What is the first pillar of Islam? It is the Shahada, the declaration of faith. It is the foundation of all Islamic belief and practice. In a short sentence, a Muslim bears witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger. Every other act of worship rests on this testimony.
This guide explains the words of the Shahada, what they mean, how the first pillar of Islam shapes daily life, and how someone becomes Muslim.
The Words of the Shahada
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Transliteration: Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu Allāh.
Meaning: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The word shahada means “testimony” or “bearing witness”. Saying it is not only a statement of belief; it is a commitment to live by it.
Part One: There Is No God but Allah
The first half of the Shahada expresses tawhid, the Oneness of Allah. It denies that anything else deserves worship and affirms that worship belongs to Allah alone. The Qur’an states this plainly:
“So know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh…”
— Qur’an 47:19, Saheeh International (quran.com)
Tawhid is the heart of the first pillar of Islam. It shapes how a Muslim prays, whom they ask for help, and where they place their trust.
Part Two: Muhammad Is the Messenger of Allah
The second half affirms that Muhammad ﷺ is Allah’s Messenger, the final prophet, sent with the Qur’an. The Qur’an says:
“Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allāh…”
— Qur’an 48:29, Saheeh International (quran.com)
Accepting him as Messenger means taking his teaching and example, recorded in the Sunnah, as the model for how to worship and how to live.
Why the Shahada Is the First Pillar of Islam
The Prophet ﷺ listed the Shahada first when he described the five principles on which Islam is built (Sahih al-Bukhari 8). Prayer, zakah, fasting and Hajj are all acts of worship; the Shahada explains whom they are for and whose example they follow. Without it, the other pillars lose their meaning.
Read the full overview in our guide to the Five Pillars of Islam.
Sincerity: More Than Words
Scholars explain that the Shahada must be said with knowledge of its meaning, certainty, sincerity and acceptance, and then lived out. A person who says the words while rejecting their meaning has not truly borne witness. That is why the first pillar of Islam is described as both a statement and a way of life.
The Shahada in Daily Life
- In every prayer: Muslims recite the testimony of faith in the sitting part of the prayer (tashahhud).
- In the call to prayer: the adhan, heard five times a day, includes both parts of the Shahada.
- In remembrance: “La ilaha illa Allah” is one of the most common phrases of dhikr (remembrance of Allah).
- In choices: belief in one God shapes honesty, humility and trust in Allah.
How Someone Becomes Muslim
A person becomes Muslim by sincerely declaring the Shahada, understanding and believing what it means. Many people say it in front of witnesses at a mosque, which helps them connect with a community, but belief and sincerity are what matter. New Muslims are then encouraged to learn the prayer and the other pillars step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first pillar of Islam called?
The first pillar of Islam is the Shahada, the declaration of faith.
What does the Shahada mean in English?
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Do Muslims say the Shahada every day?
Yes. It is part of every prayer and of the call to prayer, and many Muslims repeat “La ilaha illa Allah” as remembrance.
Keep the Shahada Close
Displaying the words of the first pillar of Islam at home is a quiet daily reminder of what matters most.
Our Ashadu An La ilaha illallah design is an instant digital download supplied as a high-resolution JPEG file for printing at home or at a local print shop; no physical item is shipped. Custom designs can be requested.
