Chapter 2: VIRTUES OF KALIMAH TAYYIBAH

Translation: Kalimah Tayyibah, which is also called Kalimah Tauheed, has been mentioned in the Qur-aan and the Hadith more frequently than anything else. Since all Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ and their shariats have been sent specifically with the primary aim of propagating the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala, its excessive mention can well be understood. In the Qur-aan Shareef, this kalimah has been referred to by various names and in different contexts. It has been referred to as Kalimah Tayyibah (excellent utterance), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (firm statement), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (utterance of piety), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (keys to the heavens and earth), etc. as will be found in the Aaayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef given in the following pages. Imaam Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written in his book Ihyaa that it is لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (The word of the oneness of Allah Ta’ala),لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (statement of sincerity), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (The word of piety), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (excellent word),لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (strong handhold), لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (call of truth) and لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (price of Jannah).لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ As this kalimah has been mentioned in various contexts in the Qur-aan Shareef, this chapter is divided into three parts. The first part includes those Aayaat in which the actual words of Kalimah Tayyibah do not occur, but are implied therein. Each Aayah is followed by a brief explanation, as given by the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ and by Rasulullah ﷺ himself.

Translation: The second part consists of those Aayaat which contain the text of Kalimah Tayyibah i.e. لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Laailaaha illallaah) or a slight variation, such asلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Laailaaha illaahu). As the words of the kalimah occur in these Aayaat, their translation has not been considered necessary. Only the name of the surah and Aayah number, in which the Aayah occurs, has been indicated. The third part includes the translation and explanation of those Ahaadith that describe the virtues and importance of this kalimah.

Translation: “Whatever has been done is merely through grace of Allah Ta’ala.”

SECTION 1 AAYAAT PERTAINING TO KALIMAH TAYYIBAH

This chapter contains those Aayaat in which the words of the Kalimah Tayyibah do not occur, although it is implied therein:

Translation: 1(“Don’t you see how Allah Ta’ala explains through an example of the pure word as a pure tree that is firmly rooted and its branches reach the sky. It brings fruit at all times by the command of its Rabb. So Allah explains through examples for people so that they may reflect (ponder and understand). And the example of the evil word is like a miserable tree that is uprooted from the ground having no stability.” (Surah Ibraaheem - Aayah 24-26)

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا has explained that the words “Kalimah Tayyibah” in this aayat mean the Kalimah Shahaadat لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ which is like a tree with its roots in the hearts of the Muslims and its branches spread out up to the Heavens, by means of which the deeds of the faithful climb up to the Heavens; and لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (i.e. evil word) is the utterance of shirk, which prevents any good deed from being accepted. In another Hadith, it is stated by Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا that, “bearing of fruit all the time” means that Allah Ta’ala be remembered day and night. It was narrated by Hadhrat Qataadah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ a Tabi’ee, that somebody had said to Rasulullah ﷺ , “The rich have taken all the great rewards (by virtue of spending their wealth in charity).” Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “Tell me, can anybody reach the sky by piling up his goods one over the other. I am telling you of something, which has its roots in the Earth and its branches spread out in the Heavens. It is the recitation of the kalimah ten times each after every Salaah.”

Note: According to the majority of commentators, the Kalimah Tayyibah in this Aayah means لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ , but some are of the opinion that it implies the kalimah of tasbeeh, as will be described in part two.

Note: According to Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Rasulullah ﷺ had said that the kalimah of the Rabb means the kalimah of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (laailaaha illallaah). But most commentators (due to other Ahaadith) are of the opinion that it means the Qur-aan Shareef.

Translation: 4. “Allah Ta’ala keeps those who have Imaan steadfast by a firm word (i.e. the Kalimah) in this world and in the Aakhirah, and Allah Ta’ala allows the oppressors (wrong doers/ kuffaar) to go astray. Allah Ta’ala does as He wills.” (Surah Ibraaheem - Aayah 27)

Note: Hadhrat Baraa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ stated that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “When, at the time of questioning in the grave, a Muslim bears witness to this kalimah لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدُ رَسُوْلُ اللّهِ and this is what is meant by the words (firm statement) in this aayah. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا narrated that this refers to the questioning in the grave. Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا said, “When a Muslim is about to die, the Malaaikah come to him, greet him, and convey glad tidings of Jannah. After his death, they accompany him and join his Janaazah Salaah. After he is buried, they make him sit up in the grave and then they question him. He replies

Translation: “I bear witness that there is nobody worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

this is what is implied in this aayat.”

Hadhrat Abu Qataadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (firm statement) refers to the Kalimah Tayyibah in this life, and an answer to the interrogation in the grave after death. Hadhrat Taa’oos رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ also gave the same interpretation.

Translation: 5. The true call (the Kalimah) in only for Him. Those whom they call besides Him does not respond to them at all. They are like a person who stretches out his hand for water so that it may reach his mouth but it will never reach. The prayer of the disbelievers is wasted.” (Surah R’ad - Aayah 14) Note: According to Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , the words رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ (Da’watul Haqq, i.e. the propagation of truth) means tauheed (i.e, the Kalimah). Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا as well as many others are reported to have said ‘Da’watul Haqq’ means the Shahaadah (i.e. this Kalimah).

Translation: 6. “Say: O people of the book! Come to a word (matter of belief) that is common between us and you; that we worship none other but Allah Ta’ala and that we do not ascribe any partner to Him, and none of us shall take others as gods besides Allah Ta’ala. And if they turn away, then say, ‘Be witness that we are Muslims.’” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 64)

Note: This sacred aayah is self-explanatory. The word ‘kalimah’ in this aayah implies tauheed and the Kalimah Tayyibah. The same view-point has been categorically confirmed by Hadhrat Abu Aaliyah and Hadhrat Mujaahid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ .

Translation: 7. “You (the followers of Muhammad ﷺ ) are the best of all nations, who have been raised for (the benefit of) mankind enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah Ta’ala. If only the people of the book had Imaan, it would be better for them; among them are some who have Imaan while most of them are transgressors / disobedient (kuffaar).”(Surah Aali I’mraan – Aayah 110)

Translation: (i.e. you enjoin

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا has stated good) means that you encourage people to believe in and obey Allah Ta’ala and that this kalimah is, by far, the best and foremost of all the good things.

Note: The explanation of this sacred aayah is to be found in many Ahaadith. Rasulullah ﷺ , while referring to this aayah had said that good deeds wipe out sins from one’s account. Hadhrat Abu Zar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that he had once requested Rasulullah ﷺ to give him some advice and Rasulullah ﷺ replied “Fear Allah Ta’ala. If maybe you commit any sin, hurry up at once to do some virtuous deed so that the sin committed is compensated for and it is wiped off.” Then Abu Zar لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ continued to say that he asked Rasulullah ﷺ if this لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ ) was also counted amongst the virtues. At this, kalimah (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ Rasulullah ﷺ replied that this kalimah is the highest of all virtues. It is also quoted from Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ had said “Whosoever, at any time during the day or night, recites the kalimah (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ ), his sins will be washed off (his account).”

(charity) to relatives and He forbids shameful/ immoral deeds, evil and oppression. He advises you so that you may take heed.” (Surah Nahl – Aayah 90)

Note: There are different versions regarding the interpretation of the word لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (justice). In one version, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says that لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (justice) means to say لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ and believe that nobody is worthy of worship except Allah Ta’ala, while لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (goodness) means adherence to the commands of Allah Ta’ala.

Translation: 10. “O, you who believe! Fear Allah Ta’ala and speak what is right, (if you do this) Allah Ta’ala will correct your (good) deeds and forgive your sins. Whoever obeys Allah Ta’ala and His Rasool ﷺ , he has succeeded tremendously.” (Surah Ahzaab - Aayah 69 & 70)

Note: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا and Hadhrat Ikramah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ

Translation: both are said to have been of the view that the meaning of (and speak what is right) is to recite the kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ . According to one Hadith, three things constitute the best of all actions.

Translation: 11. “So give glad tidings to my servants, who listen attentively to the speech (advice) and follow the best of it. These are the ones whom Allah Ta’ala has guided, and these are the men who possess intelligence (understanding).” (Surah Zumar – Aayah 17 & 18)

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا said that Hadhrat Sa’eed bin Zaid, Hadhrat Abu Zar Ghifaari and Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنْ هُمْ , would لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah) even before they recite the Kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ embraced Islam. What is meant by the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (the best utterance) in this sacred aayah is this kalimah. Hadhrat Zaid bin Aslam لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ had also said that this aayah relates to three persons who used to recite the Kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ even in their days of ignorance. They were Hadhrat Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail, Hadhrat Abu Zar Ghifaari and Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ .

Translation: 12. “He who brings the truth and confirms it; these are the people who have Taqwa. They shall have whatever they desire by their Rabb. This is the reward of those who do good. So that Allah Ta’ala may cancel their evil deeds and grant them the best reward for the good deeds they carried out.” (Surah Zumar - Aayah 33-35)

Note: Those who brought the message from Allah Ta’ala are the messengers عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ . The people who brought the message from Rasulullah ﷺ are the Ulama (May Allah accept their efforts). Hadhrat Ibnu Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا is stated to have said that, “the true thing” means the Kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah). According to some commentators, the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (one who brought the true message from Allah Ta’ala) refers to Rasulullah ﷺ and the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (those who confirmed it) refer to the believers.

13. “Verily those who say, “Our Rabb is Allah Ta’ala” and are then steadfast, the Malaaikah shall surely descend upon them (saying) “Have no fear nor any grief but glad tidings of the Jannah which you were promised. We are your friends in this world and in the Aakhirah (Hereafter). There you shall have whatever your heart desires, and you shall have whatever you ask for. This is the hospitality from the most Forgiving, the most Merciful.”

(Surah Haa Meem Sajdah – Aayah 30)

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (then Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا said that the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ remained steadfast) means that they remained steadfast in their belief in the kalimah. Hadhrat Ibrahim and Hadhrat Mujaahid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ both supported the interpretation “they remained steadfast to the kalimah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ until their death, and never indulged in shirk of any kind.”)٣) وَمَنْ احْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِمَّنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ اِنَّنِيْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ

Ta’ala, does righteous deeds and says, ‘I am among the Muslims.’” (Surah Haa Meem Sajdah – Aayah 33) Note: Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (invite towards Allah) refers to the calling of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ by the Muazzins. Aasim bin Hubairah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ advised, “After finishing azaan, one should recite

Translation: “Nobody is worthy of worship except Allah; Allah is the greatest and I am from among the Muslims.”

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ had said regarding this aayah, that Allah Ta’ala says, “Can there be any other reward besides Jannah in the Aakhirah for the one who is blessed in this worldly life by the recitation of the kalimah.” Hadhrat Ikramah and Hadhrat Hasan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ both have also said that the reward of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah) cannot be anything but Jannah.

Translation: 16. “Then Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Rasool and upon the believers and kept them firm upon the word of taqwa as they are most deserving of it and worthy of it.” (Surah Fath - Aayah 26) Note: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (the word taqwa) in this aayah means Kalimah Tayyibah as explained in many narrations. Hence, Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Salama رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا quoted Rasulullah ﷺ as having said that it means لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (laailaaha illallaah). The same view was expressed by Hadhrat Ubayy bin Ka’b, Hadhrat Ali, Hadhrat Umar, Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas, Hadhrat Ibn Umar, and many other Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا . Ataa Khurasani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was of the view that it meant the whole Kalimah Tayyibah i.e. لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ while Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had said that it meant لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah Allahu-Akbar). Tirmizi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is stated to have quoted on the authority of Baraa لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ that this implied لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah).

Note: Hadhrat Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has quoted Rasulullah ﷺ to have said that لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (purified) means that he declared his Imaan in لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (Laailaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah) and gave up idol-worship. According to Hadhrat Ikramah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ means he proclaimed laailaaha illallaah and this was also the viewpoint held by Ibn Abbaas لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ .

Note: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (the great comfort) means Jannah, because in Jannah all kinds of comforts and facilities will be available. Further Allah Ta’ala will grace a man to make good deeds easy for him, which will hasten his entry into Jannah. Many commentators are of the view that the above-mentioned aayah was revealed in favour of Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . According to Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا the word رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا (good thing) mentioned in this aayah means the kalimah. Hadhrat Abu Abdur Rahmaan Sulami رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also shares this view. Hadhrat Imaam-e-A’zam Abu Hanifah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , quoting on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Zubair and Hadhrat Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, that Rasulullah ﷺ read the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (saddaqa bil husna) and explained that it means testifying inلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah) and then he read لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (kazzaba bil husna) and said that it refers to the one who has rejected لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illallaah).

