79 Virtues of the Shahaadah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

All Muslims know what the Shahaadah (testimony of faith) is. It is Laa ilaaha illallah – There is none worthy of worship except Allah.

However, the problem arises when one is asked to explain the meaning of the testimony or mention some of its virtues. That’s where most of the Muslims get stuck.

Imagine, this statement is the basis of the religion and many Muslims would NOT be able to give a 15-minute talk on it.

So, what does it mean and what are its virtues, you ask? Just in case YOU are called upon to give that 15 min talk.

As for the meaning, the following two older posts of mine (from my older blogs) should suffice for now:

Article: The Shahaadah – Testimony of Faith

Book: The Declaration of Faith

This post is about the virtues of the Shahaadah – 79 of them to be exact. And no, I did not gather them myself.

Rather, ten years ago, I listened to an audio series by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh (rahimahullah) about the merits (i.e. virtues) of the Shahaadah. It was a real eye-opener and a great motivator too.

I was so amazed by it that I transcribed the lecture and traced all the ahadeeth. And I never got around to sharing the notes. Until now.

So, this post is basically a transcript of the first three lectures on this page. [The merits part starts at 11:01 in the first audio which is where the transcript begins.]

I haven’t done much editing so the style might seem different to all of you. As for the proofs, Dr. Saleh has provided the proof for about 80% of the points and I’ve added some proofs in the required places. The places which I’ve added something are indicated in red with [Umm Muawiyah’s note]. If there are any errors, please let me know immediately.

The whole article is basically the point along with the proof so it should be an easy read, in shaa Allah. I’d suggest copying the points you like and then sharing it with those around you. Children would especially benefit from knowing about the virtues of the shaahadah as would those who are in danger of apostating from Islam.

And please be sure to give the credit to Dr. Saleh, and not me, as he was the one that compiled it. I really hope that this can be something of ongoing reward for him.

I’ve added a useful article at the end that will better appreciated after having read all the virtues.

So, here all the 79 virtues.

Enjoy – because if you can’t enjoy this, what will you enjoy?

Now what are the merits? The merits of laa ilaaha illallah  are many. There are many merits to this declaration and many fruits and benefits to it. Yet again, we are certain that all of these merits are of no avail to the person who just utters it, without manifesting it and, without having it concretely settled and affirmed in his heart as to what it means and acting accordinly.

1. It is the greatest favour (أعظم النعمة) of Allah upon His slaves, that He guided them to declare it and to believe in it.

That is why Allah mentioned it in Surah An-Nahl, which is known as Surah An-Niam (النعم), the Surah of favours, and He made it proceed and to be mentioned above all kinds of favours when Allah stated in Surah An-Nahl:

يُنَزِّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةَ بِالرُّوحِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ أَنْ أَنذِرُوا أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاتَّقُونِ

He sends down the angels with inspiration of His Command to whom of His slaves He pleases (saying): “Warn mankind that Laa ilaaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so fear Me (by abstaining from sins and evil deeds). [Surah An-Nahl (16) : 2]

2. It is the most trustworthy handhold that will never break.

لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ ۚ فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّـهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىٰ لَا انفِصَامَ لَهَا ۗ وَاللَّـهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 256]

Taghut is anything worshipped other than Allah, and it also refers to Shaytaan (the devil). It also refers to exceeding the limits.

3. It is the covenant/promise [عَهْد] (ahd) that Allah mentions in [Maryam : 87].

لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّخَذَ عِندَ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَهْدًا

None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Beneficent (Allah). [Surah Maryam (19) : 87]

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) said that the ahd (promise) mentioned in this verse is the Shahaadah.

4. It is Al-Husna.

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَاتَّقَىٰ

وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ

فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ

As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him. And believes in Al-Husna. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (goodness). [Surah Al-Layl (92) : 5-7]

Al-Husna is the word of Tawheed (Laa ilaaha ilallah), and this has been explained by Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) as well.

5. It is the word of truth (Al-Haqq).

وَلَا يَمْلِكُ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ الشَّفَاعَةَ إِلَّا مَن شَهِدَ بِالْحَقِّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

And those whom they invoke instead of Him have no power of intercession; except those who bear witness to the truth (i.e. believed in the Oneness of Allah, and obeyed His Orders), and they know (the facts about the Oneness of Allah). [Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) : 86]

6. It is the word of piety (Kalimut-Taqwa).

إِذْ جَعَلَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ وَعَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَلْزَمَهُمْ كَلِمَةَ التَّقْوَىٰ وَكَانُوا أَحَقَّ بِهَا وَأَهْلَهَا ۚ وَكَانَ اللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا

When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance, then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and made them stick to the word of piety (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything. [Surah Al-Fath (48) : 26]

7. It is Al-Qawl Ath-Thaabit (a firm word).

يُثَبِّتُ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ ۖ وَيُضِلُّ اللَّـهُ الظَّالِمِينَ ۚ وَيَفْعَلُ اللَّـهُ مَا يَشَاءُ

Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills. [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 27]

“The word that stands firm in this world” meaning they will keep their duty to Allah alone and no one else and this is the meaning of Laa ilaaha illallah. Allah will give them firmness in this world and the hereafter as well.

8. It is a goodly word (Kalimah Taiyyibah).

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّـهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ

تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا ۗ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّـهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 24-25]

This goodly word is laa ilaaha illah. This is the word of sincerity and purity.

The goodly tree that is referred to in this verse is the date palm tree. This is the parable.

So Allah sets forth the parable for mankind of this goodly word as a goodly tree which is the date palm tree. Why? Because there is so much in common with the believer, who believes in Laa ilaaha illallah, and between the date palm tree.

From this is that the date palm tree needs three things to grow and give it fruits. It needs:

1. A deep and firm root
2. Strong standing and a firm base
3. High branches

And such is iman (faith), it requires three things:

1. Attestation of the heart – this is the deep one
2. Saying by the tongue
3. Acting by the limbs

The second resemblance, the date palm tree does not grow in just any land, and similarly the word of tawheed, the goodly word laa ilaaha illallah, does not settle firmly in every heart, except in the heart of the true believer.

The third resemblance is that the date palm tree has a deep and firm root in the earth and its branches are high. Similarly, the goodly word of tawheed, laa ilaaha illallah, its base is firmly established in the heart of the believer, and if he utters it and acts according to what it entails, it will go up until it reaches Allah. As Allah states:

إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ

To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds). [Surah Faatir (35) : 10]

The goodly word is laa ilaaha illallah as we just learned from the previous verse.

The fourth resemblance between this goodly word of laa ilaaha illallah and the date palm tree is that the fruits of the date palm tree can be eaten day and night, in the summer and in the winter, either as dates or unripe dates, or wet dates. Similarly, the actions of the believer acsends at the beginning of the day and at the end of the day, and the blessings of his faith is not discontinued. It always reaches him at all times.

[Umm Muawiyah’s note: The following hadeeth also compares the believer to the date palm tree. It was not mentioned in this audio series.]

