Muhamdur-rasoolullaah; pillars and conditions

PILLARS

1. To believe in His Message
2. To believe that he salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam is a slave worshipper of
Allaah.

Muslims do not raise the prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam above his truthful rank by being excessive regarding him and giving him divine attributes. Those who ascribe divinity to the Messenger of Allaah fall into the same category as those who ascribe divinity to others besides Allaah. Muslims believe that the Prophet cannot cause any harm or benefit in calling upon him for help. Muslims also believe that the prophet does not have knowledge of the unseen and only knows those things that Allaah informed him about. This is a great honour and respect for the Messenger of Allaah, and he salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam said “verily I am a slave so say ‘messenger of Allaah and His slave’”

And Allaah the Most High said in this respect:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاء رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

“Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Al-Kahf 18:110)

CONDITIONS

1. Attesting to his message and believing in it in the heart
2. Uttering it and attesting to it by the tongue
3. Following the messenger by abiding by what he brought from truth and avoiding
what he forbade from falsehood
4. Believing what he informed us about regarding events that took place in the past
and what would take place in the future (these events are informed to him by
Allaah).
5. Loving the messenger more than oneself, wealth, children, and all of mankind
6. Giving his statements precedence over anyone else’s statement

continuing Muhammadur-rasoolullaah

Believing that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah is the second part of the Shahaadah. The first part of Muhammadur-rasoolullaah was discussed in the previous post. It is the belief that whatever Allaah told us about Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) must be true. Now we continue on to the second part of the meaning of Muhammadur-rasoolullaah.

2) That we must worship Allaah as taught by Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam)

The obedience to Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is an Order from Allaah:

وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانتَهُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.” (Al-Hashr 59:7)

The meaning of the above ayah (verse) is very well illustrated in the following
narration:

Narrated ‘Alqama: Abdullaah (bin Mas’ud) said, “Allaah curses those ladies who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those ladies who remove the hair from their faces and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth to look more beautiful whereby they change Allaah’s creation. “His saying reached a lady from Bani Asd called Um Ya’qub who came (to Abdullaah) and said: “I have come to know that you have cursed such-and-such (ladies)?” He replied: “Why should not I curse these whom Allaah’s Messenger cursed and who are cursed in Allaah’s Book!” Um Ya’qub said, “I have read the whole Qur’an and I have not found in it what you say.” He said, “Verily if you have read it (i.e. the Qur’an), you have found it. Didn’t you read: “And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” She replied, “Yes, I did.” He said, “Verily, Allaah’s Messenger forbade these things.” She said, “But I see your wife doing these things?” He said, “Go and watch her.” She went and watched her but could not see anything in support of her statement. On that he said, “If my wife were as you thought, I would not keep her in my company (i.e. I would divorce her).”

Allaah The Mighty, The Majestic said:

مَّنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللّهَ وَمَن تَوَلَّى فَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ حَفِيظًا

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allâh, but he who turns away, then we have not sent you (O Muhammad) as a watcher over them.” (An-Nisa 4:80)

The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said:
“Whoever obeys me, he obeys Allaah, and whoever disobeys me, he disobeys Allaah,and whoever obeys the ruler I appoint, he obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, he disobeys me.” [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

He (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) also said:

“All of my followers will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said: ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! Who will refuse?’ He said,”Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses (to enter it).” [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

The matters discussing worship of Allaah, discipline, orders, advice, approvals, and recommendations as detailed by Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) are collectively known as Sunnah. The Sunnah is also meant to emphasize the correct way of understanding the deen of Islam, in contrast with the ways of deviations and (or) innovations. The Sunnah is an inspiration from Allaah and is not the Prophet’s own ideas, thoughts or desires, as Allaah said in souratun-najm:

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَى / إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَى

“Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired.” (An-Najm 53:3-4)

So, in obeying the Prophet’s Sunnah we are obeying Allaah. There should be no resistance to the way of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam). He must be taken as a judge in all disputes as Allaah clearly commands:

فَلاَ وَرَبِّكَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىَ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لاَ يَجِدُواْ فِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيمًا

“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.” (An-Nisa 4:65)

And He, the Most High, also said:

فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.“(An-Nur 24:63)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said in a hadeeth:
“He who does an act which our matter (i.e. our religion) is not in agreement with,
will have it rejected.” [Related by Muslim and Al-Bukhaaree with a different
wording].

The Sunnah of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is surely safeguarded as Allaah promised to save the Message of Islam from any human corruption. The following of the Sunnah of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is the manifestation of the declaration that “MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAAH”:

Allaah, the Most High, said:

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): “If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Aali Imran 3:31)

In SUMMARY

The declaration that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah is an integral part of faith. Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) must be trusted in all that he informed us about Islaam. He must be obeyed in all that he ordered and we must stay away from all that he forbade. The obedience to Muhammad is an obedience to Allaah. He left us with all that leads to Paradise and warned us from all that leads to Hell.

