Islam is based on belief and worship of One God (Allah), the Creator, and the belief that Muhammad(P) is the last in a long line of prophets and messengers. Fundamental to a Muslim’s spiritual life is the Fundamental to a Muslim’s spiritual life is the declaration of shahadah, or the testimony of faith.
The declaration can be broken into two parts:
لَا إِلَّهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله
I bear witness [that] there is no deity worthy of worship except God.
And I bear witness [that] Muhammad is the messenger of God.
This statement is repeated several times throughout the day. When saying the shahadah, a Muslim acknowledges both his submission to God the Creator and his acceptance of Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
The shahadah also implies a Muslim’s belief in Islam’s other articles of faith, including belief in the angels, belief in the scriptures, belief in all the prophets, belief in the afterlife, and belief in divine decree.