Is a declaration of 'I am a believer' or 'I am a Muslim' sufficient for establishing Islam without the explicit testimony (Shahada)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Apostate
Primary text
A declaration of 'I am a believer' or 'I am a Muslim' is sufficient to establish their Islam, even without uttering the two testimonies, because those terms are names for the known reality of the Shahada. Therefore, by reporting that status about themselves, they are reporting the testimonies. Evidence supports this through the account of Miqdad, where the Prophet commanded not to kill an opponent who declared Islam during combat, stating that the opponent would then be in the same standing as the fighter before the opponent spoke the testimony.
Supporting text
Another narration from Imran ibn Husayn indicates that a man from Bani Aquil who stated, 'O Muhammad, I am Muslim,' was told by the Prophet that he would have achieved complete success had he said it while he was in control of his own affairs. This latter case may pertain to an original disbeliever or one who denied Tawhid. Those who apostatized by denying a prophet, a book, an obligation, or similar matters are not made Muslim by this general declaration, as they might erroneously believe their current state aligns with Islam, similar to how people of innovation believe they are Muslims when they are disbelievers.