How Can We Testify That There Is No God but Allah and That Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah Without Having Seen Either of Them?

In Both Language and Islamic Terminology, Testimony Is Not Limited to What Is Seen with the Eyes

In both the Arabic language and Islamic terminology, testimony is not limited to what is seen with one's own eyes. Rather, it means informing others about something that a person knows with certainty. The Oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ are established through decisive rational and textual proofs. Therefore, it is correct for us to testify to both, even though we have not seen Allah or the Prophet ﷺ with our own eyes.

Does Testimony Mean Only Seeing Something with One's Eyes?

The answer is: No.

In its original linguistic meaning, testimony is informing others about something that one knows with certainty. It is not restricted to what a person has physically witnessed.

Allah says:

"We testify only to what we know."
(Qur'an 12:81)

This verse shows that testimony is connected to knowledge, not merely to physical sight.

Therefore, a person may testify regarding something that he knows with certainty, even if he has not personally seen it.

How Does a Person Acquire Knowledge?

The scholars explained that knowledge is acquired through several means, including:

1. Rational Evidence

Such as recognizing the existence and Oneness of the Creator by reflecting upon the universe and Allah's signs.

2. Sensory Evidence

Knowledge obtained through seeing, hearing, or any of the human senses.

3. Truthful Testimony

Knowledge established through the reports of the Prophets and Messengers and through authentic, mass-transmitted reports.

Why Do We Testify to the Oneness of Allah?

We testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah because decisive evidence proves His absolute Oneness, including:

• The creation of the heavens and the earth.
• The perfect order and harmony of the universe.
• The countless signs of divine power and wisdom throughout creation.
• The proofs and signs revealed in divine revelation.

These constitute certain knowledge that obligates us to testify to Allah's Oneness.

Why Do We Testify That Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah?

We testify that Muhammad ﷺ is Allah's Messenger because overwhelming evidence establishes the truthfulness of his mission, including:

• His honesty and trustworthiness.
• The miracle of the Noble Qur'an.
• The fulfillment of his prophecies concerning the unseen.
• The preservation and worldwide spread of his message.
• The authentic, mass-transmitted reports concerning his life and teachings.

Just as we believe in historical events that we have never witnessed because they are established through reliable, mass-transmitted reports, we believe in the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ because of the decisive evidence proving his truthfulness.

The Meaning of Testimony in the Shahada

When a Muslim says:

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,"

he does not mean that he has physically seen Allah or the Prophet ﷺ.

Rather, he means that he possesses certain knowledge of these truths, affirms them, acknowledges them, and believes in them wholeheartedly.

For this reason, the Shahada is founded upon knowledge and certainty, not merely upon physical observation.

Conclusion

• Testimony is not limited to what one sees with the eyes.
• It means informing others about something one knows with certainty.
• Knowledge is acquired through reason, the senses, and truthful reports.
• We testify to Allah's Oneness because of the decisive proofs establishing it.
• We testify that Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah because of the decisive evidence of his truthfulness, his miracles, and the revelation he brought.
• Therefore, it is entirely correct to say: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," even though we have not seen Allah or the Prophet ﷺ with our own eyes.

And Allah knows best.