🌟 The Virtue of Kalimah Tayyibah: Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muhammadur Rasūlullāh 🌟
# 🌟 **The Virtue of Kalimah Tayyibah: Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muhammadur Rasūlullāh** 🌟
*The Greatest Declaration of Tawḥīd and Risālah*
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## **Introduction**
The **Kalimah Tayyibah**—*“Lā ilāha illā Allāh, Muhammadur Rasūlullāh”*—is not merely a verbal formula. It is the foundation of Islam, the gateway to faith, the banner of monotheism, and the essence of salvation. This sacred statement encapsulates two fundamental pillars: **Tawḥīd** (Oneness of Allah) and **Risālah** (Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ).
In this article, we will explore the **meanings, virtues, Quranic and prophetic references**, scholarly insights, and **spiritual and poetic reflections** on the Kalimah Tayyibah.
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## What the Kalimah Means **Arabic:**
> لا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ
**Transliteration:**
> "L'Allah be with you, Muhammadur Rasulullah" **Translation:**
> *There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. *
It is the **first pillar of Islam**, and whoever utters it sincerely enters the fold of Islam.
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## **The Kalimah in the Qur’an**
### 📖 1. A Pure Word Like a Pure Tree
> **"Do you not see how Allah sets forth a parable? A good word (kalimah tayyibah) is like a good tree..." **
> — *(Surah Ibrahim 14:24)*
**Tafsir (Explanation):**
According to **Ibn Kathir**, the “good word” is **Lā ilāha illā Allāh** and the “good tree” is the believer whose faith is deeply rooted.
> **“The good word is none other than the word of Tawḥīd.” **
> — *Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Surah Ibrāhīm, Ayah 24*
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## Hadith-based Virtues ### 🌟 1. Greatest of All Dhikr
> **“The best of what I and the prophets before me have said is: Lā ilāha illā Allāh.” **
> — (Book 15, Hadith 501 of Muwatta Imam Mlik) ### 🌟 2. Key to Paradise
> **“Whoever dies knowing that there is no god but Allah shall enter Paradise.” **
> — *(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 26)*
### 🌟 3. Heaviest in the Scale
> **“Lā ilāha illā Allāh is heavier on the scale than the heavens and the earth.” **
> — *(Ibn Majah, Hadith 4300; Sahih according to Albani)*
### 🌟 4. The Final Words of Salvation > **“Whosoever’s last words are ‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh’ will enter Paradise.” **
> — (Hadith 3116, Abu Dawud) ---
## **Essence of Tawḥīd**
The **first part of the Kalimah**, *Lā ilāha illā Allāh*, is the **affirmation of the Oneness of Allah**, declaring Him to be the **sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign**.
> **"And one God is your god. There is no god but He, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” **
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:163) Without Tawḥīd, all deeds lose their meaning, for the Qur’an says:
> **“If they had associated others with Allah, all their deeds would have been in vain.” **
> — *(Surah Al-An'am 6:88)*
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## **Belief in Risālah**
The **second part**, *Muhammadur Rasūlullāh*, completes the Kalimah by affirming belief in the finality of Prophethood.
> **“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.” **
(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:40) > ### ❝ You cannot enter Islam unless you believe:
1. Allah is One,
2. Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger. ❞
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## **Opinions of Academics** ### 🌿 Imam Al-Ghazali (ra):
> “This Kalimah is the foundation of Islam. It should be engraved on the heart and protected by constant remembrance and righteous action.”
> — *Ihya Ulum al-Din, Vol. 1*
### 🌿 Imam Abu Hanifa (ra):
> “The minimum condition of being a Muslim is to verbally declare the Kalimah with belief in the heart.”
> — *Fiqh al-Akbar, Point 3*
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## Spiritual Implications When recited with sincerity and understanding, the Kalimah purifies the soul, strengthens faith, and calms the heart.
> **“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” **
> — *(Surah al-Ra’d 13:28)*
### 🌙 Mystical Insights from Tasawwuf
Sufi scholars consider *Lā ilāha illā Allāh* as the **greatest spiritual litany (dhikr)**. They stress on repetitive chanting (dhikr) to polish the heart and draw nearer to Allah.
> “The key to divine light lies within the Kalimah.”
> — *Kashf al-Mahjub by Data Ganj Bakhsh (Ali Hujwiri)*
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## **The Kalimah in Salah and Worship**
* It is part of **Adhan** and **Iqamah**.
Included in the "Tashahhud" portion of the Salah. * Repeated in **daily dhikr**, before sleep, and upon waking.
* Essential in **conversion to Islam**.
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## **Poetry in Praise of Kalimah**
> "The words are so light on the tongue but heavy as the sky," > **Save yourself by declaring Allah's Oneness. **
>
> **Lā ilāha illā Allāh—truth with no doubt,**
> **A call to the heart that makes angels shout. **
>
> **The Prophet’s name with Allah’s, side by side,**
> **A pair of lights, a heavenly guide. **
>
> "Recite it with sorrow or whisper it with joy," > **The Kalimah brings Allah near. **
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## **Historical Power of the Kalimah**
This declaration united **Arab tribes**, overthrew **tyranny**, and established a civilization based on **justice and mercy**. The Sahabah (RA) lived by it and were willing to **sacrifice their lives** to uphold it.
> Bilal (RA) was tortured and dragged over hot sand, yet he kept saying: **“Ahad, Ahad!” **
> — *(Sirah Ibn Hisham)*
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## **Effects in the Afterlife**
The Kalimah will **intercede** for the believer on the Day of Judgment. It will **illuminate the grave**, act as a **witness**, and serve as **a shield against Hellfire**.
> **“The people of Lā ilāha illā Allāh will not remain eternally in Hell.” **
> — *(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 193)*
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## **Why Understanding the Kalimah Matters**
Many Muslims **recite** the Kalimah daily but do not **reflect** on its meanings. Scholars emphasize that **mere utterance without belief or action** does not fulfill the purpose of faith.
> “The Kalimah is not a passport; it is a commitment.”
> — *Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra)*
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## Bringing the Kalimah back to life in our lives 1. **Recite it every day and think about it. **
2. **Live by its meanings: reject false gods, follow the Sunnah. **
3. **Teach it to children as their first words. **
4. **Repeat it on your deathbed — or be blessed if Allah makes it your last words. **
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## **Final Thoughts**
The **Kalimah Tayyibah** is the **soul of Islam**, the **banner of faith**, and the **foundation of every good deed**. It is the **first word of faith**, the **light in our graves**, and the **key to eternal salvation**. We should not merely say it; rather, we should "live it, love it, and die with it on our tongues." > **"The Kalimah is the believer's crown" **
> **“It is the seed of the Garden; the breath of the heart.” **
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## *References that Are True* | Source | Details |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **The Holy Qur’an** | Surah Ibrahim (14:24), Surah Al-Baqarah (2:163), Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40), Surah Al-Ra’d (13:28), Surah Al-An’am (6:88) |
| **Sahih Muslim** | Hadith: 26, 193 |
| **Sunan Abu Dawud** | Hadith: 3116 |
Hadith: 3590 | "Jami at-Tirmidhi" | **Muwatta Imam Malik** | Book 15, Hadith 501 |
| Imam Abu Hanifa | **Fiqh al-Akbar** | Under Surah Ibrahim | Tafsir Ibn Kathir | **Ihya Ulum al-Din** | Imam al-Ghazali |
| **Kashf al-Mahjub** | Ali Hujwiri |
| **Sirah Ibn Hisham** | Story of Bilal (RA) |
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