Written by: Maulana Abul Hassan Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani
Question:
Is the Kalima Tayyiba, "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah," proven from any single Hadith? If not, how has it reached us? Furthermore, does a non-Muslim need to declare these exact words to embrace Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and Risalat (Prophethood), or are there other words mentioned in the Quran and Hadith for this purpose?
Answer:
The words used to enter into Islam are the acknowledgment of the two testimonies, i.e., the testimony of the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) and the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is established from the books of Hadith. In Sahih Bukhari, the incident of Abu Dharr Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) embracing Islam is mentioned in detail. He went to the Ka'bah and loudly declared:
"I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of the Merits of the Ansar, Chapter: The Islam of Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (RA) 3861]
Similarly, in the Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and several other companions (may Allah be pleased with them), it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"I have been commanded to fight against people until they testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter: If they repent and establish prayers... 25; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: The Command to Fight People... 20]
Additionally, consider the Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding the delegation of Abdul Qais, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned faith in Allah alone:
"The testimony that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter: Five are part of faith: 53; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: Faith in Allah... 17]
Upon reviewing the books of Hadith, it becomes evident that to enter Islam, it is essential to first testify to two things: the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is commonly expressed as the Kalima Tayyiba. "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" encompasses both these aspects. When accepting Islam, people would testify to these two matters, as mentioned above, and this declaration is also found in various places in the Quran. There is a consensus among all Muslims on this matter.
Question:
Is the Kalima Tayyiba, "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah," proven from any single Hadith? If not, how has it reached us? Furthermore, does a non-Muslim need to declare these exact words to embrace Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) and Risalat (Prophethood), or are there other words mentioned in the Quran and Hadith for this purpose?
Answer:
The words used to enter into Islam are the acknowledgment of the two testimonies, i.e., the testimony of the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) and the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is established from the books of Hadith. In Sahih Bukhari, the incident of Abu Dharr Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) embracing Islam is mentioned in detail. He went to the Ka'bah and loudly declared:
"أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأن محمدا رسول الله"
"I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of the Merits of the Ansar, Chapter: The Islam of Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (RA) 3861]
Similarly, in the Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and several other companions (may Allah be pleased with them), it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله"
"I have been commanded to fight against people until they testify that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter: If they repent and establish prayers... 25; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: The Command to Fight People... 20]
Additionally, consider the Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding the delegation of Abdul Qais, in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned faith in Allah alone:
"شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله"
"The testimony that there is no deity but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith, Chapter: Five are part of faith: 53; Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter: Faith in Allah... 17]
Upon reviewing the books of Hadith, it becomes evident that to enter Islam, it is essential to first testify to two things: the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is commonly expressed as the Kalima Tayyiba. "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" encompasses both these aspects. When accepting Islam, people would testify to these two matters, as mentioned above, and this declaration is also found in various places in the Quran. There is a consensus among all Muslims on this matter.