Takfir of the one who is Ignorant

of the Meaning of the Kalimah

Muhammad bin Abd'il Wahhab

ad-Durar’us Saniyya fi’l Ajwibati’n Najdiyya, 2/100-112

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

These statements are regarding the explanation of the Shahadah La-ilaha illa
Allah and the explanation of Tawhid which is the right of Allah over His
slave. It is more Fardh than Salaat, Zakaat, Sawm Ramadhan being Fardh.
May Allah have mercy upon the one who advices his own Nafs and knows
that there is Jannah and Naar after it.

Surely, Allah Azza wa Jalla made Amaal for each of them (i.e., Jannah and
Jahannam). If one asks regarding it then he will fnd at the top of Amaal of
Ahl’ul Jannah is Tawhid of Allah Ta’ala. Whoever comes with it on Yawm’ul
Qiyamah then he is certainly among Ahl’ul Jannah even if he has sins in the
fashion of mountains.

At the top of Amaal of Ahl’un Naar is Shirk to Allah. Whoever died in this
state (i.e. Shirk) even if he comes on Yawm’ul Qiyamah with Ibadaah to Allah
night and day, Sadaqah and Ihsan (benefcence) he is certainly among Ahl’un
Naar. Like the Nasara (Christians) and they build hermitage in the wild for
one of them (i.e. monk) and become Zahid (person who shuns the world and
its pleasures to devote himself to worship and pious works i.e., ascetic) in
Dunya, they worship night and day. However, they involve Shirk to Allah in
it (their ascetic life style). Allah is exalted, most glorifed from it.

Allah Azza wa Jalla states:

“We shall make such deeds as foating dust scattered about.” (al-Furqan
25/23)

Allah Ta’ala states:

“The parable of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes,
on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day.” (Ibrahim 14/18)
May Allah Ta'ala have mercy upon the one whom advices his Nafs regarding
this great matter that the Dhalim will bite at his hands and he will say:
“Oh! Would that I had taken a (straight) path with the Messenger (of
Allah)?!” (al-Furqan 25/27)

We ask Allah to guide us and our Muslim brothers to the Sirat’ul Mustaqim
which is the path that Allah bestowed Ni’mah upon them and (we ask Allah)
to keep us distant from the path of those whom earn the wrath and they are
the Ulama who do not perform accordingly even though they know and (we
also ask Allah to keep us distant from) the path of those who go astray and
they are the Juhal who worship a lot.

What a great Du'a this is. How needy is the one who supplicates with it in
every Ra’kah being his heart in between the hands of Allah (Ta’ala) for being
guided and salvation? Surely Allah (Ta’ala) mentioned that He will respond
to this Du'a in al-Fatiha from a person who directs it with an open heart.

We say; La-ilaha illa Allah is:

• Urwat'ul Wusqa (the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks),

• it is Kalimat'ut Taqwa (word of piety),
• it is Hanifyyah (by nature uprightness with inclination to truth, pure
worship and monotheism) which is Millah (Din) of Ibrahim (alayhi
salam),
• it is a Kalimah (statement) that Allah Azza wa Jalla made a word
lasting (after Ibrahim alayhi salam),
• it is (the reason) that all the creation was created for, with it the earth
and the heavens were established, messengers had sent for it and the
(holy) books had been sent down for it.

Allah Ta’ala states:

“I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me.” (adh-Dhariyat
51/56)

Allah Ta’ala states:

“For We assuredly sent amongst every People a Messengers, (with the
Command): Serve Allah, and eschew Taghout.” (an-Nahl 16/36)

The intent is the meaning of this Kalimah. For utterance by the tongue while
being ignorant of its meaning; then there is no beneft of it. Munafqun utter it
to us and they are under the Kuffar with a degree that is lower in the Naar.

Know that; the meaning of this Kalimah is negating ilahiyyah (Lordship)

from all other than Allah Tarabaraka wa Ta’ala and confrming ilahiyyah for
Allah, the One and Who has no partner, Whom has no Haqq other than Him.
Also confrming all of it to Allah, the One and Who has no partner, Whom
has no Haqq other than Him and none other than Him has a right over it
neither a Muqarrab Malak nor a Nabi that has been sent.

