Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon Muhammad, His last Messenger, his household, his companions and all those who follow him till the Last Day.
June 23, 1993
General Ibrahim Babangida's government had just announced the annulment of Nigeria's acclaimed freest election of June 12 of the same year. It filtered out first as a rumour but it soon gained currency and it became the heavy lot of this writer to inform two Northern colleagues who were ardent co-supporters of Basorun MKO Abiola. Both exclaimed without restraint. Ibrahim, a Muslim, shouted, 'Jesus Christ!'; while Asabe, Xtian, exclaimed; 'La ilaha iIIahAllaah'!
As others joined in to find out the cause of the commotion; I couldn't help but wonder, despite the heavy atmosphere at the time: had Asabe uttered the golden words that could grant her al-Jannah if she were to die at that instant?
The Shahadah can be declared as follows: '’ASH-HADU ANLA ILAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASULULLAH" ("I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah.") Would Asabe have qualified? Not likely! It is not sufficient for anyone to only utter this testimony orally either in private or in public; but rather, the person should believe in it by heart with a firm conviction and unshakeable faith. If one is truly sincere and complies with the teachings of Islam in all his life, he will find himself a new person.
Strive More In Worship
The Significance of the Shahadah is further highlighted, when we ponder on the fact that we repeat it every time we pray. How many of us, really think about it as we say it during prayer? When we say there is no god worthy of worship except Allaah, it means that we disdain obedience and servitude to anyone or anything except Allaah. It means that we fear no one and nothing except Allaah: that our greatest feeling of love and gratitude are kept for A1laah, because we know that He is the real Provider of all we have. He is the only true God, Who alone deserves to be worshipped, since He is the Giver of life and Sustainer and Nourisher of mankind and all creation with His unlimited bounties. It means that we do not seek the pleasure or acceptance of anyone or anything except Allaah.
The second part of the Shahadah means that Prophet Mohammad (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) is the servant and chosen messenger of Allaah. No one must have two opinions about this matter. With it, we acknowledge his right to be respected, obeyed and revered. We follow in his footsteps, knowing that he was the best of creation and hope to achieve Paradise and be close to him and the other prophets, Inshaa Allaah. In fact the Muslim has to obey the commands of the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam), to believe him in what he has said, to practise his teachings, to avoid what he has forbidden, and to worship Allaah alone according to the message revealed to him, for all the teachings of the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) were in fact revelation and inspirations conveyed to him by Allaah.
No Empty Phrase
Truly the Shahadah is not an empty phrase, it is not just a few words spoken but is coupled with sincerity of intention and determination to struggle, strive and sacrifice along the straight path. This means that the Muslim becomes strong and independent; and the shahadah should move him to strive more and more to improve his character and draw nearer to perfection. And his life is guided by the truth that
"Truly,the religion with Allaah is Islam" (Q3 [Aal – Imraan]: 19)
and
"Whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam. it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."(Q3[AaI- Imraan]:85)