Confession of a Muslim
La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah
(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad
is the Messenger of Allah)
Shahada has three aspects: A, B,
and C
A: To be a muslim is to pledge the
above covenant with Allah, the Creator of the heavens and earth, the Ruler of
all that exists, the Lord of Majesty and Highness, stating
La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad -ur-Rasool-Allah,
but first one must understand what this means.
Believing "La ilaha il Allah"
(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)
Point 1: Tauhid-ar-Rububiyya
- A confession with your heart that the Creator (of everything) is Allah,
subhana watala, it is that you have to say: "I
testify that the Creator of all the universe, including the stars, the
planets, the sun, the moon, the heavens, the earth with all its known and
unknown forms of life, is Allah. He is the Organizer and Planner of all its
affairs. It is He Who gives life and death, and He (i.e. Allah Alone) is the
Sustainer, and the Giver of Security, etc." And this is called
your confession for the "Oneness of the Lordship of Allah,"
Tauhid-ar-Rububiyya.
Point 2: Tauhid-al-Uluhiyya
- A confession with your heart that you have to say: "I
testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone."
The word "Worship" (i.e. Ibadah) carries a great number of meanings in the
Arabic language: It conveys that all kinds of worship are meant for Allah
(and none else, whether it be an angel, Messenger, Prophet Jesus - son of
Mary, Ezra, Muhammad, saint, idol, the sun, the moon and all other kinds of
false deities). So pray to none but Allah, invoke none but Allah, ask for
help from none (unseen) but Allah, swear by none but Allah, offer an animal
as sacrifice to none but Allah, …etc. and that means, -- all that Allah and
Allah’s Messenger, saaws, order you to do (in Qur’an and in As-Sunna [legal
ways of Prophet Muhammad
])
you must do, and all that Allah, s.w.t, Allah’s Messenger
forbid you, you must not do. And this is called (your confession for the)
"Oneness of the worship of Allah", Tauhid-al-Uluhiyya. And
that you (mankind) worship none but Allah, subhana watala.
- Those whom they invoke besides Allâh have not created anything,
but are themselves created. [The Noble
Qur'an 16:20]
Point 3: Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat
- A confession with your heart that you have to say: "O
Allah! I testify that all the best of names and the most perfect qualities
with which You have named or qualified Yourself in Your Book (i.e. the
Qur’an) or as Your Prophet Muhammad (saaws) has named or qualified You, with
his statement, I confirm that all those (names and qualifications) are for
You without changing their meanings or neglecting them completely or giving
resemblance to others." As Allah, swt, said:
"There is nothing like unto Him and He is the
All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (v.42:11)
- This holy Ayat (verse) confirms the quality of hearing and the quality
of sight for Allah, subhana watala without resemblance to others, and
likewise. Allah, subhana watala, also said:
"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands,"
(v.38:75)
"The Hand of Allah is over their hands."
(v. 48:10)
- This confirms two Hands for Allah, swt, but there is no similarity for
them. Similarly Allah, swt, said:
"The Most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the
(Mighty) Throne." (v.20:5)
- So Allah rose over the Throne really in a manner that suits His Majesty.
And Allah is over Allah’s Throne over the seventh heaven, as the slave-girl
pointed towards the heavens, when Allah’s Messenger (Muhammad, saaws) asked
her as to where Allah is? He only comes down over the first (nearest) heaven
to us on the day of ‘Arafat (Hajj, i.e. the 9th of Dhul-Hijja), and also
during the last third part of the night as mentioned by the Prophet saaws,
but Allah is with us by His Knowledge only, not by His Personal-Self (bi-Dhatihi).
It is not like that, as some people say that Allah is present everywhere
here, there, and even inside the breasts of men. He sees and hears all that
we do or utter, etc. And this is called (your confession for the) "Oneness
of the Names and Qualities of Allah" Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat
and this is the right Faith, the Faith which was followed by the Messengers
of Allah (from Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus to Muhammad,
peace be upon them all, and the companions of Prophet Muhammad
and the righteous followers [i.e. the salaf ] of these Messengers,
saaws.
Believing "Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah"
(Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)"
- A confession with your heart that you have to say: "O
Allah! I testify that Muhammad is Your Messenger." That means
that none has the right to be followed after Allah, but Prophet Muhammad,
peace be upon him, as he is the last of Allah’s Messengers. As Allah said:
"Muhammad (saaws) is not the father of any man among
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, saaws,
gives you, take it
and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it." (v.
59:7)
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really)
love Allah, then follow me.’" (v. 3:31)
As for others than Muhammad
,
their statements are to be taken or rejected as to whether these are in
accordance with Allah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an) or with the Sunna (legal ways,
orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) of the Prophet, saaws, i.e. Sunna
or not. As the Divine Inspiration has stopped after the death of Muhammad
,
and it will not resume except at the time of the Descent of Jesus, son of Mary
and he (i.e. Jesus) will rule with justice according to the Islamic laws,
during the last days of the world as it has been mentioned in the authentic
Hadith (i.e. narration) of Prophet Muhammad
in Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Hadith No. 425.
B: It is essential to utter, La ilaha
ill Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but
Allah, and Muhammad s.a.a.w.s. is the Messenger of Allah, s.w.t). As it has
come in the statement of Prophet Muhammad
to his uncle Abu Talib at the time of the latter’s death: "O uncle, if you
utter it (La ilaha ill Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah), then I shall be able
to argue on your behalf before Allah, on the Day of Resurrection." Similarly,
when Abu Dhar Al-Ghiffari embraced Islam, he went to Al-Masjid-al-Haram and he
proclaimed it loudly in front of the Quraish infidels until he was beaten
severely.
