The Meaning of Shahaadah-Testimony of Faith

لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله

Meaning of Laa ilaaha illallaah:

This kalimah is the dividing line between unbelief (kufr) and Islaam. It is a declaration (kalimah) that the Muslims proclaim in their daily lives; in their call to Prayer (adhaan), their call to establishing the Prayer (‘iqaamah), their sermons and their speeches.

It is a kalimah that Allaah Himself has testified to, as have the angels and those who possess knowledge from amongst His creation. Allaah the Most High said:

“Allâh bears witness that Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. Lâ ilâh illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” [Soorah Aal-’Imraan 3:18]

It is the very first obligation upon the people, since it is the foundation upon which all actions are based. So it is very important for a Muslim to know and ponder over its meaning.

The meaning of laa ilaaha illallaah is that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. The testification (Shahadah) laa ilaaha illallaah is that a person affirms with his tongue and his heart that there is nothing that is worshipped rightfully except Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So the sentence laa ilaaha illallaah comprises a denial and an affirmation. As for the denial it is laa ilaaha (None has the right to be worshipped) , since ilaah means that which is worshipped (ma'bood), and as for the affirmation, then it is illallaah (except Allaah). So in the sentence there is a word understood in meaning but not stated in words, which is necessary to complete the meaning and it is haqq (rightfully). So, the complete meaning of the statement is 'there is no deity truly worthy of being worshiped except Allah.'

As for those things which are worshipped besides Him, then the godship which their worshippers claim for them is not a reality, but rather false and futile. The explanation which will make it clear is the Saying of Allaah, the Most High, “And (remember) when Ibrahîm said to his father and his people: "Verily, I am innocent of what you worship, Except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allâh Alone) Who did create me, and verily, He will guide me. And he made it [i.e. Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh Alone)] a Word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back (i.e. to repent to Allâh or receive admonition).” [Soorah Zukhruf: 26-28]

So this kalimah requires us to single out all the types of worship which Allaah commanded like invocation (du’aa), appealing for aid and assistance (isti’aanah), trust and reliance (tawakkul), hope and longing (rajaa), reverence and humility (khushoo’),  seeking refuge (isti’aadhah), seeking deliverance and rescue (istighaathah), sacrificing (dhabh), vows (nadhr or niyaaz), etc. for Him alone without any associates or intermediaries ,and to reject all forms of worship for other than Him.

Meaning of Muhammadur-Rasoolullaah:

The Meaning of the testimony, Muhammadar-Rasoolullah is to affirm inwardly and outwardly that he (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam) is a slave of Allah and His Messenger to all people, and to act in accordance to its requirements which are;

a) Obedience to him (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam) in everything that he orders,

b) Believing in everything he (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam) has informed us of,

c) Refraining from everything that he (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam) has prohibited and 

d) Not to worship Allah except in the way he (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam) has prescribed.

Allaah, the Most High, says, "Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'ân) to His slave (Muhammad SAW) that he may be a warner to the 'Alamîn (mankind and jinns)." [Soorah al-Furqaan (25):1]

He is a slave who acts as he is commanded and follows the orders he is given, and Allaah, the Most High, says: "Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allâh, nor (that) I know the unseen; nor I tell you that I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me by inspiration." Say: "Are the blind and the one who sees equal? Will you not then take thought?"." [Soorah al-An'aam (6):50]

 "Say, O Muhammad: It is not within my power to bring benefit to myself nor to keep away harm, except as Allaah wills; and if I knew what the future holds I could amass a great deal of wealth, and harm would not befall me. But I am just a Messenger from Allaah sent by Him to warn those who disobey Him of His punishment; and to give glad tidings of His reward for those who truly believe in Him and are obedient to Him." [Soorah al-A’raaf (7):188]

The right of the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa-sallam)  is to give him the position and standing which Allaah, the Most High, gave him, which is that he is the slave of Allaah and His Messenger (Abduhu wa-Rasooluh). This  negates  any exaggeration and inadequacy in his respect. So, he is Allah's slave and Messenger, and he is the most perfect creation in these two noble attributes. May Allaah extol and send blessings of peace upon him.

Posted in Basics, Faith, Islam, Monotheism, Shahadah, Tawheed