A Glimpse into the Islamic Creed
Praise be to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our selves and from our bad deeds. Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray, and whoever He leads astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger and servant of Allah. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his Companions, and those who follow them rightly until the Day of Judgment.
The Science of Tawhīd (monotheism) is the noblest, most sublime, and most needed among all disciplines of knowledge, for it comprises knowledge of Allah Almighty, His names, attributes, and rights upon His servants, and because it is the path leading to our Lord and the foundation of His Legislations.
Therefore, all messengers unanimously called people to Tawhīd. Allah Almighty says: {And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that “There is no true god but Me, so worship Me.”} [Al-Anbiyā’: 25]
Allah Almighty attests to His Oneness, and so do the angels and the people of knowledge. He says: {Allah witnesses that there is no true god but Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no true god but Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} [Ᾱl-‘Imrān: 18]
Given this great status of monotheism, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to be keen to learn, teach, ponder and believe in it, so as to build his faith upon a sound foundation, reassurance and submission. Thus, he will reap its pleasant fruits.
The religion of Islam is the religion with which Allah Almighty sent Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to conclude the religions thereby. He perfected it for His servants, completed His favor upon them with it and approved it as a religion for them. He does not accept any other religion from anyone. Allah Almighty says:
{Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And Allah is All-Knowing of everything.}
{...This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion...}
And Allah Almighty says: {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never will it be accepted from him, and he will be in the Hereafter among the losers.} [Ᾱl-‘Imrān: 85]
Allah Almighty ordained all people to take it as their religion. Addressing His Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), Allah Almighty says: {Say: “O mankind, indeed I am a Messenger of Allah to you all, to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and earth. There is no true god but Him; He gives life and causes death.” So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believes in Allah and His words, and follow him that you may be guided.} [Al-A‘rāf: 158]
In Sahih Muslim, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “By the One in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, there is nobody of this nation, be he Jewish or Christian, who hears of me and then dies without believing in what I was sent with except that he will be among the people of Hellfire.”