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Shahada: the Islamic declaration of faith, its meaning and conditions
The Shahada is the first pillar of Islam: by saying it sincerely, a person becomes Muslim.
The Shahada in Arabic, transliteration and English
“I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, 8 — Sahih Muslim, 16The meaning of the Shahada
“La ilaha illa Allah” consists of a negation and an affirmation: nothing deserves to be worshipped (la ilaha) except Allah (illa Allah). It is the heart of monotheism, the message of all the prophets (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:25).
“Muhammadun rasulu Allah” commits one to believing what the Prophet ﷺ conveyed, obeying his commands, avoiding what he forbade and worshipping Allah as he taught. Muhammad ﷺ is the last of the prophets (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:40); see the story of the prophets.
The seven conditions of the Shahada
- Knowledge (‘ilm) of its meaning.
- Certainty (yaqin), without any doubt.
- Acceptance (qabul) of what it implies.
- Submission (inqiyad) to its requirements.
- Truthfulness (sidq), the heart confirming the tongue.
- Sincerity (ikhlas), for Allah alone.
- Love (mahabba) of this statement and of what it signifies.
These seven conditions were compiled by scholars from the verses of the Quran and the hadiths.
The virtues of the Shahada
| Virtue | Source |
|---|---|
| Islam is built on five pillars, the first of which is the Shahada | Sahih al-Bukhari, 8; Sahih Muslim, 16 |
| Whoever dies knowing that there is no deity but Allah will enter Paradise | Sahih Muslim, 26 |
| Whoever’s last words are “La ilaha illa Allah” will enter Paradise | Abu Dawud, 3116 |
The other pillars are prayer (see how to pray), Zakat, fasting in Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca.
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You may be wondering…
What does the Shahada mean?
The Shahada means “testimony”. It affirms two things: there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His messenger. The first part is monotheism (tawhid); the second commits one to following the teaching of the Prophet ﷺ.
How do you become a Muslim?
One becomes a Muslim by saying the Shahada sincerely, understanding its meaning and believing in it. No ceremony or witness is required, although it is customary to say it in front of other Muslims, for example at the mosque. It is recommended to take a full bath (ghusl) afterwards (Abu Dawud, 355).
Must the Shahada be said in Arabic?
It is preferable to say it in Arabic, as it was transmitted. Someone who cannot yet say it in Arabic may say it in their own language until they learn it; what matters is sincerity and understanding its meaning.
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