Shahadah
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 4.3.3
Shahadah
The most basic belief for Muslims is about the oneness of God and that Muhammad is His prophet. This is expressed in the Shahadah.
Sunnism
- 'There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.’
- This identifies Islam as a monotheistic faith alongside Judaism and Christianity.
Shi'ism
- ‘There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger, and ‘Ali is his friend.'
- For Shi’a Muslims, the Shahadah is slightly different. They include an extra phrase about Ali, whom they believe was the legitimate divinely appointed leader after Muhammad. So they will add the words ‘and Ali is his friend’.
Saying the Shahadah
- If a person wishes to become a Muslim they must recite this phrase three times in front of witnesses. This is included in a Muslim’s daily prayers.
- Muslim parents will say this prayer to a newborn baby, so the first thing they hear is the important teachings of their faith.
- Before a person dies they will try and say the Shahadah one final time.
Actions
- The actions that make up a Muslim lifestyle are all based on the beliefs expressed in the Shahadah.
- It is these beliefs expressed in the Shahadah that give actions ultimate spiritual significance.
Test yourself on Shahadah
What does the Shahadah identify Islam as?
What is the difference between the Shahadah in Sunnism and Shi'ism?