The Shahada, that is, the testimony of
faith, is a simple yet profound declaration which forms the heart of a believer
in Islam. When a believer says: Ash-hadu alla
ilaaha illallahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasullullah (I bear
witness that there is no other god except Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is
[simply] His Messenger), it is not merely a phrase upon the lips and
tongue; it is a spiritual commitment, a promise that this believer is making
before Allah, for this phrase which appears very simple is in fact the key that
opens the door of faith.
(The first part of the Shahada i.e.) “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” is beyond what people can describe, beyond what they can comprehend; it separates the believers from the disbelievers, those who are blessed and in peace and happiness from those who are far from Allah’s blessings and who make their lives bitter through their own faults; thus this Shahada (Laa Ilaaha Ilallahu Muhammadur Rasullullah) represents the very foundation of Islam. Whoever holds firmly to this word, this key, attains eternal life; whoever neglects it falls into perdition.
Allah in the Holy Qur’an draws people’s
attention to the necessity of recognising Him as their Sole Creator, where He
emphasises His Oneness, that He has no partners. You will find in the Qur’an
(Muhammad 47: 20) that Allah affirms that there are no other gods except Him.
Another verse says: “Allah bears witness that
there is no deity except Him, and the angels and those endowed with knowledge
also bear witness” (Al-Imran 3: 19).
This shows that the Shahada is not a
mere utterance but a universal truth. In the Holy Qur’an (Al-Anbiya 21: 26),
Allah says: “We did not send any messenger before you without revealing to
him: There is no deity except Me (Allah); so worship Me.”
Therefore, we see that the Holy Qur’an is
filled with the instruction to worship Allah alone. This proves that the Shahada
is the very essence of the call of all the prophets until the Day of Judgement.
When a Muslim recites the Shahada with
sincerity, he engages his heart, his mind and his entire life in a new
direction. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever says Laa
Ilaaha Illallah with sincerity will enter Paradise” (Muslim).
But sincerity is not only upon the lips; it
must be in the heart and in actions as well. An affirmation from someone who
says with his mouth that Allah is One, and pronounces the Shahada, will
not truly be accepted from him until he – that servant – fulfils the true
meaning and principal purpose of the Shahada: that is, he must be
conscious that he must at all costs refuse to associate and worship other false
gods with Allah – he must not practise idolatry or polytheism, and on the
contrary, he must adopt a firm position in his belief in the Oneness of Allah.
The Shahada is also a declaration of
spiritual freedom. When someone says that there are no other gods except Allah,
he frees himself from slavery to idols, false beliefs, and worldly pressures.
He acknowledges that only Allah has absolute power; he recognises that it is
Allah alone Who deserves submission.
In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says: “If you ask people, Who created the heavens and the
earth, and Who gives life and death, they will say: ‘Allah’.”
(Al-Ankabut 29: 62)
Yet despite this, many do not accept the
Oneness of Allah in their practice. Therefore, the Shahada (especially
its first part which establishes the Oneness of Allah) makes each of us
remember that true worship must be directed to Allah alone.
The positivity in the daily life of a believer
is directly linked with the Shahada. When he recites it with devotion,
he gains an inner strength which brings him success in this world and in the
Hereafter as well. This positivity comes from his recitation of the Shahada,
not once or twice, but he makes it a routine to recite the Shahada
several times a day, and he makes it a habit. When someone does this, he
invites Sakina (tranquillity) upon himself, where he develops patience,
learns to submit truly and completely to Allah, and accepts that everything
that happens is within Allah’s decree. He accepts that all that occurs depends
upon Allah alone. The words “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” are a solid anchor, a
firm rope that saves whoever holds onto it. “Laa
Ilaaha Illallah” is the most just, the most majestic word, and it is
the best among all words. It refreshes the heart of the one who recites it
morning and evening, it removes sadness, it brings inner peace.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best
invocation is ‘Laa Ilaaha Illallah’; and the best supplication to Allah is
Praise be to Allah (Alhamdulilah).” (Tirmidhi)
In a Hadith in Tirmidhi, reported by Hazrat Abu
Huraira (ra), Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When a servant recites ‘Laa
Ilaaha Illallah’ sincerely, the gates of heaven open for him, and it ascends up
to the Throne of Allah, provided he avoids major sins.”
The beauty of the Shahada is reflected
in the soul of a believer. It removes darkness and ignorance, it elevates the
soul above idolatry, it purifies it from false beliefs and illusions. A heart
attached to Allah adopts the recitation of the Shahada at all times; it
obeys the commandments of its Creator, avoids His prohibitions, and dedicates
its life to the cause of Allah.
Whoever recites the Shahada sincerely
gains the hope of attaining divine grace, may be saved from the fire of hell,
gains happiness in this world and salvation in the Hereafter as well.
Despite all the rewards and merits that the Shahada
brings, it will not be accepted from someone until he applies it sincerely in
his life. “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” must
not remain only upon his lips.
A Muslim must fulfil the rights and duties of
the Shahada, he must respect its conditions as mentioned in the Qur’an
and Sunnah. The Shahada is not an empty word; it demands practice,
discipline and sincerity. Whoever recites it sincerely and practises its
meaning gains clear direction, peace in his heart, and the ability to prepare
himself for his journey towards the Aakhirat (the Hereafter). The Shahada
is the best of good deeds, the most honourable of words and actions, the pure
word that unites believers and liberates the spirit. It is a treasure that
nourishes the soul, a spiritual fragrance that beautifies life, a strength that
gives courage in difficult moments. Whoever adopts it with firm conviction
gains happiness in this world and salvation in the Hereafter.
In truth, the Shahada is not only a
pillar of Islam; it is the very essence of faith, the beauty of the soul, the
key to Paradise. It is a light that guides our soul towards Allah, a promise
that transforms life, a truth that remains eternal. Whoever recites it
sincerely and practises its meaning, Allah will watch over his well-being. I do
not say that such a person will not face trials. No! He will face trials, but
Allah will make him pass through them with ease. Whoever keeps his trust in
Allah, who establishes himself upon the Shahada, can be assured that
Allah will never let him be lost. The Shahada is the word of the Oneness
of Allah, a pure and clear word, where Allah brings souls out of darkness and
ignorance, and leads them towards the light of His truth. Allah elevates them,
elevates us – all of us who establish ourselves firmly upon it, where Allah
preserves us from the impurity of idols. The Shahada purifies our
hearts, removes the impurity of false beliefs and illusions, gives our souls
and even our physical bodies the stability they need.
Therefore, establish yourselves upon “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” first, then “Muhammadur
Rassullullah”. The Shahada will purify you, prevent you from falling
into sins, help you maintain your connection with Allah, and make you taste
sweetness in your Salat/ Namaz (prayer). Do not abandon Allah, and Allah
will never abandon you. Remember Him and He will always remember you; establish
yourselves firmly upon “Laa Ilaaha Illallah”.
This is what will help you in all trials and even in the good moments of your
life. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 06 February 2026~ 17 Shabaan 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.