The Meaning of the Shahada: An Explanation
"All praise is due to Allah. We thank him, seek His assistance, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our wicked deeds. None can guide whomever Allah allows to go astray and none can mislead whomever Allah guides. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped expect Allah, without partners, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His servant and Messenger."
Have you ever wondered why a single phrase “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa-llah, wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasullah” (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped, but Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and messenger.) is so powerful for over a billion Muslims? The Shahada, or the Islamic declaration of faith, is more than words, It's the foundation of the entire faith. Knowing what the Shahada means gives us insight into its importance in our lives as Muslims.
My personal journey from the inner city into the fold of Islam is one with so many twists and turns a series of blog posts would need to be dedicated to my story, god willing one day I'll be able to share my story. Saying the testimony of faith and living out the meaning of the statement are two separate topic to unpack. Let’s explore the meaning of the Shahada and its role in a muslim's life. The key pillar of a muslim's spirituality and identity. The Shahada reminds muslims of Allah's oneness and Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood.
Watch Why Do we Make the Shahada Sheikh Abdullah Oduro from the Yaqeen Institute reflects on his own journey to Islam, and the factors that helped him embrace Islam.
Key Takeaways
- The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith, central to a Muslim’s belief system.
- Understanding the Shahada meaning provides insights into its spiritual significance.
- The Shahada reinforces the core monotheistic beliefs of Islam.
- This declaration serves as a constant reminder of Allah's oneness.
- Embracing the Shahada is a transformative experience for Muslims.
2 Parts of the Statement? la ilaha illa-llah
la ilaha illa-llah (None has the right to be worshipped, but Allah) is more than just words; it's the foundation of a muslim's faith. It's the first pillar of Islam, showing the heart of Islamic (monotheistic) belief. It confirms there is only one God and Muhammad is His last prophet and messenger. This blessed statement has two interwoven parts a negation and a affirmation.
Negation:
- "La ilaha" means "There is no deity worthy of worship"- this negates all false gods and deities of all kinds of being worthy of worship.
- This part negates or rejects any form of idolatry, polytheism of having the right to be worship by mankind in any form whether ritualistic or other than that.
Affirmation:
- "Illa Allah" means "Except Allah"- this confirms that only Allah is worthy of worship.
- This part affirms the exclusive right of worship for Allah the Most High alone, with no partners.
Proof from the Quran:
Surah Al-Barqarah (2:256)
Allah says:
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right path has become distant from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut (false gods) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower."
Proof from the Sunnah:
It was narrated from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Islam is built on five (pillars): Singling out Allah (At-Tawheed), establishing the Salat, paying the Zakat, fasting (during the month of) Ramadan, and Hajj."
(Sahih Muslim, 19) - Authentic (Sahih)
The Shahada? Bearing Witness
The Shahada is more than just words; it's the foundation of a Muslim's faith. It's the First Pillar of Islam, showing the heart of Islamic belief. The one who testifies confirms there belief Allah (SWT) is the only deity worthy of worship and Muhammad (PBUH) is his messenger.
Watch The Shahada clip from Sheikh Mufti Menk as he explains what it means to bear witness to the Shahada.
The Statement: Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasullah
The Shahada is made of two key statements, now that we have discussed and (God willing) understand the first half of "Ash-hadu an ilaha illa-llah" (I bear witness that there's is no deity worthy of worship, but Allah) now let's breakdown the second have of the statement. wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasullah, and (Muhammad is his servant and messenger). These statements are key, showing a muslim's bond with not only Allah (SWT), but also with the one who was chosen to spread his final message. Studying the life and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is also essential to the religion of Islam, learning how to properly worship Allah (SWT) from learning about our Prophet (PBUH) and how he singled out Allah (SWT)for worship. By accepting Muhammad (PBUH), we acknowledge his final message. We promise to live by his example. This guides us in our moral and ethical choices giving muslim's correct guidance for our affairs from his example.
