The belief in the words of “Lá
iláha illallah” cause one to enter Islam, to refute all deities
and accept Allah as the only God and Lord of the Universe
and what it contains. No one can be a Muslim without believing and adhering to
the tenets of of Lá iláha illallah.
Lá iláha illallah is
the belief in the divine lordship of Allah (referred to as “ruboobiyyah”),
meaning believing that Allah is the only one power who creates, gives life and
death, and maintains the affairs of all that’s in this universe.
Lá iláha illallah is
the belief in the divine nature (referred to as “uloohiyyah”), meaning
believing that Allah is the only one to whom people should devote their words
and actions of worship. None therefore should be worshipped but Him.
Lá iláha illallah is
the belief in the names and attributes of Allah (referred to as “al-asma’
wa’l-sifaat”), which means affirming what Allah has affirmed for Himself of
names and attributes, and denying any attributes that Allah has said are not
His, without denying any of His attributes or likening any of His attributes to
the attributes of any of His creation.
The excerpts of the sermon that follows
later in this post is on the topic of Lá iláha illallah and was
delivered by the Muslim leader Umar bin Abdul Aziz who sometimes is considered
as the fifth caliph in Islam. He was from the Umayyad dynasty and ruled the
Muslims from 717 to 720 CE. He was the great-grandson of the companion of the
Prophet Muhammad, Umar bin Al-Khattab. Within Islamic
history, he was known to be extremely pious and disdainful of worldly luxuries.
He preferred simplicity to the extravagance that had become a hallmark of the
Umayyad lifestyle, depositing all assets meant for the caliph into the public
treasury. He abandoned the caliphate palace and instead preferred to live in
modest dwellings.
Umar bin Abdul Aziz delivered the
sermon (excerpts follow) on assuming the leadership of the Muslims and
highlights the importance of living by the tenets of Láiláha illallah.
All praise is due to Alláh, Who
opened the doors of knowledge to those who strived in His worship by granting
them the key that is Lá iláha illallah (there is no deity worthy of worship
except Alláh).
He resurrected the hearts of the
knowledgeable worshippers and filled the cups of those who always remember Him
from the fountain of Lá iláha illallah.
He perfected the creation, brought
them into existence and sealed this perfection with Lá iláha illallah.
He Who created the fetus from a
worthless fluid (semen) so that mankind may worship Him with Lá iláha illalláh.
He sent the Messengers to deliver the
good news of this Word Lá iláha illalláh and to warn against whatever
contradicts it and to understand its implications.
Lá iláha illalláh is the pillar of
the religion and the Thick Rope of Alláh; those who adhere to Lá iláha illalláh
will never earn failure.
Verily, the minds of the ignorant
ones were led astray and the hearts of the stubborn infidels have earned
misguidance on account of their taking two gods, even after the full moon of Lá
iláha illallah has risen.
“So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La
ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask
forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing
women.” Quran (47:19)
Muhammad (peace be upon him) embraced
this word and declared it. So! Fear Alláh the Exalted and renew your faith by
night and by day by contemplating the meanings of Lá iláha illalláh.
O you who have wisdom! Seek your
means of (eternal) success granted only to the people of Lá iláha illalláh.
Surely, Lá iláha illalláh is the Word
of Islam and the key to the Dwelling of Peace (Paradise).
Verily, the heavens and earth would
never have remained, nor would anyone acquire safety on the Day of Gathering
except by Lá iláha illalláh.
The humankind divided into two parts
and went two separate ways: a group of them adhered to Lá iláha illalláh and
the other group strayed away from it. They refused it because they knew that
the religion of their ancestors would be annulled if they embraced Lá iláha
illalláh. All praise is due to He Who made His slaves different from each other
with His Wisdom and Will. Indeed, this is one of the proofs to Lá iláha
illalláh.
