Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying that Moses asked his Lord to teach him something with which to make mention of Him or to supplicate Him, and was told to say, “There is no god but God.” He replied to his Lord that all His servants said this, but he wanted something particularly for himself, and He said, “Moses, were the seven heavens and their inhabitants apart from me and the seven earths put in one side of a balance and ‘There is no god but God’ in the other, ‘There is no god but God’ would outweigh them.” It is transmitted in Shar as-sunna.
The Excellence of La ilaha illa Allah
This narration from Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) demonstrates the supreme virtue of the declaration of Divine Unity. When Moses sought a unique form of remembrance, Allah revealed that the kalimah of Tawhid outweighs all creation in spiritual value.
Scholarly Commentary
The scholars explain that this hadith illustrates the immense weight of sincere testimony of faith in the Divine scales. The seven heavens and seven earths represent the entirety of creation, yet the pure declaration of Allah's Oneness surpasses them all in merit.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali comments that this demonstrates how a single moment of genuine faith outweighs all worldly existence. The comparison isn't physical but spiritual - showing how the heart's connection to Allah through Tawhid transcends all material creation.
Al-Munawi explains in Fayd al-Qadir that this narration emphasizes that the value of deeds lies in their essence, not their quantity. A single utterance of La ilaha illa Allah, when said with understanding and sincerity, carries more weight than the entire universe.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages believers to frequently recite the kalimah with presence of heart and understanding of its meaning. It reminds us that the simplest expressions of faith, when uttered sincerely, hold the greatest value in Allah's sight.
The narration also teaches humility - even Prophet Moses, who spoke directly with Allah, was directed to this fundamental declaration, showing that spiritual excellence lies in perfecting the basics rather than seeking complex devotions.