Foundations · Knowing Allah

Essentials of Tawhid and Shahadah

Explore core beliefs and conditions for valid faith in Islam.

7 questions · Easy · about 4 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

7 questions, about 4 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 7 questions.

1. What is the foundation of a steadfast commitment to Islam?

  • Submission and surrender to Allah. (correct answer)
  • Blind trust without certainty.
  • Following cultural tradition.
  • Questioning every command until fully understood.

Why

A person’s commitment to Islam is built on submission to Allah. This submission is not blind; it is based on certainty that all good is in Allah’s hands and that obeying His commands is the key to goodness.

View source on IslamQA →

2. What two things are required for faith to be valid and accepted?

  • Submitting to Allah alone and rejecting kufr and shirk. (correct answer)
  • Memorizing many details before acting.
  • Performing Hajj before believing.
  • Following inherited customs.

Why

Faith is not valid unless a person submits to Allah alone and rejects kufr and shirk. Knowing what kufr and shirk are also helps a person avoid them.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What does the testimony of Tawhid include?

  • All three types of Tawhid. (correct answer)
  • Only outward words.
  • Only belief in Allah’s provision.
  • Only belief in the angels.

Why

The testimony of Tawhid includes Allah’s Lordship, His right to worship, and His names and attributes. These three are connected, and a person’s Islam cannot be sound without all of them.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What must a person know about the Shahadah?

  • Its negation and affirmation. (correct answer)
  • Only how to write it beautifully.
  • Only the number of its letters.
  • That saying it has no conditions.

Why

One condition of accepting the Shahadah is knowledge of its meaning. This includes knowing what it negates and what it affirms.

View source on IslamQA →

5. When returning to Islam by saying the Shahadah, is it required to add “wahdahu laa shareeka lah”?

  • Yes, without it the Shahadah is not valid.
  • No, the basic Shahadah is sufficient, though adding it is good. (correct answer)
  • Yes, but only after wudu.
  • No, because sincere belief is not needed.

Why

The basic Shahadah is sufficient for returning to Islam, and adding “alone, with no partner” is not required for validity. However, saying the testimony must be accompanied by sincere belief and certainty in the heart.

View source on IslamQA →

6. Is merely saying the Shahaadatayn enough without knowing and acting upon their meaning?

  • Yes, words alone are always enough.
  • No, they must be known, believed, and acted upon inwardly and outwardly. (correct answer)
  • Yes, if said loudly.
  • No, unless a person performs Hajj immediately afterward.

Why

The Shahaadatayn are not just words. They must be said with knowledge, certainty, sincerity, and action according to what they mean.

View source on IslamQA →

7. What does La ilaha illa Allah mean?

  • There is no god worthy of worship except Allah. (correct answer)
  • Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
  • Allah is only the Creator of some things.
  • All worship is accepted no matter who it is directed to.

Why

La ilaha illa Allah means that worship must be devoted sincerely to Allah alone. Anything worshipped besides Allah is worshipped on the basis of falsehood.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Knowing Allah

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.