The words of the Shahada
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah — I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
La ilaha illallah
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّه
Negation and affirmation: rejecting every false object of worship and affirming worship for Allah alone (tawhid).
Muhammadun rasulullah
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّه
Believing what he informed, obeying what he commanded, avoiding what he forbade, and worshipping Allah only as he taught.
The seven conditions
Scholars derived these conditions from the Quran and Sunnah so that the testimony is meaningful and accepted.
| Condition | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge | العِلْم | Knowing what the testimony negates and affirms |
| Certainty | اليَقِين | Firm conviction without doubt |
| Acceptance | القَبُول | Accepting its demands with the heart and tongue |
| Submission | الانْقِيَاد | Acting upon it and yielding to Allah's commands |
| Truthfulness | الصِّدْق | Saying it honestly, not as a hypocrite |
| Sincerity | الإِخْلَاص | Intending it purely for Allah, free of shirk |
| Love | المَحَبَّة | Loving Allah, His Messenger and what the testimony requires |
The six articles of faith
In the Hadith of Jibril the Prophet ﷺ defined iman: “That you believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and that you believe in divine decree, its good and its bad.” (Sahih Muslim 8)
Belief in Allah
His existence, lordship, sole right to worship, and His beautiful names and attributes.
His angels
Created from light, they obey Allah without fail — among them Jibril, Mika'il and Israfil.
His books
The Tawrah, Zabur, Injil, the Scrolls of Ibrahim and Musa, and the Quran as the final, preserved revelation.
His messengers
From Adam to Muhammad ﷺ, the Seal of the Prophets, after whom there is no prophet.
The Last Day
Death, the grave, resurrection, judgement, the Scale, the Bridge, Paradise and Hell.
Divine decree (qadar)
Allah's knowledge, writing, will and creation of all things, while people remain accountable for their choices.
Islam, Iman and Ihsan
- 1
Islam — outward submission
The five pillars: Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj.
- 2
Iman — inward faith
The six articles of belief held firmly in the heart.
- 3
Ihsan — excellence
“That you worship Allah as though you see Him, and if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.” (Sahih Muslim 8)
Sunni Muslims follow the Quran and the Sunnah as understood by the Companions and the early generations. In creed most follow the Athari, Ash'ari or Maturidi schools; in law, one of the four madhhabs.
How to embrace Islam
- 1
Understand and believe
Know the meaning of the testimony and believe in it sincerely.
- 2
Say the Shahada
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah
Witnesses are recommended but not required. All previous sins are forgiven.
- 3
Take a ritual bath (ghusl)
Recommended by many scholars, and required by some, upon entering Islam.
- 4
Learn the prayer
Begin with wudu and the five daily prayers, learning Al-Fatihah and short surahs gradually.
- 5
Connect with a community
A local mosque or a trusted teacher can help you learn step by step.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do I need witnesses to become Muslim?
No. A person becomes Muslim by sincerely believing and pronouncing the Shahada. Saying it before others helps with community recognition and practical matters such as marriage and burial.
Must I change my name?
No. A name only needs changing if its meaning contradicts Islam (for example, servitude to other than Allah). Many converts keep their names.
What is tawhid?
Tawhid is the oneness of Allah: in His lordship, in His sole right to be worshipped, and in His names and attributes. It is the core meaning of La ilaha illallah.