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ إِنَّ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ شَجَرَةً لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَإِنَّهَا مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِ، فَحَدِّثُونِي مَا هِيَ‏‏.‏ فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ، فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ قَالُوا حَدِّثْنَا مَا هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏:‏ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ 

Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 58]

9. This goodly word, of Laa ilaaha illallah, is the means for salvation and success i.e. attaining Paradise and being saved from the Fire of Hell.

Allah says:

 فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

 And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing). [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 185]

Similarly, we know from the hadeeth which is agreed upon (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim):

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَأَنَّ عِيسَى عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ وَكَلِمَتُهُ، أَلْقَاهَا إِلَى مَرْيَمَ، وَرُوحٌ مِنْهُ، وَالْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَالنَّارُ حَقٌّ، أَدْخَلَهُ اللَّهُ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ الْوَلِيدُ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ جَابِرٍ عَنْ عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جُنَادَةَ وَزَادَ ‏:‏ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَةِ، أَيَّهَا شَاءَ ‏

Narrated Ubaadah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If anyone testifies that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone Who has no partners, and that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger, and that Isa is Allah’s Slave and His Messenger and His Word which He bestowed on Mary and a Spirit created by Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise with the deeds which he had done even if those deeds were few.” (Junadah, the sub-narrator said,” Ubaadah added, ‘Such a person can enter Paradise through any of its eight gates he likes.”) [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 644]

• The Word of Allah was “Be”.
• And a spirit created by Allah, not being a part of Allah.
• Allah will admit him into Paradise on the state of deeds he or she is upon, meaning good or bad.

Even if the believer who attests to this testimony, does acts of disobedience and if he is to be punished, then he will never ever be in Hell forever. His final abode will be Paradise.

This tells us therefore of the next benefit.

10. This goodly word is the means for preventing eternal stay in Hell for those who deserve to enter it due to their sins.

This is evident from the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) which is known as the hadeeth of Shafaa (intercession).

[Umm Muawiyah’s note: It seems that the wording that Dr. Saleh (rahimahullah) used are in two different narrations (albeit both about the intercession) so I’ve chosen the one that is closest in wording.]

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ يُخْرَجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ ‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ فَمَنْ شَكَّ فَلْيَقْرَأْ‏:‏ ‏(‏إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ ‏)‏

Abu Saeed Al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever had the weight of a speck of faith in his heart will depart from the Fire.” Abu Saeed (radiallahu anhu) said: “Whoever has doubt then let him recite:

 إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ

Surely! Allah wrongs not even of the weight of an atom (or a small ant) [Surah An-Nisaa (4) : 40]

[Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2598. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

So, the people of laa ilaaha illallah, even if they were admitted to the Fire of Hell because of their shortcomings regarding its rights, it is inevitable that they will be removed from it as asserted in the following hadeeth which is in Al-Bukhari and Muslim:

عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ :‏ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَفِي قَلْبِهِ وَزْنُ شَعِيرَةٍ مِنْ خَيْرٍ، وَيَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَفِي قَلْبِهِ وَزْنُ بُرَّةٍ مِنْ خَيْرٍ، وَيَخْرُجُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَفِي قَلْبِهِ وَزْنُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ خَيْرٍ

Narrated Anas (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever said “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a barley grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of a wheat grain will be taken out of Hell. And whoever said, “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah and has in his heart good (faith) equal to the weight of an atom will be taken out of Hell.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 42]

11. Anyone who says this statement sincerely seeking Allah’s Face, Allah will forbid the Fire from him.

عَن عِتْبَان بْنَ مَالِكٍ ـ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِمَّنْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ ـ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، قَدْ أَنْكَرْتُ بَصَرِي، وَأَنَا أُصَلِّي لِقَوْمِي، فَإِذَا كَانَتِ الأَمْطَارُ سَالَ الْوَادِي الَّذِي بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَهُمْ، لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ آتِيَ مَسْجِدَهُمْ فَأُصَلِّيَ بِهِمْ، وَوَدِدْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَّكَ تَأْتِينِي فَتُصَلِّيَ فِي بَيْتِي، فَأَتَّخِذَهُ مُصَلًّى‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏: سَأَفْعَلُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ عِتْبَانُ فَغَدَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ حِينَ ارْتَفَعَ النَّهَارُ، فَاسْتَأْذَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَذِنْتُ لَهُ، فَلَمْ يَجْلِسْ حَتَّى دَخَلَ الْبَيْتَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏:‏ أَيْنَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ ‏‏‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَشَرْتُ لَهُ إِلَى نَاحِيَةٍ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ، فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَكَبَّرَ، فَقُمْنَا فَصَفَّنَا، فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ، قَالَ وَحَبَسْنَاهُ عَلَى خَزِيرَةٍ صَنَعْنَاهَا لَهُ‏.‏ قَالَ فَثَابَ فِي الْبَيْتِ رِجَالٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدَّارِ ذَوُو عَدَدٍ فَاجْتَمَعُوا، فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ أَيْنَ مَالِكُ بْنُ الدُّخَيْشِنِ أَوِ ابْنُ الدُّخْشُنِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ ذَلِكَ مُنَافِقٌ لاَ يُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ لاَ تَقُلْ ذَلِكَ، أَلاَ تَرَاهُ قَدْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏.‏ يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ‏.‏ قَالَ فَإِنَّا نَرَى وَجْهَهُ وَنَصِيحَتَهُ إِلَى الْمُنَافِقِينَ‏.‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ حَرَّمَ عَلَى النَّارِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ‏ يَبْتَغِي بِذَلِكَ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ ‏

Narrated Itban bin Malik (radiallahu anhu) who was one of the companions of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and one of the Ansar who took part in the battle of Badr: I came to Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) I have weak eyesight and I lead my people in prayers. When it rains the water flows in the valley between me and my people so I cannot go to their mosque to lead them in prayer. O Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)! I wish you would come to my house and pray in it so that I could take that place as a Musalla (prayer place). Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said. “Allah willing, I will do so.” Next day after the sun rose high, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) came and Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked for permission to enter. I gave him permission and he did not sit on entering the house but said to me, “Where do you like me to pray?” I pointed to a place in my house. So Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stood there and said, ‘Allahu Akbar’, and we all got up and aligned behind him and offered a two-rakah prayer and ended it with Taslim. We requested him to stay for a meal called “Khazira” which we had prepared for him. Many members of our family gathered in the house and one of them said, “Where is Malik bin Al-Dukhaishin or Ibn Al-Dukhshun?” One of them replied, “He is a hypocrite and does not love Allah and His Messenger.” Hearing that, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Do not say so. Haven’t you seen that he said, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’ for Allah’s sake only?” He said, “Allah and His Messenger know better. We have seen him helping and advising hypocrites.” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah has forbidden the (Hell) fire for those who say, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’ seeking with that Allah’s Face*.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 417]

*Meaning sincerely for Allah’s sake.

