THE VIRTUE OF KALIMAH AL-TAWHĪD: LĀ ILĀHA ILLALLĀH
THE VIRTUE OF KALIMAH AL-TAWHĪD: LĀ ILĀHA ILLALLĀH
In one of his treatises, Hazrat Akshamsuddin (quddisa sirruhū) stated:
“Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah is the foundation of all virtues and a great act of worship. The most exalted form of dhikr is saying Lā ilāha illallāh. Indeed, this kalimah liberates humanity from the darkness of kufr (disbelief) into the light of iman, leading to salvation and felicity in both this world and the hereafter.”
In a hadīth al-qudsī, Allah Ta‘ālā says: “Lā ilāha illallāh is My fortress. Whoever enters this fortress is safe from My punishment.”
Nabī Isa (alayhi’s salām) said: “Verily, Allah Ta‘ālā has commanded you to remember Him frequently. This is like a man being pursued by relentless enemies. As he flees, he stumbles upon a fortress, quickly enters it, and secures himself. Similarly, one who remembers Allah takes refuge in His protection from the evils of Shaytān and the nafs (lower self).”
It is stated in a noble Qur’anic verse: “Have you not seen how Allah has set forth an example? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches reach towards the heavens. It yields its fruit every season with the permission of its Rabb. Thus does Allah set forth parables for people that they may ponder.” (Surah Ibrahim, āyahs 24-25)
Commentators have identified this “good word” as the kalimah, Lā ilāha illallāh. Its root, which is steadfast belief (tasdiq), resides firmly in the hearts of believers. Its branches represent actions of obedience, and its fruits, which symbolize righteous deeds and accepted acts of worship, manifest continuously.
Kalimah al-Tawhīd. (Lā ilāha illallāh Muhammadun Rasūlullāh) should be uttered with tranquillity of heart, sincerity, and reverence. A person whose heart does not believe in what their tongue utters is a munafiq (hypocrite). The reciter of Kalimah al-Tawhīd should complement their verbal declaration with righteous deeds, using their actions as evidence of their heartfelt belief. Thus, iman is fortified, and the light of yaqīn (firm belief) illuminates the heart. Only then can the testimony of the tongue, accompanied by the affirmation of the heart, lead one to the loftiest stations of Jannah.
A hadīth al-sharīf instructs: “Recite the shahada of Lā ilāha illallāh to your dead.” Our ulamā (scholars) have interpreted “your dead” in this context to refer to those approaching death. Since heedlessness is similar to spiritual death, the reminder to engage in dhikr should be extended to the heedless at all times.