(and on the other hand) He who does an evil deed will be punished only according to as much as his evil and they will not be oppressed.” (Surah An’aam - Aayah 160)

Note: When this aayah was revealed, someone asked Rasulullah ﷺ if the reciting of laailaaha illallaah was also among their virtuous deeds. Rasulullah ﷺ replied that laailaaha illallaah is the best of all virtues. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ say that لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ ‘hasanah’ (virtue) means laailaaha illallaah. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also holds the same ZIKR view. Similar meanings were also narrated by Hadhrat Abu Zar Ghifaari رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ on the authority of Rasulullah ﷺ who held the view that laailaaha illallaah was the best amongst all virtuous deeds. According to Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , one good deed is multiplied ten times over as a general principle, but, for the muhaajireen, reward for one good deed is multiplied seven hundred times.

(Exalted in power), the All Knowing, Who forgives sins and accepts repentance, Severe in punishment and All Powerful. There is no god but He. All shall return to Him.” (Surah Mu’min – Aayah 1-3)

Note: In an explanation of this aayah, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says that Allah Ta’ala is the forgiver of sins for those who say laailaaha illallaah. He is the acceptor of the taubah for one who recites laailaaha illallaah, and is the giver of severe punishment for one who does not proclaim the words laailaaha illallaah. The meaning of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Zit Taul) is the One who is extremely rich, and laailaaha illallaah is a refutation to the Quraish, who did not believe in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala; لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (ilayhil maseer) implies that one who says laailaaha illallaah will return to Allah Ta’ala for entry into Jannah, while one who rejects laailaaha illallaah will return to Him for entry into Jahannam.

Allah Ta’ala has grasped the firm / strong handhold, which will never break.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 256)

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says that رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا (u’rwatul wusqaa) “a firm grasp” means proclaiming laailaaha illallaah. The same ZIKR interpretation is also related from Sufyaan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (u’rwatul wusqaa) refers to the kalimah of ikhlaas.

CONCLUSION:

Translation: SECTION 2 AAYAAT PERTAINING TO THE KALIMAH TAYYIBAH WHEREIN THE KALIMAH APPEARS IN FULL OR IN PART

Translation: This chapter includes such Aayaat which contains the Kalimah Tayyibah in full or in part, or its equivalent in different words but having the same meaning. The Kalimah Tayyibah (laailaaha illallaah) means that there is no deity except Allah Ta’ala. The wordsلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (maa min ilaahin ghairuh) also has the same meaning, that there is no deity except Allah Ta’ala. This is also the meaning of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laailaaha illaa hu), and the words لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laa na’budu illallaah), we do not worship anyone besides Allah Ta’ala, have a similar meaning. This is also the meaning of لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (laa na’budu illaa iyyaah), we do not worship anybody other than Allah Ta’ala and لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (innamaa huwa ilaahu waahid) (He is ZIKR the only one worthy of worship). There are other similar Aayaat, which have the same meaning as Kalimah Tayyibah. The surah and aayah number in which each such aayah is found has been indicated below. In fact, the whole Qur-aan Shareef is an explanation of the Kalimah Tayyibah, because the basic objective of the Qur-aan Shareef and of the Deen of Islam is Tauheed. It was to propagate tauheed that the messengers of Allah Ta’ala were sent to people at different times. Tauheed is the common objective of all the divine religions, and it is for this reason that the subject of tauheed has all along been dealt with under different headings to establish its truth. (to confirm the concept of Tauheed, different acts of Ibaadat have been prescribed) And this is the objective of Kalimah Tayyibah.

Beneficent, The Most Merciful.” (Surah Baqarah – Aayah 163)

Living, The Maintainer (of everything).” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 255)

Living, The Maintainer (of everything).” (Surah Aali I’mraan – Aayah 2)

(Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 18)

The Mighty, The Wise.” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 62)

(Surah Maa'idah - Aayah 73))لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

(Surah An'aam - Aayah 46)

(Surah An'aam - Aayah 102)

(Surah A'araaf – Aayah 140)

Ta’ala). There is no god besides Him.” (Surah Taubah – Aayah 31)

Him.” (Surah Yunus – Aayah 3)

Whom the Banu Israaeel believe, and I am of those who surrender (to Him).” (Surah Yunus – Aayah 90)

(Surah Yunus – Aayah 104)

Almighty? (Surah Yusuf - Aayah 39))٣٨) امَرَ ٱلّا تَعْبُدُوَا اِلَّا إِيَّاهُ

(Surah Yusuf - Aayah 40))عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ

(Allah).” (Surah Ra’d - Aayah 30)

(Surah Ibraaheem - Aayah 52)

(Surah Nahl - Aayah 2)

(Surah Bani Israa-eel - Aayah 22)

Never shall we call upon any other god besides Him (Allah).” We will never accept another god besides Him. (Surah Kahf - Aayah 14)

(Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Kahf - Aayah 15)

(Surah Kahf - Aayah 110)

(Surah Maryam - Aayah 36)

(Surah Taahaa - Aayah 8)

Allah Ta’ala, there would have been disorder in both of them. (The two would be in chaos).” (Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 22)

(Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 24)

(Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 43)

(Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 87)

(Allah).” (Surah Ambiyaa - Aayah 108)

(Surah Hajj - Aayah 34)

(Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Mu'minoon - Aayaat 23 & 32)

Him (Allah Ta’ala).” (Surah Mu'minoon - Aayah 116)

There is none worthy of worship but He.” (Surah Qasas - Aayah 72)

(Allah)?” (Surah Saad - Aayah 5)

(Surah Zumar - Aayah 4)

Him.” (Surah Mu'min – Aayah 3)

(Surah Mu'min – Aayah 62)

(Surah Haameem Sajdah - Aayah 6)

(Surah Haameem Sajdah - Aayah 14)

Beneficent?).” (Surah Zukhruf – Aayah 45)

(Surah Dukhaan - Aayah 8)

(Surah A’hqaaf – Aayah 21)

(Surah Muhammad - Aayah 19)

(Surah Zaariyaat - Aayah 51)

(Surah Hashr - Aayah 22)

(Surah Taghaabun - Aayah 13)

(Allah Ta’ala), so adopt Him as your guardian.” (Surah Muzzammil - Aayah 9)

The above are the eighty-five Aayaat, in which, text of the Kalimah Tayyibah or its equivalent in meaning are mentioned. There are still many more Aayaat, which equally convey the same meaning of the Kalimah. I have stated this in the beginning of this section. Tauheed is the fundamental basis of Deen, and therefore the more a man is grounded in Tauheed, the more steadfast he shall be on Deen. Tauheed in the Qur-aan Shareef has been described from various viewpoints and in various forms and aspects, so that it may penetrate through the very depths of the heart and it firmly settles there, leaving no room for anything besides the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala to enter.

SECTION 3 AHAADITH PERTAINING TO THE KALIMAH TAYYIBAH VIRTUES OF This chapter includes such Ahaadith which describe the virtues and ZIKR blessings of reciting Kalimah Tayyibah. When there are so many Aayaat on this subject, then what can one say about the number of Ahaadith; it is therefore difficult to record all of them here. Only a few will be given by way of example.

Hadith 1 -The Best Zikr and the Best Dua

Translation: ، افْضَلُ الذِّكْرِ لَا إِلْهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَافْضَلُ الدُّعَاءِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَهِ ( (سُنَنُ التِّرْمِذِيِّ

Translation: Hadhrat Jaabir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Of all the azkaar (plural of zikr), the repetition of laailaaha illallaah is the best, and of all the du’as, Alhamdulillaah is the best.”

Note: That it is the best of all azkaar is quite evident; this is mentioned in many Ahaadith. In fact when the whole of Deen depends on this Kalimah Tauheed, there can be no doubt that it is the highest of all azkaar. Alhamdulillaah has been regarded as the best dua, because praising the one who is the most benevolent being is in fact a form of begging from him. It is quite common that by writing poetry in praise of a wealthy person or authority does not mean anything else other than begging for his favours or riches.

Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says that one who recites laailaaha illallaah should follow it by reciting alhamdulillaah, because in the Qur-aan Shareef the Aayah:

Translation: Ask Allah with sincere devotion. (Surah Mu’min - Aayah 65) is followed by ٱلْخَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِ الْعَالَمِيْنَ (All praise is for Allah Who is the Cherisher of the universe). Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated: “There is not the slightest doubt that Kalimah Tayyibah is by far the best and foremost of all azkaar because it is that foundation of Deen around which the whole religion of Islam rotates. Therefore, the Sufis and saints emphasize its importance and prefer it over all other azkaar and advise their followers to make extensive zikr. Experience has shown that the benefits of Kalimah Tayyibah far out-weigh those from other forms of zikr. There is a well-known story of Sayyid Ali bin Maymoon Maghrabi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . Once, Shaikh Ulwani Hamawi, who was a great scholar, Mufti and teacher of his age, came to learn zikr from Sayyid Ali bin Maymoon Maghrabi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . The Sayyid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ devoted special attention to him and made him give up all his other routines, such as teaching and writing fataawa, etc. and to take up zikr all the time. Noticing this, the common people (who have no work other than criticizing and hurling abuse) started finding fault and began condemning and criticizing the Shaikh that this Aalim has now been lost to them and they were being deprived of benefiting from him etc. A few days later, when the Sayyid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ came to know that Shaikh Ulwani was occasionally reciting the Qur-aan Shareef, he stopped him from this recitation also. At this, the people lost their senses and openly accused the Sayyid of irreligiousness and deviation. After some time, when the Shaikh observed that the zikr has had its effect on his heart, the Sayyid allowed him to resume the recitation of the Qur-aan Shareef. When he opened the Qur-aan Shareef, every word and aayah emerged with new meanings and significance he had never thought of before. The Sayyid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ then explained: “Allah Forbid, My intention was not to stop him from reciting the Qur-aan Shareef, but rather it was to help him achieve these insights.”

This Kalimah constitutes the fundamental basis of Deen and the root of Imaan (faith). Therefore, the greater the devotion to this Kalimah, the more firmly will Imaan be rooted. Imaan depends on this Kalimah and the very existence of this world depends on it. According to a Hadith, the Day of Qiyaamah will not dawn as long as there exists on Earth a single person reciting the Kalimah. In other Ahaadith it is mentioned that as long as there lives a single man on Earth who remembers Allah Ta’ala, Qiyaamah will not take place.

Hadith 2 – The special Zikr of Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ

Translation: مَالَتْ بِهِمْ لَا إِلْهَ اِلَّا اللهُ ( (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said: “Once Hadhrat Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ made dua to Allah Ta’ala to teach him some form of zikr for his remembrance. He was advised to recite laailaaha illallaah. He submitted: ‘O my Lord! This zikr is recited by all the creation.’ Again came the reply was: ‘Recite laailaaha illallaah.’ He submitted: ‘O my Sustainer, I want something special, exclusively meant for me.’ Then Allah Ta’ala said: ‘If the seven heavens and the seven earths were placed in one pan of the scale, and the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah in the other, the Kalimah will outweigh the seven heavens and earths.’”

Note: It is the way of Allah Ta’ala that those things whose need is greater are provided in abundance. It will be observed that Allah Ta’ala has provided the most essential necessities of life such as air and water plentiful and in abundance. It is, however, Ikhlaas (purity of intention) that determines the value of things in the eye of Allah Ta’ala. The greater the Ikhlaas in an action, the greater will be its value. And if Ikhlaas and devotion is less, then lesser is the value. Nothing is more effective than this Kalimah for this purpose. This Kalimah is also known as the purifier of hearts (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ ). Sufis prescribe zikr of this Kalimah for purification of the heart and advise its recitation as a daily routine; not only in hundreds but in thousands. Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes that a mureed once complained to his Shaikh that, despite making zikr, his heart remained inattentive. The Shaikh replied: “Go on with your zikr firmly, and thank Allah Ta’ala for His Grace that He enabled one part of your body, i.e. the tongue, to remain busy in His zikr, and make dua to Allah Ta’ala for a devoted heart.” A similar incident is related in ‘Ihyaaul Uloom’ about Abu Usmaan Maghribi, who gave the same reply to a similar complaint made by one of his mureeds, and he prescribed the same remedy. As a matter of fact, zikr is the best cure. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan, “If you show gratitude to Me, I will grant you even more than before.” Likewise the Hadith says, “Zikr of Allah Ta’ala is a great blessing; be thankful to Him for having enabled you to make His zikr.”

Hadith 3 – Who will Benefit most from the Intercession of Nabi ﷺ ?

