Non Muslims Corner

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He Guides whom He wills to a Straight Way.” (Baqarah:142)

The Testimony of Tawheed

” لا إله إلّا الله محمد رسول الله”

What Does It Mean?

This is the first principle in the belief in Tawheed (Oneness and Uniqueness of Allaah). Allaah is One in His Lordship, One is His Godship and One in His Actions and Names and Attributes. Nothing is like Allaah. When someone accepts Allaah as the only true God Who deserves to be worshipped, then he must negate all worship to anyone (or anything) other than Allaah. This is the meaning of laa ilaaha illal-laah: “There is no true God but Allaah.” It is composed of negation and affirmation phrases. The phrase “but Allaah” confirms that Allaah is the only true God Who deserves to be worshipped.

Allaah is All-Just and All-Wise. He created us and wants us to know of Him and worship Him alone. He doesn’t leave us without guidance. This is part of His Mercy. He, Most Exalted, sent Messengers and Prophets to convey a single message: man must submit to the Will of His Creator, Allaah, and worship none but Him.

This is the essence of Islam. It is the same message conveyed by Adam, Ibraaheem (Abraham), Moosa (Moses), ‘Eesa (Jesus) and finally to mankind until the Day of Resurrection by Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them all). These Messengers and Prophets were created human beings. They were not divine. In the final revelation to all mankind, man is called to testify that: “There is no true God but Allaah and Muhammad is the true Messenger of Allaah.” This testimony is the key to Paradise. But there is no key except that it has ridges. If you come with the key that has the right ridges, the door will be open for you. Otherwise, it will not open for you. In order to achieve Paradise through this testimony, one must fulfill certain conditions that constitute the “right ridges” for this key statement. These conditions are:

1. Knowledge (Al-‘Ilm)

Knowledge of Allaah and about the nature, concepts and methodology of worship are essential to the practice as well as the understanding of Islam. The beneficial knowledge is the one that leads to complete disassociation from false deities and to the devotion of intentions to Allaah alone. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“قال تعالى:فاعلم أنه لا إله إلا الله واستغفر لذنبك وللمؤمنين والمؤمنات والله يعلم مُتقلبكم ومثواكم” (سورة محمد، 19)

“And know that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and ask forgiveness for your sins, and also for the sin of believing men and believing women. And Allaah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest in your home” (Qur’an, soorat Muhammad, 47:19).

The Prophet Muhammad () said:

” من مات وهو يعلم أن لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة” رواه مسلم

“He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allaah entered al-Jannah (Paradise).” [Reported by Muslim].

2. Certainty (Al-Yaqeen)

The testimony has to be made without any suspicion regarding its meaning. Allaah, the Exalted, says:

قال الله تعالى: “إنما المؤمنون الذين آمنوا بالله ورسوله ثم لم يرتابوا وجاهدوا بأموالهم وأنفسهم في سبيل الله أولئك هم الصادقون” (سورة الحجرات، 15).

“Only those are the believers who have believed in Allaah and His Messenger and never since doubted”. (Qur’an, soorat al-Hujuraat, 49:15).

The Prophet ():

“أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأني محمد رسول الله، لا يلقي الله بهما عبدٌ غير شاكٍ فيحجب عن الجنة” رواه مسلم

“I bear witness that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allaah, and I am His Messenger. The slave of Allaah who would meet Him without harboring any doubt about his (testimony) would enter al-Jannah.” [collected by Muslim].

How to Convert to Islam and Become a Muslim

Description: The steps a person needs to take to accept Islaam as his/her religion, enter its fold, and become a Muslim

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of Allah (The Creator of all things), regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites. One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others.

If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islaam is the true religion of Allah (The Creator of all things) then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahadah”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahadah” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam.

With the pronunciation of this testimony, or “Shahadah”, with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam.

