The Shahadah in Islam is a fundamental declaration of faith, affirming the belief in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). It is both verbal and heartfelt, representing a core principle of monotheism and rejecting polytheism. The Shahadah is recited by Muslims in various contexts, including during conversion to Islam, daily prayers, and before death, symbolizing submission to Allah's will and seeking a good end in the afterlife.

Upholding the conditions of Shahadah, such as knowledge, certainty, acceptance, submission, truthfulness, sincerity, and love, ensures a genuine belief in Islam and its teachings. Importantly, the Shahadah serves as the first pillar of Islam and is integral to prayer, as well as being a key to entering paradise and an essential component of the call to prayer.

Overall, the Shahadah holds immense significance in Islam, acting as a gateway to the faith and embodying the principles of monotheism, prophethood, and submission to Allah's commands. Its recitation underscores the foundational beliefs of Islam and serves as a constant reminder of the importance of faith, sincerity, and devotion in the life of a Muslim. Through understanding and upholding the Shahadah, individuals deepen their connection to Islam and strive to live their lives by its teachings, seeking spiritual fulfillment and the pleasure of Allah.

The profession of faith is the basis of Islam as it includes believing in Allah and his messenger. So what is shahadah, and its importance? All you need to know about it you’ll find in this blog.

What is Shahadah in Islam?

Shahadah is testifying of faith that Muslims admit that Allah is the only God of the universe and prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah.

Saying Shahadah means confessing verbally and by the heart the monotheism of Allah, and prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is his Messenger.

Shahadah represents the main principle of Islam which is based on the oneness of Allah, ending polytheism, and the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is the messenger of Islam.

Shahadah in Arabic

The statement of shahadah is:

أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدًا رسول الله 

“Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Allah.” 

The translation of Shahadah is: 

I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Your child can learn how to pronounce Shahadah in Arabic fluently and be proficient in this language through our Arabic course.

When is The Shahadah Said?

• The non-Muslim says the Shahadah when he/she needs to convert to Islam.
• Muslims say it every day while performing praying when they say tashahhud.
• While calling to prayer, muezzin says Shahadah daily.
• Before death, Muslims say Shahadah to get a good end for their life to enter paradise.

Conditions of Shahadah

Pronouncement of the Shahadah is achieved by seven conditions, which are:

1. Having Knowledge

When you pronounce Shahadah you should know the real meaning of it, and be aware of Allah is the only God for this universe.

{So, know ˹well, O  Prophet,˺ that there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Allah.} (Muhammed 47:19). 

2. Having Certainty

Muslims should believe in every word in Shahada. That means believing in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is true as a messenger of Allah.

In the Quran, Allah says:

{The ˹true˺ believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting} (Al-Hujurat 49:15)

3. Acceptance

Muslims should accept Shahadah with their tongue and their heart the monotheism of Allah without hesitation.

Muslims who accepted Shahadah is not like polytheist who doesn’t accept it although their belief in Allah:

{For whenever it was said to them ˹in the world˺, “There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Allah,” they acted arrogantly}

(Saffat 37:35).

4. Submission

Believing in Allah as the only god who is worth worship requires obeying his commands:

{Turn to your Lord ˹in repentance˺, and ˹fully˺ submit to Him}

(Az-Zumar 39:54).

5. Truthfulness

To not be like hypocrites, you should believe fully in Allah and his oneness inside and outside.

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:

"There is no one who bears witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truly from his heart, but Allah will protect him from the Fire.”

6. Sincerity

Believing in the oneness of Allah and obeying his commands should be only for the sake of Allah. Sincerity in worshipping Allah represents the real belief.

Allah says in the Quran:

{Indeed, sincere devotion is due ˹only˺ to Allah} (Az-Zumar 39:3).

7. Love 

To believe in Allah and his messenger truly means you love him, his sayings, and his actions.

{Still there are some who take others as Allah’s equal—they love them as they should love Allah—but the ˹true˺ believers love Allah even more} (Al-Baqarah 2:165).

Why is Shahadah Important?

There are many reasons why is Shahadah important in Islam:

1. The first pillar of Islam

Shahadah is the most crucial pillar of Islam as it comes as the first pillar, which means it’s the fundamental of belief.

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) mentioned the pillars of Islam, he said:

“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.”

2. The gate of converting to Islam

Saying Shahadah is the main condition for anyone who wants to be a Muslim. Without pronouncing it, he/she is still non-Muslim even if he/she believes in Allah.

3. Demonstrating monotheism

The first part of the statement of Shahadah represents the basis of Islamic law which is admitting the oneness of Allah. This part denies polytheism and confirms that Allah is the only God who deserves worship.

4. Belief in the messenger of Allah

The second part of Shahadah confirms that the prophet Muhammed is the messenger of Allah. That means that belief in Allah should be completed through belief in the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) as the final messenger of Allah.

5. An important part of prayer

The Muslim who performs prayers every day says Shahadah daily while reciting tashahhud. That means that Shahadah is a significant part of such great worship as prayer.

6. A key to entering paradise 

When Muslims feel that death is near, they say Shahadah to be their last words before death. They wish for a good end to their life and enter paradise.

Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:

“There is no one who bears witness that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truly from his heart, but Allah will protect him from the Fire.”

7. An Important part of Adhan 

Shahadah is not only a significant part of prayer but also Adhan (call to prayer) as the muezzin says five times a day.

Shahadah is an entrance to Islam, but learning Quran will help your children to deepen their knowledge about religion through Quran online classes.

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Conclusion

Shahadah is the word of Islam and the basis of Islamic law which confirms the monotheism and sincerity of prophecy. It has many conditions to achieve its meanings such as knowledge, truthfulness, submission, and love.

Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam, the most crucial part of prayer and adhan, the gate to converting to Islam, and the key to entering paradise.