The Excellence of the Shahadah

The words in the testification ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ are words which are the path to the success of entry into Paradise and salvation from the fire.

Allah said:

“And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful.” [Al-Imran:  185]

It is the way and path to happiness in the two worlds which cannot be reached except by these words.  It is with this statement that Allah sent His Messengers and with it, He revealed His Books. The Dunya and the Hereafter, Paradise and Hell-Fire were created for this statement.

Happiness and wretchedness are directly related to this testification. Due to it, the records of deeds will be taken either to the right or the left and the scale will be either heavy or light.  By it is being saved from the Fire after its advent whilst not adhering to ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ is remaining in the Fire.

Due to it, Allah took the covenant, because of it is recompense and accountability and regarding it, will be the questioning on the Day of Meeting.

As Allah says:

“So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.” [Al-Hijr: 92-93]

Allah said:

 “Then surely, We shall question those (people) to whom it (the Book) was sent and verily, We shall question the Messengers.” [A’raaf: 6]

As for Allah questioning those to whom ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ was sent, on the Day of Judgment, then from that is His saying-

“And (remember) the Day (Allah) will call to them and say: ‘What answer gave you to the Messengers?’” [Qasas: 65].

As for Allah questioning the Messengers then from that is the saying of Allah

 “On the Day when Allah will gather the Messengers together and say to them: ‘What was the response you received (from men to your teaching)? They will say: ‘We have no knowledge, verily, only You are the All-­Knower of all that is hidden (or unseen, etc.).’” [al-Mai’dah:109].

It is the greatest of blessings from Allah that He blessed His slaves and guided them to ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’.  This is why Allah mentioned it in Surah an-Nahl, the Surah of blessings, so He proceeded with it before every other blessing.

He said:

“He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): Warn mankind that Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds).” [Nahl: 2]

It is the statement of testification and the key to the land of happiness.  It is the foundation of the Deen and its founding principle, the head of the affair, the trunk of its tree and the pillar of its canopy.

The rest of the pillars and obligations of the Deen extend and branch out from this testification.  Its completion is restricted to adhering to its meaning and performing what it requires.  It is the strong handhold that will never break regarding which Allah said:

“Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût (false gods) and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.”[Al-Baqarah: 256]

Sa’eed bin Jubayr and Dhihaak said that:

‘It is the contract which Allah mentioned when he said:

“None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Beneficent (Allah).” [Maryam: 87]

Abdullah ibn Abbas –radiAllaah anhuma- said: ‘It is the testification of ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’, renouncing any capability or strength for other than Allah and not hoping except in Allah.

La ilaha ‘illa Allah is al-Husna (the best – i.e. its meaning as stated by Allah when He said:

 “As for him who gives (in charity), keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, and believes in Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness).” [Layl: 5-7]

This was also mentioned by Abu AbdurRahman as-Sulamee, Dhihaak and was narrated by ‘Ateeyah on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas.

It is the statement of truth which Allah mentioned when He said:

 “Except those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allah, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah).” [Zukhruf: 86] as stated by al-Baghawi.

It is the statement of Taqwaa (piety) as Allah mentioned when He said:

 “and made them stick to the word of piety (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it.” [Fath: 26]

This was mentioned by Ibn Jareer and Abdullah bin Ahmad, by Tirmidhi with ‘asaaneed (chains) up to Ubayy bin Ka’ab -radiAllaah anhu-on the authority of the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.

It is the statement which is firmly-fixed as Allah mentions when He says:

“Allah will keep firm those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else) and in the Hereafter.” [Ibrahim: 27]

Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of al-Bara bin ‘Aazib -radiAllaah anhu- from the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.

It is the good statement (kalimah Tayyibah) which was previously made a solid example as Allah says:

 “Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).” [Ibrahim: 24]

This is what was mentioned by ‘Alee bin Talha on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas.

The foundation of this statement ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ is firmly fixed in a believer’s heart, its branches are righteous actions which ascend to the sky – to Allah.

This is what was mentioned by Dhihaak, Sa’eed bin Jubair, Ikrima’, Mujahid and others.

It is the goodness which Allah mentions when He says:

“Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof” [An’aam: 160]

Allah said:

“Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allah along with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.” [Naml: 89]

This was mentioned by Zain al-Abideen and Ibrahim an-Nakha’aee and it is ascribed to the Messenger on the authority of Abee Dharr – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – that he said: ‘It is the best of righteous deeds.’[1]

This statement ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ wipes out sins and mistakes.

