Lesson 01 – The Shahadah
"Laa Ilaaha Illa Allaah Muhammad Ar Rasool Allaah"
"There is no deity worty of worship in truth except Allaah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah."
Laa Illaaha Illa Allaah is split into two parts.
1) Laa Illaaha -Negation of everything that is worshipped other than Allaah.
2) Illa Allaah -Affirmation of all worship being directed to Allaah alone.
The definition of Islam: To submit to Allaah upon Tawhid, complying to Him, freeing ourselves from Shirk (polytheism - worshipping others besides Allaah) and its people.
As it relates to submission to Allaah, there are 3 types of people;
1) One who refuses to submit, is Mustakbir (Haughty and Proud).
2) One submits to Allaah and others, is a Mushrik (Associates partners).
3) One who submits to Allaah alone, is a Muwahid (Singles out Allaah alone).
The mushrikoon at the time of the Prophet Alayhis Salaatu Was Salaam understood its meaning.
Allaah says:
"If it is said to them say Laa Illaaha Illa Allaah, they would become haughty and would say "Shall we leave our gods for a mad poet?""
This shows they understood they would have to abandon their false gods. Unfortunately, some people from our Ummah have not understood this. They explain Laa Illaaha Illaa Allaah as "There is no creator except Allaah". This is not the meaning. Believing that Allaah is the only one worthy of worship necessitates that you believe He is the only Creator.
The Shahaadah has conditions, they are:
1) Knowledge, negating Ignorance:
Having a strong understanding of the statement so that you are not from those who are ignorant of it.
Allaah says: "So know, that none has the right to be worshipped in truth except Allaah"
Allaah began with knowledge because it is the foundation of his belief.
2) Certainty, negating Doubt:
Certainty is the completion of knowledge. Not permissible to doubt the statement.
Allaah says: "The believers are those who believe in Allaah and His Messenger, then they have no doubt."
3) Sincerity, negating Polytheism:
Also negates Ar Riyaa (showing off).
Allaah says: "They were not commanded except to worship Allaah making the religion purely for him"
4) Truthfulness, negating Lying:
Hadith: "There is none who testifies truthfully from his heart that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammed (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is His servant and Messenger, except that Allah will save him from Hell-Fire." (Al Bukhari: Book of Knowledge)
5) Love, negating Hatred:
In saying this statement, you must love Allaah, His Messenger, His Religion and the Muslims who uphold the legislation of Allaah. You must detest those who oppose the statement.
Allaah says: "And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah." (2:165)
6) Compliance, negating Abandonment:
Allaah says: "And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islamic Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him, (in Islam)" meaning submit and comply to that which Laa Illaaha Illa Allaah necessitates.
7) Acceptance, negating Rejection:
Allaah says: "Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha ill-Allah "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)," they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it)."
Some scholars add an 8th:
8) Disbelief in all of that which is worshipped other than Allaah:
Allaah says: "Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break"
The meaning of "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah" is:
1) Believe in that which he informed us of
2) Obeying him in that which he commanded
3) Leave off everything he forbade
4) Dont worship Allaah except with that which he legislated.
