The Shahada or Testimony of Faith
The First Pillar of Islam
The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. Becoming a Muslim is a simple and easy process that requires no pre-requisites. One may convert alone in privacy, or he/she may do so in the presence of others. Resources such as the 877-WHY-ISLAM hotline can help address any questions on this process.
If anyone has a real desire to be a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion of God, then, all one needs to do is pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The “Shahada” is the first and most important of the five pillars of Islam. With the pronunciation of this testimony, with sincere belief and conviction, one enters the fold of Islam. (Read more: Five Pillars of Islam)
THE TESTIMONY OF FAITH
English Translation
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except the One God, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Servant and final Messenger of God.
Arabic Transliteration
Ash-hadu anla ilaha illal-Lahu Wahdahu la Sharika Lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.
The declaration of faith consists of two distinct parts, i.e., the absolute belief in the Unity of God and the belief in the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a mortal human being and the Messenger of God.
Islam’s fundamental belief is the Unity of God. All other beliefs hang on this belief. Therefore the acknowledgement and ‘bearing witness’ of this is the key to the Muslim faith. Unless this is observed one cannot be a Muslim. A Muslim accepts only One God, the only Master, Lord and Ruler with no partner sharing in any way His Being, Powers and Attributes. He is One; He is Unique; He is not the father of any one, nor He has or had any father. He is Almighty and Self-Sustaining. He is there forever, and will be there forever. (Click hereto learn more about God’s attributes.)
The belief in the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), as the servant and Messenger of God completes one’s faith. The Holy Prophet was the greatest of all the Prophets of God, yet he was only a human being with no share in Divinity. This is a very important belief that keeps Muslims from associating partners with God. This part of the Declaration of Faith reinforces the first part of God being the only Supreme Being with no partners and also establishes the absolute authority of the Holy Prophet as the Messenger of God, who must be obeyed as well in all the matters of faith.
The Holy Prophet is the last prophet who brought us the last Book (the Holy Quran) to be followed. He lived among his people for a long time and his life is documented in utmost detail. He led his followers by example. The way he lived his life and admonished his followers to live their lives is called Sunnah of the Holy Prophet.
The second part of the Declaration of Faith makes obeying and following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad equally important to the belief in absolute Unity of God. This declaration makes one to completely submit to the Will of God and that is why one who declares this belief is called a Muslim – meaning one who completely submits to the will of God. (Find out more about Prophet Muhammad!)
Upon entering the fold of Islam purely for the Pleasure of God, all of one’s previous sins are forgiven, and one starts a new life of piety and righteousness. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” When one accepts Islam, they in essence repent from the ways and beliefs of their previous life. One need not be overburdened by sins committed before their acceptance. The person’s record after becoming Muslim is clean, and it is as if he was just born from his mother’s womb. One should try as much as possible to keep his records clean and strive to do as many good deeds as possible. God has promised paradise for the people leaving this world with this testimony of faith.
The most fundamental teaching of Islam is to believe in the Oneness of God, in the sense of His being the only Creator, Preserver, Nourisher, etc. But this belief is not enough. Many of the idolaters knew and believed that only the Supreme God could do all this and yet they associated other gods with Him. Therefore, one must acknowledge the fact that it is God alone who deserves to be worshipped, and thus abstain from worshipping any other thing or being. Likewise, Muslims believe that God has no father or mother, no son or daughter. None is equal to Him. He is God of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race.
