35 / Nullifiers of the Testimony “There Is No Deity Worthy of Worship except Allah”

We have already discussed the conditions of the declaration of monotheism, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” which must be present in a servant for Allah to accept it from him. These conditions are of immense importance and great worth, and every Muslim must devote the utmost care and attention to them.

Another matter to which the Muslim must give due attention in this vital regard is knowing what nullifies this declaration, so that he may remain on his guard against it. Indeed, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has set out in detail in His Book the path of the believers who truly fulfill this declaration, and He has likewise set out in detail the path of the evildoers who oppose it. He has explained the outcome and deeds of each group, as well as the causes by which He granted the former success and those by which He forsook the latter. Glorified is He; He has laid both paths bare in His Book, disclosing, clarifying, and explaining them with the utmost clarity. As He says: “Thus We set out the signs in detail, so that the way of the evildoers may become clear.” 1 He also says: “Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows a path other than that of the believers, We shall leave him to his chosen course and consign him to Hell—what an evil destination!” 2

Whoever does not know the way of the evildoers and cannot clearly discern their path is liable to fall into some of their falsehood. Hence, the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The bonds of Islam will be undone one by one when someone grows up within Islam who knows nothing of jāhiliyya—the state of ignorance opposed to Islam.”3.