Shahadah

• Shahadah


  The first of the five pillars of Sunni Islam
• There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger
• Shahadah for Shi'a Muslims


  A belief rather than practice, so it is not an 'obligatory act'
• There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger and Ali is the friend of God
• Shahadah


  A simple yet profound statement expressing a Muslim's complete acceptance of and commitment to Islam
• Shahadah


  • Reminds Muslims of the oneness of God - Tawhid - viewed as a fundamentally important Islamic belief
  • Reminds Muslims of the importance of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an (including following teachings)
• Shahada


  The declaration of faith - in order to be a Muslim and practice the other pillars, this pillar has to come first. It sums up the Islamic faith.
• Shahada


  • It is the first of the five pillars - first words you hear as a Muslim. This suggests it comes before/underpins other pillars. It lays the foundation.
  • It is spoken throughout the day (e.g. call to prayer) and throughout your life (e.g. at birth and just before death), showing its importance.
• Arguments for Shahada being the most important pillar


  • It is the declaration of faith - in order to be a Muslim and practice the other pillars, this pillar has to come first. It sums up the Islamic faith.
  • It is the first of the five pillars - first words you hear as a Muslim. This suggests it comes before/underpins other pillars. It lays the foundation.
  • It is spoken throughout the day (e.g. call to prayer) and throughout your life (e.g. at birth and just before death), showing its importance.
• Arguments against Shahada being the most important pillar


  • All the pillars are equally important. They are all duties that should be performed, one cannot be singled out from others.
  • Salah is more important as it happens five times a day and is about making regular communication with God. It is more practical.
  • Zakah is more important as it involves helping others in a practical way; doing things to help others may be seen as particularly important.