📜 The Muḥammadan Creed: Understanding the Kalimah
Definition and Etymology
The Muḥammadan Creed, known as Kalimatu ʾsh-shahādah (or shortly Kalimah), is the foundational declaration of faith in Islam. It is succinctly stated as:
“I testify that there is no deity but God, and Muḥammad is the Apostle of God.”
Etymologically, “Kalimah” (كلمة) means “word” or “declaration” in Arabic, while “Shahādah” (شهادة) translates to “testimony” or “witness.”
Background and Significance
The Kalimah is considered the first of the Five Pillars of Islam, fundamental acts of worship and framework for a Muslim’s faith:
- Shahādah: The declaration of faith.
- Ṣalāt: The performance of ritual prayers.
- Zakāt: The giving of alms.
- Ṣawm: The fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Ḥajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca.
Theology and History
It is believed that the first part, known as nafī wa is̤bāt (negation and affirmation), “There is no deity but God,” has been the credo of all prophets from Adam to Muḥammad. Each prophet, however, supplemented this with a second clause signifying their own specific mission:
- During Moses’ time: “There is no deity but God, and Moses is the Converser with God.”
- During Jesus’ period: “There is no deity but God, and Jesus is the Spirit of God.”
- In Muḥammad’s era: “There is no deity but God, and Muḥammad is the Apostle of God.”
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Among the different Islamic traditions, there is a unanimous clarity on Shahādah’s essential role. Whether within the scope of Sunni, Shia, or Sufi interpretations, the Kalimah serves as a centerpiece of religious identity and unity.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms
- Synonyms: Declaration of Faith, Islamic Oath, Testimony of Belief
- Antonyms: Disbelief, Apostasy, Heresy
- Related Terms:
- Tawḥīd: The oneness of God, a concept heavily interwoven within the Kalimah.
- Imān: Faith or belief in Islamic theology.
- Kufr: Disbelief, the opposite of the declaration implied in the Kalimah.
- Shirk: Associating others with God, considered a rejection of the Kalimah’s essence.
Facts and Quotations
Exciting Facts
- First Pillar: The Kalimah is the first Pillar of Islam and must be recited correctly for one to be considered a Muslim.
- Universal Key: As per a Hadith, the keys to Paradise are in bearing witness to this declaration.
- Linguistic Nuances: Even minor mispronunciations or misunderstandings of the Kalimah are addressed in various scholarly works, underscoring its significance.
Quotations
Jābir relates that Muḥammad said:
“The keys of Paradise are bearing witness that there is no deity but God.”
Notable Commentary
Great scholars such as Ibn Kathīr and Al-Ghazālī have written extensively on the implications and deep meanings embedded in the Kalimah, with specific reference to its role in one’s afterlife.
Suggested Literature and Further Studies
- “Kitab al-Tawḥīd” (The Book of Monotheism) by Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb.
- “Al-Iqtida’ al Sirat al-Mustaqim” by Ibn Taymīyyah.
- “The Essential Message of Islam” by Muḥammad Asad.
- “The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr.
Quizzes 🌟
Farewell Thought
May your journey to knowledge be as profound as the bespoken words of the Kalimah, and may each revelation guide you to further enlightenment.
Amina Al-Fahad, October 10, 2023
