KALIMAH TAYYIBA

Confession of Faith

Kalimah Tayyibah is the dividing line between Islam and atheism, that is, between a Muslim and a non-Muslim. To recite the Kalimah is to enter the fold of Islam and to refrain from it is to remain outside the pale of Faith. But the Faith is not complete by a mere recitation of the Kalimah. Along with its verbal acceptance, its attestation by heart is essential. After heart-felt acceptance of the Kalimah, it becomes imperative for a Muslim to refrain from such expressions and actions as might amount to direct or indirect rejection thereof. Besides, every facet of the character and conduct of a believer must conform to the letter and spirit of the Kalimah.

The Kalimah is in two parts, the first part relates to a clear assertion that there is no god other than Allaah. It is by means of total repudiation of other gods that the belief in the undisputed supremacy and sovereignty of Allaah. The Almighty takes root in the heart and mind of a Muslim. It may not be out of place to mention here that followers of all other religions claim to acknowledge, in one form or the other, the existence of One God but all the same assign His attributes to more than one god and therefore in actual belief and practice they worship many gods. The Muslims unequivocally and firmly believe that Allaahis one true God and He is His nature and in His attributes is Unique and Absolute. He has neither any equal nor any associate. Allaah alone is the True God and all obedience and praises are for Him.

The second part of the Kalimah. is equally important, since no one can become a Muslim without accepting it. A Muslim has to believe as a part of his Faith that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the Apostle of Allaah. Obedience to him and to his teachings is thus incumbent on a Muslim. The religion preached by him is the one chosen and perfected by Allaah and the Holy Qur'aan, which contains eternal guidance for mankind, is from Allaah, having been sent down by Him through the angel Gabriel. The Holy Qur'aan will remain valid forever for guidance of mankind. Similarly the prophethood of Muhammad (S.A.W.) is unending and indivisible up to the last day.

Belief in any type or kind of claimant to prophethood after the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), implies a tacit denial of the Kalimah.. To take a political, economical or a social reformer, however genuine he may be, to be a Prophet of any description - Zilli (shadow), Broozi (spokesman) or Naqli (spurious), is to introduce and open corruption in the Faith.

The difference between a Muslim and a follower of any other religion is clearly established through the Kalimah.. If a believer tampers with the Kalimah. in any manner, that is, by assigning God - like qualities to someone as the Prophet under the name of a Messiah, Mehdi, Mujaddid, etc. he does certainly contradict the Kalimah.

The Kalimah Tayyiba is like a noble tree with its root firmly planted and branches going up to the heavens while the converse, namely, the false faith, is like a rotten tree torn up by the root and about to fall to the ground. We quote from Chapter 14 (Verses 24 to 26) of the Holy Qur'aan:-

" Seest thou not how God sets forth a parable? - A goodly Word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens, -

- It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord, so God sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.

- And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the root from the surface of the earth: It has no stability."

End