Reference

Muhammadur-rasoolullaah – Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah

Muhammadan Rasoolullaah

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah

This is the second part of the Shahaadah. It is the belief that Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) is the final and last Messenger of Allaah. This means that:

1) Whatever Allaah told us about Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) must be true

Allaah says in His noble book:

لَقَدْ جَاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves (i.e. whom you know well). It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is anxious over you (to be rightly guided, to repent to Allâh, and beg Him to pardon and forgive your sins, in order that you may enter Paradise and be saved from the punishment of the Hell-fire), for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful. (At-Tawbah 9:128)

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ شَاهِدًا وَمُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا / وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا مُّنِيرًا

O Prophet! Verily, We have sent you as witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner, / And as one who invites to Allâh [Islâmic Monotheism, i.e. to worship none but Allâh (Alone)] by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light (through your instructions from the Qur’ân and the Sunnah the legal ways of the Prophet). (Al-Ahzab 33:45-46)

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَهُكُمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاء رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا

Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Al-Kahf 18:110)

أَكَانَ لِلنَّاسِ عَجَبًا أَنْ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِّنْهُمْ أَنْ أَنذِرِ النَّاسَ وَبَشِّرِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَنَّ لَهُمْ قَدَمَ صِدْقٍ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ قَالَ الْكَافِرُونَ إِنَّ هَـذَا لَسَاحِرٌ مُّبِينٌ

Is it wonder for mankind that We have sent Our Inspiration to a man from among themselves (i.e. Prophet Muhammad) (saying): “Warn mankind (of the coming torment in Hell), and give good news to those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and in His Prophet Muhammad) that they shall have with their Lord the rewards of their good deeds?” (But) the disbelievers say: “This is indeed an evident sorcerer (i.e. Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’ân)! (Yunus 10:2)

قُل لاَّ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلاَ ضَرًّا إِلاَّ مَا شَاء اللّهُ وَلَوْ كُنتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لاَسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ إِنْ أَنَاْ إِلاَّ نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “I possess no power of benefit or hurt to myself except as Allâh wills. If I had the knowledge of the Ghaib (unseen), I should have secured for myself an abundance of wealth, and no evil should have touched me. I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings unto people who believe.” (Al-A’raf 7:188)

This is the first part of Muhammadur-rasoolullaah, that we are to believe in whatever Allaah told us about him salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam. If Allaah wills, we will continue in the next post the second part which is that we are to worship Allaah, the Most High, only as taught to us by Prophet Muhammad.

Reference

The Meaning of Taaghoot

The Meaning of Taaghoot

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab
SOURCE: His short treatise “Ma’anaa at-Taaghoot wa Ru’oos Anwaa’ihi”
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that the first thing Allaah obligated on the Son of Adam is to reject the Taaghoot and believe in Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allaah alone and avoid the Taaghoot (false deities).” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

As for the description of Rejecting the Taaghoot, then it is that you believe in the futility of worshipping other than Allaah, and that you abandon doing so and hate it, and that you reject and make enmity with does who do it. And as for the meaning of Believing in Allaah, then it is that you believe that Allaah is the only true God who deserves to be worshipped alone, apart from everything else besides Him. And it is that you make all types of worship – every act – sincerely for Allaah alone, while negating and rejecting that from everything else that is worshipped besides Him.

It also entails that you love and show friendship to the people of Ikhlaas (i.e. Islaam), while hating and showing enmity to the people of Shirk. This is the Religion of Ibraaheem, of which those who turn away from it only fool themselves. And this is the good example that Allaah informs us of in His saying: “There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah. We have rejected you and there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allaah alone.’” [Surah Al-Mumtahanah: 4]

The word Taaghoot is general. So everything that is worshipped besides Allaah, while being pleased with this worship – whether it is something worshipped, someone followed, or someone obeyed in the absence of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, then that is considered Taaghoot. The Tawaagheet (pl. of Taaghoot) are many, but their heads are five:

The First: The Devil who calls the people to worship other than Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “Did I not command you O children of Aadam, that you should not worship the Devil. Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.” [Surah YaaSeen: 60]

The Second: The tyrannical and oppressive ruler who changes Allaah’s rulings. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim to believe in that which has been revealed to you, and that which was revealed before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot, when they have been ordered to reject them? But the Devil wishes to lead them far astray.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 60]

The Third: The one who judges by other than what Allaah has revealed, and the proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And whoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed, then they are the disbelievers.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 44]