Worship of God alone and no one else
The Quran, the holy book of Islam, reminds us of the falsity of all alleged gods. To the worshippers of man-made objects, it asks: ‘How can you worship things you carve with your own hands, when it is God who has created you and all your handiwork?’ (37:95-96)
At another point, God says, “Say, ‘Why do you take protectors other than Him, who can neither benefit nor harm even themselves?’ Say, ‘Are the blind equal to those who can see? And are the depths of darkness equal to the light?’ Have the partners they assign to God created anything like His creation so that their creation is indistinguishable from His? Say,‘God is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the All Compelling.’” (13:16)
To the worshippers of heavenly bodies the Quran cites the story of Abraham: “When the night grew dark over him he saw a star and said, ‘This is my Lord,’ but when it set, he said, ‘I do not like things that set.’ And when he saw the moon rising he said, ‘This is my Lord,’ but when it too set, he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be one of those who go astray.’ Then he saw the sun rising and cried, ‘This is my Lord! This is greater.’ But when the sun set, he said, ‘My people, I disown all that you worship beside God. I have turned my face as a true believer towards Him who created the heavens and the earth. I am not one of the polytheists.’” (6:76-79)
Importance of Faith: Belief in God Unseen
Having achieved this knowledge of the One True God, one should constantly have faith in Him, and should allow nothing to induce them to deny the truth. When true faith enters a person’s heart, it impacts the person’s outlook and behavior. Prophet Muhammad, the final messenger of Islam, said, “Faith is that which resides firmly in the heart and which is proved by deeds.” (Read more: Faith: Belief in the Unseen)
One of the striking results of faith is the feeling of gratitude towards God, which could be said to be the essence of worship.
Believers love, and are grateful to, God for the bounties He bestowed upon them. They are aware of the fact that their good deeds can never be equivalent to Divine favors, and therefore they are always anxious to please God. They remembers God often. The Quran promotes this feeling of gratitude by repeating the attributes of God very frequently.
(Learn more about Gratitude in Islam here!)
“He is God: there is no god other than Him. It is He who knows what is hidden as well as what is in the open, He is the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. He is God: there is no god other than Him, the Controller, the Holy One, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Truly Great; God is far above anything they consider to be His partner. He is God: the Creator, the Originator, the Shaper. The best names belong to Him. Everything in the heavens and earth glorifies Him: He is the Almighty, the Wise.” (59:22-24)
Belief in Allah: There is no one worthy of worship except Allah (by 877-Why-Islam)
877-Why-Islam presents the introduction of the first article of faith in Islam. The declaration that ‘there is no one worthy of worship except One God (Allah)’ is the essence of Islam. It means that God has no partner: He exists by Himself. This is a fundamental doctrine encompassing the oneness of God in every sense of the expression. Nothing can rival Him as a source of power or love.He is not an abstract concept. He is always near us; He cares for us and we owe our existence to Him alone.
A Muslim believes in the following 6 articles of Faith:
1. Oneness of God
A Muslim believes in ONE GOD, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider. God has no father or mother, no son or daughter. None is equal to Him. He is God of all humankind, not of a special tribe or race.
God is High and Supreme but He is very near to the pious thoughtful believers; He answers their prayers and helps them. He loves the people who love Him and forgives their sins. He gives them peace, happiness, knowledge and success. God is the Loving and the Provider, the Generous, and the Benevolent, the Rich and the Independent, the Forgiving and the Clement, the Patient and the Appreciative, the Unique and the Protector, the Judge and the Peace. Many of these attributes of God are mentioned in the Quran.
God creates in humans the mind to understand, the soul and conscience to be good and righteous, the feelings and sentiments to be kind and humane. If we try to count His favors upon us, we cannot, because they are countless. In return for all the great favors and mercy, God does not need anything from us, because He is Needless and Independent. God asks us to know Him, to love Him and to enforce His law for our benefit and our own good.
2. Messengers and Prophets of God
A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination. All messengers were mortals, human beings, endowed with Divine revelations and appointed by God to teach mankind. The Holy Quran mentions the names of 25 messengers and prophets and states that there are others. These include Adam, the first Prophet, along with Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, the last of the Prophets (peace be upon them all). The key message brought by all Prophets was the same: to believe in One God and not to associate partners with Him, to stay away from sins and to lead a life devoted to earning God’s pleasure.
3. Revelations and the Quran
A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in their original versions. Muslims believe in the original scriptures that were given to previous messengers; for example David received the Psalms (Zabur), Moses the Torah (Taurat) and Jesus the Gospel (Injeel). However, the previous scriptures do not exist today in the original form in which they were revealed.