Importance in Islamic Faith
The importance of shahada in Islam is like the foundational pillar to a building. It's shown not only in speech, but also with the action of the limbs. We live this out five times a day in the daily prayers. Salat (prayer) is the Second Pillar of Islam, by reciting the shahada in prayer muslims verbally rededicate themselves to Islam's teachings. The Shahada's two parts together show the heart of Islam. They remind us to worship Allah (SWT) alone and follow Muhammad (PBUH). This gives us a clear path for our faith and actions. This powerful declaration of faith brings billions of muslims together on one commonality worldwide. It gives us a shared identity no matter the race ethnicity..
The Shahada: The First Pillar of Islam
The Shahada, or declaration of faith, is the first of the Five Pillars of Islam. It says, "Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadur rasulullah." This means "I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." It clearly states the core beliefs of Islam.
Introduction to the Five Pillars
The Five Pillars of Islam are the base of a Muslim's faith and actions. These pillars are:
- Shahada – The declaration of faith
- Salat – The five daily prayers
- Zakat – Almsgiving to the needy
- Sawm – Fasting during the month of Ramadan
- Hajj – The pilgrimage to Mecca
These pillars work together, forming a perfect structure of religious duties and moral guidance for Muslims worldwide.
The Core Beliefs of Islam
The Shahada meaning centers on Tawheed, the singling out Allah (SWT) for worship alone, and Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood. Saying the Shahada means aligning one's life with these core beliefs of Islam. This act starts a journey, connecting the person to one's inter-self and a community of believers. Knowing the Shahada's role in a Muslim's faith journey helps us see its importance. It connects with the other pillars, showing how Islam is a complete and unified faith.
Why the Shahada Is Central to Islamic Belief
The Shahada is key to Islam, stating Allah's oneness and Muhammad's prophethood. It's tied to Tawheed, which is essential to a Muslim's faith and loyalty. The Shahada and Tawheed are interwoven together uniting Muslims, strengthening our bond with Allah and each other.
The Shahada is more than a belief; it's a core part of being Muslim. Saying it at moments like marriage or a child's birth shows our faith. It shapes our legal and social lives, making it the building block of our community. It captures what it means to be a Muslim, for me it aligned what my body and mind wanted all at once. I remember a calmness that overtook me that day. It reminds us to worship Allah (SWT) alone without partners and believe in the life and message of Muhammad (PBUH). Saying it is like holding on to a rope as tight as you can, never letting go of the promise that guides our spiritual and social lives. Through the Shahada, we stay connected with our faith, finding strength and wisdom in its simplicity and depth.
| Aspect | Role of Shahada |
|---|---|
| Personal Faith | Guides one's belief in the singling out worship for Allah alone, and belief in Muhammad as His messenger. |
| Legal and Social Practices | Used in significant life events like marriage and children's birth; upholding community bonds |
| Theological Significance | Defines the relationship with Allah and the Ummah, strengthening religious duties |
Daily Life and Practice
Using the Shahada in our daily lives increase our faith (Emaan) and spiritual understanding. It strengthens our commitment to Islam's teachings, this statement by it self is more powerful then one can believe.
Watch The Shahada Card on YouTube below as Dr. Omar Suleiman at The Yaqeen Institute explains the meaning and importance of the shahada.
- During the Adhan (call to prayer), it calls us to worship.
- In the requirements of Salah (prayer), the Shahada reaffirms our belief.
- While performing Wudu (ablution), the Shahada purifies our body and soul.
- In morning and evening Dhikr (remembrance), it keeps our minds and hearts focused.
Spiritual Importance
The Shahada's spiritual meaning goes beyond just declaring faith. It acts as our spiritual anchor, ensuring our actions match our beliefs. It's a living affirmation that shapes our approach to life's challenges. Many Muslims have found comfort and strength in the Shahada. It gives us purpose and peace, especially in hard times. It reminds us of Allah's (SWT) presence and guides us to live by faith.
The Shahada's importance goes beyond rituals; it influences every part of our lives. It encourages us to live with purpose and ethics. As we go through our days, it grows us spiritually and committed to Islam. The Shahada's two parts together show the heart of Islam. They remind us to worship Allah (SWT)alone and follow Muhammad (PBUH). This gives us a clear path for our faith and actions.
| Part of Shahada | Translation | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| La ilaha illallah | There is no deity worthy of worship, but Allah | Affirms Tawheed, rejects polytheism |
| Muhammadur Rasulullah | Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah | Recognizes Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood, adherence to Sunnah |
The Shahada's two parts are the foundation of Islam. Knowing the Shahada and its meaning is crucial for Muslims. It's not just words; it's our declaration of faith that guides us.
