Meaning and Requirements of the Testimony of Faith - The Shahada

Asalam alaikom

Here is an article on the meaning and requirements of the Shahada, plus the reward for sincere Testimony.

You can download it here http://abdurrahman.org/knowledge/Abbas-Abu-Yahya/120-7-conditions-Haafith-al-Hakami_-_www.AbdurRahman.org.pdf

Conditions of ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’
‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah’
By
Hafidh al-Hakami
-Rahimahullaah-
Taken from his book
‘Ma’arij al-Qabool’
Translated by
Abbas Abu Yahya
The first Condition: al-Ilm – Knowledge
The meaning of ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ and its intent are affirmation and negation,
so knowledge negates ignorance.
Allaah –Azza wa Jal- said:
<< So know that La ilaha ‘illa Allaah (none has the right to be worshipped in
truth except Allaah) >> [Muhammad: 19]
Allaah –Ta’ala- said:
<< except those who bear witness to the truth >> [Zukhruf: 86]
Which means that they testify to ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ << while they know>>
[Zukhruf: 86] with their hearts and they pronounce its meaning with their tongues.
Allaah –Ta’ala- said:
<worshipped but He), and the angels and those having knowledge (also give this
witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. La ilaha ‘illa Huwa
(none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.>>
[Aali-‘Imran: 18]
Allaah –Ta’ala- said:
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<of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allaah’s Signs and
Verses)>> [Zumar: 9]
Allaah –Ta’ala- said:
<< It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah>>
[Faatir: 28]
Allaah –Ta’ala- said:
<< And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will
understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allaah and His Signs,
etc.)>> [Ankaboot: 43]
In the Saheeh of Imaam Muslim on the authority of ‘Uthmaan –RadhiAllaahu anhuwho
said that: the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘Whoever dies
knowing ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ enters Paradise.’
The Second Condition: Al-Yaqeen - Certainty
The second condition is certainty which negates doubt, such that the one who
pronounces ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ does it with certainty of what these words
indicate, with a decisive certainty. This is since Eemaan cannot do without
certain knowledge (Ilm al-Yaqeen), as opposed to suspicious knowledge (Ilm al-
Thann), and what would be the case if doubt entered Eemaan?
Allaah -Azza wa Jal- said:
<Messenger and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives
for the Cause of Allaah. Those! They are the truthful. >> [Hujuraat: 15]
So certainty was a condition for them having truthfulness in their Eemaan in
Allaah and His Messenger and also that they did not have uncertainty or doubt
‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’.
As for uncertainty then that comes from the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) – and we
seek refuge with Allaah. They were the ones about whom Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
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<< It is only those who believe not in Allaah and the Last Day and whose
hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihaad). So in their
doubts they waver >> [Tawbah: 45]
In the Saheeh of Imaam Muslim from the hadeeth of Abu Huraira –RadhiAllaahu
anhu- who said that the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘I testify
that none is worthy of worship in truth except Allaah and that I am the
Messenger of Allaah. There is no servant of Allaah who meets Allaah with
these two testifications, not doubting in them, except that he enters Paradise.’
In another narration: ‘there is no servant of Allaah who meets Allaah with these
two testifications, not doubting in them, who is prevented from entering
Paradise.’
Also in the Saheeh of Muslim on the authority of Abu Huraira –RadhiAllaahu anhufrom
the long hadeeth that the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - sent him with his
shoes and said: ‘Whoever you meet behind this garden that testifies ‘La ilaha
‘illa Allaah’ with certainty in his heart then give him the glad tidings of
Paradise.’
So the Messenger made the entrance into Paradise of the one who says ‘La ilaha
‘illa Allaah’ conditional upon his having certainty of it in his heart, with no
doubt in it. So, if the condition is removed then the reward is also then
removed.
Third Condition: al-Qabool - Acceptance
Acceptance of what this statement necessitates is with the heart and the tongue.
Allaah -Azza wa Jal - narrates to us the news of what preceded regarding those
who were previously saved and regarding the punishment of those who
rejected and refused to accept this statement. As Allaah –Ta’ala – said:
<the luxurious ones among them said: ‘We found our fathers following a certain
way and religion and we will indeed follow their footsteps.’