The Quran is the last testament in the series of divine revelations from God, and Muslims recite and turn to it for guidance in all aspects of their life. It comprises the unaltered and direct words of God, revealed through the Angel Gabriel, to the final Prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him (pbuh), some 1400 years ago. The Quran is unique because it is the only revealed book that exists today in the precise form and content in which it was originally revealed.
The Quran is unrivaled in its recording and preservation. The astonishing fact about this scripture is that it has remained completely unchanged over the past fourteen centuries, a fact that is attested to by both non-Muslim and Muslim scholars alike. There are no versions of the Quran and every copy in the world remains identical, word for word in its original language Arabic. Muslims to this day continue to emphasize the importance of memorizing the Quran word by word, as a whole or in part, recognizing that it is the Speech of God and not a book written by Muhammad (pbuh), as sometimes erroneously thought.
4. Angels
Angels are a creation of God. They are purely spiritual and splendid beings that require no food or drink or sleep. They have no physical desires or material needs. Like other creations of God, Angels spend their time worshiping God. In contrast to human beings, Angels do not have free Will – they can only obey God and do not have the ability to disobey Him. Each Angel is charged with a certain duty. Angels cannot be seen by the naked eyes.
5. Day of Judgment
A Muslim believes in the Day of the Judgment. This world as we know it will come to an end, and the dead will rise to stand for their final and fair trial. On that day, all men and women from Adam to the last person will be resurrected from the state of death. Everything we do, say, make, intend and think are accounted for and kept in accurate records. They are brought up on the Day of Judgment.
One who believes in life after death is not expected to disobey God. They will be ever-conscious that God is watching all their actions and the angels are recording them.
People with good records will be generously rewarded and warmly welcomed to Paradise. People with bad records will be fairly punished and cast into Hell. The real nature of Heaven and Hell are known to God only, but they are described by God in familiar terms in the Quran.
If some good deeds are seen not to get full appreciation and credit in this life, they will receive full compensation and be widely acknowledged on the Day of Judgment. If some people who commit sins, neglect God and indulge in immoral activities seem superficially successful and prosperous in this life, absolute justice will be done to them on the Day of Judgment. The time of the Day of Judgment is known by God alone.
6. Predestination
A Muslim believes in the ultimate Knowledge and Power of God to plan and execute His plans. God is Wise, Just, and Loving, and whatever He does must have a good motive, although we may fail sometimes to understand it fully. The believer should have strong faith in God, recognizing that their own knowledge is limited and their thinking is based on individual consideration. In contrast, the Knowledge of God is limitless and He plans on a universal basis. Humans should think, plan and make sound choices and then put their trust in God. If things happen as they want they should praise God. If things do not happen as they want they should still praise God, recognizing that He knows best what is good for the affairs of mankind.
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Since the beginning of human history, worship has played a central role in people’s lives. Devotion to a higher being continues to tie humanity together despite differences in customs and a variety of beliefs. We often associate worship with specific religious acts performed to a deity, distinguishing it from other facets of one’s life. However, the concept of worship in Islam is all-encompassing and incorporates ritual worship as well as common daily tasks. This pamphlet discusses the balance Islam encourages between our spiritual and worldly endeavors, while also explaining core rites Muslims perform to worship God.
In Islam, worship is the very purpose of our existence. God declares in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, “I did not create … mankind except to worship Me” (51:56). Muslims worship God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, out of love and submission. They believe that He is the One God (Allah in Arabic) who is completely unique and only He deserves to be worshipped.
Worshipping God is a comprehensive concept within Islam. Along with traditional rituals, such as praying and fasting, it also consists of any lawful action a person does with God-consciousness and in the hopes of earning reward from Almighty God. Therefore, devoting oneself to God in Islam does not require a person to enter a place of worship nor embrace monasticism. Rather, fulfilling this purpose of life is an active daily pursuit from the Islamic perspective. Hence, a Muslim can be engaged in worship throughout the day, be it at home, work or anywhere else.