How to Embrace Islam by Reciting the Shahada
This section (God willing) is here to help guide those who want to join the Islamic faith, or who have love ones that have embraced the religion and you want to have a better understanding of the religion. It's important to know the steps and what you committing to, and whats expected from you on this spiritual journey.
Conditions & Requirements for La ilaha illa-llah
To embrace Islam by reciting the Shahada, one must believe in its declaration. This means believing in one true God (Allah) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as His final servant and messager. New Muslims should understand the Shahada's meaning, conditions, and virtues. We suggest starting with reading "La ilaha ill Allah" by Sheikh Muhammad Raslan is a beautiful guide to understanding these seven conditions. We hope in the future to bring you a separate article based on the conditions of the statement of La ilaha illa Allah, but for now we will list them with a brief overview below
- Knowledge - Knowing the meaning of "La ilaha illa Allah"
- Certainty - Having complete certainty in the heart regarding the statement
- Sincerity - Performing acts of worship purely for Allah's sake
- Truthfulness - Speaking the Shahada truthfully without lying or hypocrisy
- Love - Loving the statement, it's meaning, and those who follow it
- Submission - Acting upon the statement of "La ilaha illa Allah"
- Acceptance - Accepting the message and rejecting all forms of disbelief
The Proper Way to Declare the Shahada in Islam
The Shahada is declared by saying: "Ashadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashadu anna Muhammadur Rasulullah." This means "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of
Watch How do I take the Shahada? As Shaykh Wasim Kempson as he answers some of the most common, relevant or important questions that new Muslims face.
Saying the Shahada correctly welcomes new Muslims into the faith. It shows they understand and accept Islam.
The Spiritual Transformation After Taking the Shahada
Converting to Islam with Shahada wipes away all previous sins (bad deeds) also a sense of belonging and peace. They join a world wide Muslim community, committing to a life of faith and integrity to the only deity worthy of worship. It marks the blessing of having a relationship with Allah (SWT).
Things That Nullify One's Shahada?
The ten actions that will that you out of the fold of Islam comes directly from the book Things That Nullify One's Islam by Sheikh Al-Islam Muhammad ibn Abdil Wahhaab, and all explanations are by the Noble Scholar Sheikh Al-Fawzaan. We intent on publishing a article soley on this topic in the future insha Allah (God willing).
- Committing Shirk in one's worship of Allah.
- Setting up intermediaries.
- Not declaring the polytheists to be disbelievers.
- Believing that the guidance other an Muhammad's (PBUH) is more complete than his.
- Hating something that the Messenger (PBUH) came with.
- Mocking anything from the religion.
- Magic.
- Trying to give the polytheists victory.
- Believing that some people are allowed to go against the Sharee'ah of Muhammad (PBUH).
- Turning away from the religion of Allah, not learning it and not acting on it.
Conclusion
The meaning of Shahada in Islam is more than a simple declaration. It is the heart of the Islamic faith. The Shahada proves Allah's oneness and Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood. It is the foundation of a Muslim's beliefs and actions.
By looking into its importance, we see how it shapes the Five Pillars of Islam. It also affects the daily lives and beliefs of Muslims everywhere.
Reciting the Shahada is the start of a deep spiritual journey. It shows commitment to the divine and the straight path of righteousness. It's crucial for both long-time followers and new converts to understand its meaning.
We urge our readers to think about the Shahada's role in Islam. It's about believing in Allah's (SWT) oneness and Muhammad's (PBUH) prophethood. This belief is at the core of Islamic spirituality.
Let's keep exploring the Shahada's significance with the understanding and applying the 7 Conditions of La ilaha illa Allah. How it influences our daily lives and spiritual growth. Our journey to the Shahada reminds us of its timeless and powerful impact of the guidance of Islam.