Introduction

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله، صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم تسليما كثيرا إلى يوم الدين.

To proceed:

This is the fourth lesson in Jaami‘ al-Masaa’il in Aqeedah. I urge my brothers, may Allaah preserve them, who are listening to this lesson not to tire of or neglect these lessons on important matters, especially those related to Allaah, Glorified and Exalted is He.

Every person must learn everything related to this great statement:
Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Muhammadun Rasoolu Allaah, salla-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

One must know its meaning, its pillars, its conditions, and its virtues, among other important matters, because it is the greatest statement.

In the previous lesson, we covered the meaning of “Ash-hadu” (“I bear witness” / “I testify”) and the meaning of “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah”.

Pillars of Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah

What is the meaning of “pillars”?

A pillar is the foundation upon which a thing depends. The pillars of Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah are:

1. Negation (Laa ilaaha) – removes divinity from everything besides Allaah.
2. Affirmation (illa Allaah) – affirms divinity solely for Allaah, who has no partner in His worship.

Both pillars must be present:

• Affirmation alone does not prevent shirk.
• Negation alone without affirmation is incomplete.

An Example From the Qur’aan

Allaah, Exalted is He, says:

{ وَإِلَـهُـكُـمْ إِلَهٌ وَاحِد }
“Your God is One God”

At first glance, this appears to be affirmation alone, since there is no explicit negation. However, notice the exclusivity: it implicitly conveys negation, affirming that there is no god [worthy of worship] other than Him.

Virtues of Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah

• Foundation of Islaam: Four of the five pillars of Islaam are based on this testimony (shahaadah). Salaat, Zakaah, fasting, and Hajj are invalid without it.
• First obligation upon slaves of Allaah: The Prophet, salla-llaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told Mu‘aath bnu Jabal: “The first thing you invite them to is the Shahaadah.”
• Last obligation: “Instruct your dying ones to say: Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah” (Narrated by Muslim).
• Call of all the prophets: “Worship Allaah and avoid Taaghoot.”
• Cause of success: “Say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah and you will succeed.”
• Cause of entering al-Jannah: “Whoever testifies Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Muhammadun Rasoolu Allaah, and meets Allaah without doubting them, will enter al-Jannah.”
• Protection of life and property: “I have been commanded to fight people until they testify…”
• Highest branch of Eemaan: “The highest of it is saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah.”
• Heaviest thing on the scale: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah outweighs the seven heavens and seven earths.”
• Best thikr:
  • Mentioning it in the market earns great reward.
  • After ablution, it opens the eight gates of al-Jannah.
  • Saying it 100 times a day grants 100 good deeds and erases 100 sins.

Summary

• Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah is the greatest statement.
• It has two pillars: negation and affirmation.
• Its virtues are immense and numerous.
• Applying it correctly is required of every Muslim.