How To Safeguard Our ‘Shahadah’ (Islam)?

Our ‘Shahadah’ is very dear and precious to us, even more so than our lives. So, let’s not take this matter lightly and give it our fullest attention and implementation. It determines whether we will pass or fail our test in this life and whether we will enter Paradise or Hell. We observed of late that there are trends in the articles of Malaysia Today and elsewhere that people like to hide behind their true selves. We hear and read that there are people who say that they only accept the Holy Quran and not the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. We also hear and read that there are people who say that the true Islamic Scholars make up stories on their own and are not to be believed. Let’s tell these people what are our sources of reference and what are the non-comprising acts that if transgressed will cause a Muslim to nullify his/her precious and dear ‘Shahadah’.



Our Sources Of Reference - ‘Mazhab’ (School Of Thought) Of Imam Ash-Shafie



1. Holy Quran
2. ‘As-Sunnah An-Nabawiyyah’ (The Traditions of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.)
3. ‘Al-Ijma’ (Consensus Of The ‘Mujtahid’ Islamic Scholars after Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.)
4. ‘Athar’ (Opinions Of The Companions Of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. ) with no disagreements
5. ‘Ikhtilaf’ (Disagreements) Of The Companions Of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. on secondary issues only
6. ‘Al-Qiyas’ (based on the same effective cause)


20 Non-Compromising Acts That Nullifies The ‘Shahadah’


1. ‘Tawakkal’ or depend on other than Allah s.w.t.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat.”

[Chapter At-Taubah: Verse 24]

‘Tawakkal’ does not mean that we do not work and toil. In fact, Allah s.w.t. commands us to work and toil in facing all aspects of our lives. After truly working and toiling only then we can leave the results to Allah s.w.t. This is what is meant by ‘tawakkal’.

If a person depends on and make ‘tawakkal’ to other than Allah s.w.t, then that person’s ‘At-Tauhid’ to Allah s.w.t is destroyed. Allah s.w.t. is the only source of our dependence because He is the One that created whatever there is in this Universe. Only Allah s.w.t. can render help and assistance to His servants.

Allah s.w.t says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Allah made it but a message of hope, and an assurance to your hearts: (in any case) there is no help except from Allah: and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”

[Chapter Al-Anfal: Verse 10]


2. Deny the ‘ni’mah’ (bounties) from Allah s.w.t.

Denying the bounties from Allah s.w.t. also nullifies the ‘Shahadah’, whether the denial is openly or disclosed or whether the denial is easy to comprehend or needs research. Verily all bounties come from Allah s.w.t. How can something be pleasing or not pleasing to us because only Allah s.w.t. can give bounties or withheld them.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Do ye not see that Allah has subjected to your (use) all things in the heavens and on earth, and has made his bounties flow to you in exceeding measure, (both) seen and unseen? Yet there are among men those who dispute about Allah, without knowledge and without guidance, and without a Book to enlighten them!”

[Chapter Luqman: Verse 20]


3. Work with the intention other than for Allah s.w.t.

Work or practice for with the intention other than Allah s.w.t. nullifies the ‘Shahadah’. There is no ‘ibadah’ or submission other than to Allah s.w.t. because He is the only One that we should worship and submit to in all our affairs.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds:”

[Chapter Al-An’aam: Verse 162]


4. Make laws based on human beings and not from what Allah s.w.t. has revealed

Making laws that are not based on Allah s.w.t’s laws nullifies the ‘Shahadah’. The act of making laws that contradict the laws of Allah s.w.t. means that a person has made their own laws according to their own whims, fancies and lusts.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way), and follow not the desires of those who know not.”

[Chapter Al-Jaathiyah: Verse 18]


5. Obey other than Allah s.w.t.

Obeying other than Allah s.w.t. is an act that nullifies the ‘Shahadah’ because only Allah s.w.t. do we submit our loyalty. It is prohibited to obey a leader that disobeys Allah s.w.t. But, if a leader upholds the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Rasullullah s.a.w. then he is considered among the ones that uphold the ‘rope’ of Allah s.w.t.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.”

[Chapter An-Nisaa’: Verse 59]


6. Execute laws other than the laws of Allah s.w.t.

Executing laws other than the laws of Allah s.w.t. or laws which do not refer to the laws of Allah s.w.t. are considered nullifying the ‘Shahadah’.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the prophets who bowed (as in Islam) to Allah's will, by the rabbis and the doctors of law: for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's book, and they were witnesses thereto: therefore fear not men, but fear me, and sell not my signs for a miserable price. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) Unbelievers.”

[Chapter Al-Maidah: Verse 44]


7. Hates Islam

If a person hates or is against any part of Islam or the whole of Islam, that also nullifies the ‘Shahadah’.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“But those who reject (Allah) - for them is destruction, and (Allah) will render their deeds astray (from their mark). That is because they hate the Revelation of Allah; so He has made their deeds fruitless.”

[Chapter Muhammad: Verse 8-9]


8. Loves this world more than the Hereafter

People who love the life on this world and forget that the afterlife is awaiting them can nullify their ‘Shahadah’ because they make this world their only goal and their sole purpose of life. This contradicts the sole purpose of human life on this world as revealed by Allah s.w.t.

“Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter - to them we shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein - without diminution. They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no effect and the deeds that they do!”

[Chapter Huud: Verse 15-16]


9. Disgraces the Holy Quran or the Sunnah of Rasullullah s.a.w. or the Islamic Scholars that upholds the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Rasullullah s.a.w.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“The Hypocrites are afraid lest a Sura should be sent down about them, showing them what is (really passing) in their hearts. Say:"Mock ye! But verily Allah will bring to light all that ye fear (should be revealed).”