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once enquired from Rasulullah ﷺ as to who would be most benefitted by his intercession on the Day of Qiyaamah. Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “Knowing your desire for Ilm (knowledge) of Ahaadith, I could expect that none other than you would have asked this question earlier.” Thereafter Rasulullah ﷺ told Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that the most blessed or the most benefitted by my intercession will be the person who proclaims laailaaha illallaah with Ikhlaas (sincerity).

Note: The meaning of good fortune here is to get something good through the Grace of Allah Ta’ala. That the person reciting the Kalimah with Ikhlaas will be most deserving to be benefitted by the intercession of Rasulullah ﷺ , can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, such a person could be one who has just embraced Islam with sincerity, and has done no other good deed except the recitation of the Kalimah. Evidently he can be helped only by virtue of this intercession, because he has no good deed to his credit. In this case, this Hadith is supported by other Ahaadith, in which it is stated that the intercession will be for those guilty of major sins who shall have been sent to the Jahannam because of their sins, but by virtue of their recitation of the Kalimah Tayyibah they will be released through the intercession of Rasulullah ﷺ . Secondly, the most deserving people to be benefitted will be those who continually recite this Kalimah with sincerity and they have to their credit other good deeds as well. Being most fortunate means that they will be benefitted most by the intercession of Rasulullah ﷺ in raising their status in Jannah. Allamah Ainee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated that Rasulullah ﷺ will intercede in six different ways on the Day of Qiyaamah.

Firstly, it will be for relief from the intolerable distress and suspense in the maydaan-e-hashar (plain of judgement), where all the people will be afflicted in various ways and will even prefer to be sent to Jahannam so that their present worries may come to an end. They will go to all the high-ranking Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ , one by one, and beg them to intercede before Allah Ta’ala, but none of them will dare to do so. At last, Rasulullah ﷺ will intercede and this intercession will be in favour of all the people, including jinn and mankind, believers and non-believers, all of whom will be benefitted by it, as explained in detail in the Ahaadith describing Qiyaamah. Secondly, Rasulullah ﷺ will intercede for easing of punishment to some non-believers; as mentioned in the Hadith about Abu Taalib. Thirdly, his intercession will be for the release from Jahannam of some of the Believers who have already been thrown in there. Fourthly, it will be for the pardon from Jahannam of some Believers, who on account of their misdeeds had been condemned to it. Fifthly, it will be in favour of some Believers for their admittance into Jannah, without requiring them to render an account of their deeds. Sixthly, it will be for raising the status of the Believers in general.

Hadith 4 – Reading the Kalimah with Ikhlaas

Translation: Hadhrat Zaid bin Arqam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ had said, “One who recites laailaaha illallaah with Ikhlaas will enter Jannah.” Somebody asked, “What is the sign of Ikhlaas?” He explained “That it (i.e. laailaaha illallaah) prevents one from indulging in forbidden things.

Note: It is apparent that one who abstains from forbidden things and professes Imaan in laailaaha illallaah, will directly be admitted into Jannah. But if one has indulged in some forbidden things and has been sent to Jahannam, even then, through the blessings of this Kalimah, he will, sometime, after undergoing punishment for his sins, certainly be transferred to Jannah. But if his sins have been such that it took him out of the fold of Islam and Imaan, he will remain condemned in Jahannam forever. Faqih Abul Laith of Samarkand has written in his book ‘Tambeeh-ul-Ghaafileen’, “It is important for everyone to hymn laailaaha illallaah often, and also make dua to Allah Ta’ala for steadfastness in Imaan, and abstain from sins because there are many people whose sinful deeds destroy their Imaan and they die as non-believers. There can be no greater sorrow than that a man should be a Muslim throughout his life, but on the Day of Qiyaamah his name should appear in the list of non-believers. This is indeed the greatest misfortune. One does not feel sorry for a person who has, throughout his life, worshipped in a church or a temple and in the Aakhirah be listed among the non-believers, but it is a matter of great grief that he who had remained in the masjid should be counted as one of the non-believers. This happens as a result of excessive sinning and secretly being involved in forbidden things. Many people get unlawful possession of something knowingly, but they delay in returning it or having it forgiven and they happen to die before returning it or getting forgiven, then they are in deep trouble. There are some who divorce their wives and knowingly continue living together (and continue sharing the bed), till death overtakes them. In such cases, one does not get a chance of making Taubah (repentance) and, as a result, is completely deprived of his Imaan.

Translation: May Allah Ta’ala save us!

Translation: In the books of Ahaadith, the story of a young man who was unable to recite the Kalimah at the time of his death, is related. This was brought to the notice of Rasulullah ﷺ who went to the young man and asked him what the matter was. He replied that it felt as if a lock was ZIKR placed on his heart. On enquiry, it transpired that his mother was angry with him because of his misbehavior. She was called by Rasulullah ﷺ and when she came, he asked her: “If somebody lights a big fire and wants to throw your son into it, will you have mercy on him?” “I will certainly do so,” she replied. “If it is so, then forgive his faults,” said Rasulullah ﷺ . At this she forgave her son, and thereafter when the young man was asked to recite the kalimah he readily did so. Rasulullah ﷺ thanked Allah Ta’ala that, through his effort, the man was saved from the fire of Jahannam. There are hundreds of cases like the one mentioned above, where the evil effect of the sins,in which we get involved, results in our worldly as well as spiritual loss. The great author of Ihyaaul-Uloom has related that once Rasulullah ﷺ delivered a khutba in which he said: “One who recites laailaaha illallaah in the manner that he does not mix it up, he becomes entitled to Jannah.” Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked for the clarification of the meaning of mixing it up. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “It is to love the worldly life and hanker after it. There are many who talk like the Prophets, but act like the arrogant people and tyrants. If one recites this Kalimah while not indulging in anything of this sort, he becomes entitled to Jannah.”

Hadith 5 – The Doors of the Heavens Open up for the Kalimah

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “There is nobody who recites laailaaha illallaah and the doors of the Heavens do not get opened to allow this Kalimah to reach the Arsh-e-Ilaahi (throne of Allah Ta’ala), provided he abstains from major sins.”

Note: The excellence and acceptability of this Kalimah is proved by its going straight to the Arsh-e-Ilaahi (throne of Allah Ta’ala). It has already been stated that its recitation, even by a person who commits major sins,

ZIKR is not without benefit. Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says that the condition of being free from major sins is the key to quick acceptance and for the opening of all the doors of the Heavens. Otherwise the recitation of the Kalimah is not without reward and acceptance, in spite of major sins. Some Ulama have explained this Hadith to mean that after the death of such a person, all the doors of the Heavens are opened to welcome and honour his soul. According to another Hadith, there are two special Kalimahs, one does not stop before reaching the Throne of Allah, and the other fills the Heaven and Earth with its light or reward. One is laailaaha illallaah and the other is Allahu Akbar.

Hadith 6 – Allah Ta’ala has Promised Jannah for those who proclaim the Kalimah

Translation:

Translation: يَعَادَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ٱبْشِرُوْا فَاِنَ اللَّهَ قَدْ غَفَرَ لَكُمْ ( (عَلَيْهَا الَجَنَةَ وَانْتَ لَا تَخْلِفُ الْمِيْعَادَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ابْشِرُوًا فَاِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ غَفَرَ لَكُمُ (رواء احمد؛

Translation: Hadhrat Shaddaad ibnu Aws رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ relates and Hadhrat Ubaadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ confirms that, “Once we were sitting with Rasulullah ﷺ and he asked if there was any stranger (i.e. non-Muslim)

Translation: sitting in the gathering. We replied that there was none. He then had the door closed and asked us to raise our hands and recite laailaaha illallaah. We raised our hands for some time and recited the Kalimah (Tayyibah). He then exclaimed: O Allah! You have sent me with this Kalimah. You have promised Jannah for those who profess it, and Your promise never remains unfulfilled. Then he turned to us and said: ‘Be happy, Allah has blessed you with His forgiveness’.”

Note: Rasulullah ﷺ had made sure that no stranger was present,

and he had got the door closed because most probably he had every hope ZIKR that those particular people would be forgiven by virtue of reciting the Kalimah. And he had no such hope in respect of non-believers. The Sufis quote this Hadith as an argument for making their mureeds engage in zikr collectively. It is stated in ‘Jaamiul-Usool’ that there were instances when Rasulullah ﷺ made his companions make zikr collectively and also individually. This Hadith is quoted as authority for making zikr collectively. The closing of the door would be to help those present to concentrate better. The enquiry about the presence of any stranger might also be for the same reason; it may not have distracted Rasulullah ﷺ , but there was likelihood of others getting distracted.

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ نهفته ساز كردن ورخانه بندكرون سريشيشه بازكرون

How exciting is it to be in solitude with you, to close the door behind me and open the lid of the bottle Hadith 7 – Renewing our Imaan

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Keep on renewing your Imaan.” “O Rasulullah! how should we renew our Imaan?” enquired the Sahaabah. “Recite laailaaha illallaah in abundance,” was the reply.

Note: In one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said, “Like old clothes, Imaan also gets worn out. Therefore, keep on making dua to Allah Ta’ala to renew it.” Imaan getting weak means that it loses strength and radiance on account of sins. Thus it is stated in one Hadith that,

ZIKR when a man commits a sin, a dark spot appears on his heart. If he makes sincere Taubah (repentance), this spot gets washed away, otherwise it remains there. When he commits another sin, another black dot appears on the heart. Thus, on account of further sins, the black dots continue to increase, until ultimately the heart is all blackened and rusted, as described in the Qur-aan Shareef in Surah Mutaffifeen.

Translation: Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts. (Surah Mutaffifeen - Aayah 14)

When such a stage is reached, the heart is no longer influenced by the truth. It is said in one Hadith, “Four things cause ruin to the heart; debating with foolish people, excessive sinning, excessive mixing with women and remaining in the company of dead people.” Somebody enquired, “What is meant by ‘dead people’?” Rasulullah ﷺ explained that it meant such wealthy persons who have pride because of their wealth.

Hadith 8 - Recite “laailaaha illallaah” very often before your death

Translation: #

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Recite laailaaha illallaah very often, before the time (of death) comes when you will not be able to say it.”

Note: No deed is possible after death. This life is very short, and it is time for action and for sowing seeds. This life after death is infinitely long, and it is over there that we will reap whatever we have sown here.

Hadith 9 – Jahannam becomes forbidden on the one who recites the Kalimah

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “I know of a Kalimah, that if anybody recites it regarding it to be true from his heart and then dies upon that belief, Jahannam becomes forbidden for him. This Kalimah is laailaaha illallaah.”

Note: This subject matter has been related in many Ahaadith. If the person referred to in the above Hadith has been a new convert to Islam, then there can be no doubt about the meaning, because it is unanimously agreed that on embracing Islam all one’s sins committed as a non-Muslim are forgiven. But if it refers to a born Muslim, who recites the Kalimah with sincerity just before his death, even then it is hoped that Allah Ta’ala, through His sheer Grace, may forgive all his sins. Allah Ta’ala has Himself said that He may forgive any sin He wishes, except Shirk. Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated that some Ulama are of the view that these Ahaadith apply to the very early period of Islam when detailed commandments had not yet been revealed. Some scholars have stated that the Hadith implies declaration of the Kalimah with proper discharge of one's obligations enjoined by it as given under Hadith number four above. Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and many others also hold this view. According to the considered view of Imaam Bukhaari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , this promise holds true if the declaration of the Kalimah before death is accompanied by sincerity and regret, which is the essence of taubah. According to Mulla Ali Qari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , the reciter will not be doomed to Jahannam forever. It is a matter of common observation that sometimes the inherent quality of a thing becomes ineffective due to some obstacle. For instance, a laxative may become ineffective if it is followed by medication that causes constipation. This does not mean that the laxative doesn’t work; its effect did not manifest itself because of an opposing medication.

Hadith 10 – The keys to Jannah

Translation: Hadhrat Muaaz bin Jabal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Professing faith in laailaaha illallaah is the keys to Jannah.”

Note: The Kalimah has been described as the keys of Jannah, because it serves as the key for opening every door and every part of Jannah. Therefore, the Kalimah has all the keys. Alternatively, it is called the keys, because the Kalimah itself is made up of two parts; one is laailaaha illallaah and the other is Muhammadur Rasulullah. Thus, Jannah may be said to open with these two keys. In these Ahaadith, wherever the Kalimah is stated to cause entry into Jannah or protection against Jahannam, it means the complete Kalimah comprising both the parts. In one Hadith, it is said that the price of Jannah is laailaaha illallaah.

Hadith 11 – Sins are replaced by Virtues

Translation: Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Whosoever recites laailaaha illallaah any time during the day or the night, his sins are deleted from his record of deeds and virtues are written in its place.”

