ICICE AN-NOOR MASJID KHUTBAH FOR FRIDAY 25/10/2019

THE MEANING OF SHAHADAH (DECLARATION OF FAITH) AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

All praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has not begotten a son, and Who has no Partner in His Dominion, nor He is low to have a helper, or protector, and magnify Him with all magnificence. Allah is the Greatest. I testify that no deity is worthy of worship except Allah alone without any partner, He is exalted from what oppressors and disbelievers say about Him, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, Allah has sent Him closer to the Hour , as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner, and as one who calls to Allah by His permission and as lamp spreading light through instructions of Qur’an and His Sunnah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his household and companions till the day of judgment.

O You People fear Allah and obey Him, Verily the first Pillar among the Pillars of Islam is Shahadataan (two declaration words of faith): Bearing witness that no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone. and Testifying that Muhammad is His Messenger. This pillar is significant and all other pillars are related to it, and on it all rules of religion were built on. When it is sound and perfect the rest of deeds become intact and accepted, otherwise the deeds become useless like a scattered dust or like a mirage in a desert, the thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it he finds it to be nothing. or as ashes on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day. It ends up as fatigue to the doer in this world and loss in hereafter.

Oh servant of Allah! Verily these two declaration words of Faith have a meaning and requirements, it is compulsory for one pronounces it, to know and act in accordance to that. And mere utterances will be unbeneficial.

The meaning of (Shahadat an laa ilaaha illaah) is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah alone, and anything besides Him is abolished and null. Allah said: (This is because Allah is the Truth, and that which they call upon besides Him is the falsehood, and that Allah is the High, the Great). The requirement of this word is unifying Allah in worship without associating any partner with Him. And obedience of his commands and abstaining from his prohibitions. with regards this concept, when the

Prophet asked the polytheist to say: لا إله إلا الله They refused. Because, they Understood the implication of the word which means: worshipping Allah alone and leaving the worship of Idols. they denounced it saying: (Has he made the gods (all) into one Allah? Truly this is a wonderful thing! And the chief persons of them break forth, saying: Go and steadily adhere to your gods; this is most surely a thing sought after. We have not heard this in later religion. This is not but an invention). This is the actual concept of the word, making the gods (all) into one Allah. They understood that, because, they were fluent in Arabic. But unfortunately, the grave worshippers of these days do not understand the meaning of the word. and do not act in accordance of its requirements, for that, they pronounce the word and worship the dead. They call: O Ali, O Abdulqadir, for their needs, and seeking relief from their stress and sadness. They circumambulate their graves, and slaughter cattle for them. What is the meaning of this word? and of what benefit is the word to these people? They are insensible. They have forgotten Allah, so He has forgotten them. Their evil deeds were beautified for them and Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.

O servants of Allah the compulsory requirements of the word are establishing Prayer as a second pillar after the word, almsgiving, fasting, and performing Hajj, for those who have means.  Allah said (But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith) and doing religion obligations, and abstaining from every prohibition. the Companions have fought under the authority of Khalif Abubakar those who refused to give out the alms tax while they were saying the word of faith. Why? It is because Zakaat is a right and a requirement of the word of faith which can never be separated. Alhasanul-basry was once asked that: People narrate the hadith: “whoever says (Laailaaha illallaah) will enter paradise”. He said the Hadith means “whoever says the word and gives its rights and requirements will enter paradise”. Wahab bn Munabbih was asked that: Is Laailaaha illallaah not the key to paradise? He said:  yes indeed, but each key has its teeth particularly for its door which cannot be opened with another key.

Oh servants of Allah! As you know that associating partner with Allah nullifies one’s word of iman, also the remaining sins do as well. It reduces the reward of a servant. We Muslims are required to utter the word and to know it’s concept and to act in accordance with its requirements apparently and secretly. Then we should be steadfast on it. Allah said: (And those whom they call upon besides Him have no authority for intercession, but he who bears witness of the truth and they know (him). (he who bears witness of the truth) Means: He said: (Laailaaha illallaah). And They know: with their heart what their tongue uttered.