12. It is the reason that Allah created mankind and jinn.

It is for this reason, of manifesting and believing that there is no true god worthy of worship except Allah, that Allah has created mankind and Jinn.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). [Surah Ad-Dhaariyaat (51) : 56]

This is the purpose of our creation – to believe and manifest and work in accordance with this declaration Laa ilaaha illallah (There is no true god worthy of worship except Allah).

13. It is the means of happiness (security and guidance) in the two worlds.

This is clear from the saying of Allah:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُولَـٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

It is those who believe* (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with dhulm** (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided. [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 82]

*This is Laa ilaaha illallah.

**The wrong (dhulm) referred to here is associating partners with Allah i.e. shirk.

This is from it merits – security and guidance.

14. It is the first obligatory duty on the legally responsible (mukallaf) (prayer is the second duty while zakaah is the third) and it is the last duty on them as well.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاَةَ، وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ، فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّ الإِسْلاَمِ، وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ‏

Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 24]

It is the last duty on the legally responsible (al-mukallaf) as well. So the one whose last words in this life is Laa ilaaha illallah will be admitted to Paradise.

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏: مَنْ كَانَ آخِرُ كَلاَمِهِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ ‏ 

It was narrated that Muadh ibn Jabal said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam ) said: ‘The one whose last words* are ‘Laa ilaaha illallah’ (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) will enter Paradise.’” [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 3116. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Shaikh Al-Albani]

*Meaning in this life

15. For its sake, the Messengers were sent and the Books were revealed.

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ

And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad) but We inspired him (saying): Laa ilaaha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah)], so worship Me (Alone and none else).” [Surah Al-Anbiya (21) : 25]

16. It is the first thing that the Messengers called to.

All of them called to this testimony. All of them called their respective nations, before Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), to submit to this testimony and believe in it. And this was the same with the case of Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to all mankind in the final message, the same thing, as Allah states the same message:

وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا ۗ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَـٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ ۖ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم بَيِّنَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ ۖ هَـٰذِهِ نَاقَةُ اللَّـهِ لَكُمْ آيَةً ۖ فَذَرُوهَا تَأْكُلْ فِي أَرْضِ اللَّـهِ ۖ وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوءٍ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih. He said: “O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilaah (God) but Him*. (Laa ilaaha ill-Allah: none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Indeed there has come to you a clear sign (the miracle of the coming out of a huge she­camel from the midst of a rock) from your Lord. This she­-camel of Allah is a sign unto you; so you leave her to graze in Allah’s earth, and touch her not with harm, lest a painful torment should seize you. [Surah Al-Araaf (7) : 73]

*This is the message of all the Messengers (alaihimissalaam).

17. It is the best of good deeds.

[Umm Muawiyah’s note: I couldn’t find the hadeeth with the wording mentioned by Dr. Saleh. The closest one that I found was here and none of the seemed to be in Musnad Ahmed, which was the reference given by Dr. Saleh. However, I found another similar hadeeth in Musnad Ahmad which is mentioned below.]

عن أبي ذر قال: قلت: يا رسول الله، أوصني. قال: إذا عملت سيئة فأتبعها حسنة تمحها. قال: قلت: يا رسول الله أمن الحسنات لا إله إلا الله؟ قال: هي أفضل الحسنات

Abu Dharr (radiallahu anhu) narrated: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Advise me.’ He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘If you commit a sin then follow it up with a righteous deed. It will erase it (i.e. the sin).’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” from amongst the good deeds?’ He said: ‘It is the best of good deeds.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 21487. Classified as ‘hasan lighairihee” (good due to supporting narrations) by Shaikh Shuaib Al-Arnaut.]

18. It itself is a good deed.

مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ۖ وَمَن جَاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَىٰ إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

Whoever brings a good deed* (Islamic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allah and His Messenger) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allah and His Messenger) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged. [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 160]

*This refers to tawheed – to believe in the uniqueness and oneness of Allah.

19. It is the best remembrance of Allah.

عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ‏

Amr ibn Shuaib narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The best of supplication is the supplication of the Day of Arafah. And the best of what I and the Prophets before me have said is: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, Alone, without partner, to Him belongs all that exists, and to Him belongs the Praise, and He is powerful over all things. (Lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, wa huwa `alā kulli shai’in qadīr).’” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3585. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

[Note from Umm Muawiyah: The following is another proof for this point that Dr. Saleh (rahimahullah) did not mention and is more appropriate as the wording uses “dhikr” (remembrance), (which is what this point is about) as opposed to “dua” (supplication”].

عن جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ ‏: أَفْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَفْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ 

Jaabir ibn Abdillah (radiallahu anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The best remembrance is ‘Laa ilaaha illallah’ (There is none worthy of worship except Allah) and the best supplication is: ‘Alhamdulillah’ (All praise is due to Allah).” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3383. Graded “hasan” (good) by Shaikh Al-Albani.]

20. It is the heaviest thing on the scale.

عن عبد الله بن عمرو قال: كنا عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم فجاء رجل من أهل البادية عليه جبة سيجان مزرورة بالديباج فقال: ألا إن صاحبكم هذا قد وضع كل فارس ابن فارس قال: يريد أن يضع كل فارس ابن فارس ويرفع كل راع ابن راع قال: فأخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلّم بمجامع جبته وقال: ألا أرى عليك لباس من لا يعقل؟، ثم قال: إن نبي الله نوحاً صلى الله عليه وسلّم لما حضرته الوفاة قال لابنه: إني قاص عليك الوصية، آمرك باثنتين، وأنهاك عن اثنتين، آمرك بلا إله إلا الله ، فإن السموات السبع والأرضين السبع لو وضعت في كفة ووضعت لا إله إلا الله في كفة رجحت بهن لا إله إلا الله، ولو أن السموات السبع والأرضين السبع كن حلقة مبهمة قصمتهن، لا إله إلا الله، وسبحان الله وبحمده فإنها صلاة كل شيء وبها يرزق الخلق وأنهاك عن الشرك والكبر، قال: قلت أو قيل: يا رسول الله هذا الشرك قد عرفناه فما الكبر؟ قال: أن يكون لأحدنا نعلان حسنتان لهما شراكان حسنان؟ قال: لا، قال: هو أن يكون لأحدنا حلة يلبسها؟ قال: لا، قال: الكبر هو أن يكون لأحدنا دابة يركبها؟ قال: لا، قال: أفهو أن يكون لأحدنا أصحاب يجلسون إليه؟ قال: لا، قيل: يا رسول الله فما الكبر؟ قال: سفه الحق وغمص الناس

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr (radiallahu anhuma): While we were with the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), a bedouin came to him wearing a green robe, woven with silk. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “This friend of yours debased every horseman – or intends to debase every horseman – and elevated every shepherd”. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took hold of the folds of his robe and said, ‘I see that you are wearing the clothes of someone who is without intelligence.’  

