Haqiqat Shahadat anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah
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- Haqiqat Shahadat anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah
Haqiqat Shahadat anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah (The Reality of the Testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of God) is a concise theological treatise by the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz bin Abd Allah Al al-Shaykh, outlining the doctrinal meaning, requirements, and implications of the second part of the Islamic declaration of faith.
Purpose and Background
The author composed the treatise as a brief reminder prompted by widespread ignorance among many Muslims regarding the true significance of testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and the prevalence of practices that contradict it, undermine its perfection, or diminish a believer's faith. It opens with a historical and theological prelude recounting the creation of Adam, the rebellion and deception of Iblis, and how polytheism first arose among humanity during the time of the people of Noah through the veneration of righteous figures. The work explains that God sent messengers with the unified message of Islam and monotheism (tawhid) to establish proof over mankind, culminating in the universal mission of the Prophet Muhammad.
Structure and Contents
Before detailing the testimony itself, the book provides a concise overview of the first testimony (La ilaha illa Allah)—its meaning, its pillars of negation and affirmation, and its conditions. It then presents several chapters (fusal) summarizing fundamental biographical facts and attributes of the Prophet Muhammad, including:
- Lineage, Birth, and Mission: Tracing his ancestry back to Adnan and Ishmael, his birth in the Year of the Elephant on a Monday, the beginning of revelation in the cave of Hira at age forty, and his passing in 11 AH at the age of sixty-three.
- Names and Unique Distinctions: Explaining his names mentioned in scripture—such as Muhammad, Ahmad, al-Mutawakkil, al-Mahi, al-Hashir, and al-Aqib—and his distinct virtues (khasa'is), including his universal messengerhood, his status as the master of the children of Adam, his possession of the Banner of Praise (Liwa' al-Hamd), the Great Intercession (al-Shafa'ah al-Uzma), and the preservation of the Quran.
- Character and Physical Description: Outlining his physical appearance, humility, and moral excellence as described in prophetic traditions.
Requirements and Violations of the Testimony
The treatise identifies the core reality of the testimony as demanding complete belief in the Prophet, total obedience to his commands, acceptance of what he conveyed, prioritizing love for him over oneself and all creation, venerating and defending his Sunnah, and submitting to his law as the sole arbiter in all matters. The author cites the concise formulation of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab that its meaning consists of obeying him in what he commanded, believing him in what he informed, avoiding what he prohibited and rebuked, and worshipping God only by what he legislated. The work also details the rights of the Prophet upon his followers, such as addressing him with respect, asking God to grant him the station of al-Wasilah, and invoking blessings and peace upon him.
The author illustrates the proper fulfillment of this testimony through historical examples of the Companions' profound devotion and obedience, particularly highlighting Abu Bakr, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and the Companions during the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah.
The concluding section classifies those who violate the testimony into distinct categories:
- Outright deniers who reject his prophethood entirely.
- Those who acknowledge his prophethood but claim it was restricted solely to the Arabs.
- Professing Muslims who compromise the testimony through various forms of doctrinal extremism (ghuluw), such as claiming the Prophet was an eternal primordial light, asserting doctrines of divine manifestation or unity of being (wahdat al-wujud), directing acts of worship (such as supplication, sacrifice, or prayer) toward him or his grave, or falsely attributing knowledge of the unseen (al-ghayb) to him.
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