C: It is essential that the limbs and
all other parts and organs of one’s body testify to it, and this is very
important as regards its meaning (i.e. the meaning of La ilaha ill Allah,
Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allah). So whoever has confessed this (with his or her
Lord), he shall not commit sins like robbing, killing, stealing, illegal
sexual intercourse, eating pig meat, drinking alcoholic beverages, taking
undue advantage of orphan’s property, cheating in trade, bribery and earning
money through illegal means, telling lies, back-biting etc., or otherwise the
limbs, all other parts and organs of his body will testify against him that he
was a liar in his words which he pledged to Allah, swt. In case he commits the
above sins, he should know that it is a sin that obliges him to repent to
Allah, swt, and ask Allah’s Forgiveness, as (his) body parts (i.e. skin,
private parts, hands, tongue, ears, etc.) will testify to the above mentioned
crimes (i.e. actions) against his self on the Day of Resurrection.
And with the confession of this great sentence (i.e. principle) a person
enters in the fold of (i.e. embraces) the Islamic religion accordingly. It is
essential for him to believe in all the Messengers of Allah (peace be upon
them all) and not to differentiate between them. As it is mentioned in Allah’s
Book (Qur’an):
"Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My
slaves (i.e. the angels; Allah’s Messengers; Jesus, son of Mary, etc.) as
‘Auliya (lords gods, protectors supporters etc.) besides Me? Verily We have
prepared Hell as an entertainment for the disbelievers (in the Oneness of
Allah - Islamic Monotheism). Say (O Muhammad
);
‘Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds?’ Those
whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought they were
acquiring good by their deeds?"
"They are those who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and the meeting with Him (in
the Hereafter). So their works are in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We
shall not give them any weight."
"That shall be their recompense, Hell; because they
disbelieved and took my Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations,
etc.) and My Messengers by way of jest and mockery."
"Verily! Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic
Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, they shall have the Gardens of Al-Firdaus
(Paradise) for their entertainment."
"Wherein they shall dwell (forever). No desire will they have
to be removed therefrom."
"Say (O Muhammad
to mankind): If the sea were ink for (writing) the Words of my Lord, surely
the sea would be exhausted, before the Words of my Lord would be finished even
if We brought (another sea) like it for its said."
"Say (O Muhammad
):
I am only a man like you, it has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is
One Ilah (God, --i.e. Allah). 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." (v. 18:102-110).
What are some of the other
basics of becoming a Muslim?
The acceptance of the righteous deeds (such as your Shahada/confession
to become a muslim) is stipulated with the following two basic conditions
which must be fulfilled:
- The intentions while doing such deeds must be totally for Allah’s sake
only without any show off or gaining praise or fame, etc.
- Such a deed must be performed in accordance with the As-Sunna (legal
ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) of Allah’s Messenger
Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah, the last (end) of all the Prophets and the
Messengers, saaws.
You are only held accountable for that which you know. And you are
also held accountable to make the time to learn that which you
don't know, in areas you know you need to learn about.
So, if you are not a muslim, it is your responsibility to seek the
knowledge of Al-Islam, to ask questions about things you do not understand or
agree with regarding the basic fundamental beliefs of Islam (as explained
above).
How do I become a Muslim?
By first attaining the above understanding of shahada ("La ilaha il
Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah") and then confessing it to Allah, glory and
praise to Him.
To take your Shahada (i.e. make the confession of faith), just make
your best attempt at pronouncing, in arabic, the statement, "Ashadu
an (I bear witness that) La ilaha il Allah, Muhammad-ur-Rasool-Allah".
You do not have to have witnesses to this event, and you should not make a
big ceremony out of it, because it is a very personal committment. It is,
however, recommended, if you can, to make your shahada with muslim
witnesses, but do not delay becoming a muslim for this or any such reason. After
you become a muslim, then you are held responsible for learning when and how
to do salah and wudu, acting upon the pillars of Islam and faith, and for
implementing what you learn, when you learn it.
What should I do after
becoming a muslim?
Immediately upon becoming a muslim, you should take a bath or shower (i.e.
Ghusl).
If able, you should then offer a two Rak’at prayer.
Then you must study and act upon the five principles (pillars) of Islam,
and study and believe in the six articles of Faith.
The Five Pillars of Islam
(or the five basic duties of a Muslim):
[Sahih Al-Bukhari 1/7, Narrated by Ibn 'Umar]
Allah’s Messenger
said: Islam is based on the following five (principles):
- To testify La ilaha ill Allah wa anna Muhammad-ur-Rasul-Allah (none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s
Messenger).
- To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly
(Iqamat-as-Salat, i.e. Salah).
- Says al-Khattabi, "Basically, one's prayer does not suffice if
he does not recite al-Fatihah. If one can recite neither al-Fatihah nor
other portions of the Qur'an, he should recite at least seven verses of a
similar meaning from the Qur'an. If he can not learn any part of the
Qur'an (due to some innate inability, poor memory, or because it's a
foreign language), he should say the tasbeeh (Subhaan Allah - Glory be to
Allah), the tamheed (al-Hamdu lillah - All praise is due to Allah), and
tahleel (La ilaha illal-lah - There is no God except Allah). It is related
that he said, "The best remembrance after the speech of Allah is Subhaan
Allah, al-Hamdu lillah, La ilaha illal-lah and Allahu akbar." This is
supported by Rafa'ah ibn Rafa', who narrated that the Prophet said, "If
you have something from the Qur'an, recite it. If not, then say the
tamheed, takbir and the tahleel and then bow." [This
hadith is related by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and al-Baihaqi. The
former considers it as hassan]
- To pay Zakat (a specific charity paid yearly for the benefit of
poor Muslims; 2.5% of wealth).
- To perform Hajj. (i.e. pilgrimage to Makka).
- To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.