True Entry Into Islam: Mere Words or Heartfelt Belief?
- Muiz As-Siddeeqi
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
True Entry Into Islam: Mere Words or Heartfelt Belief?
Question to Shaykh Ibn Baaz:
The utterance of the shahādah (testimony of faith) — no doubt it must be accompanied by belief. So what is meant by this?
Shaykh Ibn Baaz Answer:
First of all, it is essential to utter the two testimonies. If a person is able to pronounce them but refuses to do so, then he does not enter into Islam until he utters the two testimonies. This is a matter of consensus among the scholars. Then, along with the utterance, one must also hold belief in the meaning of the two testimonies and be truthful in that. This means he must believe that there is no true deity worthy of worship except Allāh.
And if he says it while lying — like the hypocrites who utter it while believing that there are other gods besides Allāh — then this statement does not benefit them, and they do not truly enter Islam inwardly. As Allāh the Most High said:
“Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire.”
[Surah al-Nisāʾ 4:145]
And He said:
“And of the people are some who say, ‘We believe in Allāh and in the Last Day,’ but they are not believers.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:8]
So it is necessary to believe in the heart with certainty that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh. If a person arrogantly refuses to submit to the Law of Allāh, then he is a disbeliever, and the utterance of the two testimonies does not benefit him.
Allāh the Exalted said:
“That is because Allāh is the Truth, and whatever they invoke besides Him is falsehood, and indeed, Allāh is the Most High, the Most Great.”
[Surah al-Ḥajj 22:62]
And He said:
“And your Lord said: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who are too arrogant to worship Me will enter Hell in humiliation.”
[Surah Ghāfir 40:60]
Likewise, if someone is arrogant regarding the testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh — or says it while lying — then he is a disbeliever until he believes that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh and submits to his legislation. This is also unanimously agreed upon by the scholars.
And Allāh’s help is sought.
[Source: Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa Maqālāt of Shaykh Ibn Bāz, vol. 5, pg. 340]
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