shahada

The Shahada, or testimony of faith, is the Islamic declaration of belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. The standard Arabic formula is Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah, which translates to I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. It is the central creed of Islam and the first of the Five Pillars, encapsulating the core concept of tawhid (monotheism) and the belief in Muhammad's prophethood.

Practically, the Shahada is recited in daily prayers and other rites, and it is traditionally required for someone who wishes to join the Muslim community. The declaration is often used in rituals of conversion, with witnesses, and it appears in Islamic calligraphy, art, inscriptions, and on coins and flags in various regions.

Contexts and variations: The two-part formulation is shared by Sunni and Shia Muslims. Some Shia traditions also employ variant formulations or additional phrases in certain religious attestations or commemorations, such as affirming a special status for Ali and the Imams; however, the core shahada remains the two-part declaration. The Shahada's significance extends beyond personal faith to cultural and political symbols in the Muslim world.