The Two Declaration of Faith By: Saadia Khan
The First Declaration of Faith
First Condition: Knowledge KKKKnowledge of the deen KKKKnowledge of Allah KKKKnowledge of the prophet AAAAllah (swt) says in the Quran, “Know that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah.” (47:19)
The second condition: Certainty One declaring faith should not have any doubts in his/her mind that Allah being the one true God. One declaring faith should not have any doubts in his/her mind that Allah being the one true God. Allah (swt) says in the Quran that “Indeed the believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then do not have any wavering or doubt” (49:15) Allah (swt) says in the Quran that “Indeed the believers are those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then do not have any wavering or doubt” (49:15)
The Third Condition: Sincerity Sincerity is a necessary condition for the validity of the declaration of faith. Sincerity is a necessary condition for the validity of the declaration of faith. Allah mentions in the Quran “Indeed sincerity in religion is only for Allah” (39:3) Allah mentions in the Quran “Indeed sincerity in religion is only for Allah” (39:3) Allah also says that “And they were not ordered except to worship Allah sincerely, making all religion for Him alone…” (98:5) Allah also says that “And they were not ordered except to worship Allah sincerely, making all religion for Him alone…” (98:5)
The Fourth Condition: Truthfulness One must be truthful when one declares the shahadah otherwise it will not be accepted by Allah. Allah (swt) says, “Did people honestly think that they would be left alone to say ‘We believe,’ and not be tested? Indeed I tested those who came before them. Allah will know who are truthful and who are liars.
The Fifth Condition: Love For the declaration of faith to be valid, it must be expressed out of love for Allah. Allah (swt) says, “And there are some who take partners besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah. But the believers love Allah more than all else. (2:165)
The Sixth Condition: Submission SSincerity born of love will lead one who declares his/her belief in Allah to accept and act on divine instructions. AAllah calls to that submission as follows: “And who is better then one who submits himself to Allah while doing good?...” (4:125)
The Seventh Condition: Acceptance Acceptance must also be there for submission to be sincere and not just a ritual. Acceptance must also be there for submission to be sincere and not just a ritual. Allah says in the Quran, “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision…” (33:36) Allah says in the Quran, “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have an option in their decision…” (33:36)
The Eighth Condition: Disbelief One must disbelieve in all that is worshipped besides Allah as a condition for the acceptance of the declaration of faith. Allah says in the Quran, “… Whoever disbelieves in false gods and believes in Allah has indeed firmly grasped a trustworthy handhold…” (2:256)
The Second Declaration of Faith
The First Condition: Allah Knows Best The first declaration of faith that Muhammad (saw) was chosen a Messenger of Allah can only be considered valid if one accepts that Allah knows best why He chose him for that mission.The first declaration of faith that Muhammad (saw) was chosen a Messenger of Allah can only be considered valid if one accepts that Allah knows best why He chose him for that mission. Allah (swt) says, “Allah knows best with whom he wants to place His message…” (6:124)Allah (swt) says, “Allah knows best with whom he wants to place His message…” (6:124) In the case of Prophet Noah’s people, they also demanded that they prophet should be an angle.In the case of Prophet Noah’s people, they also demanded that they prophet should be an angle. Allah replied, “The nobles who disbelieved from among his people replied, ‘This is only a man like you who wishes to be more noble than you. And if Allah wished he would have sent angels…’” (23:24)Allah replied, “The nobles who disbelieved from among his people replied, ‘This is only a man like you who wishes to be more noble than you. And if Allah wished he would have sent angels…’” (23:24)
The second condition: Infallibility ► The belief that the Prophet did not make any errors in conveying the message of Islam is essential to the belief in his prophet hood. ► Allah says, “I will make you recite it without forgetting any of it except what Allah will...” (87:6-7) ► This condition does not mean that he was free from all errors as a human being. Some of is human errors were recoded in the Quran and the Sunnah.
The Third Condition: Universality The declaration of faith in Muhammad’s prophet hood hinges on the belief in the universality of the message he brought. It is necessary condition that one believes that Allah gave Prophet Muhammad a message which was for all mankind. Allah says, “I only sent you as a bearer of good news and a warner to all of humanity…” (34:28)
The Fourth Condition: Completeness The validity of the second declaration of faith also depends on accepting the belief that the Prophet conveyed the complete message which was revealed to hm. Allah (swt) says, “O’ Messenger! Convey whatever is revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not do so [in its entirety], you will not have conveyed His Message [at all]…” (5:67)
The Fifth Condition: Finality Belief in the second declaration of faith includes the belief that Muhammad was a seal of the Prophet hood. Allah will not send another Prophet. Allah (swt) says, “Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets…” (33:40)
Why are the conditions important WWWWe need the knowledge of the shahadah so that or declaration of faith is accepted. OOOOne needs knowledge without it the shahadah becomes a ritual.
What effect does it have on our Islam and our Iman Without the knowledge of the shahadah our actions will not be according to the Quran and Sunnah. Our Iman will not be strong without correct actions our faith will also weaken.
The End