Whoever Says “La ilaha illa Allah” Will Enter Paradise

Question

It is stated in the hadith: [ar]مَنْ قَالَ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ[/ar] “Whoever says ‘La ilaha illa Allah’ has entered Paradise.” A certain claimant asserts that if any unbeliever were to read these words, he would eventually be admitted to Paradise, after being punished for his unbelieving deeds. He claims that the word “man” (“whoever”) in the hadith is general (‘amm), making the unbeliever and the Muslim equal within it. The question is: is faith (iman)

Answer

The promise of Paradise attached to these words holds true when they are accompanied by heartfelt affirmation (tasdiq qalbi) — and that is precisely what is called faith (iman). After that, the person no longer remains an unbeliever; and an unbeliever does not enter Paradise.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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