Shahadah - The Expression of faith
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| Shahada |
A Muslim expresses his/her
faith (Iman) in the following words: Ash-hadu anla ilaha illal-Lahu
Wahdahu la Sharika Lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu
The English translation of the Shahadah is as follows: I bear witness
that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any
partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His
Messenger. The declaration of faith consists of two distinct parts,
i.e., the absolute belief in the Unity of Allah (God) and the belief in
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a mortal human being and the Messenger of
Allah. 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 Allah as the only God, and
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. A
Muslim believes in Allah as the Ruler and must not disobey Him. In fact
everything that exists in the universe obeys Him. He is the Fashioner of
all the Universes that may exist. The belief in the Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) as the servant and Messenger of Allah completes one’s
faith. The Holy Prophet was the greatest of all the Prophets of Allah,
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
Allah. This part of the Declaration of Faith where reinforces the first
part of Allah being the only Supreme Being with no partners also
establishes the absolute authority of the Holy Prophet as the Messenger
of Allah, 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 lead 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
Allah. This declaration make one to completely submit to the Will of
Allah and that is why one who declares this belief is called a Muslim -
one who completely submits to the will of Allah.
