1. Shahadah (declaration of faith)

The first pillar is the Shahadah, the profession of faith by which the Muslim acknowledges his allegiance to God and His Prophet: "I testify that there is no God but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah". Utterance of the Shahadah and acceptance of it by heart is the rather simple, but sufficient, way for full conversion to Islam. It affirms Islam's absolute monotheism, an unshakable and uncompromising faith in the oneness and unity (tawhid) of God.

As such, it also serves as a reminder to the faithful that polytheism, the association of anything else with divinity, is forbidden and is the one unforgivable sin:

Allah forgiveth not that partners should be
set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything
else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners
with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed (4:48)

"Just as in an earthly Kingdom the worst crime is that of treason, as it cuts at the very existence of the State, so in the spiritual Kingdom, the unforgivable sin is that of contumacious treason against Allah by putting up Allah creatures in rivalry against him. This is rebellion against the essence and source of spiritual Life. But even here, if the rebellion is through ignorance, and is followed by sincere repentance and amendment, Allah's Mercy is always open (4:17)."

In the Qur'an references to ninety-nine "Beautiful Names" of God are made, but they all relate to his "oneness". The declaration of any expression the import of which is inadmissible with regard to God, such as to suggest anything derogatory to His dignity or His unity is strictly prohibited.

The second part of the confession of faith is the affirmation of Muhammad as the Messenger of God, the last and final Prophet and bearer of His final revelation. In this sense Prophet Mohammad is unique, he serves as a model for the Muslim community, a "fine example". This art is also known as belief in Risalah i.e. Prophethood. The Shahadah is so important to Muslims that it is the first thing they hear when they are born and the last thing they intend to utter prior to their death. It occupies a central role in all the other practices and ceremonies of Islam, constantly chanted reminding the believer of the superior claims of God, rejection of any part of it, not only nullifies any further actions but endorses a non-Muslim statue.

The remaining four pillars is the praxis orientation of Islam, they assist to recall, reinforce, and realise the word of God and the example of the Prophet. Practice provides faith with nourishment, survival and effectiveness, thus making it serve its purpose. If faith is without practice it quickly loses its loveliness and motivating power. In return, faith inspires man to be constant in his devotion and persistent in has practice. The inter-relationship between faith and practice in Islam has vivid reflections on the entire set up of the religion and manifests the deep philosophy of its teachings, thus, moulding individuals into an Islamic society.

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