Dear Believer:
As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu wa maghfiratuh! The SHAHADAH is what we say to become Muslims! Many Muslims are not aware that there are conditions that one must meet to be truly Muslim! Please read and study the following and reflect on yourself as you do so! Then ask yourself, "Am I a Believer or a Disbeliever?" Only you and Allah (SWT) know the answer!
SHAHADAH
A condition is a necessary requirement for something to be or happen. The conditions of Tawheed (The Oneness of Allah) are of great importance, it is compulsory on every Muslim to know and implement them in their daily lives. This is because if a person breaks one of these conditions, his Islam is nullified. Look at Prayer for example, if one of its’ conditions like facing the Qibla (direction of pray) or covering the Awra is violated, then the whole Prayer is invalid.
Seven conditions of Tawheed
1. The first condition is Al-Ilm (Knowledge)
It is mandatory upon every individual who pronounces the Shahadah to know what it means.
Allah (SWT) says: “So know that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah …” (Qur'an 47: 19)
Therefore if anyone ignores that Allah (SWT) is the only One Worthy of Worship, then his Islam is nullified, and due to this reason knowledge is considered as a basic condition in the acceptance of one’s Islam.
Uthman (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (RA) said: “He who dies knowing ‘La ilaha illallah’ that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah , shall enter Jannah (Paradise).” [Reported by Muslim]
Abdur Rahman Bin Hasan Aal AsSheikh (RA) said: The scholars of Ahl Sunnah Wal Jama’ah have stated while discussing the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and what makes it and breaks it, that knowledge with absolute belief has been made compulsory by Allah (SWT) upon everyone and that it is one of the conditions that can make or break the Shahadah.
Al-Wazir (Abul Muthafar) stated in his book Al ifsah: That to testify that there is no ilah but Allah requires that the witness should know fully the meaning of it.
Seven conditions of Tawheed
1. The first condition is Al-Ilm (Knowledge)
It is mandatory upon every individual who pronounces the Shahadah to know what it means.
Allah (SWT) says: “So know that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah …” (Qur'an 47: 19)
Therefore if anyone ignores that Allah (SWT) is the only One Worthy of Worship, then his Islam is nullified, and due to this reason knowledge is considered as a basic condition in the acceptance of one’s Islam.
Uthman (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (RA) said: “He who dies knowing ‘La ilaha illallah’ that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah , shall enter Jannah (Paradise).” [Reported by Muslim]
Abdur Rahman Bin Hasan Aal AsSheikh (RA) said: The scholars of Ahl Sunnah Wal Jama’ah have stated while discussing the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and what makes it and breaks it, that knowledge with absolute belief has been made compulsory by Allah (SWT) upon everyone and that it is one of the conditions that can make or break the Shahadah.
Al-Wazir (Abul Muthafar) stated in his book Al ifsah: That to testify that there is no ilah but Allah requires that the witness should know fully the meaning of it.
As Almighty Allah (SWT) says: “So know that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah” (Qur'an 47:19)
Abul Muthafar also stated that this declaration of faith “La ilaha illallah” consists of the rejection of Taghut (anything worshiped other than Allah) and the belief in Allah , therefore when one rejects all alihah (gods, deities) other than Allah (SWT) and then affirms that worship should be directed to no one but Allah (SWT), he has disbelieved in Taghut (anything worshiped other than Allah) and believed in Allah (SWT) Alone.” [Copied & Translated from Adurur Assaniyya 2/216]
Abul Muthafar also stated that this declaration of faith “La ilaha illallah” consists of the rejection of Taghut (anything worshiped other than Allah) and the belief in Allah , therefore when one rejects all alihah (gods, deities) other than Allah (SWT) and then affirms that worship should be directed to no one but Allah (SWT), he has disbelieved in Taghut (anything worshiped other than Allah) and believed in Allah (SWT) Alone.” [Copied & Translated from Adurur Assaniyya 2/216]
Abdullah Bin Abdur-Rahmaan Aba Batteen (RA) said: “Allah (SWT) says: “This is a message to mankind in order that they may be warned thereby and that they may know that He is One and that the people of understanding may take heed.” (Qur'an 14:52)
It is very important to note that Allah (SWT) didn’t say-“… and that they may say that He is One” He (SWT) said “…and that they may know that He is One.”
Allah (SWT) also says: “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 ofAllah , and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah).” (Qur'an 43:86.)
That is to say they should know in their hearts what they gave witness to with their tongues. The Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever dies with the knowledge that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah shall enter Jannah.” [Muslim]
The scholars referred to the previous Ayah and others like it as evidence to prove that the first obligation on a person is to know Allah (SWT). This Ayah proves that the largest of obligations is the knowledge of the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah' and that the greatest form of ignorance is to be ignorant of the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah'. Yet surprisingly, we still find that there are people who if they hear someone talking about the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah' as rejection and affirmation, they disagree because they think it is not their duty to judge people.
