The Effects of Acknowledging "There is no god but Allah''
Selections from the Book The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him …
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (7)
The phrase "There is no god but Allah'' has tremendous effects on the life of a believer, including:
1- A believer in this phrase does not have a narrow perspective, unlike those who believe in multiple gods or those who deny the existence of any deity.
2- Belief in this phrase instills in the soul a sense of pride and self-respect that nothing can undermine. This is because there is no benefactor or harm-bringer except Allah, He is The Maintainer of life and The Inflictor of Death, The All-Wise, The All-Strong, The Owner of Absolute Sovereignty. As a result, all fear is removed from the heart except fear of Him alone. The believer does not bow his head to anyone among creation, does not plead except to Him, does not seek help except from Him, and does not fear except His majesty and greatness. For Allah alone possesses grandeur, might, and power, unlike the polytheist, disbeliever, or atheist.
3- From this phrase arises humility without humiliation and elevation without arrogance.
4- The believer in this phrase knows with absolute certainty that there is no path to salvation and success except through purifying the soul and performing righteous deeds. In contrast, polytheists and disbelievers spend their lives chasing false hopes. Some believe that the son of God was killed and crucified as atonement for their sins before his father. Others claim they are God's children and beloved, and thus, He will not punish them for their sins. Some think they will seek intercession through their leaders or pious figures before God. Others offer vows and sacrifices to their deities, believing they have gained permission to act as they please. As for the atheist who does not believe in Allah, they think they are free in this world, bound by no divine law, with their desires and passions as their god, to which they are enslaved.
5- The one who professes this phrase is not overcome by despair or paralyzed by hopelessness, because they believe that Allah holds the treasures of the heavens and the earth. As a result, they remain in a state of tranquility, peace, and hope, even if they are cast out, humiliated, or face hardships in life.
6- Faith in this phrase instills in a person great strength of determination, courage, patience, perseverance, and reliance on Allah when they undertake noble deeds seeking His pleasure. They feel supported by the power of the One who owns the heavens and the earth, making their steadfastness and firmness, drawn from this belief, as unshakable as mountains. How, then, can polytheism and disbelief ever possess such strength and resilience?
7- This phrase encourages a person and fills their heart with bravery, because what causes cowardice and weakens determination are two things:
- Love for oneself, wealth, and family.
- The belief that someone other than Allah can cause death.
A person’s belief in "There is no god but Allah'' removes from their heart the first fear, which is "love for oneself, wealth, and family". It makes them certain that Allah is the sole owner of their life and possessions. As a result, they are ready to sacrifice everything dear to them in the pursuit of pleasing their Lord. This belief also eliminates the second fear, which is "the belief that someone other than Allah can take a person's life", by instilling the conviction that no human, animal, or anything else has the power to take their life unless their appointed time has come. Therefore, there is no one braver or more courageous in this world than the one who believes in Allah. Such a person is unshaken by armies, drawn swords, flying bullets, or raining bombs.
8- Belief in "There is no god but Allah" elevates a person's status, instilling in them dignity, contentment, and self-sufficiency. It purifies their heart from the filth of greed, excessive desire, envy, baseness, and meanness, along with other reprehensible traits. This profound faith shapes their character, making them noble, self-reliant, and detached from worldly attachments, seeking only the pleasure and approval of their Creator.
9- Belief in ''There is no god but Allah'' makes a person adhere to the laws of Allah and remain steadfast in following them. The believer is certain that Allah is aware of everything and is closer to them than their own jugular vein. They realize that while they might be able to evade the power of anyone else, they cannot escape from Allah's authority. The more firmly this belief is rooted in a person’s mind, the more they will adhere to Allah’s commands, abide by His limits, and avoid what He has forbidden. They will eagerly engage in acts of goodness and obey what Allah has commanded.
Thus, a servant whose heart is filled with faith in "There is no god but Allah'' is truly a devout servant, obedient and submissive to their Lord, the Most High. This is the essence of Islam and its source of strength. All other beliefs and rulings in Islam are built upon this foundation and derive their strength from it. Islam would not endure if this fundamental principle were removed.
Episode references:
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him, pp. 72-75.
- Principles of Islam, Abu Al-A’la Al-Mawdudi, Muslim Youth Library, Damascus, 3rd ed., 1961, p. 87.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of The Story of The Beginning of Creation and The Creation of Adam, peace be upon him on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
