Assalaamu alaykum! A friend of mine always says that "La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah" means "there is no God but God and Mohammed is the messenger of God". I have told him many times that in the shahada is says "there is no God but Allah ..." and i have also shown him some fatwas of yours and sources from books but he still denies that and claims that Allah means simply God. How can we help him to correct his view? Jazakallahu khairaan katheeraan!

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Divine name "Allah" is the proper Name of Allah Almighty, and it is the most famous Name among the Names of Allah.

The testimony of faith "La ilaha illallaah" means that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah. Interpreting it to mean that there is no God to be worshipped but God, without affirming that this "God" is Allah, is undoubtedly a distorted and void interpretation. This contradicts the wording and meaning that there is "No God but Allah". One does not become a Muslim by saying ‘there is not God to be worshipped but God’ because this interpretation does not show who is the God beside Whom there is no other God.

Hence, we advise you first of all to fear Allah, and clarify to your friend that his saying is void and that what he says does not confirm or prove Divinity to be for Allah Alone.

Allah Says (what means): {"Worship not except Allah."} [Quran 41:14]; does this mean, according to him, except God and not except Allah?! Allah also Says (what means): {So know, [O Muhammad], that there is no god except Allah.} [Quran 47:19] According to him, does this mean ‘except God’.

If, after you clarify to him, he repents, then all the best, otherwise leave him and do not keep company with him (as a friend) as there is no good for you in having such a person as a friend. He may corrupt your religion by a misconception that you hear from him, and which you do not have the knowledge to refute and repel from your heart.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 81390, 86082, and 382192.

Allah knows best.