THE IMPORTANCE OF “LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH”

THE IMPORTANCE OF “LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH”

The belief in the words of “Laa ilaaha illAllah Muhammadun Rasoolullah” cause one to enter Islam, to refute all deities and accept Allah (Subhaana-hu Wa Ta’aalaa) 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 this pledge: “Laa ilaaha illAllah Muhammadun Rasoolull-ah” (There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah).

The first part of this pledge, “Laa ilaaha illAllah” is the belief in the divine lordship of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) (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.

“Laa ilaaha illAllah” is the belief in the divine nature (referred to as “uloohiyyah”), meaning believing that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the only one to whom people should devote their words and actions of worship. None therefore should be worshipped but Him.

“Laa ilaaha illAllah” is the belief in the names and attributes of Allah (referred to as “al-asma’ wa’l-sifaat”), which means affirming what Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) has affirmed for Himself of names and attributes, and denying any attributes that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) 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 excerpt of the sermon that follows later is on the topic of “Laa ilaaha illAllah” and was delivered by the Muslim leader, Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz, who sometimes is considered as the fifth Rightly Guided 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 Sahaabi (Companion) of the Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam), Hadhrat 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 ruler’s 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.

Hadhrat 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 Laa ilaaha illAllah.

All praise is due to Allah, Who opened the doors of knowledge to those who strived in His worship by granting them the key that is “Laa ilaaha illAllah” (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).

He resurrected the hearts of the knowledgeable worshippers and filled the cups of those who always remember Him from the fountain of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

He perfected the creation, brought them into existence and sealed this perfection with “Laa ilaaha illAllah” .

He Who created the fetus from a worthless fluid (semen) so that mankind may worship Him with “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

He sent the Messengers to deliver the good news of this Word “Laa ilaaha illAllah” and to warn against whatever contradicts it and to understand its implications.

“Laa ilaaha illAllah” is the pillar of the religion and the Thick Rope of Allah; those who adhere to “Laa ilaaha illAllah” 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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah” has risen.

So know (O Muhammad!) that ”Laa ilaaha illAllah” (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.” (Muhammad 47:19)

Muhammad (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) embraced this word and declared it. So! Fear Allah the Exalted and renew your faith by night and by day by contemplating the meanings of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

O you who have wisdom! Seek your means of (eternal) success granted only to the people of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Surely, “Laa ilaaha illAllah” is the Word of Islam and the key to the Dwelling of Peace (Jannah i.e. Paradise).

Verily, the heavens and earth would never have remained, nor would anyone acquire safety on the Day of Gathering except by “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

The humankind divided into two parts and went two separate ways: a group of them adhered to “Laa ilaaha illAllah” 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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah”. 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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Tuba (a tree in Jannah) 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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah” . Verily, woe to those who were driven by the devil to fall into polytheism! They became filled to the top with associating others with Allah in worship and consequently refused with arrogance to submit to “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Have you not heard Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’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).” (az-Zukhruf 43:86)

The true essence of Laa ilaaha illAllah entails directing all acts of worship, intentions and thoughts to Allah Alone rather than any other object. All other objects of worship are annulled and refuted by Laa ilaaha illAllah. This is what is meant by disbelieving in Taaghoot and believing in Allah Alone, and this is how the heart is purified of anything that is not for Allah Alone, and cleansed from the intention to commit whatever Allah has prohibited or dislike for whatever He has commanded.

This is the true essence of “Laa ilaaha illAllah” , 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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Directing any act of worship to other than Allah and associating any among the creation with Him in worship are acts of disbelief, even if one pronounced “Laa ilaaha illAllah” a thousand times with his tongue.

It was once said to Al Hasan Al-Basri: “Some people say that those who proclaim “Laa ilaaha illAllah” shall enter Jannah.”

He said: “Yes. For those who proclaim this word and fulfill its implications and requirements, then saying “Laa ilaaha illAllah” shall enter them into Jannah.”

In addition, Wahb bin Munabbah asked: “Is not “Laa ilaaha illAllah” the key to Jannah?”

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 be benefitted from proclaiming “Laa ilaaha illAllah” because they do not say it from their hearts.

We advise you, O Muslims, to never think that Shirk (Polytheism, which contradicts “Laa ilaaha illAllah” is far away from you, because there are tremendous hindrances and lures that seek to corrupt the sincerity of your uttering “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Where are those who associate none with Allah in regards to their love, fear, hope and worship? Where are those who direct their humbleness, submissiveness, reverence, intention and reliance to Allah Alone, all the while trusting in Him for each and every thing? All these qualities are parts of the meaning of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

O slaves of Allah, rush to the forgiveness of your Lord and a paradise as wide as the heavens and earth prepared for the Muttaqeen (the Pious). They are those who fulfill the duties and responsibilities of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”. They are those, who have not placed any other Ilaah (god) along with Allah.

Verily, I am a plain warner to you from Him. Hold on to the pillars of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”. Surely, those who reject what “Laa ilaaha illAllah” rejects, assert what it asserts…, then this word will elevate them to the highest grades the grades of “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Noble Quraan and benefit us in whatever is in it of the Aayaat and Wise Zikr. I say this and ask Allah, 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.

Consider this Hadeeth on the value that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) placed on “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Hadhrat Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri said that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ aalaa)’ s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said that Hadhrat Moosaa (Moses) said: “O Lord! Teach me something that I can remember You with and I can supplicate You with.”

Allah said: Say “Laa ilaaha illAllah”, O Musa!”

He (Moosaa) said: “All of your servants say this.”

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 “Laa ilaaha illAllah” is put into the other; “Laa ilaaha illAllah” would be heavier.” (Ibn Hibbaan and Haakim)

Hadhrat Jabir bin ‘Abdullah narrated that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’ aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaahu Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The best Zikr (remembering Allah) is “Laa ilaaha illAllah” and the best supplication is Al-Hamdu Lillah.” (At-Tirmizi, An-Nasaaee and Ibne Maajah)

Let’s ensure that we never forget to make the letters “Laa ilaaha illAllah” a constant part of our living moments and to live by what those letters stand for. Remember, our success in this life and the Aakhirah (Hereafter) is all tied to “Laa ilaaha illAllah”.

Source: farooqia.com

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