A By Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Ibnul-'Uthaymeen
An overview of the five pillars of Islaam and
the six articles of faith.
So verily the knowledge of tawheed [the oneness
of Allaah] is the noblest of sciences, and the
greatest in rank, and most obligatory to be
studied because it is the knowledge of Allaah
the Exalted, and His Names, and His Attributes,
and His Rights upon His slaves.
Verily the praise is for Allaah, we praise Him,
and we ask for His Help, and His Forgiveness,
and we repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allaah
from the evils of our own selves, and from the
sins of our actions. Whoever is guided by Allaah,
there is no misguidance for him, and whoever is
misguided by Him, then there is no guide for
him. I testify that there is none worthy of
worship except Allaah alone, without any
partners. I testify that Muhammad is His slave
and His messenger. May Allaah blessings be upon
him, and upon his family, and his companions,
and whoever follows them in goodness. As for
what proceeds:
So verily the knowledge of tawheed [the oneness
of Allaah] is the noblest of sciences, and the
greatest in rank, and most obligatory to be
studied because it is the knowledge of Allaah
the Exalted, and His Names, and His Attributes,
and His Rights upon His slaves.
Likewise, it is the key to the path to Allaah
the Exalted, and the foundation of His Laws [sharee'ah].
So the messengers were united upon calling to
it. Allaah the Exalted says:
"And We did not send before you any messenger,
except that We revealed to him that there is
none worthy of worship except Me, so worship
Me." [Sooratul Anbiyaa 21:25]
Allaah Himself testifies to His Oneness, and the
angels, and the people of knowledge testify to
it also. Allaah the Exalted said:
"Allaah the Exalted testifies that there is none
worthy of worship except Him, and so do the
angels, and those of knowledge - [that He is]
maintaining [creation] in justice. There is none
worthy of worship except Him, the Exalted, the
Mighty, the Wise." [Sooratul Aali 'Imraan 3:18]
Since this is the nature of tawheed, it is
binding upon every Muslim to devote himself to
learning, teaching, contemplating on, and
believing in it, so that his religion may be
built upon safe foundations, and so that he may
be satisfied, and get the blessings of its
fruits and results. [1]
THE RELIGION OF ISLAAM
The Religion of Islaam is the religion which
Allaah sent Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam) with. Allaah abrogated with it all other
religions, and perfected it for His slaves, and
completed with it His favour upon them, and
chose it for them as a religion. So no religion
besides it will be accepted. Allaah the Exalted
said:
"Muhammad is not a father from any of your men,
rather he is the Messenger of Allaah, and the
last of the prophets." [Sooratul Ahzaab 33:40]
And Allaah the Exalted said,
"Today I have perfected for you your Religion,
and completed for you My favour upon you, and
have chosen for you Islaam as a religion."
[Sooratul Maa'idah 3:5]
And Allaah the Exalted said:
"Verily the religion with Allaah is Islaam."
[Soorah Aali 'Imraan 3:19]
And Allaah the Exalted said,
"And whoever takes other than Islaam as a
religion, it will never be accepted from him,
and he will be in the Hereafter - from the
losers." [Soorah Aali 'Imraan 3:85]
Indeed Allaah made obligatory upon all the
people to specify worship for Him. So He said in
speaking to the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam):
"Say: 'O mankind, indeed I am the Messenger of
Allaah to you all, [To Him] belongs the dominion
of the heavens and the earth. There is none
worthy of worship except Him; He gives life and
causes death.' So believe in Allaah and His
messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes
in Allaah and His Words, and follow Him so that
you may be guided." [Sooratul A'araaf 7:158]
In Saheeh Muslim from Abee Hurayrah
(radiyallaahu 'anhu), from the Messenger of
Allaah (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) that he
said: "By Him in whose Hand is the soul of
Muhammad, no one is from the Jews or the
Christians, and then he dies and he has not
believed in that which I was sent with, except
that he is from the people of the Fire." [2]
To believe in Islaam means to believe in what he
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) brought with
approval and submission, not mere belief.