We answer them by saying that everyone is entrusted to learn Tawheed, for which Allah created both the Jinn and Mankind, and sent all His Prophets and Messengers to call to. You are required to know the opposite of Tawheed, which is Shirk, that Allah (SWT) does not forgive nor excuse out of ignorance, and it is also forbidden to blindly follow on this matter because it is the corner-stone and root of one’s Islam. Therefore anyone who does not enjoin the good and forbid evil is surely led far astray especially because the greatest good is Tawheed and the worst evil is Shirk.”
[Copied & Translated from Addurar Assoniyya 58/12]
Abdul Latif Bin Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Hasan Aal Ashaikh (RA) said: Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab (RA) said: “Anyone who says the Shahadah without knowing its meaning and without living or acting according to it is not a Muslim. In fact it would be used against him unlike Al Karamiya who claim that iman is fulfilled by mere acknowledgement or Al Jahriyya who claim that iman is achieved simply by belief.” [Copied & Translated from Addurur Assaniyya 535/12]
Allah (SWT) called the Munafiqeen liars after they came with false testimony claiming to be Muslims. They had verbally accepted Islam but Allah (SWT) exposed them as liars when He (SWT) said: “If the hypocrites come unto you and say: we bear witness that you are a Messenger of Allah: and Allah knows that you are his Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.” (Qur'an 63:1)
And from this we conclude that iman is achieved through belief in theory and practice. As for the one who says ‘La ilaha illallah’ and then goes and worships others besides Allah, his Shahadah is invalid even if he prays, gives Zakat (alms), fasts and implements all the other Islamic rituals.
Allah (SWT) also says: “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 ofAllah , and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah).” (Qur'an 43:86.)
That is to say they should know in their hearts what they gave witness to with their tongues. The Prophet of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever dies with the knowledge that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah shall enter Jannah.” [Muslim]
The scholars referred to the previous Ayah and others like it as evidence to prove that the first obligation on a person is to know Allah (SWT). This Ayah proves that the largest of obligations is the knowledge of the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah' and that the greatest form of ignorance is to be ignorant of the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah'. Yet surprisingly, we still find that there are people who if they hear someone talking about the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah' as rejection and affirmation, they disagree because they think it is not their duty to judge people.
We answer them by saying that everyone is entrusted to learn Tawheed, for which Allah created both the Jinn and Mankind, and sent all His Prophets and Messengers to call to. You are required to know the opposite of Tawheed, which is Shirk, that Allah (SWT) does not forgive nor excuse out of ignorance, and it is also forbidden to blindly follow on this matter because it is the corner-stone and root of one’s Islam. Therefore anyone who does not enjoin the good and forbid evil is surely led far astray especially because the greatest good is Tawheed and the worst evil is Shirk.”
[Copied & Translated from Addurar Assoniyya 58/12]
Abdul Latif Bin Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Hasan Aal Ashaikh (RA) said: Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab (RA) said: “Anyone who says the Shahadah without knowing its meaning and without living or acting according to it is not a Muslim. In fact it would be used against him unlike Al Karamiya who claim that iman is fulfilled by mere acknowledgement or Al Jahriyya who claim that iman is achieved simply by belief.” [Copied & Translated from Addurur Assaniyya 535/12]
Allah (SWT) called the Munafiqeen liars after they came with false testimony claiming to be Muslims. They had verbally accepted Islam but Allah (SWT) exposed them as liars when He (SWT) said: “If the hypocrites come unto you and say: we bear witness that you are a Messenger of Allah: and Allah knows that you are his Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars.” (Qur'an 63:1)
And from this we conclude that iman is achieved through belief in theory and practice. As for the one who says ‘La ilaha illallah’ and then goes and worships others besides Allah, his Shahadah is invalid even if he prays, gives Zakat (alms), fasts and implements all the other Islamic rituals.
Allah (SWT) addresses him in the Qur'an and says: “Do you believe in part of the book and disbelieve in another part…” (Qur'an 2:85)
2. The second condition of Tawheed is Al-Yaqeen (Certainty)
2. The second condition of Tawheed is Al-Yaqeen (Certainty)
After a person learns Tawheed and understands the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’, he must have absolute certainty about the fact that all forms of worship should be directed to Allah (SWT) alone and entertain no doubt or hesitation about it.
Allah (SWT) says: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allah and his Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and lives for the Cause of Allah. Those! They are the truthful people.” (Qur'an 49:15)
In a hadith of the Prophet (SAW), he is reported to have said: “I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship other than Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. Any slave who meets Allah and has no doubt about the truth of those two statements shall be placed in Jannah.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
3. The third condition of ‘La ilaha illallah’ is Al-Qubool (Acceptance)
Once a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, he must next verbally acknowledge that he has accepted the Shahadah and never deny it for any reason other than Ikrah (Compulsion).