Foundations of Worship
Certain criteria determine whether an act can be considered worship. For instance, Islam teaches that the merit of a person’s action depends on the intention. Muslims believe that God looks at people’s hearts, not just their physical deeds. For an action to be regarded as worship, it must be performed with the pure intention of pleasing God. Therefore, the concept of worship in Islam encourages people to connect with God in every action they take, strengthening their bond with their Creator. In doing so, a person gains a sense of true peace that comes with carrying out their purpose in life.
In addition to purifying one’s intention, a person’s deeds must also be consistent with divine guidance. While God has inspired an intuitive moral sense in every individual, people do not always act in a just and ethical manner. In fact, our ability to judge between right and wrong can often be muddled by external influences, outward appearances or ulterior motives. Hence, having a moral compass alone does not enable one to internalize righteousness or bring one closer to God. (Read more: Morality and Ethics in Islam)
In order to guide humans to His worship and to truly differentiate between good and evil, God sent prophets as teachers and role models. He also revealed holy scriptures which provide us with knowledge directly from God and serve as manuals for virtuous living. The combination of prophetic examples and divine scriptures reinforces our moral inclinations and equips us with the knowledge to discern between right and wrong. They also provide us with the criterion which enables us to assess our own motives and deeds. Above all, they teach us how to worship God and to lead a life that pleases Him.
Islam is the culmination of God’s message since the time of Adam. The God of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the other prophets, is the same God who sent Muhammadp as His final messenger to humankind and revealed the Quran, God’s last scripture, to him. The Quran, the only divine book to remain intact in its original text, upholds the pure teachings of previous revelations. It is a testament to the continuity of God’s message from the beginning of human history, guiding people to achieve their fundamental purpose in life.
The guidance of the Quran and the example of Prophet Muhammadp, whose teachings have been meticulously preserved, form the basis of worship in Islam. It must be noted here that while Muslims esteem all of the prophets sent by God, including Jesus and Muhammadp, they do not worship any of them. In fact, worshipping any one besides the One God is strictly prohibited in Islam. Rather, Muslims invoke God to send blessings upon all the messengers and prophets.
Rites of Worship
Indeed, every single aspect of a person’s life can fit under the umbrella of worship in Islam, so long as the person’s intention is to please God and the action is consistent with the Quran and prophetic example. At the same time, certain core rituals form the basis of a Muslim’s worship of God.
Quran
The Quran, which literally means the ‘oft-repeated,’ is, according to Muslim belief, the final revelation of God to humanity. It provides guidance in all areas of life. The recitation, study and memorization of Quran form a central facet of worship for Muslims. The Quran is also recited during every prayer. Although it is widely read in its original Arabic, various translations in numerous languages are also available. (Read more: Quran, the Word of God)
Prayer
Islam enjoins Muslims to offer five prayers throughout the day at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer enables Muslims to physically and mentally take a break from their worldly activities to connect with God several times a day. The prayers consist of praising God while standing, bowing and prostrating, maintaining the practice of Muhammad, Jesus, Moses and all the other prophets, peace be upon them all. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special congregational noon prayer, complete with a brief sermon. (Click here to learn more.)
Mosques
The house of worship in Islam is called a mosque. Many Muslims congregate at mosques for prayer while others choose to pray at home, work or wherever they may be. While the primary use of a mosque is prayer, it also serves as a community center with people gathering to listen to lectures, attend study groups or enjoy communal dinners. Mosques are especially active on Fridays for the congregational noon prayer and during Ramadan for the nightly prayers. (If you’d like to visit a mosque, let us know!)
Ramadan
Muslims fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, by refraining from eating, drinking and sexual interaction from dawn to sunset. Fasting instills self-restraint, provides spiritual cleansing and strengthens one’s willpower. While fasting, Muslims strive to increase charitable acts and control bad habits such as foul language, gossip and anger. (Learn more: Ramadan, the Month of Fasting)
Charity
Muslims must give 2.5% of their annual savings to help the poor, the needy and the oppressed. This act of devotion acknowledges that all wealth comes from God and purifies the soul from material greed. In addition, Islam encourages voluntary acts of charity, be they monetary or physical. A famous prophetic tradition states, ‘Smiling is charity.’ (Read more here.)
