The Two Declarations of Faith

In the Name of Allaah, the Extremely Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said:(1) I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship save Allaah Alone; the One Who has no partner. A declaration (kalimah) by which the heavens and the earth were established, the entire creation was created, and with which Allaah (ta`aala) sent His Messengers, revealed His Books, and prescribed Islaamic laws. Because of it, the scales were appointed, the records established and the marketplace for Paradise and Hell-Fire was erected. On account of this declaration, creation was divided into the believers and the disbelievers, the pious and the wicked. It is the purpose for creation, commandment, reward and punishment. It is the sole truth for which the creation was fashioned. The questioning and reckoning (of man) will be about this testification and its associated rights; and it is upon this testification that reward and punishment will be doled out. Upon it, the Qiblah was assigned, the religion was founded, and the swords of Jihaad were unsheathed. It is Allaah’s sole right upon all the servants. It is the statement of Islaam and the key to the Abode of Peace (Paradise). It is the reason for which both the prior and later generations will be questioned. For surely, the feet of the slave will cease to move from before Allaah until he is questioned concerning two matters: ‘Who did you worship?’ and ‘How did you respond to the Messengers?’ So the response to the first question is through fulfilling ‘There is no deity worthy of worship save Allaah Alone,’ in knowledge, affirmation, and action. And the response to the second question is through fulfilling ‘Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allaah,’ in knowledge, affirmation, submission and obedience. I further testify that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger; His trustee to His Revelation, the choice of His creation, and His ambassador between Him and His slaves(2). He was sent with the true religion and the straight path. Allaah sent him forth as a mercy to al-`Aalameen(3), as a leader for the righteous, and as a proof against the whole of creation. He sent him following a cessation of the Messengers, and thereby guided, through him, to the most upright of ways and clearest of paths. He (Allaah) made it binding upon the servants to obey, assist, honor and love him ﷺ, and to fulfill his rights. He barred all paths to His Paradise, so they shall not open for anyone save through the [Messenger's] path. He opened his breast, elevated his mention, and removed from him his burden. He rendered humiliation and misery upon those who defy the Prophet’s commands. There occurs in the Musnad (of Imaam Ahmad) a hadeeth of Abee Muneeb al-Jurashee from `Abdillaah ibn `Umar who said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: I was sent with the sword just before the Last Hour, so that Allaah is worshipped alone without partners. My sustenance was provided for me from under the shadow of my spear. Those who oppose my command were humiliated and made inferior, and whoever imitates a people, he is one of them. Just as humiliation covers those who oppose his command, might is for the people who obey and follow him. Allaah, the Exalted, stated: «So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers.»(4) He, the Most High, also stated: «But honor, power, and glory belong to Allaah, His Messenger (Muhammad), and to the believers.»(5) He, the Most High, has said: «So be not weak and ask not for peace (from the enemies of Islaam), while you are having the upper hand. Allaah is with you.»(6) He, the Most High, further stated: «O Prophet (Muhammad)! Allaah is Sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you.»(7) Meaning: Allaah alone is sufficient for you and sufficient for those who follow you, thus you are in need of none besides Him. http://www.istijabah.com/2012/05/13/the-two-declarations-of-faith-part-i-ii/ *** Translated by Umm Sufyaan Faatimah _________________________ (1) Ibn al-Qayyim, Zaadul Ma`ad, 1/34-35 (2) TN: i.e. man. (3) TN: Mankind, jinn, and all that exists. (4) Soorah Aali-`Imraan (3):139. (5) Soorah al-Munaafiqeen (63):8 (6) Soorah Muhammad (47):35 (7) Soorah al-Anfaal (8):64