The phrase and its pronunciation
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُLā ilāha illā-llāh
There is no god but God
Meaning
Negating divinity for all besides God and affirming it for God alone.
When to say it
- In the Shahada on entering Islam.
- In dhikr, the adhan and prayer.
- Said to the dying so it may be their last words.
- In distress and supplication.
How to reply
No special reply.
The evidence
فَٱعۡلَمۡ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لِذَنۢبِكَ وَلِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَٰتِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمۡ وَمَثۡوَىٰكُمۡSo know, [O Muḥammad], that there is no deity except Allāh and ask forgiveness for your sin[1501] and for the believing men and believing women. And Allāh knows of your movement and your resting place.
مَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَWhoever dies knowing that there is no god but God will enter Paradise.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the complete Shahada?
No; the Shahada has two parts: “There is no god but God” and “Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”
Texts and translations are under scholarly review.