Shahada Pillar
The first pillar of Islam
From the beginning of humanity, man has worshiped the different living and nonliving things; from idols to sun, fire to the moon and from animals to man. But nothing is worth worshiping, everything that was/is not divine or God disappears or dies. In the Quran, the definition of God or Allah is: the translation of Surah Ikhlas (Holy Qur’an 112:1-4) is: Say,
“He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
Whatever fits this definition is God or Allah. He is the only one worth declaring God.
To believe in One Allah, all the Prophets of Allah, the holy books, the Angels, the Day of Judgment and Predestination are the articles that complete the faith.
What is Shahada?
Shahada or Kalima is an assembly of a few words that is the identity of a Muslim. Shahada is the basic principle that connects the person to the Islamic spirit. Transliteration:
“lā Ilaha Illal lahu, Muhammadur-Rasul Ullah”
“There is no god but Allah, Muhammad [Peace be upon him] is the messenger of Allah.”
It is the declaration of belief and faith in Islam. The acknowledgment of the truth brings peace and humility in life. In the Holy Quran Allah Pak addresses Muhammad (Peace be upon him):
“So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La Ilaha Ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshiped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women.” Quran (47:19)
The moment you say these words from your mouth and believe them from your heart, you are a Muslim. The Shahada has many benefits; the first benefit is humility that comes with it. Nobody is a good Muslim unless and until they are first good human beings. The acknowledgment of the fact that there is a higher power to which the man is accountable for it actions, according to some specific rules explained in the doctrine of truth “The Holy Quran”. Surely, Lá Iláha Illalláh is the Word of Islam and the key to the dwelling of Peace (Paradise). The Shahada rejuvenates the concept of piety. The most precise and subtle announcement of One God, this itself makes this Shahada divine and heavenly. In the first part of the Shahada man denies the divinity of anything and anyone except Allah; accepting him as the only one worth worshiping. And the second part is related to Muhammad (Peace be upon him), He is the most beloved Prophet and the last messenger of Allah.
In Quran, (21:107) Allah says to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
Say (O Muhammad Saw): “If you do love Allah, Follow me (Muhammad Saw): Allah will love you and forgive your sins.” (Quran, 68:4)
“And Most certainly, thou (O Muhammad) are of most sublime and exalted character”
Acceptance of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as the last and final messenger is the latter step that completes the transformation into a muslim.