Then he said to him: “When death approached the Prophet Nuh (alaihissalaam), he told his son: ‘I am going to tell you my will. I am enjoining upon you two things and forbidding you from two things. I enjoin upon you to keep with the belief that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah. If the seven heavens and seven earths were to be put on one side of the scale and the word “Laa ilaaha illallah” (There is no god worth of worship except Allah) was placed on the other side, ‘Laa ilaaha illallah” would outwiegh them. If the seven heavens and the seven earths were a dark ring, they would be cut by ‘Laa ilaaha illallah’ and ‘Subhan Allah wa Bihamdihi’ (Glory be to Allah and by His praise). It is the prayer of everything and by it everything has its provision. And I forbid you from shirk (associating equals and partners to Allah) and kibr (pride).'”

He (Abdullah ibn Amr) said: I said or it was said: “O Messenger of Allah! We know what shirk means, but what is pride? Does that mean when one of us has a pair of fine sandals with two good straps?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No”.

(Somebody) said: “Is it that one of us has a robe (i.e. a nice cloth) which he wears?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No”.

(Somebody) said: “Is it that one of us has an animal which he rides?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No”.

(Somebody) said: “Is it that one of us has companions who come and sit with him?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No”.

It was said: ‘ O Messenger of Allah, so what is pride then?’ He said, “It is to ignore the truth and hold people in contempt.”

[Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 6583. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “sahih” (authentic).

21. It will scatter the records of sins on the Day of Resurrection and it outweighs the records.

عَنْ عَبْد اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيُخَلِّصُ رَجُلاً مِنْ أُمَّتِي عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْخَلاَئِقِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيَنْشُرُ عَلَيْهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ سِجِلاًّ كُلُّ سِجِلٍّ مِثْلُ مَدِّ الْبَصَرِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَتُنْكِرُ مِنْ هَذَا شَيْئًا أَظَلَمَكَ كَتَبَتِي الْحَافِظُونَ فَيَقُولُ لاَ يَا رَبِّ ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ أَفَلَكَ عُذْرٌ فَيَقُولُ لاَ يَا رَبِّ ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ بَلَى إِنَّ لَكَ عِنْدَنَا حَسَنَةً فَإِنَّهُ لاَ ظُلْمَ عَلَيْكَ الْيَوْمَ فَتَخْرُجُ بِطَاقَةٌ فِيهَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ فَيَقُولُ احْضُرْ وَزْنَكَ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَا هَذِهِ الْبِطَاقَةُ مَعَ هَذِهِ السِّجِلاَّتِ فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ لاَ تُظْلَمُ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَتُوضَعُ السِّجِلاَّتُ فِي كِفَّةٍ وَالْبِطَاقَةُ فِي كِفَّةٍ فَطَاشَتِ السِّجِلاَّتُ وَثَقُلَتِ الْبِطَاقَةُ فَلاَ يَثْقُلُ مَعَ اسْمِ اللَّهِ شَيْءٌ ‏

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Aas (radiallahu anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Indeed Allah will distinguish a man from my Ummah before all of creation on the Day of Judgement. Ninety-nine scrolls will be laid out for him, each scroll is as far as the eye can see, then He will say: ‘Do you deny any of this? Have those who recorded this wronged you?’ He will say: ‘No, O Lord!’ So He will say: ‘Do you have an excuse?’ He will say: ‘No, O Lord!’ So He will say: ‘Rather you have a good deed with Us, so you shall not be wronged today.” Then He will bring out a card (Bitaaqah); on it will be: ‘Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh’ (I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I testify that Muhmmad is the His slave and His Messenger). He will say: ‘Bring your scales.’ He will say: ‘O Lord! What good is this card next to these scrolls?’ He will say: ‘You shall not be wronged.’ He said: ‘The scrolls will be put on a pan (of the scale) and the card on (the other) pan; the scrolls will be light, and the card will be heavy, nothing is heavier than the name of Allah.’” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2639. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Shaikh Al-Albani.]

This hadeeth is known as the hadeeth of Al-Bitaaqah (the card).

22. This testimony of faith is the highest of the branches of faith.

We know that faith (iman) has branches from the following hadeeth:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : الإِيمَانُ بِضْعٌ وَسَبْعُونَ أَوْ بِضْعٌ وَسِتُّونَ شُعْبَةً فَأَفْضَلُهَا قَوْلُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَدْنَاهَا إِمَاطَةُ الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ وَالْحَيَاءُ شُعْبَةٌ مِنَ الإِيمَانِ ‏‏ ‏

‏It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from the path: and modesty is the branch of faith. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 56]

23. It is the best of deeds and remembrances and most in amplification and it equates the freeing of slaves and it is a protection from Shaytaan (the devil).

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ :‏ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ فِي يَوْمٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ عِدْلَ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَكُتِبَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَسَنَةٍ وَمُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ مِائَةُ سَيِّئَةٍ وَكَانَ لَهُ حِرْزًا مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُمْسِيَ وَلَمْ يَأْتِ أَحَدٌ بِأَفْضَلَ مِمَّا جَاءَ بِهِ إِلاَّ أَحَدٌ عَمِلَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “If one says one-hundred times in one day: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)” (Lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-ḥamdu, yuḥyī wa yumītu, wa huwa `alā kulli shay’in qadīr), one will get the reward of manumitting ten slaves, and one-hundred good deeds will be written in his account, and one-hundred bad deeds will be wiped off or erased from his account, and on that day he will be protected from the morning till evening from Satan, and nobody will be superior to him except one who has done more than that which he has done.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 514]

عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ، قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ عَشْرَ مِرَارٍ كَانَ كَمَنْ أَعْتَقَ أَرْبَعَةَ أَنْفُسٍ مِنْ وَلَدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ‏‏ ‏.‏

وَقَالَ سُلَيْمَانُ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي السَّفَرِ عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ عَنْ رَبِيعِ بْنِ خُثَيْمٍ ‏.‏ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لِلرَّبِيعِ مِمَّنْ سَمِعْتَهُ قَالَ مِنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ – قَالَ – فَأَتَيْتُ عَمْرَو بْنَ مَيْمُونٍ فَقُلْتُ مِمَّنْ سَمِعْتَهُ قَالَ مِنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى – قَالَ – فَأَتَيْتُ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقُلْتُ مِمَّنْ سَمِعْتَهُ قَالَ مِنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ يُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

Amr ibn Maimun reported: He who uttered:” There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, having no partner with Him, His is the Sovereignty and all praise is due to Him and He is Power over everything” ten times, he is like one who emancipated four slaves from the progeny of Ismail.