(The warner) said: ‘Even if I bring you better guidance than that which you
found your fathers following?’ They said: ‘Verily, We disbelieve in that with
which you have been sent.’
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So We took revenge of them, then see what was the end of those who denied
(Islaamic Monotheism)>> [Zukhruf 23-25]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< Then (in the end) We save Our Messengers and those who believe! Thus it
is incumbent upon Us to save the believers. >> [Yunus: 103]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< And indeed We did send Messengers before you to their own peoples.
They came to them with clear proofs, then We took vengeance on those who
committed crimes (disbelief, setting partners in worship with Allaah, sins, etc.),
and (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them). >> [Room 47]
He -Subhanahu wa Ta’ala - informed us of what He promised to those who
accept ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ of reward and what He has prepared of punishment
for the one who rejects ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’
As Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< (It will be said to the Angels): ‘Assemble those who did wrong, together
with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship instead
of Allaah. And lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell);
‘But stop them, verily they are to be questioned.’
‘What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to
do in the world)?’
Nay, but that Day they shall surrender,
And they will turn to one another and question one another.
They will say: ‘It was you who used to come to us from the right side [i.e. from
the right side of one of us and beautify for us every evil, order polytheism for
us, and prevent us from the truth i.e. Islaamic Monotheism and from every
good deed].’
They will reply: ‘Nay, you yourselves were not believers.
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‘And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were transgressing people
(disobedient, polytheists, and disbelievers).
‘So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall
certainly (have to) taste (the torment).
‘So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray.’
Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment.
Certainly, that is how We deal with Al-Mujrimoon (polytheists, sinners, criminals,
the disobedient to Allaah, etc.).
Truly, when it was said to them: ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ (none has the right to be
worshipped but Allaah), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).
And (they) said: ‘Are we going to abandon our (gods) for the sake of a mad
poet? >> [Saaffat: 22-36]
Allaah -Ta’ala- made the cause of and the reason for their punishment their
arrogance towards ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ and their belying of those who came
with it. So, they did not negate what Allaah negated and they did not affirm
what Allaah affirmed, rather they said rejecting and proudly:
<< ‘Has he made the âliha (gods) (all) into One Ilâh (God - Allaah). Verily, this
is a curious thing!’
And the leaders among them went about (saying): ‘Go on, and remain constant
to your âliha (gods)! Verily, this is a thing designed (against you)!
‘We have not heard (the like) of this among the people of these later days. This
is nothing but an invention! >> [Saad: 5-7]
And here they said : <<‘Are we going to abandon our (gods) for the sake of a
mad poet? >>
Then Allaah -Azza wa Jal – refuted them and turned that back on them via
His Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - and He said:
<Monotheism and this Qur’aan) and he confirms the Messengers (before him
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who brought Allaah’s religion - Islaamic Monotheism).>> [Saaffat: 37] to the end
of the Aayaat.
Then He said about those before them:
<< Except the chosen slaves of Allaah (faithful, obedient, true believers of
Islaamic Monotheism). For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise).
Fruits; and they shall be honoured, in the Gardens of delight (Paradise) >>
[Saaffat: 40-43] to the end of the Aayaat.
And Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allaah along
with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth, and they will
be safe from the terror on that Day. >> [Naml: 89]
And in the Saheeh on the authority of Abu Musa –RadhiAllaahu anhu- that the
Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘The like of what Allaah sent me with of
guidance and knowledge is like heavy rainfall which poured onto the ground.
There was some land which was fertile which absorbed the water and many
plants and grass began to grow. There was some land which was arid but it held
the water and Allaah made the people benefit by it, so they drank from it, used
the water and used it for agriculture.
There was some other land which was affected by the water but was flat land
where nothing would grow. It did not hold the water nor did it allow plants to
grow. That is the example of the one who has understanding of the Deen and
benefits from what Allaah sent me with, so he learns it and teaches it and the
example of he who cannot raise his head due to it and does not accept the
guidance of Allaah with which I have been sent.’
Fourth Condition
Al-Inqiyaad - Submission & Obedience
Submission and obedience to what ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ requires and that it
negates disobedience.
