1. The Shahadah The Pillars of Islam

Shahadah This word means ‘creed’ in Arabic. A creed is a statement of belief- just as when Christians say “we believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. A creed is therefore a mini-summary of the most important beliefs in that religion.

The Shahadah of Islam is: “There is no God (Allah) but God (Allah), and Mohammed is his true prophet.”

What does it mean? Muslims believe in only ONE God, and reject all others as false - this was important when Mohammed convinced the Makkans to give up their pagan idols. It seems to have two sections. “There is no God (Allah) but God (Allah), and Mohammed is his true prophet.” This means that Muslims accept that Mohammed did receive the Holy Qur’an from Allah and therefore anything he did or said was Allah’s true will for humanity, and needs to be followed.

Young men who are learning about Islam before they ‘convert’ formally. When is it heard? Conversion to Islam If a person wanted to become a Muslim then saying the Shahadah three times, in full sincerity, and with full understanding of what it means, is necessary. Q.Why do you think this might be? Young men who are learning about Islam before they ‘convert’ formally.

2. During the “Adhan” That noise which is so reminiscent of Islamic cities, the ‘Call to Prayer’ or ‘Adhan’ from mosques, calling people to perform Salah (prayer), contains the Shahadah as part of it. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. Ash-hadu alla ilaha illa-llah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah. Ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah, hayya ‘ala-s-Salah. Hasten to the Prayer, hasten to the Prayer. Hayya ‘ala-l-falah, hayya ‘ala-l-falah. Hasten to real success, hasten to real success

The first and last thing a Muslim should hear. When a new baby is born in a Muslim family the Shahadah should be whispered into its ear and honey put on its lips. Q. What do you think the honey might symbolise? In addition, when a Muslim dies s/he should try and say the Shahadah, or have it said to them, as their last words. This is very similar to the concept of ‘last rites’ said over dying Roman Catholics.

From the cradle to the grave, and many times in between, the Shahadah is with a Muslim throughout their lifetime. Its short statement of Islam’s core beliefs make it a very powerful series of words. It can even be found on the flag of Saudi Arabia (in Arabic) the country which contains the city of Makkah.

Prep: