THE MEANING OF “LA ILAAHA ILLA
ALLAH , MUHAMMAD RASOOLULLAH”
AND CONDITIONS OF “LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH .”
The Muslims, who are muslims by birth, are lucky that they have the rightist
inherited path and it is easy for them to follow the teachings of Islam but at
the same time it is unfortunate that many of us even do not understand the
simple meanings of what we owe when we testify that ALLAH the almighty is one
and Muhammad (PBUH) is His last prophet. The following submission may let you
understand what the testimony of faith is.
THE MEANING OF THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH
The testimony (LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH ) comprises two concepts:
Denial and Affirmation
FIRST
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, let alone 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.
SECOND:
The testimony of faith affirms and restricts divinity to ALLAH alone. That is,
the slave must believe that ALLAH is the only true God,and accordingly dedicate
no act of worship to any, other than ALLAH.
THE MEANING OF MUHAMMAD RASOOLULLAH
A confession with your tongue but a heart felt belief, “O ALLAH! I testify that
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is Your Messenger.” That means that none has the
right to be followed after ALLAH, but the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
as he is the Last of His Messengers. As ALLAH said:
“Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is not the father on 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.” (V.33:40)
“And whatsoever the Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gives you, take it
and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it.” (V.59:7)
And ALLAH said: “Say (O Muhammad) (to mankind) ‘if you (really) love ALLAH, then
follow me’.” (V.3:31)
As for the others than Muhammad (Peace be upon him) their statements are to be
taken or rejected as to whether these are in accordance with ALLAH’s Book (i.e.
the Quran) or with the Sunnah (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements
etc.,) of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), or not.
CONDITIONS OF “LA ILAAHA ILLA ALLAH”
1. Knowledge, which consists of recognizing ALLAH as the only true God to Whom
worship must be dedicated, and denouncing all gods worshipped beside ALLAH as
false, and that they can neither extend benefit nor cause harm
2. Certainty that the belief in ALLAH must be unblemished with any doubt.
3. Acceptance: That is, to accept all the conditions of the declaration.
4. Submission: That is, to fulfill its conditions submissively and willingly
being content with ALLAH as the Rabb (only Lord) and Muhammad (Peace be upon
him) as His last Prophet and Messenger.
5. Truthfulness: That is, to fulfill its requirements truthfully.
6. Sincerity: That is, to be sincere in worshipping ALLAH,
dedicating all acts of worship to Him alone.
7. The love of ALLAH - the Exalted, and the love of His
Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and the love
of ALLAH’s devotees and the people of His obedience, which
means love of all Muslims
Finally it should be borne in mind that ALLAH must be obeyed, by following His
commands and refraining from His prohibitions. Obedience to ALLAH must be
associated with loving Him, fearing His punishment, and hoping for His reward,
seeking His forgiveness and adhering to the teachings of His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- the last of ALLAH’s Messengers. The Shari’ah (the laws and religious rites) of
Muhammad (PBUH)abrogates all other preceding laws and religious rites and this
comprises the best of every preceding Shari’ah.
Courtesy:
www.e-quranlearning.com