| A Muslim expresses his/her faith (Iman)
in the following words: |
| Ash-hadu anla ilaha illal-Lahu
Wahdahu la Sharika Lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa
rasuluhu |
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| The English translation of the Shahadah
is as follows: |
| I bear witness that there is none
worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without any partner. And I bear witness
that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. |
| |
| The declaration of faith consists of
two distinct parts, i.e., the absolute belief in the Unity of Allah (God) and
the belief in the Holy Prophet Muhammad as a mortal human being and the
Messenger of Allah. |
| |
| Islam's fundamental belief is the Unity
of God. All other beliefs hang on this belief. Therefore the acknowledgement and
'bearing witness' of this is the key to the Muslim faith. Unless this is
observed one cannot be a Muslim. A Muslim accepts Allah as the only God, and
only Master, Lord and Ruler with no partner sharing in any way His Being, Powers
and Attributes. He is One; He is Unique; He is not the father of any one, nor He
has or had any father. He is Almighty and Self-Sustaining. He is there forever,
and will be there forever. |
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| A Muslim believes in Allah as the Ruler
and must not disobey Him. In fact everything that exists in the universe obeys
Him. He is the Fashioner of all the Universes that may exist. |
| |
| The belief in the Prophet Muhammad (on
whom be peace) as the servant and Messenger of Allah completes one’s faith. The
Holy Prophet was the greatest of all the Prophets of Allah, yet he was only a
human being with no share in Divinity. This is a very important belief that
keeps Muslims from associating partners with Allah. This part of the Declaration
of Faith where reinforces the first part of Allah being the only Supreme Being
with no partners also establishes the absolute authority of the Holy Prophet as
the Messenger of Allah, who must be obeyed as well in all the matters of faith.
The Holy Prophet is the last prophet who brought us the last Book (the Holy
Quran) to be followed. He lived among his people for a long time and his life is
documented in utmost detail. He lead his followers by example. The way he lived
his life and admonished his followers to live their lives is called Sunnah of
the Holy Prophet. The second part of the Declaration of Faith makes obeying and
following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad equally important to the belief in
absolute Unity of Allah. This declaration make one to completely submit to the
Will of Allah and that is why one who declares this belief is called a Muslim -
one who completely submits to the will of Allah. |
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