Rabi ibn Khuthaim narrated a hadith like this. Shabi reported: I said to Rabi: From whom did you hear it? He said: From Amr ibn Maimun. I came to Amr ibn Maimun and said to him: From whom did you hear this hadith? He said: from Ibn Abi Laila. I came to Ibn Abi Laila and said to him: From whom did you hear this hadith? He said: From Abu Ayyub Ansari, who narrated from Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6510]

24. It opens the eight gates of Paradise.

عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، قَالَ كَانَتْ عَلَيْنَا رِعَايَةُ الإِبِلِ فَجَاءَتْ نَوْبَتِي فَرَوَّحْتُهَا بِعَشِيٍّ فَأَدْرَكْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَائِمًا يُحَدِّثُ النَّاسَ فَأَدْرَكْتُ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ : مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُحْسِنُ وُضُوءَهُ ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُقْبِلٌ عَلَيْهِمَا بِقَلْبِهِ وَوَجْهِهِ إِلاَّ وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَجْوَدَ هَذِهِ ‏.‏ فَإِذَا قَائِلٌ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ يَقُولُ الَّتِي قَبْلَهَا أَجْوَدُ ‏.‏ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا عُمَرُ قَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ رَأَيْتُكَ جِئْتَ آنِفًا قَالَ ‏:‏ مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُبْلِغُ – أَوْ فَيُسْبِغُ – الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ إِلاَّ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَةُ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ ‏

Uqbah ibn Amir (radiallahu anhu) reported: We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels. On my turn when I came back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) stand and address the people. I heard these words of his: If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rakahs setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise would be guaranteed to him. I said: What a fine thing is this! And a narrator who was before me said: The first was better than even this. When I cast a glance, I saw that it was Umar who said: I see that you have just come and observed: If anyone amongst you performs the ablution, and then completes the ablution well and then says: I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger (Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abdullahi wa Rasuluhu), the eight gates of Paradise would be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 451]

25. It is about this goodly word that we will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection.

فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْأَلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

So, by your Lord (O Muhammad), We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do. [Surah Al-Hijr (15) : 92-93]

فَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الَّذِينَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَنَسْأَلَنَّ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

Then surely, We shall question those (people) to whom it (the Book) was sent and verily, We shall question the Messengers. [Surah Al-Araaf (7) : 6]

Part of this questioning goes under Verse 93 in Surah al-Hijr:

عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

For all that they used to do.

And salah (prayer) is also one of the things that people will held accountable for, under this general account which Allah refers to here in these two passages in Surah Al-Hijr and Al-Araaf.

26. It is the highest parable / description.

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَهُوَ أَهْوَنُ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَلَهُ الْمَثَلُ الْأَعْلَىٰ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

And He it is Who originates the creation, then will repeat it (after it has been perished), and this is easier for Him. His is the highest description (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He, and there is nothing comparable unto Him) in the heavens and in the earth. And He is the All­ Mighty, the All­ Wise. [Surah Ar-Rum (30) : 27]

Al-Mathal Al-Alaa (the Highest Description) is Al-Wasf Al-Kamil (the Perfect Description) of Allah. And the greatest description of Him is laa ilaaha illah huwa (that there is none worthy of worship but Him) as came in Ayatul Kursi (the verse of the Footstool).

 اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ 

Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter. And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 255]

27. Regarding this word, there will be either happiness or misery.

28. In relation to it, people will take their records will take their records either by the right or by the left.

29. For its sake, people and close relatives will be separated.

لَّا تَجِدُ قَوْمًا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَوْ كَانُوا آبَاءَهُمْ أَوْ أَبْنَاءَهُمْ أَوْ إِخْوَانَهُمْ أَوْ عَشِيرَتَهُمْ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ كَتَبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَأَيَّدَهُم بِرُوحٍ مِّنْهُ ۖ وَيُدْخِلُهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ رَضِيَ اللَّـهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ حِزْبُ اللَّـهِ ۚ أَلَا إِنَّ حِزْبَ اللَّـهِ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Ruh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And We will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Verily, it is the Party of Allah that will be the successful. [Surah Al-Mujaadilah (58) : 22]

30. It is for its sake that Paradise, Hell, this life and the Hereafter were created.

31. It is the foundation of the deen (religion of Islam) and its peak and its pillar and all the other pillars and obligatory matters branch from it and complete it.

32. And it is the security from the horrors of the grave and that of the gathering.

33. The acceptance of deeds depends upon it.

34. It is the greatest reason for the release from slavery to the creatures and thus the believers in this testimony will not cling to them nor fear them nor hope in them nor work for their sake. This is the true honour and might.

35. It is the foundation for every worldly and religious good (giving its fruit at all times).

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّـهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ

تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا ۗ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّـهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ

See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high). Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. [Surah Ibrahim (14) : 24-25]

36. It is the cause for clarity of self and for guarding against selfishness.

Allah described its people in the following verse:

وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

And those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been given (from the booty of Bani An-Nadir), and give them (emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful. [Surah Al-Hashr (59) : 9]

This is from the effects of Laa ilaaha illallah. This is from the merits. This is what it has done to the believers.

37. It is the greatest means to liberate oneself from superstitions and delusion and falsehood because Allah is the truth and that which they call besides Him is falsehood.

[Umm Muawiyah: The proof for this was not mentioned.]

ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّ مَا يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ هُوَ الْبَاطِلُ وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ هُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْكَبِيرُ

That is because Allah He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Baatil (falsehood) And verily, Allah He is the Most High, the Most Great. [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 62]

38. It is a just word (kalimah as-sawaa).

Allah addressed the Jews and Christians, calling them:

قُلْ يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ تَعَالَوْا إِلَىٰ كَلِمَةٍ سَوَاءٍ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ أَلَّا نَعْبُدَ إِلَّا اللَّـهَ وَلَا نُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا أَرْبَابًا مِّن دُونِ اللَّـهِ ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُولُوا اشْهَدُوا بِأَنَّا مُسْلِمُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah. Then, if they turn away, say: “Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 64]

In this verse, there is concrete evidence that the Jews and Christians are non-Muslims, otherwise why would Allah call them to this just word which is the woship of Allah alone.

As for the early Jews and early Christians at the time of their respective Prophets who believed in them (eg. Isa and Musa) and who believed in Allah, then they were believers, but most as Allah described in the Quran have disbelieved.

39. It is the cause behind courage.

The more a person becomes knowledgeable of this testimony and acts according to it, the more he becomes courageous with respect to the truth.

And there is no better evidence for that than the status of the Prophets (alaihimissalaam) and the status of the ones who followed them from the truthful ones and the righteous (saaliheen), the martyrs and the fighters (mujahideen) who fight for the cause of Allah in every time and every place.

40. It is the greatest reason behind achieving the highest motivation (i.e. earn the Pleasure of Allah and enter Paradise). 

The person who establishes Laa ilaaha illallah in himself is urging himself and motivating himself in this direction.

41. It is the greatest source of might and honour.

يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ الْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا الْأَذَلَّ ۚ وَلِلَّـهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

They (hyprocrites) say: “If we return to Al-Madinah, indeed the more honourable (Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul, the chief of hyprocrites at Al-­Madinah) will expel therefrom the meaner (i.e. Allah’s Messenger).” But honour, power and glory belong to Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not. [Surah Al-Munafiqoon (63) : 8]

[Umm Muawiyah: Here’s another proof for this point]

بَشِّرِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا

الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ الْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّـهِ جَمِيعًا

Give to the hypocrites the tidings that there is for them a painful torment. Those who take disbelievers for Auliyaa (protectors or helpers or friends) instead of believers, do they seek honour, power and glory with them? Verily, then to Allah belongs all honour, power and glory. [Surah An-Nisaa (4) : 138-139]

42. It is As-Sidq (truthfulness).

وَالَّذِي جَاءَ بِالصِّدْقِ وَصَدَّقَ بِهِ ۙ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

And he (Muhammad) who has brought the truth* (this Quran and Islamic Monotheism) and (those who) believed therein (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism), those are Al- Muttaqoon (the pious and righteous persons). [Surah Az-Zumar (39) : 33]

*The truth is tawheed and the Quran.