Upon entering the fold of Islam purely for the Pleasure of Allah (The Creator of all things), all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. The Prophet salal-laahu a’laihi was-sal-lam (peace be upon him) said to a person who had placed the condition upon the Prophet in accepting Islam that Allah (The Creator of all things) would forgive his sins:

“Do you not know that accepting Islam wipe away all sins which come before it?” (Sahih Muslim)

When one accepts Islam, they in essence repent from the ways and beliefs of their previous life. One need not be overburdened by sins committed before their acceptance. The person’s record is clean, and it is as if he was just born from his mother’s womb. One should try as much as possible to keep his records clean and strive to do as many good deeds as possible.

The Noble Quran and Hadeeth (Prophetic sayings) both stress the importance of following Islaam as Allah (The Creator of all things) the Most High stated in the Qur-aan:

“…The only religion in the sight of Allah (The Creator of all things) is Islam…” (Qur-aan 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Qur-aan, Allah the Most High stated:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islaam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the Hellfire).” (Qur-aan 3:85)

In another saying, Muhammad salal-laahu a’laihi was-sal-lam (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever testifies that there in none worthy of being worshipped in truth but Allah (The Creator of all things), Who has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that Isaa (Jesus) is the Slave and Messenger of Allah (The Creator of all things), and His word[1] which He bestowed in Maryam (Mary) and a spirit created from Him; and that Paradise (Heaven) is true, and that the Hellfire is true, Allah (The Creator of all things) will eventually admit him into Paradise, according to his deeds.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet of Allah peace be upon him also said:

“Indeed God has forbidden to reside eternally in Hell the person who says: “I testify that none has the right to worship in truth except Allah ((The Creator of all things)),’ seeking thereby the Face of Allah.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

The Declaration of the Testimony (Shahadah)

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning:

I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammadun rasoolul-lah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth but Allah (The Creator of all things), and that Muhammad is a slave and Messenger of Allah.”

When someone pronounces the testimony with conviction, then he/she has become a Muslim. It can be done alone, but it is much better to be done with someone who can give proper guidelines and to provide you with important resources for new Muslims.

The first part of the testimony consists of the most important truth that Allah (The Creator of all things) revealed to mankind: that there is nothing divine or worthy of being worshipped except for Almighty, Allah. Allah the Most High stated in the Qur-aan:

“We did not send the Messenger before you without revealing to him: ‘none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.” (Qur-aan 21:25)

This conveys that all forms of worship, whether it be praying, fasting, invoking, seeking refuge in, and offering an animal as sacrifice, must be directed to Allah (The Creator of all things) and to Him alone. Directing any form of worship to other than Allah (whether it be an Angel, a Messenger, Jesus, Muhammad, a Saint, an idol, the sun, the moon, and a tree) is seen as a contradiction to the fundamental message of al-Islaam, and it is an unforgivable sin unless it is repented from before one dies. All forms of worship must be directed to Allah (The Creator of all things) only.

Worship means the performance of deeds and sayings that please Allah, things which He commanded or encouraged to be performed, either by direct textual proof or by analogy. Thus, worship is not restricted to the implementation of the five pillars of Islaam, but also includes every aspect of life. Providing food for one’s family, and saying something pleasant to cheer a person up , been dutiful to one’s parents are also considered acts of worship, if such is done with the intention of pleasing Allah. This means to be accepted, all acts of worship must be carried out sincerely for the Sake of Allah Alone.

The second part of the testimony means that Prophet Muhammad sal-lal-laahu a’laihi was-salaam (peace be upon him) is the slave and chosen Messenger of Allah (The Creator of all things). This implies that one obeys and follows the commands of the Prophet. One must believe in what he has said, practice his teachings and avoid what he has forbidden. One must therefore worship Allah (The Creator of all things) only according to his teaching alone, for all the teachings of the Prophet were in fact revelations and inspirations conveyed to him by Angel Jibreel (Gaibreal) from Allah.

