Is the Kalimah of Testimony Required to Be a Muslim

Question

(a) Reciting the kalimah is necessary in order to be a Muslim. But is the shahadah alone sufficient, or are the six kalimahs required? And what is the position of reciting the six kalimahs? (b) In our time Muslims are Muslims by birth; there are many such Muslims who have never recited the kalimah, yet are not remiss in the remaining pillars. Will not having recited the kalimah affect the rest of their deeds?

Answer

(a) Iman itself is attained and established by the affirmation and avowal of the kalimah of testimony. Its degrees, however, are many, and one degree is attained through the six kalimahs; not to recite them and not to learn them is a great deprivation. (b)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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