What is the Shahada شهادة and what does it mean?
The Shahada in Arabic is “لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله” translation- “[I bear witness that] there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” is the Arabic term for the declaration of faith in one God (Allah) and His messenger. It’s called Kalema Taiyyebah كلمة طيبة also.
It is the most sacred statement in Islam, and must be recited with full understanding and mindfulness of it’s meaning.
How 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 as Prophet Mohammd (SM) stated:
بُنِيَ الإِسْلاَمُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ : شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إلهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَإقَامِ الصَّلاَةِ وَإيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَحَجِّ البَيْتِ وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) . 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
The second part of the Shahada requires Muslims to acknowledge and testify to the belief in the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as Allah’s messenger. This serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but also as a reminder to never associate partners with Allah, for He is just a messenger, and Allah remains one God alone.
Five facts about the Shahada
1: One of the 5 pillars
The Shahadah is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a sacred testament given for Muslims to uphold throughout their lifetime and embody in all of their actions and intentions.
2: Recitation in the Athan
The Shahadah is recited in the Athan (call to prayer).
3: Recitation during Salah
Muslims recite the Shahadah once or twice in their Salah, which they are obliged to do during five different times of the day.
4: Acceptance of Islam
When someone wishes to convert to Islam as their religion, reciting the Shahadah marks their entrance into Islam and their life as a Muslim.
5: Recitation to newborns
The Shahadah is spoken as the first words a Muslim baby hears upon entering the world as part of the adhan, and Muslims strive for the Shahadah to be their last words upon their death.