As Allah Ta’ala states:

“Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to ar-
Rahman (the Most Gracious) as a servant. He does take an account of them
(all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly. And everyone of them will
come to Him singly on Qiyamah (the Day of Judgment).” (Maryam 19/93-
95)

Allah Ta’ala states:

“The Day that Ruh (the Spirit i.e. Jibril) and the angels will stand forth in
ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by ar-Rahman (the
Most Gracious), and he will say what is right.” (an-Naba 78/38)

Allah Ta’ala states:

“On the Day every soul will come up pleading for itself.” (an-Nahl 16/111)

If it is said that there is no Khaliq other than Allah then it is known and there
is no Khaliq that creates other than Allah. Allah has no partner on creating
neither a Muqarrab Malak nor a Nabi that has been sent.

If it is said that there is no sustainer but Allah then the response is also the
same (it is known and there is no other sustainer that sustains but Allah).

If it is said La-ilaha illa Allah (There is no god that deserves to be

worshipped- but Allah) then the response is also the same. So ponder upon
this, may Allah have mercy upon you. As you question the meaning of al-
Khaliq and ar-Razzaq question the meaning of al-ilah (the deity).

Know that, the meaning of Ilah is, Ma’bud (one who is worshipped). This is
the Tafsir of this statement by the Ijmaa of Ahl’ul Ilm. Whoever worships
anything therefore he had taken it as Ilah other than Allah (Ta’ala). All of
them are baatil other than The One Ilah Who is Allah and He is Tabaraka wa
Ta’ala Uluww (Above), Kabir (Great).

Ibadaah has many types however I will illustrate them with Dhahir types so
that it can not be rejected. Among them is Sujud; it is not permissible for a
slave to put his face on to the earth (prostrate) neither to a Muqarrab Malak
nor to a Nabi that has been sent or a Wali (friend of Allah) other than Allah
the One Who has no partner.
Among them is Thabh (sacrifce); it is not ja’iz for anyone to sacrifce to other
than Allah the One, as Allah (Ta’ala) related them in the Qur’an in His
Ta’ala’s statement:
“Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifce, my life and my death,
are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He.” (al-
An’am 6/162-163)

Nusuk (that was mentioned in the above-mentioned Ayah) is sacrifcing (for

the sake of Allah).

Allah (Ta’ala) states:

“Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifce.” (al-Kawhtar, 108/2)

Know that whoever sacrifces to other than Allah; for a Jinn or a grave is as if
he performed Sajdah (to it). Since Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) put
La’nah (curse) on him in the Sahih Hadith:
“Allah cursed him who sacrifced for anyone besides Allah.” (Muslim, Hadith
no: 1978; Nasa'i, Hadith no: 4422)

Among the types of Ibadaah is Du'a. As in the performance of the Mu’minun

they supplicate to Allah The One, during the night and day while both in the
state of harshness and ease. None would have doubt regarding Du'a being a
type of Ibadaah. So -may Allah have mercy upon you- ponder upon what
occurs among the people of today whom supplicate to other than Allah
(Ta’ala) both in the state of harshness and ease. (As in the cases:) When he
wants to for travel, he would go to a grave or (places) other than the grave
and enter its presence with whatever he took and brought with him which he
unjustly took from others (for the person inside the grave and commits Shirk
by directing his Du'a to the person in the grave, deeming his Du'a would be
accepted by Allah). If any harshness fell upon one while both in the state of
harshness and ease whether on the land or sea; he would perform Istighatha
(seek aid) from Abd’ul Qadir or Shamsan or a Nabi amongst the Anbiya, a
Wali amongst the Awliya to save from such harshness.

Then it will be said to this Jahil (ignorant): If you know that Ilah means
Ma’bud and Du'a means Ibadaah how come you direct your Du'a to a
Makhluq (creation) who is dead and incapable? Moreover, how do you
abandon the One (i.e., Allah) who is al-Hayy, al-Qayyum, al-Hadhir, ar-Rauf,
ar-Rahim and al-Qadir? This Mushrik may say that: Everything is in the hand
of Allah however this Saalih slave is providing Shafa’ah for us in the
presence of Allah, his Shafa’ah and his relevance benefts. He may deem that
it prevents him from Shirk!

And also it will be said to this Jahil: the Mushrikin; those who worship idols
to whom Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) faught with, taken their
wealth, their children and women as Ghanimah all believed that Allah is
Who benefts and harms and Allah is Who governs all of the affairs. They
were intending -as you do- from them Shafa’ah in the presence of Allah. As
(Allah) Ta’ala states:
"They serve, besides Allah, things that can hurt them not nor proft them,
and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah." (Yunus 10/18)

(Allah) Ta’ala states:

"But those who take for protectors other than Allah (say): We only serve
them in order that they may bring us nearer to Allah." (az-Zumar 39/3)