Note: The replacement of sins by virtues has been fully described under Hadith number ten of Chapter one Part two, where various meanings of all the aayaat and Ahaadith of this kind are given. According to every version, this Hadith definitely states that sins are washed away from the ZIKR account of a person’s deeds, provided there is Ikhlaas, i.e. sincerity of intention. In any case, making zikr of the blessed name of Allah Ta’ala and excessive recitation of Kalimah Tayyibah also develops Ikhlaas. Therefore, this blessed Kalimah is also called the “Kalimah of Ikhlaas.”

Hadith 12 – The pillar of noor shakes when one recites the Kalimah

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “There is a pillar of Noor (Divine Light) in front of the Arsh (the Throne of Allah Ta’ala). When somebody recites laailaaha illallaah, this pillar starts shaking. When Allah Ta’ala tells it to stop shaking, it says, ‘How can I stop, when the reciter of the Kalimah has not yet been granted forgiveness?’ Thereupon Allah Ta’ala says: ‘Well, I have forgiven him,’ and then that pillar stops shaking.”

Note: Some scholars of Hadith have debated the authenticity of this Hadith, but Allama Suyuti رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written that this Hadith has been narrated with some differences in wordings through many sources. According to some narrations, Allah Ta’ala also says, “I have made him utter the Kalimah in order that I may grant him forgiveness.” How kind and benevolent is Allah Ta’ala that He himself graces a person with the power to do this virtuous act, and then grants forgiveness on this basis to complete His extreme favour. In this connection, the well-known story about Hadhrat Ataa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is told and this story is quite popular. He once happened to go to the market where a mad slave woman was on sale. He purchased her. At midnight she got up, performed wudhu, and began offering Salaah. During her Salaah she wept so profusely that her breath was getting choked. Then she said: “O my Rabb! In the name of the love that You have for me, bestow Your Mercy on me.” Hearing this, Ataa said “O slave woman, say: ‘O Allah, in the name of the love that I have ZIKR for You.’” Upon hearing this she got upset and said, “By Allah! If He had not loved me, He would not have let you sleep and made me stand in Salaah as you see!” Then she recited the following couplets:

الْكَرْبُ مُجْتَيعُ وَالْقَلْبُ مُحْتَرِقٌ وَالصَّبْرُ مُفْتَرِقٌ وَالدَّمْعُ مُسْتَبِقُ forsaken me and my tears are flowing. My restlessness is increasing, and my heart is burning. Patience has

Translation: How can one have peace of mind, when one is all affected by the pangs of love and restlessness?

Translation: O Allah! If there is anything which can help me to get rid of my grief, please bestow it upon me as a favour!

Translation: Then she said, O Allah! Until now no one knew about the deal between You and me, since it is no more a secret now, take me away from here. Saying this, she uttered a shriek and breathed her last. There have been many other incidents similar to this. It is a fact that Allah Ta’ala alone grants the power to do good.

Translation: “And if Allah, the Sustainer of the Universe does not will it, you cannot even wish for anything.” (Surah Takweer - Aayah 29)

Hadith 13 – Those who believe in the Kalimah will have no fear

Translation: Hadhrat Ibnu Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said,

Translation: “The people of laailaaha illallaah will neither have fear in the grave nor on the Day of Qiyaamah. It is as if I see the scene when they will rise from their graves, wiping dust from their heads and saying: ‘All praise is for Allah, who has cast off (forever) all worry and fear from us.’”

It is stated in another Hadith that those who profess laailaaha illallaah will neither experience affliction at the time of death nor in the grave.

Note: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا says: “Once Hadhrat Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ came to Rasulullah ﷺ when he was very worried and Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ said: ‘Allah Ta’ala has sent His salaams to you and has enquired: “Why do you look so sad and worried!” (Although Allah Ta’ala knows whatever is hidden in the hearts, yet by such questions Allah Ta’ala shows honour, respect and favours). Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “O Jibra-eel! I am very worried about my Ummat, as to how they will fare on the Day of Qiyaamah!” “Is it about the non-believers or about the Muslims?” asked Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ . “About the Muslims” replied Rasulullah ﷺ . Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ then took Rasulullah ﷺ along to a graveyard where the people of the tribe of Banu Salama were buried. There he struck a grave with his wing and said لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (stand up by the order of Allah). Out of that grave, an extremely handsome man stood up, and he was reciting لَا إِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِ الْعَالَمِيْنَ . Hadhrat Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ told him to go back to his place, which he did. Then he struck another grave with his wing. Out of it stood up an extremely ugly person with black face and worried eyes, who was saying, “Alas, there is nothing but sorrow, shame and horror!” Hadhrat Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ told him to go back to his place, and then explained to Rasulullah ﷺ , “The people will rise up on the Day of Qiyaamah in the same state that they were at the time of their death.” In the Hadith under discussion, the people of laailaaha illallaah apparently imply those who have a special and close attachment to the Kalimah and remain busy with its recitation, just as in common usage descriptions such as milkman, shoe-man, pearl-man and ice-man etc. are used for people who have a special interest and involvement in those ZIKR things. Thus, there is no doubt whatsoever that the people of this Kalimah, will receive this extraordinary treatment. In Surah Faatir of the Qur-aan Shareef, three categories of this Ummat have been described; one category is named لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (leaders in virtues), about whom it is stated in a Hadith that they will enter Jannah without any reckoning. According to one Hadith, a person who recites laailaaha illallaah one hundred times daily will be raised up on the Day of Qiyaamah with his face shining like the full moon. Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated that those whose tongues remain busy in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala will enter Jannah smiling (happily).

Hadith 14 – Ninety-nine registers of sins weighed against the Kalimah on the scale

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah ibnu Amr ibnul Aas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “On the Day of Qiyaamat, Allah Ta’ala will select a man from my Ummat and will call him in the presence of all mankind, and then 99 registers of his sins will be opened before him, each register as long as one can see. He will then be asked if he denies anything recorded in his account of deeds, or whether the Malaaikah who were appointed to record his deeds had been unjust to ZIKR him in any respect. He will reply in the negative (i.e. he will neither deny anything nor blame the Malaaikah for any injustice to him). Then Allah Ta’ala will ask him if he can justify his misdeeds, but he will reply that he has no excuse to offer. Then Allah Ta’ala will say, “Well, there is indeed one virtue to your credit. Today no injustice will be done to you.” Then a small piece of paper with the Kalimah written on it will be handed over to him, and he will be asked to go and get it weighed. He will submit that this small piece of paper will be of little avail against so many lengthy registers. Allah will say, “This day, no injustice will be done to you.” Then all the registers will be placed in one pan and the piece of paper in the other pan. The pan with the registers will fly up in the air on account of the excessive weight of that piece of paper. The truth of the matter is that nothing is weightier than the name of Allah Ta’ala.”

Note: This is purely the blessed result of Ikhlaas that, a single recitation of the Kalimah Tayyibah with sincerity can outweigh all the misdeeds recorded in so many registers. Therefore, it is necessary that one should not look down upon any Muslim and think himself to be superior to him. Who knows that Allah Ta’ala may accept from him some deeds which may suffice for his salvation. And, on the other hand nobody can be sure about himself whether any of his deeds will be found worthy of acceptance. The story of two people belonging to the Bani Israa-eel is related in one Hadith; one of whom was a worshipper and the other was a sinner. The worshipper always criticised the latter, who used to reply: “Leave me to my Creator.” One day, the worshipper, in a fit of anger, said: “By Allah! you will never be forgiven.” Allah Ta’ala assembled them in His presence and pardoned the sinner because he had always expected mercy from Allah Ta’ala, but ordered punishment for the worshipper due to the oath he took. No doubt the oath was terrible and it was directly conflicting with declaration of forgiveness by Allah Ta’ala in the Aayah;

Translation: (Allah Ta’ala will not forgive Kufr and Shirk but apart from that, He may forgive any sin as He may like).

Translation: So how can anybody take such an oath that a particular person will not be forgiven? This does not mean that we should not warn others against sins and undesirable things, and remind others to abstain from these. At hundreds of places in the Qur-aan Shareef and in the books of Hadith, there are warnings for not forbidding people from evil. It is stated in many Ahaadith that the people who see a sin being committed and do not stop it, in spite of their having power to do so, will also share in the punishment for that sin. This point has been discussed by me in detail in my book, Fazaail-e-Tabligh, which can be consulted if desired. At this point an important word of caution should be heeded to. Just as it is extremely wrong to condemn sinful Muslims as absolute dwellers of Jahannam, it is equally dangerous on the part of ignorant people to accept any person as their spiritual guide, in spite of him being devoid of good practices and his making senseless and un-Islamic statements. Rasulullah ﷺ has said: “Whosoever respects a bidati (innovator) in Islam is counted from amongst those who helped in demolishing Islam.” It is stated in several Ahaadith that in times to come, there will appear many imposters, cheats and liars, who will relate Ahaadith that you will have never heard before. Beware of such people, lest they should mislead you and put you into trouble (fitnah).

Hadith 15 – The weight of the Kalimah will outweigh the weight of the Skies and the Earth

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “I swear by Allah Who controls my life that if all the skies and the earth, with all the people and all the things between them and all that may be within them, are placed together in one pan of the scale, and Imaan in laailaaha illallaah is put in the other pan, the latter will outweigh the former.”

Note: This subject matter has been discussed in many Ahaadith. It declares that undoubtedly nothing can be equal to the blessed name of Allah Ta’ala. It is really a great misfortune and deprivation for those who take it lightly. However, the weight of this Kalimah is proportionate to the Ikhlaas with which it is uttered. The greater the Ikhlaas, the weightier becomes the Kalimah. To achieve this Ikhlaas, one has to remain in the service of the Mashaaikh. According to one Hadith, the above-mentioned saying of Rasulullah ﷺ was in connection with another subject matter. He has said: “Encourage a dying person to recite laailaaha illallaah because he who recites this Kalimah at the time of his death gets entry into Jannah.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ enquired: “O Rasulullah! (ﷺ ) what about reciting it during good health?” He replied, “Then it is even more effective in making the individual worthy of Jannah,” and then stated, on oath, the Hadith related above.

Hadith 16 - What is most weighty in Testimony

Translation: لَا الْهَ إِلَّا اللهُ بِذْلِكَ بُعِثْتُ وَإِلَى ذٰلِكَ ادْعُوْ فَانْزَلَ اللّهُ تَعَالَى فِيْ قَوْلِهِمُ "إِلَّا اللّهُ بِذْلِكَ بُعِثْتُ وَالى ذٰلِكَ ادْعُوْ فَٱنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالى فِيْ قَوْلِهِمْقُلْ اىّ شَىْ ءِاكُبَرُ شَهَادَةً ٱلْأيَّةً....... ا رجه السيوطى فى الدر المنشور ٢٥٦٥

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that once there came to Rasulullah ﷺ three non-Muslims who said to him: “O Muhammad! (ﷺ ) don’t you recognise anybody, except Allah as worthy of worship?” In reply, Rasulullah ﷺ recited (laailaaha illallaah) (Nobody is worthy of worship except Allah), and added: “I have been deputed specifically for the propagation of this Kalimah, and I invite all mankind towards it.”

It was in this connection that the following aayah was revealed.

Translation: “What is most weighty in testimony?” (Surah An’aam - Aayah 19)

Note: The words of Rasulullah ﷺ , “I have been appointed (as a Nabi) specifically for the propagation of this Kalimah and I invite all mankind to it,” did not mean that only he had been sent on this special mission. In fact, all the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ had been sent for the propagation of this Kalimah, and all of them had invited mankind to it. From Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ to Rasulullah ﷺ the last and the best of all the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ , there was not a single Nabi who had not propagated this sublime Kalimah. So blessed and sublime is this Kalimah that, all the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ and all true religions propagated it and served its cause. In fact, every true religion is based on this Kalimah. It is in support of this Kalimah that the Qur-aanic Aayah;

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ had been revealed, in which Allah Ta’ala is a witness in favour of Rasulullah ﷺ . According to one Hadith, when somebody recites laailaaha illallaah then Allah Ta’ala testifies to it and says: “My slave has spoken the truth; there is none worthy of worship except I.”

Hadith 17 – The Deeds of this Ummah would be the weightiest because of the Kalimah

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Laith عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ narrates that Hadhrat Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ had said: “The deeds of the Ummat of Hadhrat Muhammad ﷺ would be the weightiest on the Day of Qiyaamah because their tongues are used to the recitation of the Kalimah, which was found too hard by the Ummats of other Ambiyaa, and this Kalimah is laailaaha illallaah.”