One must try to mold their lives and character and emulate the Prophet, as he was a living example for humans to follow. Allah the Most High stated:

“And indeed you are upon a high standard of moral character.” (Qur-aan 68:4)

also said:

“And in deed you have a good and upright example in the Messenger of Allah, for those who hope in the meeting of Allah (The Creator of all things) and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.” (Quran 33:21)

He was sent in order to practically implement the Qur-aan, in his saying, deeds, legislation as well as all other facets of life. Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, when asked about the character of the Prophet, replied:

“His character was that of the Qur-aan.” (As-Suyooti)

To truly adhere to the second part of the Shahadah is to follow his example in all walks of life. Allah the Most High stated:

“Say (O Muhammad to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah, then follow me.’” (Qur-aan 3:31)

It also means that Muhammad is the Final Prophet and Messenger of Allah, and that no (true) Prophet can come after him.

“Muhammad is not the father of any man among you but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets and Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything.” (Qur-aan 33:40)

All who claim to be prophets or receive revelation after Muhammad are imposters, and to acknowledge them would be tantamount to disbelief.

We welcome you to Islam, congratulate you for your decision, and will try to help you in any way we can. Feel free to ask any question you might have regarding to Islaam.

Footnotes:

[1] Allah (The Creator of all things) created him through His statement, “Be!”

The reason why the word God is not use to refer it the Creator, is because anything that is dual or plural is far of been the Creator. Allah is a unique name of the Creator (of the heaven and earth and all that exist in between them.

Shahada:Confession of a Muslim

by Dr. Muhammed Taqi-udin Al- Hilali

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

“PIVOTAL QUOTE”

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 Allaah and not to differentiate between them.

La ilaha ill Allaah, Muhammad-ur- Rasul-Allaah

[None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, and Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam = May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allaah ].

We have noticed that most of the Europeans and others, who embrace Islam, do not understand the reality of the meaning of the first fundamental principle of Islam, i.e. “La ilaha ill Allaah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah – and Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allaah.” So I consider it essential to explain something of the meanings of this Great Sentence (i.e. Principle) in some detail:

La ilaha ill Allaah, Muhammad-ur-: Rasulullah

“None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah ….. and Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allaah” It has three aspects : A, B and C.

Aspect A: It is that, you have. to pledge a covenant with (Allaah), the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, the Ruler of all that exists, the Lord of Majesty and Highness, on four points (or conditions):

Point 1: A confession with your heart that the-Creator (of everything) is Allaah, 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 Allaah.. He is the Organizer and Planner of all its affairs. It is He Who gives life and death, and He (i.e. .Allaah -Alone) is the Sustainer, and the Giver of Security, etc. “And this is called your confession for the Oneness of the Lordship of Allaah,” — “TAUHID Ar-Rububiyya”.

Point 2: A confession with your heart that you have to say: “I testify that: None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah 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 Allaah (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 Allaah, invoke none but Allaah, ask for help from none (unseen) but Allaah, swear by none but Allaah, offer an animal as sacrifice to none but Allaah,…etc., and that means – all what Allaah and His Messenger (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) order you to do, (in His Book. The Qur’an and in the As-Sunna (Legal ways of Prophet Muhammad , sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ) you must do, and all that Allaah and His Messenger (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) forbid you, you must not do.” And this is called (your confession for the) “Oneness of the Worship of Allaah.”– “Tauhid Al-Uluhiyya”. And that you (mankind) worship none but Allaah.

Point 3: A confession with your heart that you have to say: “O Allaah! 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 (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 Allaah said: “There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” (Qur’an 42:11). This Holy Verse confirms the quality of hearing and the quality of sight for Allaah without resemblance to others (the creation), and likewise. He also said: “To one whom I have created with Both My Hands,” ( Qur’an 38:75).

and He also said: “The Hand of Allaah is over their hands.” (Qur’an 48: 10)

This confirms two Hands for Allaah, but there is no similarity (i.e. they are NOT like human hands) for them. Similarly Allaah said: “The Most Beneficent (Allaah) “Istawa” (rose over) the (Mighty) Throne.” (Qur’an 20:5).

