The Declaration of Faith is the Light of the Heart

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “Islam, Spirit & Form”, that the declaration of faith is the light of the heart.  It is again the light of the human face.  The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Make your children begin to talk with the words ‘There is no deity but Allah’.  Inspire them to say, ‘There is no deity but Allah’ at the last gasp; for whoever pronounces, ‘There is no deity but Allah’, as his first and final statement in this world, he is not held responsible for any sin even if he lives a thousand years.”  This is found in Sunan al-Bayhaqi. 

However, having the declaration of faith conduct one’s life is so important; for the condition at the last gasp will take place according to their degree, and performance in this regard.  It is narrated that Abraham (a.s.) once asked the Angel of Death, Izra’il (a.s.), “O Izra’il!  How do you make yourself seen while taking someone’s life?  I wish to see how you are seen then.” 

Izra’il (a.s.) answered, “O Prophet of Allah!  Can you bear that?” 

When Abraham (a.s.) replied: “Yes, I can.” 

Izra’il (a.s.) said, “Avert your face then!” 

When Abraham (a.s.) turned his face back to him again, the Angel of Death was in an awesome appearance.  He was a terror to behold.  Upon this sight, Abraham (a.s.) lost consciousness.  When he regained consciousness he saw Izra’il (a.s.) as he first saw him, and said, “For an evil person, it is enough to see your face, even if nothing else!” 

The servant is examined on many occasions in this world.  And if his belief is strong he passes these examination, but if not he fails them.  Thereby, humans face many difficulties, sufferings, misery, and pain in their struggle for faith and virtue.  In this way, the pious and impious ones are singled out.  Therefore, having faith in Allah (s.w.t.) is not enough.  One needs to advance his station by adorning his faith, with pious deeds so as to pass the many examinations of life. 

Allah (s.w.t.), in the following verse, Declares how interrelated belief and these tests are: 

سُوۡرَةُ العَنکبوت

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ (٢) وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ‌ۖ فَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُواْ وَلَيَعۡلَمَنَّ ٱلۡكَـٰذِبِينَ (٣) 

“Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, ‘We believe’ and that they will not be Tested. We did Test those before them, and Allah will certainly Know those who are true from those who are false.” (Surah al-‘Ankabut:2-3) 

With reference to the above declaration of the Qur’an, faith is a favour, and examination is its measure by which the servant is required to pay a price so as to save his/her faith.  Namely, Allah (s.w.t.) Demands a price so that His servants could understand the value of faith by testing them in proportion to their capacity. 

It Says, in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱشۡتَرَىٰ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَأَمۡوَٲلَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ‌ۚ … (١١١)

“Allah has Purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise) ...” (Surah at-Tawbah: 111) 

Therefore, one has to sacrifice their souls, goods, heart and soul, in the Cause of Allah (s.w.t.), for a perfect faith.  In fact, the troubles, sufferings, and pains of the world that believers are exposed to are recorded as prices paid in this world to be compensated for in the after-life.