Note: It is a fact that the Ummat of Rasulullah ﷺ is devoted to ZIKR this Kalimah, much more than any other Ummat. There have not only been thousands, but indeed millions of Sufis (pious persons) who had hundreds of mureeds, all of whom recited the Kalimah thousands of times daily as a matter of routine. It is stated in ‘Jaamiul-Usool’ that the word “Allah” should be repeated a minimum number of five thousand times daily and there is no maximum limit for it. The Sufis are required to repeat “Allah” daily at least 25 000 times. With regards to the amount of laailaaha illallaah, one should read this zikr at least 5000 times daily. This number varies according to the advice of the Mashaaikh. I have related all this in support of the above saying of Hadhrat Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ that the Mashaaikh have prescribed these amounts daily for each individual. Hadhrat Shah Waliullah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated in his book ‘Al-Qowlul Jameel’ that his father, in his early stages in Sufism, used to recite laailaaha illallaah 200 times in one breath.

Virtue of Reading the Kalimah 70 000 times Shaikh Abu Yazeed Qurtubi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes: “When I learnt that one who recites laailaaha illallaah 70 000 times is safe from the fire of Jahannam, I completed this number once for my wife and then several times for myself as a provision for the Aakhirah. A young man who lived near us was known to be blessed with the power of Kashf (blessed with the ability by Allah Ta’ala to see the unseen things), even in respect of Jannah and Jahannam, but I hesitated to believe it. Once when this young man was eating with us, he uttered a cry of agony, his breathing became difficult and he exclaimed, “I see my mother burning in the fire of Jahannam.” When I saw him so worried, I thought of giving one of my complete 70 000 recitations of the Kalimah to his mother, so that the truth of what the young man said could be tested. I quietly did so in my heart, without telling anybody else about it. But as soon as I did this, the young man felt relieved and said, ‘Uncle! My mother has been relieved of the punishment of Jahannam!’ This incident proved useful to me in two ways: firstly, the blessing of reciting the Kalimah 70 000 times was proven by actual experience, and secondly it was established that the young man was truly blessed with the power of kashf. This is but one of many such incidents in the lives of various individuals of this Ummat. The Sufis make their followers practice zikr so that there is no breath that goes in or comes out without the zikr of Allah Ta’ala. There are millions of people from the Ummat of Nabi Muhammad لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ who have adopted this practice. There is, therefore no denying the fact stated by Hadhrat Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ that their tongues are especially accustomed to the recitation of the Kalimah.

Hadith 18 – Inscribed on the Door of Jannah

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ has said: “There is inscribed on the gate of Jannah

Translation: (Indeed, I am Allah, none except Me is worthy of worship. Whosoever keeps reciting this Kalimah will not be punished by Me.)

Note: It is mentioned in many other Ahaadith that one will be punished for his sins. If the word punishment mentioned in the above Hadith means eternal punishment, then there is no doubt with regards to finally being forgiven by Allah Ta’ala. But if any fortunate person recites this Kalimah with such sincerity of heart that he is altogether saved from punishment in spite of his sins, then no one can question the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, as already stated under Hadith 9 and 14 of this chapter.

Hadith 19 – Entering into the Fort of Allah Ta’ala

Translation: Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ related that he was told by Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ that Allah Ta’ala says: “Only I

Translation: am Allah, there is none worthy of worship except I, therefore worship Me only. Whosoever will come to Me with firm Imaan in laailaaha illallaah will enter My fort and whosoever enters My fort will be safe from My punishment.”

Note: If the abovementioned blessing is on condition that one does not commit major sins, as mentioned under Hadith No 5, then there can be no objection about it, but if recitation of the Kalimah, together with committing major sins, is meant, then the word ‘punishment’ implies eternal punishment. However, the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala is not bound by any law. It is mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef that Allah Ta’ala will not forgive the sin of Shirk, but will forgive any other sin as He may please. According to one Hadith, Allah Ta’ala punishes only such people who revolt against Him and refuse to recite laailaaha illallaah. According to another Hadith, the recitation of laailaaha illallaah removes the anger of Allah Ta’ala, as long as one does not attach more importance to the worldly things over the matters of Deen. But if one starts preferring dunya over Deen, then recitation of laailaaha illallaah will prove to be of little use, because then Allah Ta’ala says: “You are not true in what you profess.”

Hadith 20 – The Best Zikr and the Best Dua

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The best form of zikr is laailaahaillallaah and the best form of dua is Istighfaar (seeking the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala)”

Then, in support thereof, he recited from Surah Muhammad, the following Aayah:

Translation: “So know that none is worthy of worship but Allah and seek forgiveness for your sins.” (Surah Muhammad - Aayah 19)

Note: It is already mentioned in Hadith No. 1 of this chapter that laailaaha illallaah is superior to all other forms of zikr. The reason for this superiority, according to the Sufis, is that zikr has a special cleansing effect on the heart. By virtue of this zikr, the heart gets purified of all its filth and if it is supplemented by Istighfaar, this becomes most effective. It is stated in one Hadith that when the fish had swallowed Hadhrat Yunus عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ he recited this dua,

Translation: There is none worthy of worship but You, glory be to You. Indeed I am from the wrong doers.

Translation: Whosoever makes dua in these words, his dua will definitely be accepted. It has also been mentioned in Hadith No. 1 of this chapter, namely that the best form of zikr is laailaaha illallaah, and that alhamdulillaah is mentioned to be the best of duas whereas over here it is stated to be Istighfaar. This apparent difference is according to different situations. For a pious man, alhamdulillaah is the best form of zikr, whereas a sinner is more in need of Taubah and Istighfaar, and Istighfaar is naturally the most suitable zikr for such persons. Also, for getting benefits, praising and glorifying Allah Ta’ala is more effective, whilst Istighfaar proves to be more effective in relieving difficulties and hardships. There are also other reasons given for this difference.

Hadith 21 – Efforts of shaytaan in misleading mankind

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said:

Translation: “Recite laailaaha illallaah and Istighfaar as frequently as you can,

Translation: ZIKR because shaytaan says: ‘I ruin the people by inclining them to commit sins but they frustrate me through their recitation of laailaaha illallaah and Istighfaar. When I find this so, I mislead them to indulge in bid’at and thereby make them follow their base desires in the belief that, they are still on the right path.’”

Note: The main object of shaytaan is to inject poison into one’s mind, as stated under Hadith No. 14 in part 2 of Chapter 1. He is successful in doing so only when the heart is not engaged in zikr, otherwise he has to go away in disgrace. In fact, zikr of Allah Ta’ala purifies the heart. It is narrated in ‘Mishkaat Shareef’ that Rasulullah ﷺ had said: “For everything there is a cleanser, and the heart is cleansed by means of the zikr of Allah Ta’ala.” The effect of Istighfaar is similar, as mentioned in many Ahaadith that it removes the dirt and rust from the heart. Abu Ali Daqqaaq رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes that when a person recites laailaaha with sincerity, his heart is cleansed of all dirt (just as a mirror is cleaned with a wet cloth), and when he says illallaah his heart shines with its light. It is clear that under these situations, the whole effort of shaytaan is wasted. Ruining through base desires means that one may begin to consider wrong as right, and clothe one’s desires in the garb of Deen. This practice has been condemned in the Qur-aan Shareef at several places. At one place it is said:

Translation: “Have you seen him who made his desire his god and Allah made him astray knowingly and sealed up his hearing and his heart, and set on his sight a covering? Then who can guide him, after Allah (condemned him)? Will you not then heed?” (Surah Jaasiyah - Aayah 23)

It is said at another place in the Qur-aan Shareef:

Translation: “Who is further astray than one who follows his lust without any guidance from Allah Ta’ala? Verily Allah Ta’ala does not guide the wrong-doing nation.” (Surah Qasas - Aayah 50)

There are many other Aayaat on the same subject. It is the most severe attack of shaytaan that he presents an irreligious deed as a religious one, so that one practices on it believing it to be good and hopes to get reward for it. Because the person performs it as a religious act, there is no likelihood of him making Taubah. If somebody is in the habit of committing sins like adultery and theft, there is a possibility that he may make Taubah and give them up, but if somebody is doing a wrong thing under the impression that it is an act of Ibaadat, the question of him making Taubah does not arise. Rather, he will get more involved in it day by day. This explains the words of shaytaan: “I involved them in sins, but they frustrated my efforts through zikr, taubah, and istighfaar. Then I entrapped them in such a manner that their escape becomes impossible.” Thus, it is essential that in all matters of Deen, guidance be sought from the ways of Rasulullah ﷺ and his Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ . Taking an opposite path will lead to sin and destruction. Imam Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has reported from Hasan Basri, رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that shaytaan says: “I presented sinful deeds in an attractive form to the Muslims, but they destroyed my efforts through istighfaar. Then I presented before them vices in the garb of virtues, thus leaving them with no initiative for istighfaar.” Instances of such vices are self-made innovations in Deeni practices. Wahb bin Munabbih رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Fear Allah Ta’ala, who knows everything. You curse shaytaan in the presence of others, but you quietly obey and befriend him.” Some Sufis have narrated: “It is most unfortunate that, in spite of knowing Allah Ta’ala as our real benefactor and acknowledging His favours, we still show disobedience to Him and obey shaytaan, whom we know and believe to be most treacherous and our greatest enemy.”

Hadith 22 – Benefit of Professing Sincere Belief in the Kalimah

Translation: وَفِيْ رِوَايَةٍ اِلَّا غُفِرَ لَهُ( (لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

Translation: Hadhrat Muaaz bin Jabal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ says: “Whosoever professes sincere belief in laailaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah at the time of his death, shall certainly enter Jannah.” According to another Hadith, “He shall certainly be pardoned by Allah Ta’ala.”

Note: Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said: “Listen to glad tidings, and convey them to others as well, that whosoever believes in laailaaha illallaah with sincerity, shall enter Jannah.” It is Ikhlaas that is valued by Allah Ta’ala. A small deed done with Ikhlaas (sincerity) earns a great reward, but anything done for the sake of show or to please people, will earn no rewards, but instead punishment from Allah Ta’ala. That is why a person who recites the Kalimah with sincerity will certainly be forgiven and admitted into Jannah. It may or may not be that he suffers some punishment for his sins before going to Jannah but, if Allah Ta’ala is really pleased with a particular deed of a sinful Muslim, He may forgive all his sins in the very first instance. When Allah Ta’ala is so Merciful and Gracious, it is our greatest misfortune if we do not serve and obey Him in full. In short, great rewards are promised in these Ahaadith for one who believes in the Kalimah Tayyibah. However, two possibilities are there: he may have to suffer some punishment for his sins according to the general rule before being forgiven, or he may be forgiven without any punishment by Allah Ta’ala, out of his sheer Mercy and Grace. Yahya bin Aksam رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a Muhaddith. After his death, somebody saw him in a dream and asked him how he had fared. He replied: “I appeared before Allah Ta’ala, and He said to me: ‘You sinful old man. You did this and you did that, till all my sins were recounted one by one. I was asked if I had any explanation in my defense. I replied that no Hadith to that effect had been conveyed to me. Then Allah Ta’ala asked: ‘What Hadith had been conveyed to you?’ I said: “I was told by Abdur Razzaaq who was told by Muammar who was told by Zuhri who was told by Urwah who was told by Hadhrat ‘Aa-ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا , who was told by Rasulullah ﷺ , who was told by Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , who was told by You: ‘A person who grows to old age in Islam may have deserved punishment on account of his sins, yet as a token of respect for his old age, I forgive him,’ and You know that I am very old.” Allah Ta’ala then said, “Abdur Razzaaq spoke the truth, Muammar spoke the truth, Zuhri spoke the truth, Urwah spoke the truth, ‘Aa-ishah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ spoke the truth, Rasulullah ﷺ spoke the truth, Jibra-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ spoke the truth, and what I had said is true. After that, it was ordered that I should be admitted into Jannah.”

Hadith 23 – Two acts for which there is no obstacle before it reaches Allah Ta’ala

Translation: Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “There are obstacles in the way of every action before it reaches Allah Ta’ala, but the recitation of laailaaha illallaah and the dua of a father in favour of his children goes up to Allah Ta’ala unchecked.”

Note: Going unchecked up to Allah Ta’ala means that these two actions are accepted without any delay. Whereas there are stages in between for other deeds before they reach Allah Ta’ala, these two things go to Him directly.

Story of a cruel kaafir king There is a story of a Kaafir king, who was extremely cruel against the Muslims. It so happened that he was captured alive in a battle against the Muslims. As he had caused a lot of sufferings to the Muslims, they were naturally very vengeful. They put him in a cauldron which was placed on a fire. At first, he begged his idols for help, but finding no response from them, he then accepted Islam and started continuous recitation of laailaaha illallaah. How sincerely and devotedly he must have been reciting can well be imagined. Immediately help came from Allah Ta’ala in the form of heavy rain, which extinguished the fire and cooled the cauldron. It was then followed by a powerful cyclone which carried the cauldron away and dropped it in a city inhabited by non-believers. He was still engaged in the recitation of the Kalimah. The people there were ZIKR wonderstruck by this scene, and after listening to his whole story, all of them embraced Islam.

