Shahada

This article is part of a series on:
Islam
Beliefs and Practices Oneness of God Prophets Angels Profession of faith Prayer Fasting Alms Pilgrimage
Texts and laws Qur'an Sunnah Hadith Fiqh Sharia Kalam
History and leaders Muhammad Abu Bakr Ali Umar Ahl al-Bayt Sahabah Rashidun Imamate Caliphate Spread of Islam
Denominations Sunni Shia Sufism Muwahhidism Ibadi Ahmadiyya Nondenominational Quranism Nation of Islam Five-Percent Nation Mahdavia
Culture and society Academics Architecture Art Calendar Festivals Mosques Philosophy Science Women
Related topics Criticism Islamism Islamophobia

The shahadah (Arabic: شهادة  audio (info • help)) is the Islamic creed. It means "to testify" or "to bear witness" in Arabic. The shahadah is the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and in Muhammad as his final prophet. Recitation of the shahadah is one of the Five Pillars of Islam for Muslims and is said daily.

Rendering

• Arabic text:

• أشهد أن] لا إله إلاَّ الله و [أشهد أن ] محمد رسول الله ]

• English rendering:

• [ I testify that ] there is no god (allah), but God, and [ I testify that ] Muhammad is the messenger of God.

Another rendering current amongst some English-speaking Muslims, but without a historical tradition, is:

• [ I testify that ] there is none worthy of worship except God, and [I testify that] Muhammad is the messenger of God.

This version constitutes an interpretation rather than translation, as the words "worthy of worship" are not present in the Arabic.

A single honest recitation of the shahādah in Arabic is all that is required for a person to become a Muslim according to most traditional schools.

Other websites

• LivingHalal.com Islamic audio glossary
• AbdurRahman.org
• Audio
  • Basic Form
  • Longer Form