اشهدان اله الا اللهShahada

][b]Shahada[/b]




The
words that are spoken when one becomes a Muslim, are few but so
significant. With the utterance of these words, a person acknowledges
Allah as the Creator and Sustainer of all, and the messengership of His
Prophet (peace be upon him). With these words, which come from the
heart, a person steps from disbelief and ignorance to knowledge, light
and guidence. A person can only reach this state by the Mercy and
Guidance of Allah the Almighty.

[b]There is no god worthy of worship except Allah
and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His Prophet[/b]
These
are the words that a person says to enter the fold of Islam. The
Shahadah, or declaration of faith, is a covenant that the person makes
with Allah: that he/she will continue to obey Allah, and walk in the
footsteps of our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). It is the first step
to complete obedience to the Lord of all.

From the time of making Shahadah, the person is treated and respected
like a Muslim by all Muslims, even if he/she was previously an enemy of
Islam. There are many examples of this in the history of the Prophet
(peace be upon him).


The bond of faith is much stronger than the bond of blood.
When a person becomes a Muslim they enter the community of Muslims,
regardless of their race or background. A feeling of love and harmony
abides between people who sincerely seek to practice Islam according to
the Qu'ran and Sunnah. Such people are in a race to do good and be
those with whom Allah is pleased.


The significance of the Shahadah is further highlighted, when
we ponder on the fact that we repeat it every time we pray. How many of
us, really think about it during prayer? It becomes a usual thing and
maybe sometimes we say the words without contemplating their meaning.


When we say there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, it
means that we disdain obedience and servitude to anyone or anything
except Allah. It means that we fear no one and nothing except Allah:
that our greatest feeling of love and gratitude are kept for Allah,
because we know that He is the real Provider of all we have. It means
that we do not seek the pleasure or acceptance of anyone or anything
except Allah. This means that the Muslim becomes strong and
independent. The ridicule, scorn, sneers and insults of people bear no
importance. The Muslim remains calm and secure in times of panic
because they know that there is no help except from Allah. In times of
grief and distress, the Muslim remains steadfast and courageous,
knowing that calamity can only occur with the permission of Allah and
that He, in His Mercy has promised not to bear a sincere soul, with
more than it can bear.


When we say that Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah, we
acknowledge his right to be respected, obeyed and revered. We follow in
his footsteps, knowing that he was the best of creation and hope to
achieve Paradise and be close to him and the other prophets, Inshaa
Allah.


Truly the Shahadah is not a empty phrase, it is not just a few
words spoken but is coupled with sincerity of intention and
determination to struggle, strive and sacrifice along the straight
path.


{[color:ecac=maroon]The Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam[/color]} (Qur'an 3:19)

{[color:ecac=maroon]If
anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to Allah), Never
will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the
ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the hell fire)[/color]}(Qur'an 3:85)هذا والله اعلم