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Allaah -Azza wa Jal – said:
<< And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith (Islaamic
Monotheism) to your Lord and submit to Him (in Islaam) >> [Zumar: 54]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<to Allaah and he is a Muhsin (a good-doer). >> [Nisaa’: 125]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<(good-doer), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [La ilaha ‘illa
Allaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah)]. >> [Luqman: 22]
Which means holding onto ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’
<< And to Allaah return all matters for decision. >> [Luqman: 22]
The meaning of which is, that he submits his face to Allaah i.e. he obeys Him,
and he is a righteous person worshipping Allaah Alone. Whoever does not
submit his face to Allaah and is not a righteous person then he has not held
onto the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.
That is the meaning of the saying of Allaah -Azza wa Jal which follows:
<return and We shall inform them what they have done. Verily, Allaah is the All-
Knower of what is in the hearts (of men).
We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to
(enter) a great torment. >> [Luqman: 23-24]
Fifth Condition
Sidq - Truthfulness
Truthfulness to ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ negates lying, falsehood and it is to say ‘La
ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ truthfully from one’s heart and to make one’s speech in
accordance to what is in one’s heart.
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Allaah -Azza wa Jal – said:
<say: ‘We believe’ and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allaah will certainly
make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it)
known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allaah knows all of
that before testing them). >> [Ankaboot: 1-3]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said regarding the Munafiqeen (hypocrites) who said ‘La ilaha ‘illa
Allaah’, speaking falsely:
<and the Last Day’ while in fact they believe not.
They (think to) deceive Allaah and those who believe while they only deceive
themselves and perceive (it) not!
In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allaah has increased
their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. >> [al-
Baqarah: 8-11]
How many times has Allaah -Ta’ala- mentioned them and exposed them,
repeatedly exposing their cover and revealing it. He makes their humiliation
manifest in more than one place in His Book such as in Soorahs Baqarah, Aali-
‘Imran, Nisaa’, Anfaal, Tawbah as well as a whole Soorah dedicated to them
(i.e. Al-Munaafiqoon) along with other Soorahs.
In Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Mu’aadh bin Jabal –RadhiAllaahu anhufrom
the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam -:
‘There is none who testifies that ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah and that Muhammad is
His slave and Messenger’ truthfully from his heart except that Allaah prohibits
him from entering the Fire.’
So Allaah made being saved from the Fire, for the one who says this statement,
conditional by saying it truthfully from his heart. Merely pronouncing ‘La ilaha
‘illa Allaah’ does not benefit the one who says it unless there is agreement with
the heart.
Also in Bukhari and Muslim from the hadeeth of Anas bin Malik and Talha bin
Ubaydullaah –RadhiAllaahu anhumaa- in the story of the Bedouin – who was Damaam
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bin Tha’alabah, a delegate of Bani Sa’ad bin Bakr – when he asked the
Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - about the rulings of Islaam and was
then informed by him. He then asked the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – ‘Do I
have to do anything else?’
The Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - answered: ‘No, except if you perform it
optionally.’
Then the Bedouin said: ‘I swear by Allaah I will not increase upon that nor
decrease from it.’
So the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘He will be successful if he
is truthful.’
And in some narrations: ‘Indeed if he is truthful then he will enter into
Paradise.’
So the Messenger made it a condition for his success and entrance into
Paradise that he was truthful.
Sixth Condition:
Al-Ikhlaas - Sincerity
Sincerity is purifying actions from all the stains of Shirk with righteous
intention.
Allaah -Tabaraka wa Ta’ala - said:
<< Surely, the religion (i.e. worship and obedience) is for Allaah only>> [Zumar:
3]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<worship none but Him Alone >> [al-Bayyinah: 5]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< So worship Allaah (Alone) by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s
sake only, (not to show-off and not to set up rivals with Him in worship)>>
[Zumar: 2]
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Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< Say: ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allaah (Alone) by obeying Him
and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allaah’s sake only >> [Zumar :11]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<only, not to show off and not setting up rivals with Him in worship.’>> [Zumar:
14]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<helper will you find for them. Except those who repent (from hypocrisy), do
righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allaah, purify their religion for Allaah (by
worshipping none but Allaah and do good for Allaah's sake only, not to showoff),
then they will be with the believers. >> [Nisaa: 145-146]
And there are other similar Aayaat.