The Fourth: The one who claims to have knowledge of the Unseen, apart from Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “He alone is the All-Knower of the Unseen, and He does not disclose His Unseen matters to anyone.” [Surah Al-Jinn: 26-27] And He says: “And with Him lie the keys to the Unseen, no one knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls except that He knows about it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but that it is written in a Clear Record.” [Surah Al-Ana’aam: 59]

The Fifth: The one who is worshipped apart from Allaah, while being pleased with being worshipped. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And whoever amongst them says: ‘Verily, I am a God besides Him (Allaah)’, then this person’s recompense will be the Hellfire. That is the way we recompense the wrongdoers.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 29]

And know that man will never become a believer in Allaah unless he rejects and disbelieves in the Taaghoot. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “There is no compulsion in the Religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. So whoever disbelieves in the Taaghoot and believes in Allaah, then he has taken hold of the firmest handhold, that will never break. And Allaah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 256]

The “right path” here refers to the Religion of Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), while the “wrong path” refers to the Religion of Abu Jahl. The “firmest handhold” refers to the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah (Laa Ilaaha Illallaah). This testimony consists of a negation and an affirmation. It negates all types of worship from those worshipped besides Allaah, while affirming all types of worship done for Allaah alone, free from any partner.

8th Condition – Disbelief in Taaghoot

8. Disbelief in the Tawaagheet (pl. of taaghoot) 

As was mentioned in the post on the 2 pillars of laa ilaaha illallaah, it is a pillar of the shahaadah as well as a condition that one disbelieves and rejects anything that is worshipped besides Allaah. (a post explaining the term taaghoot will follow inshaAllaah)

قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

Taariq ibn Asheem (may Allaah be pleased with him) said; I heard the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) say, “Whoever say that there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allaah, and he disbelieves in whatever is worshipped besides Allaah, then Allaah has mde his blood and wealth unlawful. And his reckoning is with Allaah”. [Muslim, Musnad Imam Ahmed].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

6. Submission

7. Acceptance

7th Condition – Acceptance (Al-Qabool)

7. Acceptance (al-Qabool) – contrary to rejection and denial

It is not enough to recognize the greatness of Islam and that it is the Truth, but this recognition must be ascertained by humble acceptance and humility. One must accept the statement of Laa ilaaha illallaah in his/her heart as well as on their tongue. The adherence to the meaning of this declaration safeguards the believer from false pride, arrogance and disdainfulness:

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ / وَيَقُولُونَ أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوا آلِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ مَّجْنُونٍ

Truly, when it was said to them: Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it) / And (they) said: “Are we going to abandon our âliha (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?. (As-Saffat 37:35-36)

The Muslim must realize that this testimony stands against bigoted and blind imitation and calls for an acceptance of the teachings of Islam according to the understanding of those who followed the correct path. They are the companions and those who follow their footsteps until the day of resurrection. This path is knows as the Path of as-Salafus-Saalih (righteous predecessors).

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) gave amazing parables for those who accept and those who reject the guidance and teachings of Islam. He said:
“The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allaah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allaah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allaah’s religion and gets benefit (from knowledge) which LAllaah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allaah’s guidance revealed through me (he is like that barren land). [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

6. Submission

The next condition we will discuss is Disbelief in Taaghoot, InshaAllaah.

6th Condition – Submission (Al-Inqiyaad)

6. Submission/ Compliance/Surrender (Al-Inqiyaad) – contrary to abandonment

One is required to submit and surrender in Islam whole heartedly. The testimony is fulfilled by obedience to Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) and by safeguarding against what Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta’ala, forbids:

وَمَن يُسْلِمْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى وَإِلَى اللَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to Allâh return all matters for decision. (Luqman 31:22)

Meaning of this ayah:
1. submits his face – meaning submission and obedience
2. a Muhsin – meaning he is a monotheist, one who worship Allaah only [a muwahhid – affirmer of tawheed(singling out Allaah in worship)]
3. the most trustworthy handhold – it is the statement laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah)
[reference: Al-qawl al-mufeed 7th ed. by shaykh Abo Ibraheem Muhammad al-wasaabee]

The compliance to the declaration of the Shahaadah must be free of hesitation. Rather it is a matter of full submission. This is well illustrated in the saying of Allaah, The Most High:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error. (Al-Ahzab 33:36)

The decrees of Allaah and His Messenger are not subject to human evaluation. The Message is a Revelation. What it contains is for the benefit of man. Therefore, man’s submission in Islam is for his own good.

The Prophet of Allaah salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam said:
“No one from amongst you has believed until his desire is in compliance with what I have come with”.
[mentioned as authentic by imam an-nawawee in 40 hadeeth an-nawawee, al-haafidh al-hakamee also graded it as authentic.]

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

The next condition we will discuss is Acceptance, InshaAllaah.

