LESSON NOTE WEEK THREE

KALIMATU-SH-SHAHADAH
Kalimatush-Shahādah is an Arabic word which means the statement of affirmation. The
statement is the affirmation of the belief which is the corner stone of Islam. The affirmation is
expressed in the following words of Arabic:
ARABIC TEXT:

TRANSLITERATION
“Ash-hādu anlā ilāha illal-Lāhu, wa Ash-hādu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasūluhu.

TRANSLATION IN ENGLISH
“I testify that there is no god except Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His Servant and His
Messenger.”
The statement of affirmation is frequently expressed every day by every Muslim in his Adhān
(Call to Prayer) and Iqāmah (Starting of Prayer). A new convert to Islam proclaims his belief in
the acceptance of Islam by expressing the statement. That is why the statement is also referred
to as ‘Statement of Testimony’ or ‘Statement of Declaration of Faith.’ Segments of Kalimatush-
Shahādah.

SEGMENTS OF THE KALIMAH

There are two segments of the statement of the declaration. These are:
1- Lā ilaha illal-Lāhu: meaning “There is no god but Allah.” This statement rejects the
existence of any deity (god) worthy of worship except Allah alone.
2- Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasūluhu meaning “Muhammad is His(Allah) servant and
Messenger” This statement establishes, without doubt the fact that Muhammad (SAW) is both
servant and Messenger of Allah (SWT) not His biological relative nor assistant.

SIGNIFICANCE OF KALMATUSH-SHAHĀDAH.
1) Kalimatush-Shahādah explain that Allah (SWT) is the only God.
2) It also explains that we should not associate partners with Allah (Shirk).
3) It establishes the unity of God i.e monotheism, the opposite of polytheism. (shirk) Q112: 1-4
4) Muhammad (SAW) is a servant of Allah.
5) Muhammad (SAW) is neither a god nor a son of Allah.
6) That all human beings including Prophet Muhammad are servants of Allah.
7) The Kalimatush-Shahādah also admits a non-Muslim to become a real Muslim.