Our Islamic Faith

 

Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.

 

I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (pbuh) is His servant and Messenger.

 

This testimony is an integral part of the Tashahhud (the testimony) that I recited at the beginning of my sermon and is a fundamental aspect of Islamic life, whether in Salat (prayer) or in every aspect of a Muslim believer's life. This testimony prevents anyone from considering the greatest and seal of prophets, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), or any person or thing on this earth as equal to Allah.

 

As the Khalifatullah and Messenger of Allah in this era, it is important for me to present to you what I, as a believing Muslim, hold to be true. First and foremost, I firmly believe in the existence of an All-Powerful God Who is perfect in all His attributes. Allah is a Being without any flaws, weaknesses, imperfections, insufficiencies, laziness, and He lacks nothing and never forgets. None of the human or animal weaknesses that afflict His creatures affect Him, the Creator. He possesses all excellent qualities at the highest level, beyond the full understanding and realization of humanity.

Understanding 'Shahada'

 

'Shahada': First Pillar of Islam

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

Laa-Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadur Rassoolullah

“There is no other God but God [Allah] and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger.” 

It is by accepting this confession that one becomes a Muslim. This is the first pillar of Islam. It is the profession of faith of every Muslim. It proclaims the oneness of God and totally refutes the idea that He could have been begotten (like human beings) or created. 

The Shahada therefore leads us to submit to God and become His servants. By reciting it, we affirm to our Creator that we will follow His recommendations and refrain from His prohibitions. Our goal is to try to correct ourselves, by leading our life according to the commands of our Master. 

To this end, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “He who recites the Shahada with sincerity will enter paradise”. He was then asked: “What is the sign of sincerity?” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) replied, “It prevents him from doing things forbidden by Allah.” 

We must therefore strive to obey Allah in all circumstances, whether in the way we eat, drink, dress or behave with others. It is not appropriate to be satisfied with what suits us, by conforming ourselves, for example, to the customs and behaviours of other people, foreign to Islam, by abandoning the Sunnah and all that Allah has prescribed to us in His Holy Book.