Hadith 24 – Reciting the Kalimah for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala

Translation: 7 Hadhrat Itbaan bin Maalik رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ says: “On the Day of Qiyaamah, Jahannam would be forbidden for all those who had recited laailaaha illallaah with the sole aim of earning the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.”

Note: A person who recites Kalimah Tayyibah with sincerity, on condition that he is free from major sins, will be safe from the fire of Jahannam. Being saved from Jahannam for such a person may off course mean that his everlasting stay therein is forbidden, but who is there to question Allah Ta’ala if he altogether saves the sincere reciter of the Kalimah from Jahannam, in spite of his sins. Mention is made in the Ahaadith of such people whose sins will be enumerated by Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah such that they will feel sure of being doomed to severe punishment, but after their confession, Allah Ta’ala will say to them: “I covered your sins in your worldly life, and I will now cover them and forgive you.” Many similar cases have been related in the Ahaadith. Thus, it is not far-fetched that the zaakireen (those who make zikr) may be treated in this way. There are many blessings and benefits in reciting the exalted name of Allah Ta’ala. One should do it as often as possible. How fortunate are those blessed souls who understood the virtues of this Kalimah, and devoted their lives fully to its recitation.

Hadith 25 – Reciting the Kalimah at the time of death

Translation: Hadhrat Yahya bin Talha bin Abdullah عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ narrates that once Hadhrat Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was seen sitting in a very sad mood. Somebody asked him why he was so sad. He said: “I had heard from Rasulullah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ that he knew the words, which, if recited by a dying person at the time of his death, brings him relief from the pangs of death, so that his face brightens and he dies in happiness. Unfortunately I could not enquire about those words from Rasulullah ﷺ , and therefore I am feeling so sad.” Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that he knew those words. Hadhrat Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ joyously asked what those were and Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “We know that no words are better than the Kalimah which was offered by Rasulullah ﷺ to his uncle Abu Taalib and it is laailaaha illallaahu.” Hadhrat Talhah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said “By Allah! it is this, By Allah! it is this.”

Note: It is learnt from many Ahaadith that the Kalimah Tayyibah generates light and happiness through and through. Haafiz Ibn Hajar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has stated in his book ‘Munabbihaat’: “There are five kinds of darknesses for which there are five specific lights.

1) The love of the world is a darkness, the light for it is piety;

2) sin is a darkness, the light for which is Taubah;

3) the grave is a darkness, the light for which is the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah,

4) the next life is a darkness, the light for which is good deeds; and 5) the Pulsiraat is a darkness, the light for which is Yaqeen (Faith and conviction).” Raabiah Adawiyyah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a well-known female saint, used to remain busy in Salaah throughout the night. She would sleep a little after early dawn and would wake up abruptly just before the Fajr Salaah, blaming herself and saying: “How long will you lie asleep; soon you will be in the grave, where you will sleep till Qiyaamah.” At the time ZIKR of her death, she told her servant that she should be buried in the patched woolen cloak, which she used to wear at the time of Tahajjud Salaah and that nobody should be informed of her death. After her burial according to her wishes, the servant saw her in a dream wearing a very beautiful dress. When asked what happened to her old woolen dress, she replied that it had been deposited with her deeds. The servant requested her for some advice and she replied: “Make zikr of Allah Ta’ala as much as you can, by virtue of this, you will be worthy of envy in the grave.”

Hadith 26 – The Requirement for Salvation

Translation: Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that at the time of the demise of Rasulullah ﷺ , his companions were so shocked and grieved that many of them became overwhelmed with frustration and doubts of various sorts. Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “I was also amongst ZIKR those who were gripped with these doubts. Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ came to me and made salaam to me, but I was too absorbed to be aware of his coming. He complained to Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that I was displeased with him, so much so that I did not respond even to his salaam. Then both of them came to me and made salaam to me and Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked me the reason why I had not responded to Hadhrat Umar’s salaam. Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “Yes, I swear by Allah, Most certainly you did.” Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ denied having behaved like this, and told them, “I did not even know of his coming and making salaam to me.” Hadhrat Abu Bakr لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ accepted my explanation and said that it must have happened so, and that probably I must have been absorbed in some deep thought. I confessed that I was indeed absorbed in some deep thought. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ enquired what it was and I submitted that I was worried because Rasulullah ﷺ passed away and we failed to enquire from him the basic thing required for salvation. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that he had asked Rasulullah ﷺ about that. I got up, and praised him saying, “May my parents be sacrificed for you. Only you are worthy of having asked such a question, (because you always excelled in matters of Deen).” Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ then said, I had asked Rasulullah ﷺ what basic thing was necessary for one’s salvation, and he had replied that whoever accepts the Kalimah that he had offered to his uncle Abu Taalib at the time of his death (but which he rejected), that is the Kalimah of salvation.”

Note: All the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were very upset and overcome with grief and sorrow so much so that even Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , in spite of him being so brave, held his sword in his hand and proclaimed: “I will chop off the head of whosoever says that Rasulullah ﷺ is dead. He has only gone to meet his Allah, as Hadhrat Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ had gone to Mount Toor.” Some of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ feared that the death of Rasulullah ﷺ meant the end of Islam. Some thought that there was no longer any chance for the progress of Islam, whereas some were dumbfounded and could not even speak. It was only Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who, in spite of his extreme love and attachment with Rasulullah ﷺ , remained firm, calm, and collected. He got up and delivered his forceful address, beginning with the Aayah,

Translation: “Muhammad ﷺ is but a messenger (he is not god who will not die). Many messengers have passed away before him. Will it be that when he dies or is slain, you will turn away from Deen? He who turns away from his Deen does not harm Allah Ta’ala in the least. (He will cause harm to himself).” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 144)

This story has been briefly related in my book ‘Stories of Sahaabah’. Another point made in the abovementioned Hadith is on what essential basic things does salvation depend. It can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it may mean: The matters of Deen are many, but on which things does Deen depend on, and which is indispensable? According to this interpretation, the reply given above is clearly understood. The whole of Deen depends on the Kalimah, which is the fundamental belief of Islam. Secondly it can mean that there are hardships in the path of Deen viz. doubts and the whispers of shaytaan crop up. They are a constant source of trouble. Also, worldly needs demand one’s attention, etc.; How can these be overcome? In this case, the saying of Rasulullah ﷺ would mean that frequent recitation of Kalimah Tayyibah will help overcome all these difficulties, for it develops sincerity of intention, it cleanses the heart, it causes defeat of shaytaan and has many other benefits, as mentioned in all these Ahaadith. It is said in one Hadith that the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah keeps away ninety-nine kinds of calamities, the least of which is grief, which is a constant worry for man.

Hadith 27 – The Kalimah that will Forbid the Fire of Jahannam

Translation: Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrated that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “I know of a Kalimah which, if recited by a person with sincerity, makes the fire of Jahannam haraam on him.” Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “Shall I tell you which Kalimah is that? It is the same Kalimah by virtue of which Allah Ta’ala honoured Rasulullah ﷺ and his companions, it is the same Kalimah of piety that was offered by Rasulullah ﷺ to his uncle Abu Taalib at the time of his death. It is laailaaha illallaah.”

Note: This well-known incident of Abu Taalib, the uncle of Rasulullah ﷺ , is given in the books of Hadith, Tafseer, and History. He had been helping Rasulullah ﷺ and the Muslims. Rasulullah ﷺ went to him when he was about to die and said: “O my uncle, recite laailaaha illallaah even now, so that I may be able to intercede on your behalf on the Day of Qiyaamah and I may bear witness before Allah Ta’ala that you embraced Islam.” Abu Taalib replied: “People will taunt me for having accepted the Deen of my nephew for fear of death, otherwise I would have pleased you by reciting this Kalimah laailaaha illallaah.” Rasulullah ﷺ returned from there deeply grieved. It was in this connection that the following Aayah of the Qur-aan was revealed;

Translation: “Verily you cannot guide who you love, but Allah guides whom He wills.” (Surah Qasas - Aayah 56)

It is evident from this incident that those who are involved in sins and bad deeds, and disobey Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ , but think that they will get forgiven because of the dua of some pious person in their favour, are sadly mistaken. All power rests with Allah Ta’ala, to whom we should always turn to and with whom we should establish our ZIKR real contact. However, the company of pious men, their duas and their blessings can help us in achieving this end.

Hadith 28 – The Dua of Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ

Translation: Hadhrat Umar عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “After Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ happened to commit the mistake (as a result of which he was transferred from Jannah to this Earth, he wept all the time, making dua and taubah), and once he looked up towards the Heavens and made dua: “O Allah! I beg Your forgiveness in the name of Muhammad ﷺ .” “Who is Muhammad?” came the enquiry through Divine revelation. He replied: “When you had created me I saw the words ‘laailaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah’ written on Your Arsh, and since then I believed that no human being is superior to Muhammad ﷺ , whose name appeared along with Yours.” In reply, it was revealed, “He is to be the last of all the Ambiyaa, and will be your descendant. If he were not to be created, you would not have been created.”

Note: The manner in which Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ must have made dua, wept and asked for forgiveness has been described in many Ahaadith. Only those who have experienced the agony of the displeasure of a master can have some idea about the plight of Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ . On account of the displeasure of earthly masters, a servant gets very worried, but in the case of Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , it was the displeasure of our Rabb, Allah Ta’ala, the Sustainer of the whole universe. In spite of Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ being the favorite ZIKR of Allah Ta’ala and the Malaaikah were made to bow to him, Allah Ta’ala still directed his anger towards him. The higher the position of a favourite, the more he feels the anger of the Master, provided he is not a mean person, and in this case a Nabi was involved. Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrated that Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ wept so much that his weeping exceeded the total weeping by all the people of this world and he remained in sajdah for forty years without lifting up his head even once. Hadhrat Buraydah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ had said: “The weeping of Hadhrat Aadam عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , if compared, will exceed the weeping by all the people of the world.” It is stated in another Hadith that his tears would outweigh the tears shed by all his descendants. Under these circumstances, in how many ways he must have grieved and repented can well be imagined.

Translation: One million words on my lips due to uneasiness Your silence is a reply to all In addition to this, he even begged to be pardoned through the means of Rasulullah ﷺ . The other aspect mentioned here that the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah is written on the Arsh is supported by many other Ahaadith. Rasulullah ﷺ had said: “When I entered Jannah, I saw three lines written in gold on both sides. In the first line it was written

Translation: In the second line it was written

Translation: What we sent in advance (i.e. charity, etc.), we found, what we consumed, we enjoyed, and what we left behind we lost,

Translation: and in the third line was written

Translation: People are sinful, but a Rabb that is forgiving.

Translation: A pious person relates: “I happened to visit a town in India, and there I came across a tree, the fruit of which resembles the almond and has a double shell. When it is broken, a rolled green leaf comes out with laailaaha illallaah inscribed on it in red. When I spoke about it to Abu Yaqoob, the hunter, he was not surprised at all and told me that in Aylah he had caught a fish, which had laailaaha illallaah inscribed on one ear and Muhammadur Rasulullah on the other.

Translation: Hadith 29 – Ismul A’zam

Translation: }لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ {

Translation: }لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ (الرَّحِيْمُ وَالَّمَّ ي اللّهُ لَا إِلْهَ اِلَّا هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّوْمُ ؟ رواه (سُنَنُ التِّرْمِذِيِّ) )لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا relates that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The greatest name of Allah, which is generally known as Ismul A’zam, is contained in the following two Aayaat (as long as these are recited with Ikhlaas).”

Note: It is stated in several Ahaadith that whatever dua is made after the recitation of Ismul A’zam is granted by Allah Ta’ala. However, the Ulama differ in specifying the Ismul A’zam as is the case with some of the most precious things that Allah Ta’ala keeps them partly secret. This results in difference of opinion about their exact specification. Thus, there is difference of opinion about Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power) and in respect of the special time of acceptance of duas on Friday. This difference of opinion in such matters is a blessing in disguise, as explained in detail in my book on Fazaail-e-Ramadhaan. Thus, there have ZIKR been different narrations in respect to the Ismul-A’zam and the above is one of these. There have been other Ahaadith too in regard to these two aayaat as follows: Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ reported that Rasulullah ﷺ said that no Aayah falls so heavy on the mischievous and wicked shayaateen as the two aayaat beginning with

Translation: According to Ibrahim bin Wasma رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , the recitation of the following aayah is very effective, in cases of mental illnesses, and cases of the evil eye, etc. Whosoever is particular in their recitation will be safeguarded against such maladies.

