EMBRACING THE TRUTH
In the Name of Allahﷻ Most Beneficent & Most Merciful. Peace & Blessings Be Upon Our Master Muhammad ﷺ, The Chief & The Seal of All Prophets & Messengers.
The 'shahada' represents the Islamic profession of faith, often referred to as the Testimony of Faith. Uttering it with genuine belief and without coercion is the means by which an individual embraces Islam, becoming a Muslim.
Shahada is the Islamic creed declaring belief in the oneness of God ﷻ and acceptance of Mohammad ﷺ as His last prophet. This declaration symbolizes an embrace of the Islamic belief system and the way of life associated with it.
The Shahadah is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Once you are convinced that Islam is the true path, the subsequent action is to recite the Shahadah. This act is straightforward; all you have to do is wholeheartedly repeat the words of the Shahadah with absolute conviction and understanding its meanings:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ
Ashadu ʾalā ʾilāha ʾilla -llāhu
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
wa-ʾashadu ʾanna Muhammadan rasūlu-llāh
and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If a person embraces Islam sincerely, then Allah shall forgive all his past sins, and after that starts the settlement of accounts, the reward of his good deeds will be ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and one evil deed will be recorded as it is unless Allah forgives it." (Sahih Al Bukhari 41, Book2, Hadith 34)
Embracing the Shahada, the declaration of faith, is likely one of the most significant moments in your life, marking the start of a new chapter and an official recognition of your conversion to Islam. While you can recite the Shahada at your convenience, including in your own home, the East Birmingham Central Masjid also provides a Shahada service. During this service, an Imam engages in conversations with individuals, leading them through the Arabic transliteration of the Shahada. Following this, they proceed with the English translation and an explanation of the core principles of faith.
Shahada ceremonies are typically personal gatherings. They commonly take place in a private setting, attended by a select few witnesses, including the overseeing Imam. Nevertheless, you have the option to extend invitations to your family, friends, and colleagues to partake in commemorating this significant and life-changing event with you!
