"La ilahe illallah" (لا إله إلا الله) is a central tenet of Islamic belief, and it translates to "There is no god but Allah" in English. This phrase is known as the Shahada, which is the Islamic declaration of faith.
The meaning of "La ilahe illallah" can be broken down as follows:
-
La ilahe (لا إله): "There is no god" – This part negates the existence of any deity or object worthy of worship or divine status.
-
Illallah (إلا الله): "but Allah" – This part affirms that the only true deity, worthy of worship, is Allah.
This declaration is a fundamental expression of the Islamic faith, encapsulating the essence of monotheism in Islam. It asserts the belief in the oneness of God, which is a key principle in Islamic theology. Muslims believe that acknowledging and accepting this statement with conviction is the first step in entering the Islamic faith and is essential for being a Muslim. It's frequently recited in daily prayers and various religious practices as a reminder of this central belief.