The Shahada

What is the Shahada?
The Shahada (shahadah) is the Arabic term for the declaration of faith in one God (Allah) and His messenger.

Among the 5 pillars of Islam, “The Shahadah” or “The Profession of Faith” is the FIRST and most important pillar
of Islam. It’s the first step into Islam to declare that there is no God but Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (PBUH) is
the last prophet & messenger sent by Allah Almighty.

 

Why is “Shahadah” The Most Important Pillar of Islam?
For Muslims, the Shahada is the most important pillar of Islam because understanding and accepting it means that
one understands and accepts the essence of the entire faith. Actually, true belief in the content of the Shahada is
the foremost distinguishing characteristic that defines a Muslim as a Muslim.

 

All it needs to convert to Islam is a single sincere public recitation of the Shahadah in its original Arabic.

Arabic Transliteration: “Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah.”
English Translation: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
SOURCE: https://www.islamic-relief.org.uk/islamic-resources/5-pillars-of-islam/shahada/

 

What Does The Quran Say About Shahada?
For those who learn the Quran, you might notice that the complete Shahadah wasn’t clearly mentioned
in the Quran. Rather, each part of the Shahada was individually affirmed in certain verses of the Quran.

 

Here are some verses from the Quran where the Shahadah or its meaning was mentioned…
Quran 3:18* (see Chapter 1A), 12:1, 18:110, 63:1
SOURCE: https://quranayat.com/the-shahadah-the-first-pillar-of-islam/

 

Sunan Ibn Majah (2521), Vol. 3, Book of Manumission (of Slaves), Hadith 2521
...Then the Prophet stood up and addressed the people. He praised and glorified Allah, then he said: 'What is the
matter with some people who stipulated conditions that are NOT in the Book of Allah? Every conditions that is
NOT in the Book of Allah is invalid, even if there are one hundred conditions. The Book of Allah is more deserving
of being followed and the conditions of Allah are more binding... Classification: Sahih (Authentic)
SOURCE: https://muflihun.com/ibnmajah/19/2521

Sahih Muslim (403a).Vol 1, Book of Prayers, Hadith 798
Ibn 'Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah used to teach us tashahbud just as he used to teach us a Sura of the
Qur'an, and he would say: All services rendered by., words, acts of worship. and all good things are due to Allah.
Peace be upon you, O Prophet. and Allah's mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us and upon Allah's upright
servants. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. ...
Classification: Sahih (Authentic), SOURCE: https://muflihun.com/muslim/4/798
see also Sahih Muslim 699a, Sahih Muslim 1676a

Sunan an-Nasa'i, Vol. 1, Book of The Adhan (The Call to Prayer), Hadith 632
It was narrated that Abu Mahdhura said: "The Messenger of Allah taught me the Adhan and said: 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah; Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulallah, Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulallah (Allah is the Greatest,Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest;
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except
Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger Allah,I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger Allah)'.
Then he repeated it and said: 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah; Ashhadu anna Muhammadan
Rasulallah, Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulallah; Hayya 'alas-salah, Hayya 'ala-salah; Hayya 'alal-falah Hayya 'alal-falah;
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar; La ilaha ill-Allah (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, I bear witness
that there is none worthy of worship except Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Come to prayer, come to prayer; come to prosperity, come to prosperity;
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; there is none worthy of worship except Allah).'"
Classification: Sahih (Authentic), SOURCE: https://muflihun.com/nasai/7/632

Sunan Abi Dawood (4750), Vol. 5, Book of Model Behavior of the Prophet, Hadith 4732
Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported the Messenger of Allah as saying: When a Muslim is questioned in
the grave he testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle.
Classification: Sahih (Authentic), SOURCE: https://muflihun.com/abudawood/42/4732

Riyad as-Saliheen (412), Book of Miscellany, Hadith 412
Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah said, "He who bears witness that
there is no true god except Allah, alone having no partner with Him, that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger,
that 'Isa (Jesus) is His slave and Messenger and he (Jesus) is His Word which He communicated to Maryam (Mary) and
His spirit which He sent to her, that Jannah is true and Hell is true; Allah will make him enter Jannah accepting
whatever deeds he accomplished". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Another narration in Muslim is: the Messenger of Allah said, "Whosoever testifies that there is no true god except
Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Allah (Subhanahu-wa-Taala) saves him from the Fire (of Hell)". Classification: Sahih (Authentic), SOURCE: https://muflihun.com/riyadussaliheen/1/412