Consequently, Abu Taalib was not a believer in
the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam),
along with what he came with, even though he
testified that it was the best of religions.
The religion of Islaam has guaranteed all the
good things that were included in the previous
religions. It is distinguished because its good
is valid in all times and places, and peoples.
Allaah the Exalted says in speaking to His
Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam):
"And We revealed to you the Book in truth,
affirming what preceded it from the books, and a
supervisor over them." [Sooratul Maa'idah 5:48]
This means that its existence is good for all
times places and people. Following it does not
negate the benefit of a nation in any time or
place, rather it benefits them. This does not
means that it is subject to every time place or
people as some of the people think.
The religion of Islaam is the true religion
through which Allaah guarantees the one who
adheres to it with His Help, and He will render
him victorious over all others. Allaah the
Exalted says:
"He is the one who sent His Messenger with the
true Religion, to render it victorious over all
other Religions, even though the idolaters may
detest it." [Sooratus Saff 61:9]
Allaah the Exalted says:
"Allaah has promised those among you who have
believed and done righteous deeds, that He will
surely grant them succession [to authority] upon
the earth just as He granted it to those before
them and that He will surely establish for them
their Religion, which He has preferred for them
and that He will surely substitute for them,
after their fear, security. They worship Me, not
associating anything with Me. But whoever
disbelieves after that; then they are the
disobedient ones." [Sooratun Noor 24:55]
The religion of Islaam is a creed and a law, so
it is perfect in its belief and law:
1.
It commands the Oneness of Allaah, and it
forbids from shirk [associating partners with
Allaah].
2.
It commands truthfulness and forbids from lying.
3.
It commands justice, [3] and forbids from
oppression.
4.
It commands truthfulness and forbids from
treachery.
5.
It commands the keeping of promises and it
forbids from treason.
6.
It commands righteousness towards parents and
forbids from disobedience to them.
7.
It commands the keeping of the ties of kinship -
and they are the family - and it forbids from
cutting oneself off from them.
The comprehensive statement is that Islaam
commands with all virtuous characteristics, and
that it forbids from every despicable
characteristic. It commands every good action,
and it forbids from every sinful action. Allaah
the Exalted said:
"Verily Allaah commands with justice and good
conduct to relatives, and forbids immorality and
bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you
that perhaps you will be reminded." [Sooratun
Nahl 16:90] [4]
THE PILLARS OF ISLAAM
The Pillars of Islaam are the foundations upon
which it is built, and they are five. It is
mentioned in what is related from Ibn 'Umar
(radiyallaahu 'anhu), from the Prophet
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), that he said:
"Islaam is built upon five, that you single out
Allaah in worship [and in a narration regarding
the five:], to testify that there is none worthy
of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is
His slave and messenger, and to establish
prayer, and to give charity (zakaat), and to
fast in the month of Ramadhaan, and to perform
pilgrimage (hajj)." So a man said: 'Pilgrimage
and fasting in Ramadhaan.' He said: 'No. fasting
in Ramadhaan and pilgrimage. This is how I heard
it from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam).' It is agreed upon, and this
wording is from Muslim. [5]
1.
As for testifying that there is none worthy of
worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and
messenger, then it is the unwavering belief
affirmed by this testification, as if its
definitiveness comes from this testification.
Indeed this testification is only one pillar
that contains a number of testifications because
of the following reasons: either because the
Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam)conveyed from Allaah the Exalted, so
testifying to his slavehood, and messengership
is from the testification that none has the
right to be worshipped except Allaah. Or it can
be because these two testifications form the
foundations for the correctness of actions and
their acceptance. No action is correct or
acceptable except if it is done with sincerity
towards Allaah the Exalted, and in conformity to
the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
So the testification that none has the right to
be worshipped except Allaah is confirmed by
sincerity, and the testification that Muhammad
is His slave and His messenger is confirmed by
obedience. From the fruits of this great
testification is the liberation of the heart and
soul from being enslaved by the creation, and
from the following of other than the messengers.
2.