Translation: لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ .....لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ

(Surah Baqarah - Aayah 163)

Translation: .....لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 255)

Translation: (Surah A’araaf - Aayah 54-56)

Translation: (Surah Hashr - Aayah 24)

It has reached us that all these aayaat are written on the corner of the Arsh and Ibrahim رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ used to also say that these aayaat must be written down for children who have fear or there is fear of them being affected with the evil eye. Allamah Shami رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has quoted Imaam Abu Hanifa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ as saying that Ismul-A’zam is the word “Allah”. He has also stated that Allamah Tahaawi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ as well as other Ulama supported this view. The great Buzurgs and Sufis also have ZIKR reached the same conclusion, and that is why the zikr of this holy name is practiced more than anything else by their followers. The leader of the Auliyaa, Hadhrat Shaikh Abdul Qadr Jilaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , is also of the same view that “Allah” is the Ismul-A’zam, provided at the time of its recitation, there is nothing but Allah Ta’ala in one’s heart. He further advised that during its recitation, ordinary people should think of His grandeur and fear Him, while the specialists in zikr should also concentrate on His attributes and the selected few should have in their mind thoughts of nothing else except Allah Ta’ala. He also stated that it was for this reason that this blessed name is mentioned so many times, in fact 2360 times in the Qur-aan Shareef. Shaikh Ismail Farghaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ relates: “For a long time I had a keen desire to learn this Ismul-A’zam and for this purpose I had undergone great hardships. I would fast for days on end, so much so that sometimes I would fall unconscious on account of severe hunger. One day, I was sitting in a masjid in Damascus, when two men entered there and stood beside me. I sensed that they were Malaaikah. One of them said to the other: “Do you want to learn the Ismul-A'zam?” “Yes”, replied the other, “please tell me.” On hearing this conversation, I became more attentive. The former said, “It is the word “Allah”, provided it is recited with Sidqul-laja, which according to Shaikh Ismail رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is the state of mind comparable to that of a person drowning in the ocean when there is nobody to save him, and he calls Allah Ta’ala for help with extreme sincerity. In order to learn the Ismul A’zam, one should possess very sublime qualities as well as endurance and self-restraint. There is a story of a pious person who knew the Ismul-A’zam. Once a man came to him and begged that he should be taught the Ismul-A’zam: “You lack the required capability,” said the pious person. “No, I am capable of learning it,” said the man. The pious person then asked him to go and sit at a particular place and then come back and relate to him his observations. This man went there and saw an old man who was bringing firewood on his donkey from the jungle. A policeman came from the other direction and started beating the old man and snatched away his firewood. The man was extremely enraged at the policeman and came back to report the whole incident before the pious person and said that, if he had known the Ismul-A’zam, he would have made dua against that policeman. The pious man said: “I learnt the Ismul-A’zam from that very old man who was ZIKR bringing the firewood.”

Hadith 30 – Imaan Equivalent to an iota

Translation: )

Translation: Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said that Allah Ta’ala will order on the Day of Qiyaamah: “Take out of Jahannam all those who professed laailaaha illallaah and who had an iota of Imaan in their hearts; take out from Jahannam all those who recited laailaaha illallaah or remembered Me in any way or feared me on any occasion.”

Note: The great blessings that Allah Ta’ala grants on account of this Kalimah can be imagined from the fact that if a hundred year old man, who practiced Kufr and Shirk all his life, happens to recite this Kalimah once with Imaan and sincerity, becomes a Muslim and all the sins committed by him are washed away. Even if he happens to commit any sins after he had become a Muslim, then too, by virtue of this Kalimah, he will sooner or later be freed from Jahannam. Hadhrat Huzayfah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who was a confidant of Rasulullah ﷺ , narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ had once said: “A time will come when Islam will become weak like the worn-out prints on hazy old clothing. Nobody will even know about fasting, Hajj or Zakaat, till one night even the Qur-aan Shareef will be lifted from this world, so that no one will remember any aayah. At this time, the old men and women will say that they had heard their elders reciting the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah and that they would recite it too.” A pupil of Hadhrat Huzayfah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ enquired: “When there is no Hajj, Zakaat, Fasting or any other fundamental of Islam, will the mere Kalimah then be of any use to us?” Hadhrat Huzayfah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ did not answer, but when his pupil repeated his enquiry a second and a third time, he replied: “Sooner or later it will free one from Jahannam, free one from Jahannam, free one from Jahannam.”

He meant that the Kalimah will free one from Jahannam after one has undergone the punishment for not observing the basics of Islam. This is what is meant by the above mentioned Hadith that a person with even an iota of Imaan will be freed from Jahannam one day. It is also narrated in one Hadith: “Whosoever recites the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah, it will come to his rescue on some day, which may be after he has undergone some punishment.”

Hadith 31 – Advice of Nooh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ to his sons

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that once a villager, who was wearing a long silken robe bordered with silken lace, came to Rasulullah ﷺ , and said to the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ : “This friend of yours wants to exalt every ordinary shepherd and his children, and to degrade every (noble) horseman and his children.” Rasulullah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ got up in anger and pulling his robe by the collar said to him: “Are you dressed like the people who have no understanding?” Then after going back to his seat, he added: “At the time of death, Hadhrat Nooh عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ called his two sons and said to them:

Translation: ‘I recommend to you two things and warn you against two things. The ZIKR two things against which I warn you are shirk and arrogance. And of the two things which I recommend, one is the Kalimah (laailaaha illallaah), which weighs heavier than the Universe together with all its contents. In fact if this kalimah is placed on it, it will get crushed and crumble on account of its weight; and the second is Subhanallahi wabihamdihi, which two words constitute the dua of all the creation, and by virtue of its blessings, everything gets its sustenance.’”

Note: The comments of Rasulullah ﷺ on the clothes indicates that the outward appearance provides an indication of one’s inner self. When a person’s outward behavior is incorrect, his mind is bound to be defective as well. Hence, every effort has to be made to improve the exterior because the interior is dependent on it. The Sufis lay stress on outward cleanliness through wudhu, etc., as a first step for attaining inner purity. Those who talk of internal improvement and ignore the external betterment are incorrect. The external rectification is an independent objective and the internal improvement is a separate objective. One of the duas of Rasulullah ﷺ was:

Translation: “O Allah! Make my interior better than my exterior, and make my exterior noble and good.”

Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that this dua was taught to me by Rasulullah ﷺ .

Hadith 32 - Benefit of the Kalimah when it is recited by the living and by the one about to pass away

Translation: Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that once Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ came to Rasulullah ﷺ in a very sad mood. Rasulullah ﷺ asked him: “You look very sad. What is the matter with you?” He replied: “My cousin died last night, and I was sitting near him when he breathed his last.” “Did you encourage him to recite laailaaha illallaah?” asked Rasulullah ﷺ ; “Yes”, said he. “Did he recite it?” asked Rasulullah ﷺ . “Yes, he had recited it,” said he. “Then certainly he will go to Jannah.” said Rasulullah ﷺ . “What do the living people get if they recite this Kalimah?” enquired Abu Bakr لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ . Rasulullah ﷺ said twice: “This Kalimah will demolish and eliminate their sins.”

Note: Stress is laid in many Ahaadith on reciting the Kalimah near the dead and in the graveyard. It is said in one Hadith that, the Kalimah (laailaaha illallaah) should be recited abundantly during a funeral. In another Hadith it is said that laailaaha illa anta (none is worthy of worship except You) will be the distinguishing mark of this Ummah when they pass over the Siraat (the Bridge). In yet another Hadith, it is related that when they will rise from their graves on the Day of Qiyaamah, they will be reciting;

Translation: “Nobody is worthy of worship except Allah, and on Him the faithful will rely.”

In a third Hadith, it is said that their mark of distinction in the darkness of Qiyaamah will be laailaaha illa anta. The blessings of frequent recitation of the Kalimah becomes apparent just before one’s death, and in the case of some pious people, these blessings appear even earlier in their life. Abul Abbaas رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ related: “I was lying sick in the town of Ashbila. I saw a large flock of huge birds of different colours, white, red, green, etc., which were spreading their wings all together and there were many men who were carrying something in big covered trays. I understood them to be ZIKR gifts for a dying person and started reciting the Kalimah Tayyibah hurriedly. Then one of those men said to me that the time of my death had not yet come, and that this was a gift for another believer for whom the time of death had approached.” Just before his death, Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ asked those around him to make him sit up. After they did so, he said: “O Allah! You ordered me to do many things, which I could not do, and You prohibited me from certain things, but I disobeyed you in them.” He repeated these words thrice, and then after reciting laailaaha illallaah began to stare in one direction. Somebody asked him what was he looking at. He said: “There are some green figures who are neither men nor jinn,” and then breathed his last. Somebody saw Zubaidah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ in a dream and asked her how she fared. She replied that she had been forgiven because of reciting these four Kalimahs.

Hadith 33 – The Kalimah is the Best of Good Actions

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Zar Ghifaari رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ submitted: “O, Rasulullah لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ , favour me with some advice.” Rasulullah ﷺ said:

Translation: “When you happen to commit a sin, hasten to do a virtue in atonement, so that the effect of the sin may be washed away.” Abu Zar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ then further enquired: “O Rasulullah! ﷺ is the recitation of laailaaha illallaah also a virtue?” “It is the best of all virtues,” was the reply of Rasulullah ﷺ .

Note: No doubt, a minor sin is washed away by a virtuous deed, but a major one is wiped off, as a rule, through taubah or of course through the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala, as explained earlier in this book. In either case, the wiped out sin is neither written in the account of deeds nor mentioned anywhere else. It is said in one Hadith that, when a man makes taubah, Allah Ta’ala makes the recording angels forget about that sin. It is forgotten even by the hands and feet of the sinner and even by the piece of land where it was committed, so that there is nobody to give evidence for that sin on the Day of Qiyaamah; when the hands, feet, and other parts of the body of the person himself will stand witness for his good or bad deeds, as will be explained in Hadith No. 18 of Chapter 2 part 3. The subject matter of the above mentioned Hadith is supported by many other Ahaadith. There are many Ahaadith to the effect that taubah from a sin washes it away, as if one had never committed it. Taubah means to repent and feel ashamed of the sin that has been committed, and make a firm resolution not to repeat it. According to one Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ has said: “Worship Allah Ta’ala only, and do not ascribe any partner to Him. Be sincere in all your actions as if you are standing before Allah Ta’ala. Consider yourself among the dead. Remember Allah Ta’ala near every stone and every tree, so that there are many witnesses in your favour on the Day of Qiyaamah. If you happen to commit a sin, do some good deed immediately in place thereof. If the sin is committed in secret, the good deed should also be done in secret, and if the sin is committed openly, the good deed should also be done openly.”

Hadith 34 - Forty Thousand Virtues

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Tameem Daari رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ

Translation: ZIKR has said: “Whosoever recites the following ten times will be rewarded with forty thousand virtues,”

Note: Great rewards are mentioned in the books of Hadith for reciting Kalimah Tayyibah a certain number of times. It is said in one Hadith: “When you offer a Fardh Salaah, thereafter recite ten times,

لَا إِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهَ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهَ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْئْ قَدِيْرٌ its reward is equivalent to that of freeing a slave.”

Hadith 35 – Two Million Virtues

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abi Aufa رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever recites:

Translation: لَا اِلْهَ إِلَّا اللّهُ وَحْدَهَ لَا شَرِبْكَ لَهَ احَدًا صَمَدًا لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُوْلَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَهَ كُفُوًا احَدٌ two million virtues will be written to his credit.”

Note: How great is the kindness and benevolence of Allah Ta’ala, that He bestows thousands and millions of virtues just for reciting this Kalimah, which does not involve hard labour or much time; but unfortunately, we are negligent and remain so much absorbed in our worldly pursuits that we never care to take advantage of these bounties. Allah Ta’ala grants at least ten times reward for every virtue, provided it is done with Ikhlaas. This reward multiplies further according to the degree of sincerity. Rasulullah ﷺ has said: “When a person embraces Islam, all his previous sins are forgiven. Thereafter a record is kept, for every virtue he is rewarded ten to seven hundred times or even more than that as Allah Ta’ala may please. A sin is indicated as a single action, and if it is forgiven by Allah Ta’ala then it is not even mentioned ZIKR in the account of deeds. According to another Hadith, a virtue is noted in the account of a person as soon as he intends to do it, but when it is actually done its reward is increased from ten to seven hundred times, and even more, as Allah Ta’ala may please. There are many Ahaadith to this effect, that the bounty of Allah Ta’ala knows no limits, provided a person tries to make an effort for it. The pious people keep this in view, so they are not deceived by any amount of worldly wealth.

Translation: “O Allah! Make me one of them.”