5th Condition – Love

5. Love (Al-Mahabbah) – in opposition to haterd

Love in Islam means:
a) to love Allaah and His Messenger, Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam), more than all else,
b) to love what Allaah and His Messenger love, and
c) to hate or dislike what Allaah and His Messenger hate or dislike in all matters
that are related to Islam.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said:
“Whoever possesses (the following) three qualities will taste the sweetness (delight) of Eemaan (Faith):
1.) The one to whom Allaah and His Messenger becomes dearer than anything else;
2.) that he loves a person for Allaah alone (i.e. to purely seek Allaah and His Pleasure);
3.) that he hates to revert to Kufr (disbelief) after Allaah has rescued him from it as he hates to be thrown into Hell.”
[Collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].

The love of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad must be translated into following their orders. This negates following innovators and/or their innovations, those who introduce concepts and/or ways that are not according to Islamic teachings: like the mystics of Sufism and their so-called Tareeqas (ways) which have nothing to do with Islam. Their ideas originated from Hindu concepts. They elevate their Sufi Sheikhs and leaders to divine levels. Similarly, the Raafidhah (Rejectionist Shia) elevate ‘Ali and other members of the household of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) to divine levels, invoking them besides, or to the exclusion of Allaah. Allaah, The Mighty, The Majestic, said:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ أَندَاداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّهِ

“And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allâh as rivals (to Allâh). They love them as they love Allâh. But those who believe, love Allâh more (than anything else)” (Al-Baqarah 2:165)

In the following narration, Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said one statement and I said another. The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said: “Whoever dies while still invoking anything other than Allaah as a rival to Allaah, will enter Hell (Fire).” And I said, “Whoever dies without invoking anything as a rival to Allaah, will enter Al-Jannah (Paradise).” [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

The Love of Allaah and His message of Islam is related to the Knowledge of Him and of His Names and Attributes. The more the person knows of Allaah, the love of Him becomes stronger. This makes the believer eager to meet Allaah, see Him, and listen to His Words in the Hereafter. This becomes the goal and all the worldly attachment gets weaker and weaker. The spirit is lifted up. It aims high towards its Creator. It would not trap itself on any road that would lead to other than the submission to Allaah alone. The person becomes motivated to comply with Allaah’s command to the best of his abilities. This produces the true happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

The next condition we will discuss is Submission, InshaAllaah.

To continue reading all the conditions Click Here

4th Condition – Truthfulness

4. Truthfulness (As-Sidq) – in opposition to lying

Truthfulness paves the way for a meaningful understanding of this testimony. It strengthens the drive of man towards achieving knowledge about his Creator, Allaah.

The hypocrites utter the testimony, but they conceal rejection in their hearts:

يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ

“They said with their tongues what is not in their Hearts.” (Al-Fath, 48:11)

The heart is like the king and the limbs are the soldiers.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said:
“Truly there is a piece of flesh in the body if it become good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body becomes spoilt.” [Part of a hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree & Muslim].

When the love of Allaah fills the heart, truthfulness and honesty fill it too, but when desire gets to the heart, the way for corruption and hypocrisy becomes opened and man will utter what is not really in his heart.

The whole and sound heart is the one free from:

a) association of anyone /anything in the worship of Allaah,
b) false pride and arrogance
c) envy
d) misery
e) love for this life
f) love for leadership and domination
g) lust
h) bid’ah (innovation in religion)

This is the kind of heart that fulfills the declaration of Shahaadah. This is known in the Qur’an as “Al-Qalbu as-Saleem,”the clean, sound, safe and whole heart,” and it is the thing that really counts on the Day of Reckoning :

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُون / إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail /Except him who brings to Allâh a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifâq (hypocrisy)].” (Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89).

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

The next condition we will discuss is Love, InshaAllaah

To continue reading all the conditions Click Here

3rd Condition – Sincerity

3. Purity and Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas) – in opposition to shirk

The intention of accepting Islam and performing all acts of worship must be purely devoted to Allaah:

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

“Say: ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship’” (Az-Zumar 39:11)

So, when one declares this testimony, he should be doing so solely for the sake of Allaah, not for anyone else. Purity and sincerity is the opposite of Shirk (associating others in that which is due to Allaah alone). The one who proclaims this Shahaadah (testimony) for any worldly gain has failed to meet this condition of sincerity of worship and has failed to meet Allaah’s command, when He subhaanahu wa ta’alaa says:

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Say: “Allâh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.” (Az-Zumar 39:14)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Allaah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says laa ilaaha illallaah seeking by this the Face of Allaah.”[An agreed upon hadeeth i.e. found in both Bukhari and Muslim].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

The next condition we will discuss is Truthfulness, InshaAllaah