Definition

Noun: - The Islamic declaration of faith: The Shahadah is the fundamental creed or testimony that states there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. It is the first and most important of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Usage

The word "shahadah" is used specifically to refer to this core Islamic tenet. It is a proper noun and is typically capitalized in English contexts. - Reciting the Shahadah with sincere belief is the act that marks a person's conversion to Islam. - The Shahadah is whispered into the ear of a newborn Muslim baby.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• To take shahadah: This phrase is used to describe the act of formally converting to Islam by reciting the declaration.
  • After years of study, she decided to take shahadah.

Variants and Related Words

• Shahada: An alternate, common transliteration of the same Arabic term.
• Kalima: Another term used in some Islamic traditions to refer to the declaration of faith.

Synonyms

• Declaration of faith
• Testimony of faith
• Creed (in the specific context of Islam)

Notes

The Shahadah is not typically used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs in English, as it is a specific theological term. Its usage remains closely tied to its religious context.

Noun

1. the first pillar of Islam is an affirmation of faith