Tuesday, June 6, 2006

The Meaning of the Testimony of Faith #2


Allah, Who is far removed from every imperfection, exclusively enjoys the attributes of divinity. This divinity entails: The right of legislating laws.

Allah is the One who legislates laws for His creatures, therefore no one may legislate laws for himself or for others that do not confirm with those of Allah, or those given by His Messengers nor may any one design a mode of worship or a transactional regulation for individual or groups.

Neither is it the right of anyone to deem things lawful or unlawful on his own accord. Whoever gives himself such rights presumptuously sets up himself as god.

Man as part of His creatures, must dedicate all his life worshipping Allah, he must be aware of Allah's rulings, respecting everything he does, thus every lawful thing he does, intending it to be a means of bringing him closer to Allah, turns to be an act of worship. Worship is an inclusive term comprising every utterance and deed, apparent or hidden that Allah loves.

Having read this brief message about the meaning of the testimony of faith, and its requirements, you are probably anxious to profess it and apply its requirements of this testimony that are incumbent upon the person who confesses it to apply?

The Requirements of the Testimony are:

1. The belief that Allah is the true God to Whom worship must be dedicated. He is the One Who possesses all attributes of perfection, and Who is far removed from every imperfection such as taking a spouse or a son.

2. The belief that Allah is the Creator of all existing things, the Sustainer, the Giver of life and death, the Proprietor of the universe, the only Ruler and Legislator.

3. The belief that Allah possesses the attributes of perfection, and is far removed from every imperfection as the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) informed us in the Qur'an and the Sunnah. The only two sources from which we know the attributes of Allah.

4. Taking the believers for friends, loving and supporting them.

5. Disavowing the unbelievers and standing aloof from them.

Allah says: "Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people; "Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you hostility and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah Alone, except the saying of Abraham to his father: "Verily, I will ask for forgiveness (from Allah) for you, but I have no power to do anything for you before Allah. Our Lord! In you (Alone) we put our trust and to You Alone we turn in repentance, and to You (Alone) is (our) final Return," (Holy Qur'an, 60:4)

The above are some of the requirements of the testimony of faith, the testimony, which is considered a prelude and access to Islam, rather its base. Whoever confesses it with sincere attestation, and applies its requirements, would ultimately be admitted to the Jannah, the heavenly garden, with the will of Allah. If such a person committed some sins and died before repenting, it is up to Allah, He either forgives him or punishes him, but would the later take him out of it and admits him to Jannah having been purified from his sins.

It is mentioned in the prophetic tradition that Musa (Moses), the Messenger of Allah, (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), asked Allah to assign for him an act of worship and be particularly his to perform. Allah, the Exalted, commanded him: "O Musa, say, "There is no god who deserves to be worshipped but Allah" "Musa said: "My Rabb (Lord)! All your slaves confess this testimony." To indicate the significance of the testimony of faith, Allah then said: "O Musa, were the seven heavens and seven earths, and all what they contain put in one side of the scale, and "There is no god who deserves to be worshipped but Allah" was put on the other side of it would have overweighed them.

The Prophet SAW said: "He who concludes his life with uttering the testimony of faith, which is to be his last words before he dies, he will be admitted to the Jannah".

Pronouncement the testimony of faith must be coupled with fulfilling its conditions:

1. Knowledge: which consists of recognizing Allah as the only true God to whom worship must be dedicated, and denouncing all gods worshipped beside Him 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 its conditions.

4. Submission: that is to fulfill its conditions submissively and willingly being content with Allah as the Lord, and Muhammad, (SAWS), as His 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 SAW, and the love of Allah's devotees and the people of His obedience.

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 SAW.

[Translated by: Mahmoud R. Murad]

See: The Conditions of the Declaration of Faith.1.

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