So they confess that Allah is the One Who is al-Khaliq, ar-Razzaq, benefts
and harms as Allah (Ta’ala) informed regarding them in His statement:
"Say: Who is it that sustains you (in life) from the sky and from the earth?
or who is it that has power over hearing and sight? And who is it that
brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? and who
is it that rules and regulates all affairs? They will soon say: Allah. Say: Will
ye not then show piety (to Him)?" (Yunus 10/31)

So let ponder upon the one who; has Aql, advices his Nafs and knows that
there is Jannat and Naar after death and also in this matter knows the Shirk to
Allah in which Allah (Ta’ala) stated the following regarding it (i.e. Shirk):
“Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He
forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth.” (an-Nisa 4/48; an-Nisa
4/116)

Allah (Ta’ala) states:

“Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden,
and the Fire will be his abode.” (al-Ma’idah 5/72)

Is there any Bayaan after this Bayaan? Allah Azza wa Jalla narrated that the
Kuffar confrm that Allah is al-Khaliq, ar-Razzaq, al-Muhyi and al-Mumiyt,
al-Mudabbir of the affairs and also that they intend with those who they
believe in closeness (to Allah) and Shafa’ah in the presence of Allah (Ta’ala).

Other Ayah in the Qur’an that Allah (Ta’ala) mentions in them regarding this
as the statement of Allah (Ta’ala):
"Say: To whom belong the earth and all beings therein? (Say) if ye know!
They will say: To Allah." (al-Mu’minun 23/84)

Up to His Ta’ala’s statement:

"Then how are ye deluded?" (al-Mu’minun 23/89)2

As the statement of Allah Ta’ala:

"If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the earth and
subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law), they will certainly reply:
Allah." (al-Ankabut 29/61);

"And if indeed thou ask them who it is that sends down rain from the sky,
and gives life therewith to the earth after its death, they will certainly
reply: Allah!" (al-Ankabut 29/63)
Other than these Ayaat in which Allah informs regarding them (i.e.,
Mushrikin) that they confrm this (i.e., Allah being al-Khaliq, ar-Razzaq, al-
Mudabbir etc.) for Allah Who is the One and what they intend while they
believe concerning them (i.e., a Muqarrab Malak, a Nabi, a Wali, a Salih etc.)
was merely (requesting) Shafa’ah and nothing else.

If some of the Mushrikin come up stating: Those who came before (us)
believing in the Asnaam which were (shaped out of) stones and wood. We
however believe, in the Salihin. It will be said to him: the Kuffar (of the past)
were also the same; among them who believe in the Salihin such as the
Malaikah and Isa bin Maryam (alayhi salam), among them (believe in) the
Awliya such as; Uzayr (alayhi salam), Lat and Uzza among people, also
among the Jinni and other than them. Allah Azza wa Jalla mentioned this in
His Kitaab and stated the following regarding those who believe in the
Malaikah to provide them Shafa’ah (i.e., intercession in the presence of
Allah):
"On the Day He will gather them all together, and say to the angels: Was it
you that these men used to worship? They will say: Glory to Thee! Thou art
our Wali (Protector), not them. Nay, but they worshipped the Jinns: most of
them believed in them." (Saba 34/40-41);

“And they offer no Shafa’ah (intercession) except for those with whom He
is well pleased.” (al-Anbiya 21/28)

Allah Ta’ala stated the following regarding those who believe in Isa (alayhi
salam):
“O Ahl’ul Kitaab (People of the Book i.e, The Jews and the Christians)!
Commit no excesses in your religion: Nor say of Allah aught but the truth.
Isa the son of Maryam was (no more than) a Rasul (messenger) of Allah,
and His Kalimah (Word), which He bestowed on Maryam, and a Ruh
(Spirit) proceeding from Him.” (an-Nisa 4/171);

"Say: Will ye worship, besides Allah, something which hath no power

either to harm or beneft you? But Allah, He it is that as-Sami (heareth) and
al-Alim (knoweth all things)." (al-Ma’idah 5/76)

Isa Ibn Maryam (alayhi salam) was a virtuous Rasul and this was stated
regarding him; then what would be if the case was regarding al-Qadir Who is
capable of harming or benefting? Allah Ta’ala stated the following regarding
the right of Awliya:
"Say: Call on those -besides Him- whom ye fancy: they have neither the
power to remove your troubles from you nor to change them. Those whom
they call upon do seek (for themselves) means of access to their Lord, as to
who are nearest: they hope for His Mercy and fear His Wrath: for the Wrath
of thy Lord is something to take heed of." (al-Isra 17/56-57)
Some among the Salaf said: Some of the tribes were directing their Du'a to the
Malaikah, Uzayr, Masih (Isa) so Allah (Ta’ala) stated: They are My slaves as
you are My slaves. They expect My Rahmah as you expect My Rahmah. They
fear from My Azab as you fear from My Azab. May Allah have mercy upon
the one who ponders upon this Great Ayah of Allah (Ta’ala) and what had
been revealed in it, and knows that they believe in only intend the closeness
to Allah and Shafa’ah in the presence of Allah (Ta’ala).