So He rose over the Throne really in a manner that suits His Majesty. And Allaah is over His Throne over the seventh Heaven, as the slave-girl pointed towards the Heavens, when Allaah’s Messenger (Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ) asked her as to where Allaah 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 (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam), but He is with us by His Knowledge only, not by His Personal-Self (bidhatihi). It is not like that, as some people say that Allaah 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 Allaah” “Tauhid Al-Asma was-Sifat” and this is the Right Faith, the faith which was followed by the Messengers of Allaah (from Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus to Muhammad ( peace of Allaah be upon them all) and the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) and the righteous followers of these Messengers (peace of Allaah be upon them all).

Point IV:A confession with your heart that you have to say: “O Allaah! I testify that Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is Your Messenger.” That means that none has the right to be followed after Allaah. but the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam), as he is the Last of His Messengers. As Allaah said:

“Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is not the father of any man among you but he is the Messenger of Allaah and the last (end) of the Prophets and Allaah is Ever All-Aware of everything” ( Qur’an 33:40).

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ) gives you, take it and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from it,”(Qur’an 59:7).

And Allaah said: “Say (O Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, to mankind): If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me.” (Qur’an 3:31).

As for others than Muhammad ( sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ), their statements are to be taken or rejected as to whether these are in accordance with Allaah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an) or with the Sunna (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) of the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) or not. As the Divine Inspiration has stopped after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) 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 the Prophet Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ) (sahih-Al-Bukhari Vol. 3, Hadith No. 425)

Aspect B:. It is essential to utter, “La ilaha ill Allaah, Muhammad-ur-Rasul Allaah” (“None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, and Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) is the Messenger of Allaah “. As it has come in the statement of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) to his uncle Abu Talib at the time of the latter’s death: “O uncle, if you utter it (‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, and Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, is the Messenger of Allaah’), then I shall be able to argue on your behalf before Allaah, on the Day of Resurrection.” Similarly, when Abu Dhar Al-Ghifari 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.

Aspect 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 “None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah. and Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, is the Messenger of Allaah”). So whoever has confessed this (with his 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. 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 Allaah. In case he commits the above sins, he should know that it is a sin that obliges him to repent to Allaah, and ask His 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 Allaah and not to differentiate between them. As it is mentioned in His Book, Allaah said: “Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My Slaves (i.e. the angels; Allaah’s Messengers; Jesus, son of Mary, etc.) as Auliya” (Lords, Gods, Protectors etc.) besides Me? Verily, We have prepared Hell as an entertainment for the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allaah–Islamic Monotheism). Say (O Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam): 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”.

“Those are they who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord and in 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 Allaah Islamic–Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, they shall have the gardens of Al-Firdaus (Paradise) for their entertainment.”

“Wherein they shall dwell (for ever). No desire will they have to be removed there from.”

“Say ( O Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ! to Mankind): If the sea were ink ( with which to write) 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 aid.”

“Say (O Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam ), I am only a man like you, it has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God — i.e. Allaah). 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.” (The Qur’an 18: 102-1 10).

This introduction is necessary for anyone who wishes to embrace Islam. After this confession he (or she ) should take a bath (i.e. Ghusl) and then offer a two Rak’at prayer, and act upon the five Principles of Islam, as narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) in the Book, Sahih Al-Bukhari. Vol. I Hadith No.7 : Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him), Allaah’s Messenger , sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, said: Islam is based on (the following five (principles):

1. To testify La ilaha ill Allaah wa anna Muhammad-ar-Rasul Allaah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and that Muhammad, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, is Allaah’s Messenger).

2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly (Iqamat-as -Salat).

3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).

4. To perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makka).

5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

and must believe in the six Articles of Faith, i.e. to believe in:

(I) Allaah,

(2) His Angels,

(3) His Messengers,

(4) His Revealed Books,

(5) the Day of Resurrection, and

(6) Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments i.e. whatever Allaah has ordained must come to pass).]