43. For its sake, jihad (fighting) has been legalized.

وَقَاتِلُوهُمْ حَتَّىٰ لَا تَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ كُلُّهُ لِلَّـهِ ۚ فَإِنِ انتَهَوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do. [Surah Al-Anfal (8) : 39]

44. It is the greatest cause of relief from the hardships of this life and the Hereafter.

وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

And (remember) Dhan-Nun (Yunus), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamites which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): Laa ilaaha illa Anta [none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)], Glorified (and Exalted) are You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]. Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.” So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness). [Surah Al-Anbiya (21) : 87-88]

[Umm Muawiyah: Here’s another proof for this point.]

عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ دَعْوَةُ ذِي النُّونِ إِذْ دَعَا وَهُوَ فِي بَطْنِ الْحُوتِ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ ‏.‏ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْعُ بِهَا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ فِي شَيْءٍ قَطُّ إِلاَّ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ‏ 

Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Saad narrated from his father, from Saad (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said:“The supplication of Dhun-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he supplicated, while in the belly of the whale was: ‘There is none worthy of worship except You, Glory to You, Indeed, I have been of the transgressors. (Lā ilāha illā anta subḥānaka innī kuntu minaẓ-ẓālimīn)’ So indeed, no Muslim man supplicates with it for anything, ever, except Allah responds to him.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3505. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

45. It is the greatest reason behind good character and for generosity and kindness and being above lowly matters and despicable affairs.

All of this is entailed in its meaning: there is no true god worthy of worship except Allah. And worship is to do all that pleases Allah from the things that are loved by Him from the ordinances, and keeping away from all that He prohibited.

And from His command is that the believer grows up with a good character, nourished by the Quran and teachings and practices of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and his example.

46. It is Kalimah At-Tawheed (the statement of tawheed) and tawheed is the greatest reason to attain Allah’s Pleasure and His reward.

وَإِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ لَّا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ

And your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God – Allah), Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 163]

47. It is the means to attain the intercession of the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alaihi wasallam).

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، مَنْ أَسْعَدُ النَّاسِ بِشَفَاعَتِكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ لَقَدْ ظَنَنْتُ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ أَنْ لاَ يَسْأَلَنِي عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَحَدٌ أَوَّلُ مِنْكَ، لِمَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ حِرْصِكَ عَلَى الْحَدِيثِ، أَسْعَدُ النَّاسِ بِشَفَاعَتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، خَالِصًا مِنْ قَلْبِهِ أَوْ نَفْسِهِ 

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): I said: “O Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)! Who will be the happiest person who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: O Abu Hurairah! “I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadiths. The happiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 98]

48. It paves the way to do righteousness.

The one whose tawheed is perfected in his heart and knows the meaning of the Shahaadah and acts upon it, then the path to do good will be made easy for him and the path to abandon evil will also be made easy for him.

The effects of calamities and misforunes will be eased upon him. Also, the acts of worship will feel light for those who seek the reward of Allah and His pleasure. That is because they fear Allah and hope in Him. And they know well that these calamities are from Allah, and that everything that touches him is from Allah and that it is good for him in this life.

Also, the person who abides by it, Allah will make iman (faith) beloved to him and beautify it in his heart and will make kufr (disbelief), disobedience and wrongdoings disliked and hateful to him.

49. Allah repels through this statement the evils of this life and that of the Hereafter.

He repels it from the people of Laa ilaaha illallah i.e. the true believers in it.

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يُدَافِعُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ كَفُورٍ

Truly, Allah defends those who believe. Verily! Allah likes not any treacherous ingrate to Allah [those who disobey Allah but obey Shaitan (Satan)]. [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 38]

50. It is the tight rope of Allah.

This is described in the following verse:

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 103]

The Rope of Allah is said to refer to the Quran and also to Laa ilaaha illallah and there is no contradiction between the two as the whole Quran calls to this statement and to the worship of Allah alone.

51. The good life is for the people of this statement i.e. the people of tawheed.

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ

Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). [Surah An-Nahl (16) : 97]

وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Surah An-Nur (24) : 55]

52. It is the glad tidings when death approaches.

From the merits of Laa ilaaha illallah is that the one who is upright upon it, will get the glad tidings when death approaches.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّـهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah (Alone),” and then they Istaqamoo (stand firm), on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!” [Surah Fussilat (41) : 30]

53. It is the banner of the muwahhideen (i.e. the people of tawheed) and the bond between the believers.

Through it, the believers are linked to this most noble lineage. Thus, Ibrahim (alaihissalaam) will be their father, and the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) will be their mothers, and the rest of the believers will be their brothers.

وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّـهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّـهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

And strive hard in Allah’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship; it is the religion of your father Ibrahim. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Quran), that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So establish the salaah, give the zakaah and hold fast to Allah [i.e. have confidence in Allah, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 78]

النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَاجُهُ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُولُو الْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّـهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ إِلَّا أَن تَفْعَلُوا إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِكُم مَّعْرُوفًا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْكِتَابِ مَسْطُورًا

The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their (believers) mothers (as regards respect and marriage). And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the Decree of Allah (regarding inheritance) than (the brotherhood of) the believers and the Muhajiroon (emigrants from Makkah, etc.), except that you do kindness to those brothers (when the Prophet joined them in brotherhood ties). This has been written in the (Allah’s Book of Divine) Decrees (Al­-Lauh Al­-Mahfudh). [Surah Al-Ahzab (33) : 6]

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy. [Surah Al-Hujurat (49) : 10]

54. It is the reason for attaining the istighfar (seeking forgiveness) of the angels as they invoke Allah to forgive the believers.

الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَيُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تَابُوا وَاتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ

رَبَّنَا وَأَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنَّاتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِي وَعَدتَّهُمْ وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنْ آبَائِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيَّاتِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّئَاتِ ۚ وَمَن تَقِ السَّيِّئَاتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهُ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

Those (angels) who bear the Throne (of Allah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) (saying): “Our Lord! You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your Way, and save them from the torment of the blazing Fire! Our Lord! And make them enter the Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) which you have promised them, and to the righteous among their fathers, their wives, and their offspring! Verily, You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. And save them from (the punishment, because of what they did of) the sins, and whomsoever You save from (the punishment, because of what they did of) the sins (i.e. excuse them) that Day, him verily, You have taken into mercy.” And that is the supreme success. [Surah Ghaafir (40) : 7-9]

55. It is the reason for the istighfar (seeking forgiveness) to the believers.

Every believer asks Allah to forgive the believers. So when anyone does istighfar for the believers, every believer will receive a share of the blessings of this istighfar.

اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ

So know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). [Surah Muhammad (47) : 19]

56. This word represents Kalimatul Ikhlaas (the word of sincerity and purity of intention) because the action of the heart is the basis and essence of every action.

57. It is the word of goodness (Kalimatul-Ihsan).

هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ

Is there any reward for ihsan (good) other than ihsan (good)? [Surah Ar-Rahman (55) : 60]

لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا الْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ ۖ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

For those* who have done ihsan (good) is the best (reward, i.e. Paradise) and even more (i.e. having the honour of glancing at the Face of Allah). Neither darkness nor dust nor any humiliating disgrace shall cover their faces. They are the dwellers of Paradise, they will abide therein forever. [Surah Yunus (10) : 26]

*Meaning those who said Laa ilaaha illallah, this kalemah (word) of tawheed and what it means and they clung to it.

58. It is the call of the truth (Dawatul Haqq). 

لَهُ دَعْوَةُ الْحَقِّ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ لَا يَسْتَجِيبُونَ لَهُم بِشَيْءٍ إِلَّا كَبَاسِطِ كَفَّيْهِ إِلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُغَ فَاهُ وَمَا هُوَ بِبَالِغِهِ ۚ وَمَا دُعَاءُ الْكَافِرِينَ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ

For Him (Alone) is the call of Truth* (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use). [Surah Raad (13) : 14]

*Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) said that this is the statement of tawheed.

59. It is the word of justice (Al-Kalimatul-Adl).

إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Verily, Allah enjoins Al-Adl* (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah Alone) and Al-Ihsan [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah, totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and kin, and forbids Al-Fahshaa (i.e. all evil deeds), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islamic law), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take heed. [Surah An-Nahl (16) : 90]

*Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) said that al-adl (justice) is the testimony of Laa ilaaha illallah.

60. It is the good of speech and sayings.

وَهُدُوا إِلَى الطَّيِّبِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ وَهُدُوا إِلَىٰ صِرَاطِ الْحَمِيدِ

And they are guided (in this world) unto goodly speech* (i.e. Laa ilaaha ilallah, Alhamdu lillah, recitation of the Quran, etc.) and they are guided to the Path of Him (i.e. Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism), Who is Worthy of all praises. [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 24]

*Meaning they are guided to everything that is good and they are guided in this world unto goodly speech and that is Laa ilaaha illallah Muhammadur-Rasoolullah, this statement of tawheed. And there is nothing purer than this kalemah.

61. It is the remaining/lasting word (Al-Kalimah Al-Baaqiyah).

Tawheed is not abolished by every sin, rather every sin is abolished because of tawheed.

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِ إِنَّنِي بَرَاءٌ مِّمَّا تَعْبُدُونَ

إِلَّا الَّذِي فَطَرَنِي فَإِنَّهُ سَيَهْدِينِ

وَجَعَلَهَا كَلِمَةً بَاقِيَةً فِي عَقِبِهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

And (remember) when Ibrahim said to his father and his people: “Verily, I am innocent of what you worship*, except Him (i.e. I worship none but Allah Alone) Who did create me**, and verily, He will guide me. And he made it [i.e. Laa ilaaha illallah] a Word lasting among his offspring, that they may turn back (i.e. to repent to Allah or receive admonition). [Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) : 26-28]

*Negating worship of anything other than Allah i.e. Laa ilaaha (There is none worthy of worship)

**The exception i.e. illallah (except Allah)

62. It is the highest word.

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّـهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّـهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّـهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا ۗ وَاللَّـهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

If you help him (Muhammad) not (it does not matter), for Allah did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and Abu Bakr) were in the cave, and he (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to his companion (Abu Bakr): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us.” Then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness, tranquility, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allah that became the uppermost, and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. [Surah At-Tawbah (9) : 40]

63. It is the deliverance/salvation.

As in the saying of the believer from the people of Pharoah when he reminded and admonished his people:

وَيَا قَوْمِ مَا لِي أَدْعُوكُمْ إِلَى النَّجَاةِ وَتَدْعُونَنِي إِلَى النَّارِ

And O my people! How is it that I call you to salvation* while you call me to the Fire! [Surah Ghsafir (40) : 41]

*An-Najaah (salvation) is the word of tawheed. There can be no salvation without this word and his people cannot enter the fold of salvation unless they declare Laa ilaaha illallah and worship none except Allah.

64. It is the word of uprightness (Al-Kalimatul-Istiqaamah).

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّـهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah (Alone),” and then they were upright (istaqaamu)*, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!” [Surah Fussilat (41) : 30]

*They were upright on this kalemah of tawheed, in the belief of Allah.

65. It is the means for unity and coming together.

The Muslims cannot be really united except on this kalemah and there can be no union between them except on the true belief in Allah. Uniting the Muslims on something other than this is really deceptive. True unity is on the correct belief in Allah and on the correct understanding of Islam. There can be no unity amongst the Muslims except if they are true in tawheed.

Unity was the initial state of the Muslims, when they were upon the correct understanding of creed, worshipping Allah alone and associating no partners with Him. And they succeeded on all levels.

And there can be no real success until the Muslims united on this. Unity on allegiance to parties is in fact a division. It is not unity.

66. It is the right word (Al-Qawl As-Sadeed).

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا

يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُطِعِ اللَّـهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا

O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth*. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise). [Surah Al-Ahzab (33) : 70-71]

*Al-Qawl As-Sadeed – it is the correct understanding of tawheed.

As a result of speaking Al-Qawl As-Sadeed, Allah will direct you to do good deeds and forgive your sins. These are great benefits therefore of being on tawheed.

67. It is righteousness (Al-Birr).

لَّيْسَ الْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ الْبِرَّ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالْكِتَابِ وَالنَّبِيِّينَ وَآتَى الْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ ذَوِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ وَالسَّائِلِينَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَالْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَاهَدُوا ۖ وَالصَّابِرِينَ فِي الْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَحِينَ الْبَأْسِ ۗ أُولَـٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا ۖ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُتَّقُونَ

It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masaakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, establishes the salaah and gives the zakaah, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are As-Saabireen (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the truth and they are Al­-Muttaqoon (the pious). [Surah Al-Baqarah (2) : 177]

All of this is a manifestation of this kalemah.

68. It is the entire deen (religion).

أَلَا لِلَّـهِ الدِّينُ الْخَالِصُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّـهِ زُلْفَىٰ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِي مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يَهْدِي مَنْ هُوَ كَاذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ

Surely, to Allah belongs the pure religion*. And those who take Auliyaa (protectors and helpers) besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever. [Surah Az-Zumar (39) : 3]

*The pure deen is the one in which Allah alone is being worshipped. This is its creed.

And this is submission to Him, and there can be no submission to Allah except through disassociation from everything worshipped other than Allah and then worshipping Allah alone.

