Among the open and fertile grounds of Islamic faith, one is the position of universal acceptance into the religion, a concise but infinitely profound declaration of what a Muslim is. It is the Shahada (otherwise spelled Shahadah). Sometimes called the first pillar of Islam, the Shahada is more than a declaration to be made; it is the core creed that formulates what Islamic monotheism is.
This complete guide covers all aspects of Shahada. We shall examine the Shahada in Arabic and in English, give its exact transliteration, dissect its inner meaning, and elucidate why Shahadah transcends words. Whether you are a knowledge seeker, a new Muslim, or are merely interested in learning about Islamic beliefs, this piece will present an explicit, detailed, and respectful insight into this fundamental premise.
What is the Shahada in Islam?
The Shahada is the Islamic creed of faith. It is a brief, two-part witness affirming the complete Oneness of God (Allah) and the belief in Muhammad as His last Messenger. The term “Shahada” itself comes from the Arabic root “sh-h-d,” which signifies “to bear witness” or “to attest.” Thus, by saying the Shahada, one testifies to the basic truths of Islam.
For every convert to Islam, one only needs to recite the Shahada in honesty and in knowledge. That makes them a legal member of the Muslim religion. Its value is not a commodity of short time, though; it is something that should reside in the heart and be reaffirmed in one’s Muslim lifetime.
The Full Shahada in Arabic, Transliteration, and English Translation
In order to fully enjoy the Shahada, the same has to be read in its original language, which happens to be Arabic, since it maintains its precise meaning as well as religious effect. The entire breakdown is as follows.
The Shahada in Arabic Text
The full Shahada in Arabic text is:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Below is the entire and authentic Shahada text that has been given.
Shahada Transliteration: How to Get it Right
For the non-Arabic alphabet speaker, a proper Shahada transliteration needs to be done in order to have the pronunciation right. The transliteration is:
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.
The complete Shahada transliteration gives a pronunciation guide. Let’s break up the pronunciation:
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Ashhadu: Ash-ha-doo
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an: an (the “an” in “and”)
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la ilaha illa Allah: laa ee-laa-ha il-lal-lah
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wa ashhadu: wa ash-ha-doo
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anna: an-na
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Muhammadan: Mu-ham-ma-dan
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rasulu Allah: ra-soo-lool-lah
Shahada in English Translation
The English translation of the Shahada as stated is:
“I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The Shahada in English does capture the essence of the meaning, though the nuance of the Arabic phrases is undoubtedly worth diving into in even more depth.
A Deeper Dive into the Meaning of the Shahada
The force of the Shahada lies in the words selected deliberately. Awareness of these words is key to understanding what Islamic belief is.
The First Part: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah”
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Ashhadu (أَشْهَدُ): “I bear witness.” It’s an intentional, active statement of knowledge and faith. It’s not passive belief but an active testimony.
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La ilaha (لَا إِلَٰهَ): “There is no god.” The most important word here is “Ilah” (إِلَٰهَ). What does “Ilah” in Islam mean? It is a god, a deity, or anything one is worshiping. Anything might become an idol, another man, wealth, power, or lust—anything that occupies the center stage of love and adoration in one’s life.
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illa Allah (إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ): “Except Allah.” “Allah” is the only, personal name for the One True God in Arabic, employed by Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians alike. It means the eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing Creator who is separate from His creation.
Thus, “La ilaha illa Allah“ is a complete denial of all others as gods and an unambiguous declaration of the verity that only Allah alone is to be worshiped in all aspects. It asserts Tawhid, the Unity of God, which is the negotiable essence of Islamic doctrine.
The Second Part: “Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah”
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Wa ashhadu (وَأَشْهَدُ): “And I bear witness.” It is a duplication of the act of conscious witness.
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Anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah (أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ): “That Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
This unit guarantees that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the selected prophet God sent to man to lead humanity. To believe in him involves believing in the message he brought (the Quran), obeying his instructions (the Sunnah), and believing in him as the last but one in a very long chain of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Why is Shahadah Important? The Bedrock of Islam
An answer to the question, “Why is Shahadah significant?” may be provided at a few levels—those spiritual, practical, and theological. So essential is Shahadah that it’s frequently regarded as Islam’s most important pillar. The reasons given below are the primary ones:
1. The Gateway to Islam
The Shahada is the portal to the faith. There is no other religious service that Allah will accept without a heart-felt recitation and acceptance of the Shahada. It is the key and lock that opens the door to Islam.
2. The Nature of Tawhid (Monotheism)
The unifying message of all the prophets was Tawhid. The Shahada is the culmination of this pristine monotheism. It frees man from the worship of any thing instead of the Creator and focuses all reverence solely on the Creator.