It is the highest description which Allah mentions when He says:

“His is the highest description (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth.” [Room: 27]

As was mentioned by Qatadah and Muhammad bin Jareer, also by Malik on the authority of Muhammad bin al-Munkadir.

It is the means for success as is mentioned in Saheeh Muslim that when the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – heard the Mu’adhin (the caller to the prayer) saying: ‘Ashhadu alla ilaha ‘illa Allah’ (I testify that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah’) he – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘You have exited the fire.’[2]

On the authority of Ubadah bin Saamitt -radiAllaah anhu- who said:

I heard the Messenger of Allah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – saying: ‘Whoever testifies that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah then Allah prohibits the Fire for him.’ [3]

In the hadith of intercession:

‘Take out from the Fire whoever said ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ and had in his heart the like of an atom’s worth of Eemaan.’[4]

‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ is the means of entering into Paradise as is mentioned in Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Ubadah bin Saamitt -radiAllaah anhu- who said:

 The Messenger of Allah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: ‘Whoever says ‘Ashhadu alla ilaha ‘illa Allah wahdahu la shareeka lahu wa anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa Rasooluhu (I testify that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah Alone and He has no partners and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger’) and that Isa is the slave of Allah and the son of Allah’s female slave, he was created by a word which was sent to Maryam and he is a command from Him, that Paradise is true and the Fire is true’, then Allah will enter him into Paradise from whichever of the eight doors of Paradise he chooses.’[5]

In another narration:

‘Allah enters him into Paradise with what he has of actions.’[6]

It is the best thing with which Allah is remembered and the heaviest thing on the slave of Allah’s scale on the Day of Judgment as mentioned in ‘Musnad’ on the authority of Abdullaah bin Amr -radiAllaah anhu- from the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

 ‘When death was approaching the Prophet of Allah, Nooh –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – he said to his son: I will narrate to you my bequest; I command you with two things and prohibit you from two things.  I command you with ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’(‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allah), if the seven heavens and the seven earths were placed upon one scale and ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ was placed on the other, then ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’  would be heavier.

If the seven heavens and the seven earths were a closed circle then ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ would be able to break it.

The second thing I command you with is Subhana Allaahi wa bihamdihi (Far is Allah from imperfection and praise is for Him), since it is a supplication for everything and by it, the creation is given its provision.

I prohibit you from Shirk and pride. (The narrator said: I asked or someone asked): O Messenger of Allah as for Shirk then we know about it, but what is pride?  Is it that one of us has sandals with two good straps?

The Messenger answered: No.

He asked again: Is it that one of us has companions and they sit with him?

The Messenger again answered: No.

Someone asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is pride?

He said: Ridiculing the truth and belittling and reviling the people.’[7]

Also in ‘Musnad’ on the authority of Abdullaah bin Amr -radiAllaah anhu-from the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam:

‘Musa –alayhi Sallam- said: ‘O Lord teach me something by which I can remember You and supplicate to You.’

He said: O Musa say ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’

Musa said: O Lord every one of Your slaves says this.’

He said: O Musa say ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’

He said: ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ but I want something specific for me.

He said: O Musa if the seven heavens and the seven earths and what is in them other than me were placed on a scale and ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ was placed on the scale then ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allah’ would outweigh them.’[8]

In Tirmidhi, Nisa’ee and in Musnad on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr bin al-Aas -radiAllaah anhu- who said I heard the Messenger of Allah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam –saying:

‘Indeed Allah will single out a man from my Ummah in front of all the people on the Day of Judgment.  Ninety-nine scrolls will be unrolled for him; every scroll will stretch as far as the eye can see.

Then Allah will say: Do you deny anything of this?  Did the Angels recording your deeds oppress you?

So the man will say: No, my Lord.

Allah will say: Do you have an excuse?

The man will say: No, my Lord.

Allah will say: Yes, indeed, We have a good deed for you and indeed, there will be no oppression upon you today.’

Then a card will be brought forth and in it will be: ‘I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.’

Then Allah will say: Bring your bad deeds.

The man will say: What is this card compared with these scrolls?

Allah will say: Indeed, you will not be oppressed.

The Prophet continued: The scrolls will be put on one side of the scales and the card will be put on the other side, the scrolls will be light and the card will be heavy, there can be nothing more heavy than the name of Allah.’[9]

All Praise belongs to Allah, may His peace and blessings be upon our final Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions and all those who follow his guidance.



By Hafidh al-Hakami -Rahimullaah-Taken from his book ‘Ma’arij al-Qabool’
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya