How can a Muslim realize the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah in speech, action, and belief, such that he guarantees for himself salvation from eternal abode in the Fire?

The questioner : How can a Muslim realize the testimony that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah in speech, action, and belief, such that he guarantees for himself salvation from eternal abode in the Fire? Please guide us in light of this question?

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment. Realizing the testimony that there is no god but Allah requires that a person first understand its meaning, and then act in accordance with this knowledge. The meaning of "there is no god but Allah" is that there is no true object of worship except Allah. It does not mean that there is no existing god except Allah. Rather, the meaning is that there is no true god except Allah, because among the created beings, some are worshipped besides Allah and called gods, as Allah the Exalted said: And Allah the Exalted said: And the polytheists said: But these gods are not true; rather, they are false, as Allah the Exalted said: And since there is no true object of worship except Allah, it is obligatory for a person to direct all worship—belief, speech, and action—to Allah the Exalted alone. And since this is the meaning of "there is no god but Allah," a person cannot realize it until he acts in accordance with its implications, meaning that he does not worship anyone but Allah. He does not humble himself or submit to anyone in the manner of worship, seeking nearness, or turning in repentance, except to Allah Mighty and Majestic. The implication of this is also that one does not worship Allah the Exalted except by what He has prescribed, because Allah is the true god, and everything other than Him is false. Accordingly, one does not worship Allah except by what He has prescribed through the hands of the Messengers, peace and blessings be upon them. It is also necessary to realize the testimony that there is no god but Allah by disbelieving in the gods other than Allah Mighty and Majestic, so that one achieves holding fast to the firm handhold. Allah the Exalted said: And He said: Therefore, realizing the testimony that there is no god but Allah requires avoiding taghut, which is everything worshipped besides Allah Mighty and Majestic, or to which one submits in judgment besides Allah.