Level 3

Lesson Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will understand that La ilaha illa Allah has conditions that must be fulfilled for it to be valid and accepted, and that these conditions were taught and understood by the early generations of Islam.

Central Question

What is required for the Shahadah to be valid and accepted?

Opening Reminder

Not every statement benefits the one who says it. Words in Islam carry weight only when they are accompanied by knowledge, belief, and action.

For this reason, the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah explained that La ilaha illa Allah has conditions that must be fulfilled.

Section 1: Why the Shahadah Has Conditions

Every act of worship in Islam has conditions for acceptance. Prayer has conditions. Fasting has conditions. The Shahadah, which is the greatest act of worship, is no different.

“And whoever disbelieves in false deities and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold.”
Qur’an 2:256

This verse shows that belief must be accompanied by rejection and commitment.

Section 2: The Seven Well-Known Conditions

The scholars summarized the conditions of La ilaha illa Allah into seven well-known principles, derived from the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah.

• Knowledge — knowing what it means
• Certainty — having no doubt
• Acceptance — accepting it inwardly and outwardly
• Submission — complying with what it requires
• Truthfulness — saying it truthfully, not falsely
• Sincerity — directing it purely to Allah
• Love — loving this statement and what it entails

Section 3: Knowledge and Certainty

Knowledge means understanding what the statement negates and affirms. Certainty means having no doubt about its truth.

“Only those are believers who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not.”
Qur’an 49:15

Doubt contradicts the foundation of this testimony.

Section 4: Acceptance and Submission

Acceptance means receiving the Shahadah without rejection. Submission means acting upon it willingly.

“But no, by your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you judge in all disputes between them.”
Qur’an 4:65

One cannot claim belief while refusing to submit to revelation.

Section 5: Truthfulness, Sincerity, and Love

Truthfulness opposes hypocrisy. Sincerity opposes showing off. Love opposes hatred or resentment toward Tawheed.

“Among mankind are those who take others besides Allah as equals; they love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.”
Qur’an 2:165

Loving the Shahadah includes loving its obligations and consequences.

Common Misunderstanding Clarified

Misunderstanding:
“If someone says La ilaha illa Allah, nothing else matters.”

Correction:
The statement benefits only the one who fulfills its conditions according to knowledge and ability.

“Whoever says La ilaha illa Allah sincerely from his heart will enter Paradise.”

Sincerity and understanding were always emphasized by the Prophet.