As for establishing the prayer, then it is to
worship Allaah by doing it, and to be steadfast
and complete in its time and place. From its
fruits is the relaxation of the heart, and the
coolness of the eye, and the driving away of
indecency and evil.
3.
As for charity (zakaat), then it is to worship
Allaah the Exalted by spending what one is
capable of to purify ones wealth. From its
fruits is that it purifies the soul from
despicability and greed, and it fulfills the
need of Islaam and the Muslims.
4.
As for fasting in Ramadhaan, then it is to
worship Allaah the Exalted by staying away from
eating during the days of Ramadhaan. From its
fruits is the taming of the soul by leaving the
things it loves for the pleasure of Allaah the
Mighty and Majestic.
5.
As for pilgrimage to the House, then it is to
worship Allaah the Exalted by going to the
Sacred House to establish the rites of
pilgrimage. From its pillars is the taming of
the soul related to a struggle in ones wealth
and body in obedience to Allaah the Exalted.
Consequently, pilgrimage is a type of jihaad in
the Path of Allaah the Exalted.
So the fruits we have mentioned for these
foundations - and whatever we have not mentioned
- make the nation a purified and cleansed
Islaamic nation, specifying Allaah for worship
upon the True Religion, and performing good
deeds with justice and truthfulness. So
everything else from the laws of Islaam is
rectified by the establishment of these
foundations. A nation is not rectified except by
rectifying the matters of its religion, and it
fails to rectify its own condition as needed
because it neglects the rectification of its
religion.
Whoever wishes to see an illustration of this,
then let him read the statement of Allaah the
Exalted:
"And if only the people of the cities had
believed and feared Allaah, We would have opened
upon them blessings from the heavens and the
earth; but they refused, so We seized them for
what they were earning. Then did not the people
of the cities feel secure from Our punishment
coming to them at night while they were asleep?
Or did the people of the cities feel secure from
Our punishment coming to them in the morning
while they were at play? Then did they feel
secure from the Plan of Allaah? But none feels
secure from the Plan of Allaah except the losing
people." [Sooratul A'araaf 7:96-99]
Let him look into the history, for verily in the
history is a lesson for those who think, and a
vision for those who have a veil in front of
them. And Allaah is the Supporter. [6]
THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE ISLAAMIC CREED
The religion of Islaam - as has preceded - is a
creed and a law. Indeed we pointed out some
things from its laws, and we mentioned what is
established by the pillars of its laws.
As for the Islaamic creed, then its foundations
are belief in Allaah, and His angels, and His
books, and His messengers, and the Last Day, and
the pre-decree - the good of it, and the evil of
it.
Indeed these foundations are proven by the Book
of Allaah and the sunnah of His messenger
(sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). So in His Book,
Allaah the Exalted says:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your
faces to the east or the west. Rather the
righteous person is the one believes in Allaah,
and the Last Day, and the angels, and the books,
and the prophets." [Sooratul Baqarah 2:177]
Also, He said regarding Pre-Decree:
"Verily Allaah created everything with
Pre-Decree. And Our command is but one, like the
glance of an eye." [Sooratul Qamar 54:49-50]
As for the sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam), the Prophet said in reply to
Jibreel when he asked about faith: "Faith is
that you believe in Allaah, and His angels, and
His books, and His messengers, and the Last Day,
and it is that you believe in Pre-Decree; the
good of it, and the evil of it." This is related
by Muslim. [7][8]
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ISLAAMIC CREED
The objectives of the Islaamic creed and its
noble aims for the one who adheres to it are of
many types, from them:
1.
Purifying the intention and worship for Allaah
the Exalted alone, because He is the Creator. It
also means not associating anything with Him
since it is obligatory to make the intention and
worship for Him alone.
2.
The liberation of the intellect and thought from
the chaotic disorder emanating from a heart
which is devoid of this belief. Whoever has a
void in his heart from this, then it is either
empty of every creed and worship and susceptible
only to material things, or it is immersed in
misguided beliefs and superstitions.
3.
