The Shahada or Shahadah which means “the testimony” is The 1st pillar of Islam, part of the Adhan, and is recited in every Salah.
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Pronunciation
The following video we have made will help you learn the proper pronunciation of the Shahadah word by word:
Shahada in Arabic
The full Shahadah is written in Arabic with the Diacritical as:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
and Without the Diacritical:
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا رسول الله
Transliteration
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah
Shahada in English Meaning
The word Shahada itself means the testimony and those who recite it:
Testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Variations
There are a variety of ways o say Shahada including:
- La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah
- Ashahadu ALaa ilaaha illalLahu Wahdaha Ho La Shareekala Hoo Wa Ash Hadu Anna Mohammadan Abdu Hoo Wa Rasoolu.
When it is being recited
It is better to recite Salat Ibrahim on a daily basis. However, there are some special places that are recommended to say for example:
- At Attahyat in every Salah
- When someone wishes to convert to Islam
- the first words a Muslim baby hears upon entering the world.
- In Azan
- Muslims strive for the Shahadah to be their last words upon their death.
Phrase Origin
The 2 parts of Shahada have been mentioned separately in The Quran as the 1st part was in
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ٣٥
Innahum kanoo itha qeela lahum la ilaha illa Allahu yastakbiroon
Quran [37:35]
And the 2nd part is in
مُّحَمَّدٌۭ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُۥٓ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيْنَهُمْ ۖ…٢٩
Muhammadun rasoolu Allahi wallatheenamaAAahu ashiddao AAala alkuffari ruhamaobaynahum…
Quran [48:29]