All of these turn around two Kalimah. The frst: You know that the Kuffar
knew Allah (Subhanahu) is al-Khaliq, ar-Razzaq, Who governs all of the
affairs and that He is One and also they intend to become closer via them to
Allah (Ta’ala).

The second of it: You know that among them are human and they believed
in human; among the Anbiya and the Salihin such as Isa (alayhi salam),
Uzayr (alayhi salam) and that they are the same as those believed in Asnaam
from stone or tree. When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) fought
against them he did not detach those who believed in Awthan made from
wood, stone form those who believed in the Anbiya and the Salihin and the
people of our era who believe in stones (tombs) on top of graves and trees.

If this is clear, that surely it is not from the Din of Allah (Ta’ala) and after this
the Mushrik says: “This is clear and we know this since the beginning.” Then
tell him: If the Ashab of Rasulullah knew this after studying it and knew
some of the Shirk being Shirk after years and if you know these without
studying then you know more than them. On the contrary the Anbiya didn’t
know this (i.e. some of the Shirk being Shirk) until Allah (Ta’ala) taught them.
Allah (Ta’ala) stated the following to Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam) who was the most knowledgeable of the people.
“Know, therefore, that there is no god but Allah, and ask forgiveness for
thy fault, and for the men and women who believe.” (Muhammad 47/19);

"But it has already been revealed to thee, as it was to those before thee: If
thou wert to join (gods with Allah), truly fruitless will be thy work (in life),
and thou wilt surely be among the Losers. Nay, but worship Allah, and be
of those who give thanks." (az-Zumar 39/65-66)
If this was the state of our Nabi (i.e. Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)
then why did Khalil Ibrahim (alayhi salam) make it a Wasiyyah to his
children whom were also among the Anbiya.

Allah (Ta’ala) states:

"And this was the legacy that Ibrahim left to his sons, and so did Yaqub;
Oh my sons! Allah hath chosen the Faith for you; then die not except in the
state of Muslim (submission)." (al-Baqarah 2/132);

"Behold, Luqman said to his son admonishing him: O my son! join not in
worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest Dhulm
(wrong-doing)." (Luqman 31/13)

If this matter is something that the Muslimin do not need to fear it, then why
did (Ibrahim) Khalil (alayhi sallam) have fear for himself and for his children
whom were also among the Anbiya, thus stated:
"(Remember Ibrahim said:) O my Lord! Make this city one of peace and
security: and preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols.” (Ibrahim
14/35)

Then why did al-Alim and al-Hakim make it upon this matter, increased the
Kalaam, explained it, brought parables regarding it, warned from it, started
with it and ended with it, when He revealed His Book in order to bring
people from Dhulumat into Nur? If the people comprehends it without
studying, if there was no fear one might befall into it then why did Rabb’ul
A’lamin render most of His Book with it? Allah Who is free from all defects;
seals the hearts of those He wills among His creation and makes them deaf
and blind by destroying their sight.

You; the one to whom Allah had blessed with Islam and knows that the only
Ilah is Allah. Don’t deem that you have it by saying: “This is right and I
abandon everything other than it however neither do I object the Mushrikin
nor do I state anything to them”. Don’t deem that this will enter you to the
Islam. Rather it is unavoidable for you to have Bughd against them, to have
Bughd towards those who love them, cursing them and to have enmity
against them. As your father Ibrahim (alayhi salam) and those with him said:
"We are clear of you and of whatever ye worship besides Allah: We have
rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred
for ever, unless ye believe in Allah and Him alone." (al-Mumtahinah 60/4);

“Whoever rejects the Taghout and believes in Allah hath grasped Urwat’ul
Wusqa (the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks).” (al-Baqarah
2/256);

"For We assuredly sent amongst every People Messengers, (with the

Command): Serve Allah, and eschew the Taghout." (an-Nahl 16/36)

If an individual says: I submit to the Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and

he is upon Haqq however I neither object Lat and Uzza nor object Aba Jahl
and his likes and I am not responsible for what they do” then his Islam is not
Sahih. When it comes to the Mushrikin that claim people had not been
ordered regarding those Tawaghit and they do not consent with them, this
can only be said by no other than an arrogant Mushrik. Surely they eat the
wealth of the people unjustly. Neither they preside over them nor do they
draw near to them except with this. When they see a Salih man they scorn
him; when they see a Mushrik and a Kafr who submits to the Shaytan they
drew near to him, they love him and marry him with their daughters and call
this honorable!