The soul and the thought are comforted so there
is no anxiousness in the soul, or disturbance in
the thought, because this creed connects the
believer directly to his Lord. So he is pleased
with his Lord, Director, and Lawful Judge. So
his heart becomes satisfied with His Pre-Decree,
and his chest is laid open for the acceptance of
Islaam, such that he does not seek a substitute
for it.
4.
The intention and the action become secured from
deviation in the worship of Allaah the Exalted,
or in the interaction with the creation, because
the foundation of it is faith in the messengers
which guarantees the following of their path.
Consequently, the intention and action are
safeguarded.
5.
He has resoluteness and seriousness in all
matters. He does not let any opportunity to
perform a righteous action pass him by, except
that he does it and hopes for the Reward. He
does not see the manifestation of a sin, except
that he distances himself from it, and fears
punishment. This if because of the foundation of
faith in the Resurrection and the Recompense
upon all actions. "And from all are degrees from
what they have done. And your Lord is not
unaware of what they do." [Sooratul An'aam
6:132] Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam) incited towards this aim in his
statement: "The strong believer is good, and he
is more beloved to Allaah than the weak
believer, and there is good in both of them.
Strive upon what benefits you, and seek help
from Allaah, and do not weaken. If a calamity
befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had
done such and such.' Rather say: 'Allaah has
decreed, and He does what he wishes.' So verily
'if' opens the work of shaytaan." It is related
by Muslim. [9]
6.
The ummah will become strong in spending -
whether it is expensive or cheap - towards the
establishment of their Religion and for the
reinforcement of its growth. They will not have
any concern with the trials that may afflict
them in that path. Allaah the Exalted said about
this: "The believers are only those who have
believed in Allaah and His messenger, and they
doubt not but they strive in their wealth and
their persons in the Path of Allaah. It is these
who are the truthful." [Sooratul Hujuraat 49:15]
7.
The achievement of prosperity in this world and
in the Hereafter by reinforcing the individuals
and the groups and the attainment of reward and
nobility. Allaah the Exalted says: "Whoever does
righteousness, whether male or female, and he is
a believer; We will surely cause him to live a
good life, and We will surely give them their
reward according to the best of what they used
to do." [Sooratun Nahl 16:97]
These are some of the objectives of the Islaamic
creed, and we hope that Allaah the Exalted will
establish us and all of the Muslims. [10]
Footnotes:
[1] This was taken from the book, 'Sharh Usoolul
Eemaan' (p. 3-4) of shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih
al 'Uthaymeen.
[2] This is reported in Saheeh Muslim (1/94),
and Mukhtasar Saheeh Muslim with the checking of
shaykh al-Albaanee (no. 20)
[3] Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-'Uthaymeen says:
"Justice is equality between that which is the
same, and division between that which is
different. Justice is not absolute equality as
some of the people allege when they say: 'The
religion of Islaam is a religion of absolute
equality.' However, equality between different
things is oppression. Islaam did not come with
this, nor does it praise the one who does it."
[4] This section was taken from 'Sharh Usoolul
Eemaan' (p. 5-8)
[5] This is reported in Saheeh Muslim (1/34),
and in Mukhtasar Saheeh Muslim with the checking
of shaykh al-Albaanee, no. 62.
[6] This section was taken from 'Sharh Usoolul
Eemaan' (p. 9-11)
[7] This is reported in Saheeh Muslim (1/1-3),
see Mukhtasar Saheeh Muslim with the checking of
shaykh al-Albaanee (no. 1) For an explanation of
this lengthy hadeeth, see 'Majmoo'ul Fataawaa
war Rasaa'il' (3/143) of shaykh Muhammad Ibn
Saalih al-'Uthaymeen.
[8] This section was taken from 'Sharh Usoolul
Eemaan' (p. 13)
[9] This is reported in Saheeh Muslim (8/56),
see Mukhtasar Saheeh Muslim with the checking of
shaykh al-Albaanee (no. 1840)
[10] This section was taken from 'Sharh Usoolul
Eemaan' (p. 58-60)
