The “Ignorant Polytheist” Does Not Know the Meaning of the Testimony of Faith

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The Muslim scholars in general, and those of the early generations in particular, have always agreed that a person can only be a Muslim if he fulfils the condition of knowledge.

In this context, knowledge means that a Muslim must know the meaning of the testimony of faith. As previously explained, it is also essential to consciously accept and implement the understood content. Mere knowledge is therefore not sufficient, but it is a fundamental prerequisite. After all, acceptance and implementation of the testimony of faith would not even be conceivable without first understanding its meaning.

This is, in itself, a self-evident matter. For example, if a person who does not understand Arabic was to hear the phrase la ilaha illa-llah and simply repeat it without knowing its meaning, this would not make him a Muslim, according to consensus.

Therefore, it is entirely clear that knowledge of this meaning is also a condition of the testimony of faith. Regarding this, the Qur'an states the following:

The statement “while they know” is to be understood here as meaning that the individuals described in this verse bear witness to the truth with knowledge of its actual meaning.

Furthermore, the Arabic word “shahadah”, meaning “testimony”, implies that one knows exactly what they are testifying to. This is a prerequisite for the validity of a testimony; otherwise, it would be a lie. The shahadah of la ilaha illa-llah is therefore inconceivable without the necessary knowledge and understanding of its content.