shahadah/declaration of faith

• first pillar

  • declares 'there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the prophet of God'
  • forms central support for the 'House of Islam': the other four pillars are all outward expressions of this deeply held belief
• statement of faith

  • words of Shahadah are heard throughout the day in countless aspects of their lives
  • announced in the adhan (call to prayer) from minaret in mosque and recited in each of the five daily prayers
  • first words whispered into a newborn baby's ear and, if possible, last words a dying Muslim hears on their death-bed
• monotheism

  • states the existence of one God
• conversion

  • no ceremonies or rituals to welcome new believers to Islam
  • all one needs to do to become a Muslim is to recite the Shahadah