Rasulullah ﷺ had said: “There are six kinds of deeds and four categories of people. Of the deeds, the first two kinds lead to definite results, two carry equivalent rewards while the reward is ten times for the fifth and seven hundred times for the remaining one. Of the first two kinds of deed, one is certain to lead a person to Jannah; who is free from Shirk at the time of his death, and the other is certain to lead a person to Jahannam; who died in a state of Shirk. Of the two kinds of deeds which bring equal rewards, one is to make firm intention for a virtuous deed (before its actual performance), and the other is to commit a sin which is also recorded as only one. The fifth is to do a noble deed, the reward for which is ten times, while the sixth is to spend wealth in the path of Allah Ta’ala, in which case the reward is increased seven hundred times. Of the four categories of people, the first is of those who enjoy prosperity in this world but will face hardship in the Aakhirah. The second is of those who face difficulty in this world but will enjoy prosperity in the Aakhirah. The people in the third category face difficulty in both the worlds, i.e. they are poor in this life and will be punished in the Aakhirah, and the fourth category includes those who are well off in both the worlds. A person came to Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and asked him if he had narrated that Allah Ta’ala multiplies the reward of some virtues one million times. He replied: “What is surprising about this and swore in confirmation that he had heard it exactly like that.” According to another version, he had heard it from Rasulullah ﷺ that the reward of some virtues is up to two million times. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef;

Translation: “that He multiplies the virtues and grants from His treasure great rewards.” (Surah Nisaa - Aayah 40)

Can we imagine the great extent of the reward which Allah Ta’ala has described? According to Imaam Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , the great reward will be possible only if we recite these words with full concentration on their meanings and with the awareness of the great attributes of Allah Ta’ala.

Hadith 36 – Reciting the shahaadatain after wudhu

Translation:

Translation: Hadhrat Umar Ibnul Khattaab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “When a person performs wudhu and performs the wudhu properly (i.e. observing all its essentials as well as details) and then recites:

Translation: (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One who has no partner, and also that Muhammad ﷺ is His slave and Rasool) all the eight gates of Jannah are thrown open for him, so that he may enter as he likes, through anyone of them.”

Note: One gate is enough for entering Jannah, but to open up all the eight gates is a mark of special welcome and an extreme favour. According to another Hadith, a person who did not indulge in Shirk before his death, and never committed any unlawful murder, is allowed ZIKR to enter Jannah as he may like through any one of its gates.

Hadith 37 – Reciting the Kalimah 100 times a day

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned that, “One who recites laailaaha illallaah one hundred times a day, will be raised with his face shining like the full moon on the Day of Qiyaamah, and no one can surpass him in excellence on that day except one who recites this Kalimah more than him.”

Note: Many Ahaadith and Aayaat confirm that laailaaha illallaah is a light for the heart as well as for the face. It has been observed that the pious people who are used to reciting this Kalimah excessively have a sort of brightness over their faces, even during their worldly life.

Hadith 38 – Reciting the kalimah at the time of death

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Teach the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah to a child when he starts speaking and encourage a dying person to recite laailaaha illallaah. He who has had his beginning with laailaaha illallaah and has his end with laailaaha illallaah, will not be required to account for any of his sins, even though he lives for a thousand years, (i.e. either he would commit no sin, or if he happened to commit any sin, it would be written off because of taubah or through the sheer mercy of Allah Ta’ala).”

Note: Talqeen means to encourage a dying man to recite the Kalimah. Those sitting near him should recite it audibly, so that on hearing it he may also do the same. He should not be forced to do so, because he may be in a state of agony. ‘A dying person should be persuaded to recite the Kalimah’ has been stressed in many Ahaadith. In several Ahaadith, Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said, “The sins of a person who is blessed to recite the Kalimah at the time of death are washed off just as a building is washed away by flood water.” According to other Ahaadith, one who recites this blessed Kalimah before his death gets all his past sins forgiven. It is said in one Hadith that a munaafiq (hypocrite) is never able to recite it (at the time of his death). It is said in another Hadith that we should give laailaaha illallaah as a provision to our deceased ones. According to a Hadith, one who brings up a child till he is able to recite laailaaha illallaah, will not be required to give any account for him. In one Hadith it is said, “When a person, who has been steadfast in offering Salaah, is about to die, an angel comes to him, drives away shaytaan and encourages him to recite the Kalimah laailaaha illallaah.” However, it is often observed that this sort of encouragement is only useful in the case of those who are used to the recitation of the Kalimah during their lifetime. A story is related about a person who used to trade in straw. When he was about to die, people tried to encourage him to recite the Kalimah, but he only cried out, “The price of this bundle is so much and of that is so much.” Many such incidents, which had been actually observed, have been described in the book, ‘Nuzhatul Basaateen’.

The harms of opium and the benefits of miswaak Many a time, sins prevent a dying person from reciting the Kalimah. The Ulama say that opium has seventy disadvantages, one of which is that the person who takes opium cannot remember the Kalimah at the time of his death. On the other hand, brushing one’s teeth (with miswaak) carries seventy benefits, one of which is to recite the Kalimah at the time of his death. It is related about one man that, when he was persuaded to recite the Kalimah before his death, he expressed his inability to recite, because he said he used to cheat through under weighing. There is a story of another person who, when persuaded to recite the Kalimah, said, “I

ZIKR cannot say it, because I was tempted to cast sinful glances on a woman who had come to purchase towels from my shop.” Many such stories are related in the book, ‘Tazkirah Qurtubiyyah’. Taking the abovementioned into account, it is necessary for a person to ask and seek the help of Allah Ta’ala, forgiveness of his sins, and to recite the Kalimah at the time of his death.

Hadith 39 – The Kalimah washes away one’s sins

Translation: Hadhrat Umm-e-Haani رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “No deed can excel the recitation of laailaaha illallaah and this Kalimah does not let any sin remain unwashed.”

Note: No deed can excel this Kalimah is quite obvious, because without belief in this Kalimah no action carries any reward. It is a requirement for the acceptance of Salaah, Fasting, Haj and Zakaat, because without Imaan, no action is acceptable. Recitation of Kalimah Tayyibah, which is a declaration of our faith, is not dependent on anything else. If a person has only Imaan and no other virtue in his account, sooner or later he is bound (through the grace of Allah Ta’ala) to get admission into Jannah. On the other hand, if a person does not possess Imaan, then no amount of good deeds will be sufficient for his salvation. The second part of the above-mentioned Hadith is that the Kalimah does not let any sin remain unwashed. It is unanimously agreed that if a person embraces Islam in his old age and immediately after recitation of the Kalimah he happens to meet his death, then all his sins which he had committed as a disbeliever before his declaration of Imaan are forgiven. However, if recitation of the Kalimah in an earlier stage is implied, then the Hadith means that the Kalimah purifies and polishes the heart and its excessive recitation will cleanse the heart, to such an extent that he must make Taubah, which will result in the forgiveness of his sins. According to one Hadith, if a person is particular on reciting laailaaha illallaah before going to sleep and after getting up, even his worldly affairs will lead to the betterment of his life in the Aakhirah, and he will be guarded against misfortune and trouble.

Hadith 40 – Seventy branches of Imaan

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Imaan has more than seventy branches (according to some, seventy seven), of which the greatest is the recitation of laailaaha illallaah and the lowest is to remove some obstacle (stone, wood, thorns, etc.) from the path and modesty also is a special branch of Imaan.”

Note: Modesty has been specially mentioned because it serves as a safeguard against many sins like adultery, theft, dirty talk, nakedness, abusive language, etc. Similarly, the fear of bad reputation often becomes the reason for doing some virtuous acts. In fact, the fear of getting a bad name in this world as well as in the next life influences a man towards good deeds, including Salaah, Hajj, Zakaat, etc, and also obedience in all respects to Allah Ta’ala. Thus, there is the well-known proverb, “Become shameless and then do whatever you like.” There is also one Hadith to this effect اِذَا لَمْ تَسْتَحْي فَاصْنَعْ مَا شِئْتَ (صَحِيْحُ الْبُخَارِيِّ

“If you do not have shame, then do as you please.”

The fact is that we abstain from misdeeds for fear of disgrace and shame. A sense of modesty and shame makes one think, “If I do not offer Salaah, I will face disgrace in the Aakhirah.” But if one has lost all sense of shame, he will say “What does it matter if others speak low about me?”

Seventy Branches of Imaan Important Note: According to the above-mentioned Hadith, there are more than seventy branches of Imaan. In many Ahaadith, this number is given as seventy-seven. The Ulama have written detailed commentaries on these seventy-seven branches. Imaam Abu Haatim ibn Hibbaan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wrote; “I pondered on the meaning of this Hadith for a long time. When I counted the different forms of ibaadat (worship), the number far exceeded seventy-seven. If I counted the things which are specially mentioned in the Ahaadith as branches of Imaan, their number was less. The things counted as part of Imaan in the Qur-aan Shareef would also total less than this. However, I found that the total of such things mentioned in both the Qur-aan Shareef as well as the Hadith, conformed with this number. I therefore concluded that the above-mentioned Hadith implied all these things.” Qaadhi Iyaadh رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes, “Some people have made special efforts to give details of these branches of Imaan by means of Ijtihaad, but failure to know all these details does not cause any defect in one’s Imaan, as its basic principles (with their details) are so well known”. Khattaabi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says that full details of the exact number is known only to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ , but they are there in the Islamic Code (Shariat), and therefore does not matter if their details are not known. Imaam Nawawi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has written that Rasulullah ﷺ has said that the Kalimah Tauheed i.e. (laailaaha illallaah) is the most important branch of Imaan. This proves that it is the highest aspect of Imaan, and that no other branch of Imaan is superior to it.

Thus, belief in Tauheed is the most important requirement of Imaan and is compulsory on every believer. The least thing (in the order of merit) is the removal of anything that is likely to cause obstruction or inconvenience to any Muslim. The degree of importance of all the remaining essentials of Imaan lies in between the two; it is enough to believe in them in a general way just as it is necessary to believe in the Malaaikah without knowing all the details. Some Muhadditheen have however written books about their details. Abu Abdullah Haleemi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wrote a book, ‘Fawaaidul Minhaaj’ on this topic. Imaam Bayhaqi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and Shaikh Abdul Jaleel رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wrote books both of which are called ‘Shu-abul Imaan’. Ishaaq Qurtubi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wrote ‘Kitabun Nasaa-ih’ and Imam Abu Haatim wrote ‘Wasful Imaan wa Shu-abihi’. The commentators of ‘Bukhari’, the most famous collection of Ahaadith, have summarised the contents of these books at one place. The gist of this summary is that complete Imaan in reality consists of three ZIKR components:

Thus, the branches of Imaan are divided into three categories, the first of which concerns the intention, belief and action of the heart, the second concerns the use of the tongue, and the third concerns all the remaining parts of the body. All the things of Imaan are included in these three categories. The first category includes thirty articles of Imaan which are as follows:

Allah Ta’ala) the Muslims will live in it forever.

respect and regard for him, offering Durood on him, and following ZIKR the Sunnah i.e. his way of life.

30. To expel the love of worldly things from one’s heart, including that for wealth and status. According to Allamah Ainee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , this list covers all the functions of the heart. If anything is found apparently missing, then pondering a little will show that it is covered by one item or the other in this list. The second category includes the functions of the tongue, and there are seven essentials in this respect, as follows:

The third category includes physical actions. In this respect, there are ZIKR forty essentials which are divided into three parts. The first part which includes actions that relate to the person himself. These are sixteen, as follows:

This would mean offering Salaah in such a manner that all its requirements and etiquettes are fulfilled.

Umrah and Tawaaf.

Hijrat (migration for the sake of Allah Ta’ala).

The second part, which concerns the relationship with one’s relatives and others, has six essentials:

and subordinates.

The third part includes eighteen essentials, which relates to our social obligations to society in general:

The seventy-seven branches of Imaan have been counted above. Some of these can be merged together; for example earning and spending can be put together, under fair dealings. Careful consideration can enable one to ZIKR cut down the total to seventy or sixty-seven, which are the totals given in some Ahaadith. The above list has been prepared mainly from the commentary of Allamah Ainee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ on ‘Bukhaari Shareef’, wherein these things are mentioned in their order of merit. Selection has also been made from other books, i.e. Fathul-Baari of Ibnu Hajar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and Mirqaat of Mulla Ali Qaari رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . Ulama have written that the essentials of Imaan are given above. One should ponder over these and be thankful to Allah Ta’ala for the good qualities acquired already, because all goodness is possible only through His grace and mercy. In case there is a shortfall with respect to any quality, one should strive for it and keep on making dua that Allah Ta’ala grace him with His blessings.