It is also authentically reported in Sahīh Muslim from Abū Hurayra, who said: The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Anyone you meet beyond this wall who testifies that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, with his heart certain of it, give him glad tidings of Paradise.”1 Thus, he stipulated certainty as a condition.

— The third condition is sincerity, which excludes associating partners with Allah and showing off. This can only be attained by purifying one’s deeds and cleansing them of every outward and inward taint, dedicating one’s intention in every act of worship to Allah alone. Allah Most High says: “Indeed, sincere devotion belongs to Allah alone.”2 And He says: “They were commanded only to worship Allah, devoting their religion sincerely to Him.”3 It is authentically reported from Abū Hurayra—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “The person who will benefit most from my intercession is the one who says that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, sincerely from his heart.”4 Thus, he stipulated sincerity as a condition.

— The fourth condition is truthfulness, which excludes lying. This means that the servant must utter this testimony truthfully from his heart. Truthfulness is for the heart to accord with the tongue. Hence, in condemnation of the hypocrites, Allah Most High says: “When the hypocrites come to you, they say, ‘We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.’ Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger, and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are certainly liars.”5 He—Glorified is He—described them as liars because what they uttered with their tongues was not present in their hearts. And He, Mighty and Majestic, says: “Alif-Lām-Mīm. Do people think that they will be left