Kalimah - Faith

Q.   What is KALIMAH TAY-YIBAH and what is its meaning?

  KALIMAH TAY-YIBAH is

LA-ILAHA-IL-LAL-LAH MUHAM-MADUR-RASULUL-LAH

            It means: None but Al-lah is worthy of worship and Muham-mad is the messenger of Al-lah.

Q.   What is KALIMAH SHAHADAH and what does it mean?

  KALIMAH SHAHADAH is

ASH-HADU-A(N)L-LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAH WA ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMM\-MADAN ‘ABDUHU WA-RASULUH

            It means: I stand witness that none but Al-lah is worthy of worship and I stand witness that Muham-mad is the servant and Messenger of Al-lah.

Q.   Does a man become a Muslim simply by saying the Kalimah with his tongue, without knowing its meaning and implications?

  No, it is essential to understand its meaning and believe in it and affirm it with the tongue.

Q.   What do we call such a belief and affirmation?

  We call it Iman (faith).

Q.   A dumb person is not capable of speech. How, then to know about his affirmation of faith?

  Because of his natural handicap only his demonstration with the finger shall be sufficient. This means that he should only signal that Al-lah is One and Muham-mad (peace be on him) is His messenger.

Q.   How many things are essential for a Muslim to believe in?

  There are seven essentials for him which are mentioned in IMAN MUFAS-SAL.

AMANTU BIL-LAHI-WA MALA’IKATIHI WA KUTUBIHI WA RUSULIHI WAL-YAUMIL-AKHIRI WAL-QADRI KHSIRIHI WA SHAR-RIHI MINAL-LAHI TA ‘ALA WAL-BATHI BA’DAL-MAUT.

“I believe in Al-lah , in His Angels, His Scriptures, His Messengers, the Day if Judgement and that everything good and bad (in the world) is pre-destined by Al-lah the Exalted, and (I believe) in resurrection after death.”