In a hadith of the Prophet (SAW), he is reported to have said: “I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship other than Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. Any slave who meets Allah and has no doubt about the truth of those two statements shall be placed in Jannah.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
3. The third condition of ‘La ilaha illallah’ is Al-Qubool (Acceptance)
Once a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, he must next verbally acknowledge that he has accepted the Shahadah and never deny it for any reason other than Ikrah (Compulsion).
Allah (SWT) says: “Truly when it is said to them La ilaha illallah, they puffed themselves up with pride. And they would say “Are we going to abandon our alihah (gods) for an insane poet.” (Qur'an 37:35-36)
4. The fourth condition of Tawheed is Al-Inqiyaad (Compliance)
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al Yaqeen and has passed Al-Qubool, he next has to strive towards ‘La ilaha illallah’ with his actions and comply with what it requires. They should reject all false deities and direct all forms of worship to Allah (SWT) Alone.
4. The fourth condition of Tawheed is Al-Inqiyaad (Compliance)
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al Yaqeen and has passed Al-Qubool, he next has to strive towards ‘La ilaha illallah’ with his actions and comply with what it requires. They should reject all false deities and direct all forms of worship to Allah (SWT) Alone.
Allah (SWT) 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.” (Qur'an 4:65)
Note that the difference between Al-Qubool and Al-Inqiyaad is that Al-Qubool is accepting the Shahadah verbally but Al-Inqiyaad is acting according to what the Shahadah requires.
Abdur-Rahman Bin Hasan Al Ashaikh (RA) said: “It is not enough to claim to be a Muslim or to verbally declare ‘La ilaha illallah’. What Islam really means is to assert Allah’s (SWT) Oneness and submit fully to Him in terms of Lordship and worship both theoretically and practically.
Note that the difference between Al-Qubool and Al-Inqiyaad is that Al-Qubool is accepting the Shahadah verbally but Al-Inqiyaad is acting according to what the Shahadah requires.
Abdur-Rahman Bin Hasan Al Ashaikh (RA) said: “It is not enough to claim to be a Muslim or to verbally declare ‘La ilaha illallah’. What Islam really means is to assert Allah’s (SWT) Oneness and submit fully to Him in terms of Lordship and worship both theoretically and practically.
Allah (SWT) says: “And whoever rejects the Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break…” (Qur'an 2:256)
And He ((SWT)) also says: "You do not worship besides Him but only names which you have named (forged), you and your fathers, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command (or the judgment) is for none but Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him (i.e. His Monotheism), that is the (true) straight deen, but most men know not.” (Qur'an 12:40) [Addurar Assaniyya- The Book of Tawheed 264/2]
5. The fifth condition of Tawheed is As-Sidq (Truthfulness)
Once a person has understood Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and accepts it with full certainty and absolute compliance to its requirements, he should be truthful in what he has done. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah shall forbid the fire from anyone that bears witness truthfully from his heart that there is nothing worthy of worship except for Allah and that Muhammad is his slave and messenger.” [Bukhari and Muslim].
The Prophet (SAW) also said: “Whoever says 'La ilaha illallah' truthfully shall enter Jannah.” [Reported by Ahmad]
As for someone who declares Tawheed with his tongue and then rejects what it means in his heart then his Tawheed will not be accepted and it will not save him as Allah (SWT) clearly states about the Munaafiqeen when they said: “we bear witness that you are a Messenger of Allah” (Qur'an 63:1)
5. The fifth condition of Tawheed is As-Sidq (Truthfulness)
Once a person has understood Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and accepts it with full certainty and absolute compliance to its requirements, he should be truthful in what he has done. The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah shall forbid the fire from anyone that bears witness truthfully from his heart that there is nothing worthy of worship except for Allah and that Muhammad is his slave and messenger.” [Bukhari and Muslim].
The Prophet (SAW) also said: “Whoever says 'La ilaha illallah' truthfully shall enter Jannah.” [Reported by Ahmad]
As for someone who declares Tawheed with his tongue and then rejects what it means in his heart then his Tawheed will not be accepted and it will not save him as Allah (SWT) clearly states about the Munaafiqeen when they said: “we bear witness that you are a Messenger of Allah” (Qur'an 63:1)
Allah (SWT) answered them by saying: “When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad SAW), they say: "We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah." Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed.” (Qur'an 63:1)
Allah (SWT) has also called them liars by saying: “And of the people are those who say - we have believed in Allah and in the final day while in fact they believe not.” (Qur'an 2:8)
6. The sixth condition of Tawheed is Al-Ikhlaas (Sincerity)
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, Al- Qubool, Al-inqiyaad and has done it with As-Sidq he next has to have Al-Ikhlaas. Al-Ikhlaas is to make all forms of worship for Allah Alone, not for anyone or anyone else.
