Kalima

The kalima is the essence of Islam and the basis for all achievement. No good action is acceptable with out belief in Kalimah. The Sahabah, therefore, devoted most of their energy, specially in the early days od islam, to the propagation of the kalimah and to fighting with the forces that resisted it. Although their engagements left them very little time to drink deep from the ocean of learning

Q: WHAT IS THE KALIMA OF ISLAM ?

A: THE KALIMA OF ISLAM IS :

LA-ILA-HA IL-LAL-LA-HU MU-HAM-MA-DUR RA-SU-LUL-LAH.

THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH , MUHAMMAD (PEACE BE ON HIM) IS HIS MESSENGER.

THIS KALIMA IS ALSO CALEED KALIMA TAUHID AND KALIMA TAIYYEBA.

Q: WHAT ID KALIMA SHAHAAT ?

A: KALIMA SHAHADAT (TESTIFICATION) IS :

ASH-HADU AL-LA ILA-HA IL-LAL-LA-HU WA ASH-HADU AN-NA MU-HAMMA0DAN 'AB-DU-HU WA RA-SU-LUH.

I TESTIFY THAT THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH AND I TESTIFY THAT MUHAMMAD IS ALLAH'S WORSHIPPER AND HIS MESSENGER .

The Significance of Shahada ( Kalima)

"Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illa Allah Wa Ashhadu Anna Muhammad Rasulu Allah"

"I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala)

and that Muhammad(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) is his servant and Messenger."

These are the words (Kalima) by which one declares his/her intention to become a Muslim. A newly reverted Muslim has to understand the meaning of this simple phrase and live and act in accordance to its principles to be guaranteed admission into heaven. Mere words are easily uttered, but Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) considers what is in one’s heart and measures one’s deeds to judge between his creatures.

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.

He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms (or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare His Praises and Glory: and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

(The Holy Quran, Al-Hashr, 59:22-24)

Someone who simply repeats the Kalima is equivalent to a student who has just been admitted to a University. They have both overcome a big hurdle and are to be commended; however, unless they understand the significance of the action they have undertaken, apply themselves, and work earnestly toward realizing their goal, they will both fail: one in this life and the other in the hereafter.

A true Muslim is someone who is completely aware of the meaning of this phrase, proclaims it with sincerity and devotion, and acts and lives in accordance to its requirements: Muslims can not take partners or intercessors (prophets, saints, righteous people, idols) with Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala); they should worship, obey, and rely solely on Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) and His revelations; they should accept Allah's(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) laws (religious and social) and orders (permissible and forbidden); and they should not put anyone or anything ahead of their obligations toward Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala).

A Muslim is always cognizant of the fact that rejection of one of the instructions of Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) -- revealed in the Holy Quran or taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) -- is equivalent to denouncing faith. This means that a Muslim will not declare human laws, man-made doctrines, or superstitious ideas as superior to Allah's(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) teachings. Indeed, A Muslim realizes that Allah's(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) laws are a reflection of His perfection and have been revealed for all ages and all societies. When Muslims fall short in the practice of their religion, they return to Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) , the most Merciful, with sincere repentance and ask for forgiveness.

We should not be misguided with the false doctrine that the mere belief in God is enough to attain salvation. We should remember that even the pagan Arabs living at the time of the Prophet(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) believed in and worshipped Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala)! They faulted in having taken idols and intercessors to bring them closer to Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala):

If thou ask them, who it is that created the heavens and the earth. They will certainly say, "Allah". Say: "Praise be to Allah!" But most of them understand not.
(The Holy Quran, Luqman, 31:25)

Give this warning to those in whose (hearts) is the fear that they will be brought (to judgment) before their Lord: except for Him they will have no protector nor intercessor: that they may guard (against evil).
(The Holy Quran, Al-Anaam, 6:51)

Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) wants us to solely believe in him, worship him, and ask him for help and guidance. Muslims should avoid all satanic rituals of attributing special powers to the dead, visiting the shrines of righteous people for blessing, asking religious scholars for intercession, or seeking favors from fortune tellers. These are pagan and superstitious rituals contradictory to the concept of "there is no deity other than Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala)":

Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did."
(The Holy Quran, Al-Anaam, 6:108)

Also contrary to the idea of "there is no deity other than Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala)" is the practice of willfully accepting, following, and promoting any doctrine or idea that contradicts Islam. This means that we should not follow or promote any man-made concept that belie the revelations contained in the Holy Quran or authentic teachings of the Holy Prophet(sallallaho alaihe wassallam). A person who does so reneges on his/her pledge to only obey and worship Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala):

But those who reject Faith and belie our Signs (revelations),- they shall be companions of Hell-fire."
(The Holy Quran, Al-Maeda, 5:86)

The phrase "Muhammad(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) is his servant and Messenger" indicated that the person taking this solemn oath accepts the fact that the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) are divine in nature. Muslims do know that Hazrat Muhammad(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) of Arabia was the last of the Prophets(pbut) and the perfect role model for us to follow:

Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Last of the prophets; and Allah is cognizant of all things.
(The Holy Quran, Al-Ahzab, 33:40)

Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.
(The Holy Quran, Al-Ahzab, 33:21)

In the Holy Quran, we are told that Hazrat Muhammad(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) was given the Quran and the Wisdom [2:151] to understand and explain it [14:4] to us. We are ordered that we should obey him(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) [3:32] and take whatever he gives us and abstain from whatever he(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) prevents us [24:7], since he only spoke what was given to him by Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) [53:3].

Every Muslim should have no doubt that Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) has kept the promised to protect his Word (revelations) from corruption. Indeed, the same early Muslims who protected the Holy Quran also had a hand in protecting the authentic Hadith of the Prophet(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) against corruption. After all, they were ordered by Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) and his Messenger(sallallaho alaihe wassallam) to recite and memorize both of them:

And bear in mind that which is recited in your houses of the revelations of Allah and wisdom. Lo! Allah is Subtile, Aware.
(The Holy Quran, Al-Ahzab, 33:34)

We ask Allah(Allah Subhanahu Wa-ta’ala) to bestow his mercy upon the sincere seekers of salvation; to guide them to the true path of Islam; to clarify for them the meaning of the Shahada; and to protect them from the whispers of the accursed Satan.

Our Lord! make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will); and show us our place for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in Mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
(The Holy Quran, Al-Baqara, 2:128)

Ameen.