Hajj
The pilgrimage to Mecca must be performed by every Muslim once in their life if they are physically and financially able. It symbolizes the unity of humankind as Muslims from every race, nationality and social status assemble together in equality to worship God, following the traditions of Abraham. (See Hajj: The Journey of a Lifetime)
Holy Days
The two Eid festivals mark important holy days for Muslims. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the completion of Ramadan while Eid-al-Adha falls during the days of Hajj. Both occasions begin with a congregational prayer and a sermon; these are followed by festive meals, gift-giving and socializing.
Supplication
Muslims supplicate to and address God directly for their needs and desires anytime and anywhere. This direct relationship is an essential element of worship in Islam. Whether asking for guidance, seeking solace or beseeching God for forgiveness, Muslims reach out to God at any time, without an intermediary. The practice of confession to another being does not exist in Islam.
Worship: A Holistic View
Worshiping God adds meaning to our lives and constantly renews our purpose. In the good times, we are thankful for His blessings, and in challenging circumstances, we trust God will see us through. Therefore, worship strengthens our relationship with the Creator – instilling a sense of gratefulness for the countless favors we enjoy as His creation as well as enabling us to develop values such as patience, perseverance and resilience when faced with trials and tragedies. As a result, it helps us achieve humility, recognizing God as the Originator and Sustainer of the universe and surrendering to Him in worship.
Muslims consider their earthly existence as temporary and prepare for the real life ahead, the eternal life of the hereafter. As God clearly states in the Quran, He “created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed” (67:2). Salvation in Islam is connected with doing good deeds and refraining from bad ones. One who excels in goodness will be rewarded generously, but one whose evils outweigh his virtues will be punished. The fear of accountability and hope for God’s mercy in the afterlife inspires Muslims to be mindful of God in their daily lives, encouraging them to more fully worship Him.
Indeed, Islam enjoins Muslims to lead balanced lives in this world while striving for success in the hereafter by living righteously. Therefore, the concept of worship in Islam encompasses not only the outward religious duties, but also the development of a strong moral character, good relations with people, and striving for just and harmonious societies.
Worship in Islam is as broad as life itself. It could be removing an obstacle from the road, helping someone in need, being good to your family, doing an honest day’s work, sharing food with your neighbor, visiting a sick person, attending a funeral and so on. Of course, the above-mentioned criteria apply here as well: to be considered worship, the act must be done earnestly to please God and should be consistent with divine guidance.
Therefore, Islam blurs the line between ‘religious’ and ‘worldly,’ because practically any action can become spiritual in nature and is rewarded by God – whether it is seeking knowledge or maintaining good neighborly ties. When someone keeps this comprehensive approach in mind, they naturally steer clear of cheating, lying and exploiting others. Instead, they strive to be honest, compassionate and tolerant in their dealings.
When it comes to worship, Muslims draw inspiration from the life of Muhammadp, the final messenger of God. He was the quintessential human being who successfully fused his ‘worldly’ and ‘religious’ acts into a seamless whole. His entire being was focused on submission to God, whether he was with his family or in the mosque. Muslims endeavor to follow his example and stay mindful of God throughout their day.
In the end, worship in Islam extends to all aspects of life, transforming mundane tasks into spiritual ones. Muslims balance their religious duties and everyday responsibilities, aware of their accountability to God in the hereafter. When people fulfill their true purpose of worshiping God, it enables them to attain a profound sense of peace that results from submitting to the Creator, the only One worthy of worship.
“… Truly it is in the remembrance of God that hearts find peace.” (Quran, 13:28)
Note: The subscript p next to Prophet Muhammadp represents the invocation Muslims say with his name: May God’s peace and blessings be upon him.