In the Saheeh of Bukhari on the authority of the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam :
‘Of those people happiest with my intercession is the one who said ‘La ilaha
‘illa Allaah’ sincerely from his heart or from his self.’
Also, in the Saheeh of Bukhari on the authority of ‘Utbaan bin Malik –RadhiAllaahu
anhu- from the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - who said: ‘Indeed Allaah prohibited
the Fire for the one who said: ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ desiring by it the Face of
Allaah - Azza wa Jal.’
In the Jaami’ of Tirmidhee on the authority of Abu Huraira –RadhiAllaahu anhu- that
the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said: ‘A slave of Allaah does not ever
say ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ sincerely except that the doors to the heavens are
opened for him until it reaches the ‘Arsh, as long as he keeps away from the
major sins.’
Tirmidhee said the hadeeth via this chain is Hasan Ghareeb.
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Seventh Condition:
Al-Muhabbah - Love
Which is having love for this statement, what it necessitates and indicates,
loving its people – those who act upon it, adhering to its conditions – and to
hate what violates it.
Allaah -Azza wa Jal – said:
<rivals (to Allaah). They love them as they love Allaah. But those who believe
love Allaah more (than anything else). >> [al-Baqarah: 165]
Allaah – Ta’ala - said:
<(Islaam), Allaah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him;
humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the
Way of Allaah and never afraid of the blame of th0e blamers. >> [Maa’idah: 54]
Allaah -Azza wa Jal - informed us that His worshippers, the believers, are more
severe in their love for Him. That is because they do not associate anyone else
with Him in their love for Him, unlike those from the Mushrikeen who claimed
they loved Him but then also took partners with Allaah whom they loved just
as they loved Him.
The sign that the slave of Allaah loves his Lord is that he submits to what
Allaah loves, even if it opposes his desires and that he also hates what his Lord
hates, even if his desires are inclined to it. The slave of Allaah is loyal to
whomever Allaah and His Messenger are loyal to and he has enmity towards
whomever has enmity towards Allaah.
He follows His Messenger, - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - imitates his example and accepts
his guidance. All of these are signs of the presence of the conditions of love.
It is not conceivable to have love without its conditions being present.
Allaah -Tabaraka wa Ta’ala – said:
<you then be a Wakeel (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher) over him? >>
[Furqaan: 43]
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Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<and Allaah knowing (him as such) left him astray and sealed his hearing and his
heart and put a cover on his sight. Who then will guide him after Allaah?>>
[Jaathiyah: 23]
So everyone who worships other than Allaah along with Him, then in reality he
worships his own desire. Every sin by which Allaah is disobeyed, it is due to
the slave of Allaah submitting to his desires rather than to the commands of
Allaah - Azza wa Jal – and the avoidance of His prohibitions.
Allaah -Ta’ala- said regarding loyalty and enmity for the sake of Allaah:
<< Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraheem and those
with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and
whatever you worship besides Allaah. We have rejected you and there has
begun between us and you hostility and hatred forever, until you believe in
Allaah Alone’>> [Mumtahana: 4]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< You will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day
befriending those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger even though they
were their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their kindred (people). For such
He has written Faith in their hearts >> [Mujadilah:22]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<(friends, protectors, helpers, etc.), they are but Auliyâ' to one another. And if
any amongst you takes them as Auliyâ', then surely he is one of them >>
[Maa’idah: 51]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<fathers and your brothers if they prefer disbelief to Belief. And whoever of you
does so, then he is one of the Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.).
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Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the
wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline and the
dwellings in which you delight ... are dearer to you than Allaah and His
Messenger and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allaah
brings about His Decision (torment). And Allaah guides not the people who
are the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah. >> [Tawbah: 23-24]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said:
<< O you who believe! Take not My enemies and your enemies as friends >>
[Mumtahana: 1]
to the end of the Soorah. And there are other Aayaat.
