Shahada Declaration of Faith
What is Shahada Declaration of Faith?
Shahada:
The Islamic Shahada (شہادة), or the declaration of faith, is the central statement of belief in Islam. In English, it is translated as:
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Arabic Version with Transliteration:
- Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللهِ
- Transliteration: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah.
Meaning:
- “There is no god but Allah”:
- This affirms the belief in the oneness of Allah (Tawheed) as the sole Creator, Sustainer, and the only deity worthy of worship.
- “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”:
- This acknowledges Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger sent by Allah to guide humanity.
The Shahada is the first pillar of Islam and the fundamental statement of a Muslim’s faith. It is recited as part of daily prayers and is the declaration made by those entering Islam
Quran & Hadith References
- Qur’anic References:
- The Oneness of Allah (Tawheed):
- Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4):
Arabic: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Translation: “Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who is] One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'”
- Surah Muhammad (47:19):
Arabic: فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Translation: “So know [O Muhammad] that there is no deity except Allah.”
- Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ:
- Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40):
Arabic: مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ
Translation: “Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and Seal of the Prophets.”
- Surah Al-Fath (48:29):
Arabic: مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ
Translation: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
- Hadith References:
- The Shahada as the Key to Faith:
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Hadith 7372:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever says, ‘There is no god but Allah’ and dies believing in that will enter Paradise.”
- Shahada as the First Pillar of Islam:
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Belief, Hadith 8:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Islam is based on five (pillars): Testifying that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; giving Zakah; fasting in Ramadan; and performing Hajj.”
- Entering Islam through Shahada:
- Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book of Faith, Hadith 5007:
The Prophet ﷺ said to Mu’adh ibn Jabal when sending him to Yemen:
“You are going to a people of the Book. First, invite them to testify that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they obey you in that, then teach them about Salah…”
These references affirm the centrality of the Shahada in Islamic belief and practice. It encapsulates the essence of monotheism and acknowledgment of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as Allah’s messenger.