The one, who says this, knows that this statement of his is a lie. If he is in
their presence and hears, some of the Mushrikin saying: “A hardship has
befallen on me, I praised the Shaykh or the Sayyid, I sacrifced for him and he
saved me from it”, he could not dare to say against this great lie: “Neither
anyone harms nor benefts except Allah”. If he says this and spreads it
amongst the people then the Tawaghit would not like it. If they are able to
kill him, they would kill him. In brief: This will not be said by anyone other
than an arrogant Mushrik. Their Da’wah, frightening the people, and
mentioning the incident of their Kafr fathers is well-known. Anyone who
knows their state can not reject this. As Allah (Ta’ala) states:
“...while they witness against their own souls to infdelity.” (at-Tawbah
9/17)

We are going to end this Kitaab by mentioning an Ayah from the Book of
Allah in which there is lesson for the one who considers it. Allah Ta’ala stated
regarding the Kuffar:
“When distress seizes you at sea, those that ye call upon -besides Himself-
leave you in the lurch!” (al-Isra 17/67)

Allah (Ta’ala) mentioned regarding the Kuffar that when a hardship befalls
them they abandon everything (that they associate partners to Allah) other
than Him (Ta’ala) and devoted Din to Him (Ta’ala). When it comes to the
people of our era: When a hardship and harm befalls them they praise other
than Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala in the same manner.

May Allah have mercy upon the one who ponders upon this Ayah and other
than this from the Ayaat. The one whom Allah blessed with Marifah shall
praise Allah (Ta’ala). If he fnds anything problematic he shall ask from
Ahl’ul Ilm regarding what Allah (Ta’ala) and His Rasul (sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam) said regarding it. He shall not initiate the rejection because if he
rejects, he would reject against Allah (Ta’ala). Allah (Ta’ala) states:
“And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the Signs of his
Lord, and who then turns away there from? Verily from those who
transgress We shall exact (due) Retribution.” (as-Sajdah 32/22)

Know that may Allah have mercy upon you; some of the compilers commit
some types of Shirk Akbar due to Jahalah and not discerning. Stated in the
(Qasida) Burdah (by Busayri, regarding Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam):
“Most generous of mankind, I have no one to take refuge in except you at
occurrence of widespread calamity.”

(And the statement) in Hamziyyah as such and many things other than this.
This is a Du'a which is a type of Ibadaah that is not valid except (committing)
for Allah the One. If some of the Mushrikin struggle with you due to
stateliness of the owner of the statement, his Ilm and his righteousness and
may say due to his Jahl: “How can this be?” Then tell him: Ashab of Musa
(alayhi salam) to whom Allah choose and made superior to the worlds; more
knowledgeable and stateliness than (the owner of the statement) said:
"O Musa fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have." (al-A’raf 7/138)

This became Khaf (obscure) for the Bani Isra’il despite their stateliness, Ilm
and virtuous then what do you deem about other than them?

And tell this Jaahil: the Ashab of Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)
whom were more righteous and more knowledgeable then them all, stated
when they were passing by a tree:
“O Messenger of Alalh! Fashion for us a Dhaatu Anwaat like unto the
Dhaatu Anwaat they have.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) made an oath that this resembles

what the Banu Isra’il stated to Musa (alayhi salam):
"Fashion for us a god like unto the gods they have." (al-A’raf 7/138)

In it there are two lessons:

The frst: Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) explained clearly that whoever
believed in a tree or makes Tabarruk with it; takes it as an Ilah. The Ashab of
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) knew that the tree does not create
and does not sustain. They deemed that if the Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam) commands them to perform Tabarruk with it then there will be
blessing in it.

The Second Lesson: Even the most knowledgeable and the most righteous of
the people may fall into Shirk without knowing. As it was said:
"Shirk is much more hidden than the pace of an ant."

This is in opposition to the statement of the Jaahil: “This is clear and we know
it”. If anything from this becomes problematic for you and if you need
statements from the Ahl’ul Ilm which clarifes it, and that their rejection of
this type of Shirk which Allah made Haraam then they are available. I mean
statements of the Ulama concerning this matter if you wish from the
Hanabilah and from others if you want. Wallahu A’lam