3. The Foundation of All Other Pillars
The other four pillars of great Islam—Salah (prayer), Zakat (giving alms), Sawm (fasting throughout Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage)—are all founded upon the Pillar of the Shahada. Why is Salah significant? Because it is a physical representation of the Shahada, repeated five times daily in order to have continuous reminders of submission to Allah. Without the Shahada, these practices become empty rituals.
4. A Constant Spiritual Reminder
Recitation of the Shahada is not a rare action. It is recited into the ear of the newborn babe at birth, recited during the five daily calls to prayer (Adhan), recited during the five daily prayers themselves, and is frequently the last thing that a Muslim will struggle to speak on the night of death. It is a steadfast companion that constantly redirects the heart and mind of the believer to Allah.
5. The Ummah Unifying Creed
Shahada is a common symbol which brings together more than 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide irrespective of their nationality, ethnicity, or social class. It establishes a common identity and shared destiny upon a common belief.
The Shahada Symbol and Shahada Meaning
Though Islam generally does not approve of material symbols that can cause idolatry, the Shahada symbol is most suitably depicted by its lovely Arabic calligraphy. The Shahada’s text is elegantly written and is placed in mosques, houses, and religious materials. It is also employed on Saudi Arabia’s and the Taliban’s flags to indicate the state’s basis on Islamic law.
These calligraphic renderings are a visual reminder of the creed and prized for their spiritual and aesthetic beauty, not objects of veneration in themselves.
How to Perform the Shahada (Conversion)
The procedure on how to perform Shahada is merely graceful and not needing formal ceremony, although one is typically done for family encouragement and celebration. They are:
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Sincere Intention (Niyyah): The intention should be purely for the sake of Allah, for His pleasure only.
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Knowledge and Belief: The person must at least know what the Shahada is and believe it with his heart.
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Recitation: The person merely recites the Shahada in Arabic in belief: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.”
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Witnesses: Although it can be read alone to God as a witness, one is invited to read it to Muslim witnesses who are able to sign for the conversion and offer assurance.
What is the impact of reciting Shahada? By its honest utterance in belief, all past sins committed by the individual are forgiven, and they start their life as a Muslim with a clean slate. They become members of the international Muslim community.
The 5 Key Importance of Kalimatu Shahada
The “Kalimah“ is “word.” The “Kalimatu Shahada” is also called the Declaration of Faith. Its spirit can be summed up in five broad points:
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Declaration of Monotheism: It firmly plants the Oneness of God in the heart and life of the believer.
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Criterion for Acceptance of Deeds: It is the prerequisite on which all good deeds will be accepted by Allah.
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Promise of Paradise: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that anybody who passes away reciting the Shahada is bound for Paradise.
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Protection of Life and Property: Under Islamic law, it is the Shahada that renders a Muslim’s life and property sacrosanct to other Muslims.
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Source of Emancipation: It frees the human mind from superstition and the soul from servitude to anything but the Divine.
Conclusion: The Living Testimony
Shahada is far more than a word of initiation or history. It is living, pulsating witness that structures the general worldview of a Muslim. From Shahada in English transliteration to its richly nuanced meaning in Arabic, it is a whole world view of submission, fate, and surrender to the Divine.
It answers the questions that lie beneath the surface of existence: Who is our Master? Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? The Shahada gives the brief but clear answer: We are here to worship Allah alone and to obey the teachings of His last Messenger. It is the common thread that runs through all the stages in a Muslim’s life, so it is, indisputably, Islam’s most significant pillar and the very core of Islam.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the complete meaning of shahada?
The complete meaning of the Shahada is the affirmation: “I affirm that there is no god but Allah, and I affirm that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” It is a categorical affirmation of Islamic monotheism and Messengership of Muhammad.
How do you say the Shahada correctly?
You recite Shahada properly by pronouncing in Arabic: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.” It must be read sincerely and believingly in its words.
What is the difference between Shahada and Kalima?
There isn’t any practical difference. “Kalima” is “word,” and “Kalimatu Shahada” is “the word of testimony.” They are two names for one statement of Islamic faith.
What do Muslims say during Shahada?
Muslims recite the two-part statement: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulu Allah.” They recite it during conversion, during call to prayer, and as part of daily prayers.
What are the benefits of Shahada?
The rewards are immense, including the remission of all sins committed in the past, the start of a new life as a Muslim, acceptance of all good actions done in the future, guarantee to enter Paradise, and being part of the worldwide Muslim fraternity.
Why is Shahadah the most important pillar?
The Shahadah is the most significant pillar because it establishes the foundation for all other pillars and acts of worship. Without sincere belief in the Shahada, no other act is acceptable to God in Islam.
What does “submission” signify in Islam?
“Islam” in Islam is the translation of the Arabic term “Islam” itself. It signifies voluntarily and peacefully surrendering one’s will to the commands of Allah. It is not a coercive but a willing, loving surrender to the best-knowing Creator for His creation.
May I copy-paste the Shahada?
Yes, the Shahada in Arabic to copy-paste is:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
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