The Shahaadah is the first pillar of Islam. It is the key to one's true belief in Islam. It is not possible to be considered a Muslim if there is any lack of belief in this declaration. It is for this reason that when the Prophet [peace be upon him] sent his Companion, Mu'aadh bin Jabal, to Yemen to invite the people to Islam, he intructed him to first teach the principles of the Shahaadah. Through the declaration of the Shahaadah one becomes a Muslim. However, entrance into Paradise is based not upon pronouncement of the words of the Shahaadah alone but upon understanding its meaning and implications and practicing it in one's life.
The Shahaadah is divided into two parts:
A. LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAAH - There is no god but Allah
This part of the Shahaadah forms the basis of what is known as Tawheed, which may be translated as Monotheism, or the worship of one god. Literally it translates to mean "There is no god but Allah." However, the essential meaning refers specifically to worship.
Laa Ilaaha Illallaah has two aspects:
- Laa ilaaha - is the aspect of negation which referes to the rejection of all deities other than Allah.
- Illallaah - is the acpect of confirmation which affirms that Allaah has no partner in worship or in dominion.
B. MUHAMMAD RASOOLULLAAH - Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
This portion of the Shahaadah refers to the Prophet Muhammad himself [peace be upon him]. It is important part of the Islamic creed in that it requires a Muslim to profess faith in him as the Messenger of Allah, as expressed in the second part of the Shahaadah "Muhammadan Rasoolullaah." This means: Complete belief in him as the messenger of Allah. But specifically it contains a much greater meaning.
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