CONFESSION OF A MUSLIM
"Say: "He is (Allah) Most Gracious: we have believed in Him and on Him have we put our trust: so soon will ye know which (of us) it is that is in manifest error."
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 67:29)
(None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)
Most of mankind who embrace Islam do not understand the reality of the meaning of the first fundamental principle of Islam. Therefore, it essential to explain the meanings of this great principle in some detail.
* Declaring the shahadah implies that you pledge a covenant with (Allah), 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 Allah; it is that you have to say: "I testify that the Creator of all the universe including the 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." This is (your confession for the) "Oneness of the Lordship of Allah."
Point 2: A confession with your heart that: "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 Islamic terminology: it conveys that all kinds of worship are meant for Allah Alone and none else, whether it be an angel, messenger, Prophet Isa (Jesus (pbuh) - son of Maryam (Mary). Uzair (Ezra), Muhammad (pbuh), 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 but Allah, swear by none but Allah, offer an animal as sacrifice to none but Allah...etc, and that means all that Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) order you to do, in the Qur'an and in the Sunna (legal ways of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) you must do, and all that Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (pbuh) forbid you, you must not do. This is (your confession for the) "Oneness of the worship of Allah.".
Point 3: A confession with your heart that "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 (pbuh) has named or qualified You with his statements. I believe that all those (names and qualities) are for You without changing their meanings of neglecting them completely or likening them (giving resemblance) to others. "
Point 4: A confession with your heart: "O Allah! I testify that Muhammad (pbuh) is Your Messenger." That means that none has the right to be followed after Allah, but Prophet Muhammad ( as he is the last of His messengers. As Allah says:
"Muhammad 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." (33:40)
"And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you take it and whatsoever he forbids you abstain from it" (59:7).
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunna)" (3:31)
As for others than Muhammad ( their statements are to be taken or rejected based on their accordance with Allah's Book (i.e. the Qur'an) and with the Sunna (legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) of the Prophet. As the Divine Revelation stopped after the death of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and will not resume except at the time of the descent of Isa (Jesus (pbuh) - son of Maryam (Mary); and he (i.e. Jesus (pbuh) 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. narrations of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (Sahih-Al-Bukhari).
* It is essential to utter La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun-Rasulu Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad ( is the Messenger of Allah). As it has come in the statement of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to his uncle Abu Talib at the time of the latter's death: "O uncle, if you utter it (La Ilaha Illa Allah, Muhammadun-Rasulu Allah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad ( is the Messenger of Allah). Then I shall be able to argue on your behalf before Allah on the Day of Resurrection." Similarly, when Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari embraced Islam, he went to the Masjid al-Haram and he proclaimed it loudly in front of the Quraish infidels until he was beaten severely.
* It is essential that the limbs and all the other parts and organs of one's body testify to it, and this is very important as regards its meaning. So whoever has confessed shahadah (to his Lord) shall not commit sins like robbing, killing, stealing, illegal sexual intercourse, eating pork, drinking alcoholic beverages, taking advantage of orphan's property, cheating in trade, bribery and earning money through illegal means, telling lies, backbiting etc. Otherwise, the limbs and all the other parts and organs of his body will testify against him that he was a liar in his words which he pledged to Allah. In case he commits the above sins, he should know that it is a sin that obliges him to repent to Allah, 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 himself on the Day of Resurrection.
And with the confession of this great statement (i.e. principle) a person enters the fold of the Islamic religion accordingly. It is essential for him to believe in all the messengers of Allah and not to differentiate between them.
"Do then those who disbelieve think that they can take My slaves (i.e. the angels, Allah's Messengers, Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), etc.) as auliya' (lords, gods, protectors) besides Me? Verily, We have prepared Hell as an entertainment for the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah-Islamic monotheism).
Also, Allah said:
"Say (O Muhammad): Shall We tell you about 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, 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 finished even if we brought (another sea) like it for its aid.
Say (O Muhammad): I am only a man like you, it has been revealed 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"
(Qur'an: Translation of the meaning, 18:103-110)
This introduction is necessary for anyone who wishes to embrace Islam. After this confession he (or she) should bathe (i.e. ghusl) and then a two rak'at prayer. After this adhere to and act upon the five principles of Islam.
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