The Fiqh of travelling from the Flight Home to the Enduring Home (12)

- Question 3/15: Should the testimony of faith be repeated to him?

The correct opinion is that it should not be repeated to him but should be said only once, except if he does not respond because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) dictated the testimony of monotheism to his uncle, it was reported in the wordings of the Hadith: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) repeated it over and over to him.”[1]  

There is no doubt that the condition of a believer differs from that of a disbeliever. He was the uncle of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as reported in the previous Hadith, but repeating it to him would make him leave disbelieve to faith which is the main objective. If he does not respond, scholars deem it to be desirable to repeat it as the Prophet (peace be upon him) di so: “(If he) asked permission to enter, he would knock the door thrice with greeting and whenever he spoke a sentence he used to repeat it thrice.”[2]

It is desirable for the person who repeats the testimony of faith to say it gently as gentleness is confirmed in this position. We ask Allah Almighty to make “La Ilaha Illalah” our last words.

                             

---

[1] Narrated by Al Bukhari number (1360). Narrated by Muslim number (24)

[2] Narrated by Al Bukhari number (94)