69. It is the straight path (As-Siraat Al-Mustaqeem).

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

“Guide us to the Straight Path.” [Surah Al-Fatihah (1) : 6]

قُلْ تَعَالَوْا أَتْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ ۖ أَلَّا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا ۖ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلَادَكُم مِّنْ إِمْلَاقٍ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الْفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ ۖ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا مَالَ الْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُ ۖ وَأَوْفُوا الْكَيْلَ وَالْمِيزَانَ بِالْقِسْطِ ۖ لَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۖ وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۖ وَبِعَهْدِ اللَّـهِ أَوْفُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. And come not near to the orphan’s property, except to improve it, until he (or she) attains the age of full strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not any person, but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge between men or give evidence, etc.), say the truth even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the Covenant of Allah, This He commands you that you may remember. And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).” [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 151-153]

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَن نَّشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

صِرَاطِ اللَّـهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ أَلَا إِلَى اللَّـهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ

And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is iman? But We have made it (this Quran) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path. The Path of Allah, to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. Verily, all the matters at the end go to Allah (for decision). [Surah Ash-Shura (42) : 52-53]

The straight path is the way of tawheed.

70. It is the means to attain victory over the enemies of Allah.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember Allah much*, so that you may be successful. [Surah Al-Anfal (8) : 45]

*We know that the best and greatest remembrance of Allah is the kalemah of tawheed.

71. It is the means to attain steadfastness on earth.

وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

Allah has promised those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me*. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). [Surah An-Nur (24) : 55]

*This is the meaning of Laa ilaaha illallah.

So this kalemah is a means to attain authority to practice the deen on earth, and also a security.

72. It is a means for attaining high rank and honour.

Allah honoured with these words, Bilal (radiallahu anhu) from Abyssiniaa and Salman (radiallahu anhu) from Persia, etc were honoured with these words.

And Allah humiliated the honoured of Quraish from the mushrikoon (the polytheists) because they denied these words.

عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ وَاثِلَةَ، أَنَّ نَافِعَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْحَارِثِ، لَقِيَ عُمَرَ بِعُسْفَانَ وَكَانَ عُمَرُ يَسْتَعْمِلُهُ عَلَى مَكَّةَ فَقَالَ مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْتَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْوَادِي فَقَالَ ابْنَ أَبْزَى ‏.‏ قَالَ وَمَنِ ابْنُ أَبْزَى قَالَ مَوْلًى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا ‏.‏ قَالَ فَاسْتَخْلَفْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ مَوْلًى قَالَ إِنَّهُ قَارِئٌ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَإِنَّهُ عَالِمٌ بِالْفَرَائِضِ ‏.‏ قَالَ عُمَرُ أَمَا إِنَّ نَبِيَّكُمْ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ قَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَرْفَعُ بِهَذَا الْكِتَابِ أَقْوَامًا وَيَضَعُ بِهِ آخَرِينَ ‏

Amir ibn Wathila reported that Nafi ibn Abdil-Harith met Umar (radiallahu anhu) at Usfan and Umar had employed him as collector in Makkah. He (Umar) said to him (Nafi): Whom have you appointed as collector over the people of the valley? He said: Ibn Abza. He said: Who is Ibn Abza? He said: He is one of our freed slaves. He (Umar) said: So you have appointed a freed slave over them? He said: He is well versed in the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Great, and he is well versed in the commandments and injunctions (of the Shariah). Umar said: So the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: By this Book, Allah would exalt some peoples and degrade others. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth, No. 1780]

73. It safeguards against the shedding of blood of Muslims and protects their wealth.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاَةَ، وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ، فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَصَمُوا مِنِّي دِمَاءَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّ الإِسْلاَمِ، وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ 

Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger, and establish the salaah and give the zakaah, so if they do that, then they save their blood and wealth from me except for the right of Islam and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 1, Hadeeth No. 24]

So this kalemah of tawheed is a protection against unlawful shedding of Muslim blood and protection of the Muslim’s wealth, and their honour as well.

74. It is the word of witnessing.

شَهِدَ اللَّـهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

Allah bears witness that Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He is always) maintaining His creation in Justice. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 18]

75. It is the greatest good (Al-Maroof Al-Akbar).

وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Maroof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 104]

Tawheed is the greatest good (maroof) and shirk (associating partners with Allah in worship) is the greatest evil (munkar).

76. It is the first thing to call people to.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ ادْعُهُمْ إِلَى شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، وَأَنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدِ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ، فَإِنْ هُمْ أَطَاعُوا لِذَلِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ، تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ ‏

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent Muadh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger, and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night hours, and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the zakaah from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 2, Hadeeth No. 478]

77. It is the millah (religion) of Ibrahim (alaihissalaam).

وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّـهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ ۚ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ۚ مِّلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِي هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ ۚ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّـهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ ۖ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَىٰ وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ

And strive hard in Allah’s Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you, and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the millah (religion) of your father Ibrahim. It is He (Allah) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qurann), that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So establish the salaah, give zakaah and hold fast to Allah. He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper! [Surah Al-Hajj (22) : 78]

78. It is the purification (zakaah).

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوحَىٰ إِلَيَّ أَنَّمَا إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ فَاسْتَقِيمُوا إِلَيْهِ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ۗ وَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُشْرِكِينَ

الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَهُم بِالْآخِرَةِ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ

Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a human being like you. It is inspired in me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God), therefore take Straight Path to Him and obedience to Him, and seek forgiveness of Him. And woe to Al-Mushrikoon (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters, etc.). Those who give not the zakaah* and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter.” [Surah Fussilat (41) : 6-7]

*You wonder why Allah states that they don’t give zakaah and they are mushrikoon (polytheists). Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said that most of the mufassiroon (scholars of tafseer) said that this means the Shahaadah.

The linguistic meaning of zakaah is purification and we know that through faith, the heart becomes purified, because it will negate any divinity to other than Allah and will settle with the truth. This is its purification and its affirmation of the uniqueness of the divinity of Allah.

Tawheed is the basis for every purification and growth.

79. It is the cause due to which some faces will be brightened and others will be darkened on the Day of Resurrection.

The brightness will be for those who believed in it correctly and applied it correctly. The darkness will be for those who are the enemies to this kalemah from the people of disbelief and disobedience.

يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَتَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ ۚ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ اسْوَدَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَكَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ فَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ ابْيَضَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فَفِي رَحْمَةِ اللَّـهِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said): “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting Faith.” And for those whose faces will become white, they will be in Allah’s Mercy (Paradise), therein they shall dwell forever. [Surah Aal-Imran (3) : 106-107]

That was all the merits that Dr. Saleh gathered. As for the article, it states all the times and places where is it recommended to say Laa ilaaha illallah:

What are the times and places when it is mustahabb to say Laa ilaaha ill-Allah? – IslamQA

I put this at the end because a person will be motivated to keep reciting this statement now that they have read about its virtues.

May Allah make us of those who live and die on this statement.

kalimahshahaadahtawheed