Allah (SWT) has also called them liars by saying: “And of the people are those who say - we have believed in Allah and in the final day while in fact they believe not.” (Qur'an 2:8)
6. The sixth condition of Tawheed is Al-Ikhlaas (Sincerity)
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, Al- Qubool, Al-inqiyaad and has done it with As-Sidq he next has to have Al-Ikhlaas. Al-Ikhlaas is to make all forms of worship for Allah Alone, not for anyone or anyone else.
Allah (SWT) says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone and perform Salat, and give Zakat, and that is the right deen.” (Qur'an 98:5)
Also in the meaning of Al-Ikhlaas is that the person should not pronounce their Islam with the willingness to please anyone or anything other than Allah (SWT). The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah has forbidden to the fire the one who says ‘La ilaha illallah’ in the cause of Allah.” [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim].
He (SAW) also said: “The happiest people with my intercession on the day of Judgment are those who say ‘La ilaha illallah’ sincerely from their hearts (to Allah).” [Bukhari]
Also in the meaning of Al-Ikhlaas is that the person should not pronounce their Islam with the willingness to please anyone or anything other than Allah (SWT). The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah has forbidden to the fire the one who says ‘La ilaha illallah’ in the cause of Allah.” [Reported by Bukhari & Muslim].
He (SAW) also said: “The happiest people with my intercession on the day of Judgment are those who say ‘La ilaha illallah’ sincerely from their hearts (to Allah).” [Bukhari]
7. The seventh condition of Tawheed is Al-Mahabba (Love)
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, Al- Qubool, Al-inqiyaad and has done it with As-Sidq and Al-ikhlaas, he should love the fact that the only one worthy of worship is Allah (SWT) and show his love for Allah (SWT) with his tongue.
After a person has learned Tawheed and the meaning of ‘La ilaha illallah’ and has Al-Yaqeen, Al- Qubool, Al-inqiyaad and has done it with As-Sidq and Al-ikhlaas, he should love the fact that the only one worthy of worship is Allah (SWT) and show his love for Allah (SWT) with his tongue.
Allah (SWT) says: “And of mankind are some who take others for worship besides Allah as rivals. They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more. If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment that all power is with Allah, and that Allah is Severe in punishment.” (Qur'an 2:165)
Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Hasan Aal Ashaikh (RA) said: “Most people ignore the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah', and even if they declare it with their tongue, they have denied its meaning. One should pay attention to these six or seven conditions without which one cannot be safe from Kufr (disbelief) or Nifaaq (hypocrisy). A person can only become a Muslim if these conditions are met and implemented because the heart should confirm with the tongue in terms of theory, knowledge, action, practice, belief, acceptance, love and compliance.
So knowledge is essential as opposed to ignorance, sincerity as opposed to Shirk and truthfulness as opposed to lies unlike the Mushrikeen and the hypocrites. Certainty is also essential as opposed to doubt, because one can say 'La ilaha illallah'… and be doubtful of its meaning and requirements. Love as opposed to hatred, and acceptance as opposed to rejection, because one can understand its meaning but rejects it as was the case with the Pagan (Mushrikeen) Arabs.
Abdur-Rahmaan Bin Hasan Aal Ashaikh (RA) said: “Most people ignore the meaning of 'La ilaha illallah', and even if they declare it with their tongue, they have denied its meaning. One should pay attention to these six or seven conditions without which one cannot be safe from Kufr (disbelief) or Nifaaq (hypocrisy). A person can only become a Muslim if these conditions are met and implemented because the heart should confirm with the tongue in terms of theory, knowledge, action, practice, belief, acceptance, love and compliance.
So knowledge is essential as opposed to ignorance, sincerity as opposed to Shirk and truthfulness as opposed to lies unlike the Mushrikeen and the hypocrites. Certainty is also essential as opposed to doubt, because one can say 'La ilaha illallah'… and be doubtful of its meaning and requirements. Love as opposed to hatred, and acceptance as opposed to rejection, because one can understand its meaning but rejects it as was the case with the Pagan (Mushrikeen) Arabs.
Compliance with ‘La ilaha illallah’ as opposed to shirk in the sense that the one who does not act according to it and complies with its requirements will certainly be a Mushrik, a person who associates partners with Allah (SWT). So anyone who fulfills all these conditions, has gained the light with which he worships Allah (SWT) and he has ultimately followed the right and straight path.” [Copied and translated from Addurur Assaniyya - The Book of Tawheed 255/2]
No comments:
Post a Comment