to mention the
idols and the political regimes in the world, are not gods and thus don’t
deserve to be worshipped. Therefore, denial in this respect is not denial of
the existence of the alleged gods, rather the denial of divinity
which is attributed to them.
The Second Pillar:
The second pillar of the testimony of faith affirms
and restricts divinity to Allah alone.
This means that the slave must believe that Allah is the only true God,
and accordingly he will not dedicate any act of worship to someone or something
other than Allah.
Its meaning (i.e. the meaning of laa ilaaha
illallah) is that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. The
testimony laa ilaaha illallah is that a person affirms with his tongue
and his heart that there is nothing that is worshipped rightly except
Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, since ilaah means that which is
worshipped (ma’bood). So the
sentence laa ilaaha illa-llah comprises a denial and an affirmation. As for the denial, it is laa ilaaha
(None has the right to be worshipped), and as for the affirmation, it is illa-llah
(except Allah).
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said: The significance of laa ilaaha illa-llaah
in affirming divinity and worship for Allah alone is far greater than just
saying that Allah is an ilaah (god).
This is because the saying that Allah is an ilaah does not negate
divinity and worship to other than Allah.
This is different from the saying:
laa ilaaha illa-llah, which obligates restricting divinity
and worship to only Allah. Likewise,
those who explain al-ilaah to mean: The one who has the ability to
create and originate have for sure committed a grave error.
The Meaning of 'Muhammad
Rasoolullah'
The meaning of the testimony 'Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah' is to obey him in what he commands, to
belief and testify to the truth of everything he informs of, to avoid whatever
he forbade and prohibited, and that you worship Allah only with that which he
prescribes. This testimony also necessitates that he does not believe that
Allah’s Messenger has any share of, or any right to, Lordship or control over
the creation, nor any right to be worshipped at all.
Rather he is a slave
and worshipper, not one to be worshipped; a Messenger who is not to be
belied. He does not possess, either for
himself or for anyone, the power to bring harm or benefit, except as Allah
wills.
Allah, the Most High,
says:
Say, O Muhammad
(to those who deny your prophethood): I don't tell you that with me are the
treasures of Allah, nor that I know the unseen; nor do I tell you that I am an
angel. I but follow what is revealed to
me by inspiration. [al-An'aam 6:50]
Say, (O Muhammad):
It is not in my power to bring about harm for you, nor guidance, rather that is
for Allah. Say, (O Muhammad): none from
Allah’s creation could save or protect me if I was to disobey Him, nor could I
find any refuge except with Him. [Jinn 72:21-22]
Obedience to the Messenger of Allah is
Compulsory
The Book and Sunnah well establish
the obligation to obey him. Allah linked obedience to Himself with
obedience to His Messenger in a number of places in His Book (al-Qur'an). One
who disobeys the Prophet disobeys Allah, and whoever disobeys Allah will have
the Fire of Jahannam.
Allah says: And whatsoever the Messenger
gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you,
abstain [from it] and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.
[Al-Hashr 59:7]
The Shahaadah is a Single
Pillar
The testimony that none has the right to
be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah is a single pillar. These two testimonies are a single pillar even
though they are two complementary parts, since all acts of worship depend upon
their being implemented together.
Thus, no worship will
be accepted without: (a) sincerity and purity of ones intention for Allah, the
Mighty and Majestic. This is included in the testimony that none has the
right to be worshipped except Allah and (b) following and adhering to the
way to the Messenger, and this is what is included in the testimony that Muhammad
is the Messenger of Allah.
Allah, the Most High,
said:
He it is Who sent among the unlettered
ones (Arabs) a Messenger (Muhammad) from themselves reciting to them His Aayaat
(verses) (which Allah sent down), purifying them (from the pollution of
unbelief), and teaching them the Book (al-Qur'an) and the Sunnah, and verily
they had been before (Allah sent him to them as a Messenger) in manifest error. [al-Jumu'ah 62:2]
Allah, the Most High,
said:
Muhammad is not the father of any man
amongst you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the
Prophets, and Allah is Ever All Aware of everything.
[al-Ahzaab 33:40]
Allah, the Most High,
said:
Say (O Muhammad) (to mankind): If you
(really) love Allah, then follow me…’.
[Aali Imraan
3:31]
The Prophet said:
All of my Ummah (i.e. the Muslims) will
enter paradise, except one who refuses.
They said: O Messenger of Allah! Who will refuse? The Prophet said: Whoever obeys me will enter
paradise, and whoever disobeys me – he has refused (i.e. to enter
paradise). [Reported by al-Bukhaaree]