[Chapter At-Taubah: Verse 63]


10. Allow what is prohibited by Allah s.w.t. or prohibit what is allowed by Allah s.w.t.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“But say not - for any false thing that your tongues may put forth - "This is lawful, and this is forbidden," so as to ascribe false things to Allah. For those who ascribe false things to Allah will never prosper. (In such falsehood) is but a paltry profit; but they will have a most grievous Penalty.”

[Chapter An-Nahl: Verse 116-117]


11. Does not believe in all the sources of law from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Rasulullah s.a.w.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“After this it is ye, the same people, who slay among yourselves, and banish a party of you from their homes; assist (Their enemies) against them, in guilt and rancour; and if they come to you as captives, ye ransom them, though it was not lawful for you to banish them. Then is it only a part of the Book that ye believe in and do ye reject the rest? but what is the reward for those among you who behave like this but disgrace in this life? - and on the Day of Judgment they shall be consigned to the most grievous penalty. For Allah is not unmindful of what ye do.”

[Chapter Al-Baqarah: Verse 85]


12. Making the unbelievers and the hypocrites our leaders

Making the unbelievers and the hypocrites our leaders includes nullifying and destroying our ‘Shahadah’ because in their hearts there is a disease that does not want to believe in the Oneness of Allah s.w.t.

“O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport - whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among those who reject Faith; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).”

[Chapter Al-Maidah: Verse 57]


13. Disrespectful when addressing Rasulullah s.a.w.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“O ye who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak aloud to him in talk, as ye may speak aloud to one another, lest your deeds become vain and ye perceive not.”

[Chapter Al-Hujuraat: Verse 2]


14. Afraid and dishearten to uphold ‘At-Tauhid’ but feel satisfied to uphold ‘Shirk’ (Idolatry)

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“When Allah, the One and Only, is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are filled with disgust and horror; but when (gods) other than He are mentioned, behold, they are filled with joy!”

[Chapter Az-Zumar: Verse 45]


15. Says that there is conflict between the verses in the Holy Quran

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran:

“Thus have We revealed it to be a judgment of authority in Arabic. Wert thou to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither protector nor defender against Allah.”

[Chapter Ar-Ra’d: Verse 37]


16. Does not know Allah s.w.t. clearly and disbelieves His Godly attributes and names

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran:

“Allah! there is no god but He! To Him belong the most Beautiful Names.”

[Chapter Taaha: Verse 8]


17. Does not know or identify Rasulullah s.a.w. correctly or disagrees with his esteemed attributes

If we disagree with the esteemed attributes of Rasulullah s.a.w. ordained by Allah s.w.t. unto him, then this also includes destroying the ‘Shahadah’.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.”

[Chapter Al-Ahzab: Verse 21]


18. Say that a Muslim is an unbeliever or does not say that an unbeliever has denounced ‘At-Tauhid’

Rasulullah s.a.w. said which means:

“Let there be none amongst you after my death with unbeliever attributes where some amongst you hit the necks of others amongst you.”

[Hadith]


19. Does an ‘ibadah’ not because of or not according to Allah s.w.t.

If we perform an ‘ibadah’ not because of Allah s.w.t., for example slaughtering of livestock not because of Allah s.w.t., making ‘tawaf’ (circumventing) not around the Ka’abah, etc. are also considered nullifying the ‘Shahadah’.

Allah s.w.t. says in the Holy Quran which means:

“For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands for water to reach their mouths but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).”

[Chapter Ar-Ra’d: Verse 14]


20. Performing ‘ibadah’ with ‘riya’ (showoff) and other ‘shirk’ acts

There are many acts of ‘shirk’ that can nullify the ‘Shahadah’. Amongst them are performing prayers so as to be praised, giving donations for the sake of name and glory, black magic practices, sorcery, deviant teachings, deviant traditional healers, deviant martial arts, rearing devils/genies or associating with devils/genies, etc.

“A man asked the Prophet s.a.w., ‘What is your opinion of one who fights [in the way of Allah] seeking fame [in the profane world] and reward [from Allah]?’ The Prophet s.a.w. replied, ‘He receives nothing [by way of reward from Allah].’ The Prophet s.a.w. repeated this three times and then said, ‘Allah accepts no deeds other than those that are performed solely for His sake and by which His face is sought.’”

[Hadith]

“The Prophet said to his companions, ‘At the end days, I am afraid for you on ‘Shirk’’. The companions asked, ‘Oh Messenger of Allah, what is ‘shirk’? The Prophet replied, ‘Amulets, charms & talisman, fortune telling, black magic, sorcery and ‘susuk’ (inserting metal) in the body are all ‘shirk’.”

[Hadith]

Our Hope

After knowing ‘At-tauhid’ and implementing it, may all the Muslims in Malaysia specifically and in the world generally really take care and safeguard their ‘Shahadah’ so that they may live peacefully and harmoniously in this world and in the Hereafter. It would be a great loss to our nation if any Muslim does not diligently observe these 20 non-compromising acts that can nullify one’s ‘Shahadah’. In our next article, we will discuss about the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. as the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah s.w.t. With these 3 phases (‘At-tauhid’, safeguarding our ‘Shahadah’ and knowing our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.) of beliefs and manifestations, we hope that all Muslims in Malaysia specifically and in the world generally may start on a path of excellence to be the best ‘ummah’ (nation) for mankind.


References:

1. 20 Attributes – Attributes Of Allah & Submission To His Oneness: Muhammad Isa Selamat
2. Al-Islam: Sheikh Sa’id Hawwa