Oneness of Worship: The Meaning of the Testimony that There Is No God but Allah
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Q6: The questioner asks: What is the meaning of the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and is it sufficient for entering Islam? Or are there deeds that must be performed for the one who says it to be considered a Muslim? And what is the difference between a Muslim and a believer?
A6: The testimony that there is no god but Allah means: acknowledging, affirming, and speaking with the tongue, along with affirming in the heart, that no one deserves worship except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Is it sufficient for entering Islam? But if one knows its meaning and its implications, then it is sufficient? However, if one does not act upon its implications, does not pray, does not fast, yet says "There is no god but Allah," and does not perform the pillars of Islam; then this person is not a Muslim, and he is ruled to be an apostate. The difference between Islam and faith is: Islam is broader than faith, and faith is more specific than Islam. If Islam is mentioned in a general sense, faith is included in it. If faith is mentioned, Islam is included in it. If both are mentioned together, Islam has a specific meaning, and faith has a specific meaning. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), when Jibril asked him about Islam, said:
(peace and blessings be upon him), when Jibril asked him about Islam, he said:Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 7:528, and when he was asked about faith, Sahih Muslim 8a. So if Islam and faith are mentioned together? Islam means the outward deeds, and faith means the inward deeds in the heart. And if one of them is mentioned, the other is included in it. For this reason, they say: if they are gathered together, they are distinguished; and if they are distinguished, they are gathered together.
A6: The testimony that there is no god but Allah means: acknowledging, affirming, and speaking with the tongue, along with affirming in the heart, that no one deserves worship except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). Is it sufficient for entering Islam? But if one knows its meaning and its implications, then it is sufficient? However, if one does not act upon its implications, does not pray, does not fast, yet says "There is no god but Allah," and does not perform the pillars of Islam; then this person is not a Muslim, and he is ruled to be an apostate. The difference between Islam and faith is: Islam is broader than faith, and faith is more specific than Islam. If Islam is mentioned in a general sense, faith is included in it. If faith is mentioned, Islam is included in it. If both are mentioned together, Islam has a specific meaning, and faith has a specific meaning. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), when Jibril asked him about Islam, said:
(peace and blessings be upon him), when Jibril asked him about Islam, he said:
... Islam is that you testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and that you establish prayer, pay the obligatory alms, fast Ramadan, and perform the major pilgrimage to the House if you are able to find a way to it.
... الإسلام أن تشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمداً رسول الله وأن تقيم الصلاة وتؤتي الزكاة وتصوم رمضان وتحج البيت إن استطعت إليه سبيلاThat you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.
(قال الإيمان أن تؤمن بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله واليوم الآخر وتؤمن بالقدر خيره وشره...
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.