View source for One God: Shahadah

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Islamic View on One God |
subtopics = [[Monotheism]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}} 

The '''shah&#257;dah,''' or the [[Islam]]ic [[creed]], is the declaration of belief in the unity of God (''[[Allah]]'' in Arabic) and the prophethood of [[Muhammad]]. Its recitation is considered one of the [[Five Pillars of Islam]]. When sincerely stated aloud, one is considered to have officially declared oneself a convert to [[Islam]].

*Arabic text:
**<big><big>&#1604;&#1575; &#1573;&#1604;&#1607; &#1573;&#1604;&#1575; &#1575;&#1604;&#1604;&#1607; &#1608;&#1605;&#1581;&#1605;&#1583; &#1585;&#1587;&#1608;&#1604; &#1575;&#1604;&#1604;&#1607;</big></big>
*Romanization:
**L&#257; 'il&#257;ha 'ill&#257; ll&#257;ha wa Muhammadun ras&#363;lu ll&#257;hi.
*English translations:
**There is no god except God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
**There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is His prophet.

Honest recitation of the shah&#257;dah once, in Arabic, in front of two [[Muslim]] witnesses, is all that is required for a person to become a Muslim according to most traditional schools.

It is considered correct to refer to previous figures, such as [[Jesus]] (in Arabic, ''Isa'') as Messengers (rasul), and some groups (notably certain Sufi mystics) will amend the declaration to mention prior prophets whose names are found in the [[Qur'an]].

Some of the relatively small minority, labelled the "Quran Alone Muslims" consider the second part of the Shahadah incorrect and say it should not include Muhammad's name.

Some Indonesian Muslims pray "Allah il Allah" when appealing for God's help. This is an altered form of the first part of the Shahada.