It is obligatory for every person intending to enter Islam to believe and to say, “I testify that there is no deity except God, and that Muhammad is His Messenger.” With this simple, important, and powerful declaration, a person is considered a Muslim. There is no initiation into the fold of Islam.

The concepts within the testimony of faith can be explained by analyzing each of three parts within the testimony. The first part “No deity…” is a negation of polytheism. It is a negation of the existence of any deity other than God, or any entity that shares in any of the divine attributes of God. The second part “…except God” is an affirmation of monotheism. God is the only one worthy of worship.

“Muhammad is God’s Messenger” is the third part of the declaration of faith. It is an affirmation of the Prophethood of Muhammad as the final Prophet and Messenger of God. This requires the unconditional acceptance of the Qur’an and the authentic sayings and traditions of Muhammad.

By believing and saying the testimony of faith, a person rejects all false objects of worship and asserts that God is the only one to be worshiped. God is without equal or partner. God promises that once a person affirms and sincerely says, “I testify that there is no deity except God, and that Muhammad is His Messenger,” all of his or her previous sins are forgiven. One’s previous good deeds may also be rewarded by God, The Most Forgiving.