The statement (Lā ilāha illā Allāh) is often mistranslated as “There is no god but God,” which does not fully capture its depth. A more accurate translation is, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh.”
This statement is not simply a denial of the existence of other gods but rather a rejection of the validity of worship directed toward anything or anyone other than Allāh. It affirms that Allāh alone is the true deity deserving of worship, love, and devotion, while all other objects of worship are false. This understanding aligns with the concept of tawḥīd (pure monotheism), emphasizing that acts of worship—prayer, supplication, sacrifice—are to be directed exclusively to Allāh, without associating any partners or rivals with Him.
Allāh confirms this in the Qur’an:
“That is because Allāh is the Truth, and that which they call upon other than Him is falsehood, and because Allāh is the Most High, the Grand.”
— Surah Al-Hajj (22:62)
Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said,
“Whoever says, ‘Lā ilāha illā Allāh’ sincerely from his heart will enter Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 128)