CERTAINTY IS THE SECOND

 FAJR REMINDER: CERTAINTY IS THE SECOND

By: Umm Affān

Muḥarram 2, 1448 (17-June-2026)

Undoubtedly, the foundation of true faith is to firmly believe that none has the right to be worshipped except Allāh. A person cannot truly claim this belief unless he is convinced that the only path to Jannah and the Pleasure of Allāh is Islām—the complete submission to the Will of Allāh.

Unfortunately, some who identify as Muslims have allowed doubt to creep into their hearts regarding this fundamental principle. They believe that those who die upon religions other than Islām—submitting themselves to someone or something besides Allāh Alone—may still attain Jannah or earn the Pleasure of Allāh. Such a belief directly contradicts the clear teachings of Islām. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islām, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter, he will be among the losers.” [Sūrah Aal-‘Imrān (3): 85]

The second condition of Lā ilāha ill-Allāh is Certainty (يقين). After recognizing and testifying that none is worthy of worship except Allāh, a believer must possess unwavering conviction in this testimony. This certainty leaves no room for hesitation or doubt. A Muslim must firmly believe in the meaning of Lā ilāha ill-Allāh, for doubt weakens faith and can eventually lead to disbelief.

This is why Allāh exposed the reality of the hypocrites. Although they claimed to believe in Allāh and the Last Day, their hearts were filled with uncertainty and hypocrisy. Therefore, Allāh declared them disbelievers. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allāh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.” [Sūrah Al-Baqarah (2): 10]

Abū Hurayrah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I bear witness there is no God worthy of worship but Allāh and I am the Messenger of Allāh. A servant who meets Allāh testifying to these two statements, without any doubt, will not be barred from Paradise.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 27]

This noble Ḥadīth clearly indicates that certainty is a crucial condition for entering Jannah. The Prophet (ﷺ) specifically mentioned that one's testimony must be free from doubt. Therefore, whoever lacks this certainty has failed to fulfill one of the conditions of Lā ilāha ill-Allāh, placing himself in grave danger.

Unlike the Munāfiqūn (hypocrites), whose doubts cause them to waver whenever they are tested, the true believers remain steadfast upon faith and sincere in their conviction. [Check Surah At-Tawbah (9): 45] Allāh (ﷻ) also says: “Only those are the believers who have believed in Allāh and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not but strive with their wealth and their lives for the Cause of Allāh. Those! They are the truthful.” [Sūrah Al-Ḥujrāt (49): 15]

As believers, we must guard our hearts against every form of doubt concerning the Oneness of Allāh. We should remain firm upon the conviction that none deserves to be worshipped except Allāh Alone. Such certainty strengthens our faith, increases our obedience, and keeps us steadfast upon the straight path.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to grant us beneficial knowledge, unwavering certainty, steadfastness upon Tawḥīd, and to admit us into Jannah by His infinite Mercy. Aameen.