Benefit:
There is no deity worthy of worship except you (La ilaha illa Anta). This is the statement of Tawheed. The good righteous word (from Allah). As Allah the Most-High mentioned in His Noble Book:
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
Which translates as: “Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.” [Ibrahim:24-25]
It is the most trustworthy of handholds. The statement of Tawheed. And the one that pronounces it his blood and wealth become sacred. The one that says it has taken his ﷺ path. The one that says it has confirmed his brotherhood in the religion. The one that says it has become a Muslim. The one that says it will not remain in the fire for eternity. The one that says it is from the people of Paradise. The one that says it on his tongue and in his heart then acts in accordance to fullfil it’s conditions, he will be the one that benefits from it. As for the one that merely says it with his tongue without his heart and limbs acting on it, he is a hypocrite. He will not benefit from this statement. For verily Allah said:
إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ اتَّخَذُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ جُنَّةً فَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ سَاءَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ. ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا ثُمَّ كَفَرُوا فَطُبِعَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَفْقَهُونَ
Which translates as:
“When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad ﷺ), they say: “We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah.” Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not.” [Munafiqoon:1-3]
So the statement “La ilaha illa AIlah” does not benefit except with that which completes it by acting upon it’s requirements. Then this statement will benefit him by the permission of Allah. As for not acting upon it nor completing its conditions then this will not benefit him but rather it will be a proof against him.
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللَّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّا أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللَّهُ مَرَضًا وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُونَ
That which translates as:
“And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allah and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.”[Baqarah:8-10]
A severe hatred was established between the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his polytheist people because of this statement. They plotted against him to harm him until Allah stopped them and prevented them from reaching him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ migrated for the sake of this statement. And battles were waged between the Muslims and the disbelievers for this statement. This is a tremendous statement. A statement that must be made and must be acted upon. A statement that must be understood, studied and pondered over. So that the one pronouncing it has understanding of it.
As for pronouncing it day and night but not acting upon it internally or externally then it will have no benefit. He says “La ilaha illa AIlah” then he goes and prostrate at a grave. He says “La ilaha illa AIlah” while seeking a child from the inhabit of a grave. He says “La ilaha illa AIlah” then goes and sacrifices an animal for the inhabit of a grave. La ilaha illa Allah will not benefit him.
And Allah’s aid is sought.
Benefited from: Shaikh Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ba Jamaal (May Allah preserve him)
Translated by: Abu Yusuf Bilal ibn Howard Robinson
Source: https://t.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal/112