Shahada - A profession of faith

What is the Shahada?

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

What does the Shahada mean?

Transliteration: “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allah, Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu-Allah.”
Translation: “I bear witness that there is no God but God (Allah – i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
It is the most sacred statement in Islam, and must be recited with full understanding and mindfulness of it’s meaning.

Why is the shahada important?

The belief in one Allah is the central tenet of the Islamic faith, around which all else revolves. Muslims are continuously reminded of this foundational belief, in the recital of the Shahada (shahadah)during each of the five daily prayers, as well as many more pivotal moments of a Muslim’s life.