The phrase “ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadarrasulullah” is known as the Shahada (testament to faith) and holds great significance in Islam. It represents a fundamental concept of Islam as one of the Five Pillars, is recited by Muslims daily during the five obligatory prayers, is a necessary statement that must be said and understood by those converting to Islam, and is a form of remembrance (dhikr) to be recited during ablution (wudu).
What Exactly Does Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illallah Mean?
The meaning of “ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadarrasulullah” is: “I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
These are two testaments or professions of faith:
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La ilaha illa Allah: There is no deity but Allah.
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Muhammadur Rasulullah: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Shahada in Arabic:
أشهدُ أنْ لا إلهَ إلاَّ اللهُ وأشهدُ أنَّ محمّداً رسولُ الله
Pronunciation: Ash-hadu alla ilaha illallah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasulullah
Recited to Become a Muslim
To join the Muslim Ummah, one recites the Shahada, and it is customary to have two witnesses present. However, witnesses are not strictly required for conversion—Allah knows all things, so a Shahada said alone with sincere conviction makes one a Muslim. For legal recognition in the local mosque and to connect with the community, it is generally expected to recite the Shahada in front of witnesses (two Muslims or an Imam). A complete understanding of the Shahada and sincere recitation are essential for the conversion to be valid. Tricking non-Muslims into reciting this phrase jokingly does not make them Muslim.
Recited During Prayer (Salat)
During Salat, before the Taslim (the concluding portion where salam is recited), one recites At-Tahiyat. This dua also contains the testament of faith, and during its recitation, Muslims raise the index finger to signify Tawhid (the oneness of Allah).
At-Tahiyat text: At-Tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu, As-Salamu ‘alika ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu, As-salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadil-la his-saliheen, ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna muhammadan rasulu llah.
Recited During Wudu
It is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to recite the Shahada during Wudu.
It was narrated that ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever performs Wudu’ and does it well, then says: “Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah was ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger),” eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.’”
For a devout, practicing Muslim, this phrase is said and heard multiple times a day as a remembrance of Allah Azzawajal and His Messenger.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little” (An-Nisa, Ayat 142).
Let us not be lazy—we should understand the meaning of what we say, rather than merely paying lip service to these words.
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