[Following the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam]
Allaah -Ta’ala- said regarding the conditions for following His Messenger -
sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam :
<forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ Say:
‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they turn away, then Allaah does not
like the disbelievers. >> [Aali-‘Imran: 31]
The Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘There are three
characteristics, whoever has them finds the sweetness of Eemaan: that Allaah
and His Messenger are more beloved to him than other than them; that when
he loves a person he loves him only for Allaah’s sake and that he hates to
return to disbelief after Allaah has saved him from it just as he hates to be
thrown into the Hell-Fire’
Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim from the hadeeth of Anas –Radhi’allaahu anhu.
Also, Bukhari and Muslim narrate on the authority of Anas and of Abu Huraira
–Radhi’Allaahu anhu- who said that: the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - said:
‘None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his son, his
father and all mankind.’
That is what the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – brought, information about
Allaah, the commands relating to what Allaah loves and is pleased with and
prohibitions of what Allaah dislikes and rejects.
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So if the slave of Allaah follows what Allaah commands and keeps away from
what Allaah prohibits, even if that opposes his desire, then he is a true believer.
So what is the case if he desires nothing other than this?
In a hadeeth: ‘The strongest part of al-Eemaan is loving and hating for the sake
of Allaah.’
Ibn ‘Abbas –RadhiAllaahu anhu- said: ‘Whoever loves for the sake of Allaah, hates for
the sake of Allaah, is loyal for the sake of Allaah and has enmity for the sake of
Allaah then he obtains the alliance of Allaah due to that.
What has become common amongst the people today is a brotherhood based
upon the affairs of the Dunya, which does not benefit its people in anything.
Hasan al-Basri and other than him from the Salaf mention that: ‘There were a
people who claimed the love of Allaah -Azza wa Jal - so Allaah tried them with
this Aayah:
<(i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’aan and the Sunnah), Allaah
will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful.’ Say (O Muhammad): ‘Obey Allaah and the Messenger.’ But if they
turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers. >> [Aali-Imraan: 31-32]
Bukhari -Rahimahullaah- said: Muhammad bin Sinaan narrated to us that Faleeh said
that Hilaal bin ‘Alee narrated to us on the authority of ‘Atta bin Yassar on the
authority of Abu Huraira –RadhiAllaahu anhu- that the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu
alayhi wa sallam - said: ‘Everyone from my Ummah will enter Paradise, except the one
who refuses to enter.’
They asked: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, who would refuse?’
He said: ‘Whoever obeys me enters Paradise and whoever disobeys me has
refused to enter.’
Bukhari said Muhammad bin Ubadah informed us that Yazeed narrated to us
that Saleem - and he praised him - narrated to us that Sa’eed bin Meena
narrated to us - or I heard - Jaabir bin Abdullaah say: ‘Some angels came to the
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Prophet while he was sleeping. Some of them said: ‘He is sleeping.’ Others
said: ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
Then they said: ‘There is an example for this companion of yours.’
One of them said: ‘Then set forth an example for him.’
Some of them said: ‘He is sleeping.’
The others said: ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
Then they said: ‘His example is of a man who built a house then offered a
banquet therein and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So
whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the
banquet and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter
the house nor did he eat of the banquet.’
Then the Angels said: ‘Interpret this example to him so that he may understand
it.’
Some of them said: ‘He is sleeping.’
The others said; ‘His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake.’
Then they said: ‘The house stands for Paradise and the caller is Muhammad;
whoever obeys Muhammad, obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhammad,
disobeys Allah. Muhammad distinguished between the people (i.e. through
his message the good is distinguished from the bad and the believers from the
disbelievers).’
Here it should be known that the testification ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ is not
complete except with the testification that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.
It should also be known that loving Allaah –Azza wa Jal - cannot be complete
except by loving what He loves and disliking what He dislikes. There is no way
to knowing what Allaah – Ta’ala- loves and is pleased with or what He dislikes
and rejects except by following what the Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa
sallam- ordered and keeping away from what he prohibited.
So loving Allaah necessitates loving the Messenger of Allaah, believing in him
and following him. This is why loving Allaah is connected to loving the
Messenger of Allaah - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam - in many places in the Qur’aan, such
as the saying of Allaah -Azza wa Jal:
<< Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the
wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline and the
dwellings in which you delight ... are dearer to you than Allaah and His
Messenger and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allaah
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