Tuba (a tree in Paradise) is for
those who know the meaning of this testimonial, agree with it and practice its
implication inwardly and outwardly. By doing so, they would be realizing and
tasting the true essence of Lá iláha illalláh. Verily, woe to those who were
driven by the devil to fall into polytheism! They became filled to the top with
associating others with Alláh in worship and consequently refused with
arrogance to submit to Lá iláha illalláh.
Have you not heard Alláh’s Statement:
“And those whom they invoke instead
of Him have no power of intercession; 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).” Quran
(43:86)
The true essence of Lá iláha illalláh
entails directing all acts of worship, intentions and thoughts to Alláh Alone
rather than any other object. All other objects of worship are annulled and
refuted by Lá iláha illalláh. This is what is meant by disbelieving in Taghut
and believing in Alláh Alone, and this is how the heart is purified of anything
that is not for Alláh Alone, and cleansed from the intention to commit whatever
Alláh has prohibited or dislike for whatever He has commanded.
This is the true essence of Lá iláha
illalláh, contrary to the practice of those who utter this testimonial with
their words, but contradict it with their actions. These people, do not benefit
from saying La iláha illal/ah.
Directing any act of worship to other
than Alláh and associating any among the creation with Him in worship are acts
of disbelief, even if one pronounced La iláha illalláh a thousand times with
his tongue. It was once said to Al Hasan Al-Basri: "Some people say that
those who proclaim La iláha illalláh shall enter Paradise." He said,
"Yes. For those who proclaim this word and fulfill its implications and
requirements, then saying La iláha illalláh shall enter them into
Paradise." In addition, Wahb bin Munbih asked: "Is not La iláha
illalláh the key to Paradise?" He said, "Yes. However, every key has
teeth; if you use a key that has teeth it will open for you, otherwise it will
not open."
Therefore, these types of people will
not benefit from proclaiming La iláha illalláh because they do not say it from
their hearts.
We advise you, O Muslims, to never
think that Shirk (Polytheism, which contradicts La iláha illalláh is far away
from you, because there are tremendous hindrances and lures that seek to
corrupt the sincerity of your uttering La iláha illalláh.
Where are those who associate none
with Alláh in regards to their love, fear, hope and worship? Where are those
who direct their humbleness, submissiveness, reverence, intention and reliance
to Alláh Alone, all the while trusting in Him for each and every thing? All
these qualities are parts of the meaning of La iláha illalláh.
O slaves of Alláh, rush to the
forgiveness of your Lord and a paradise as wide as the heavens and earth
prepared for the Muttaqin (the pious). They are those who fulfill the duties
and responsibilities of La iláha illalláh. They are those, who have not placed
any other iláh (god) along with Alláh.
Verily, I am a plain warner to you
from Him. Hold on to the pillars of La iláha illalláh. Surely, those who reject
what La iláha illalláh rejects, assert what it asserts…, then this word will
elevate them to the highest grades the grades of La iláha illalláh.
May Alláh direct us all to the
blessings of the Noble Qurán and benefit us in whatever is in it of the Áyát
and Wise Dhikr. I say this and ask Alláh the Great, and the Most Honored for
forgiveness for me, you and all Muslims for every sin. Seek His forgiveness,
for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
{Source: Selected Friday Sermons}
Consider this hadith on the value
that Allah the Exalted placed on La iláha illalláh
Abu Sa`eed al-Khudri said, that the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Moses (Alayhi salam) said: O Lord!
Teach me something that I can remember You with and I can supplicate You with.
Allah said: “Say ‘La ilaha ill Allah’, O Musa.” He (Musa) said: All of
your servants say this. He (Allah) said: “If the seven Heavens and those who
dwell in them other than Me and the seven Earths are put into one pan (of the
scale) and ‘La ilaha ill Allah’ is put into the other; ‘La ilaha ill Allah’
would be heavier.” [Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim]
The Messenger of Allah (Sall’Allahu
alayhi wa salam) said (narrated by Jabir bin `Abdullah):
“The best Dhikr (remembering Allah)
is La ilaha illallah and the best supplication is Al-Hamdu Lillah.”
[At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah]