Muslim Creeds

The most famous Muslim creed is called shahada (testimony) or kalima shahada (the word of testimony). There are two variants of shahada:

1. 'Ashhadu 'al-la 'ilaha 'illa-llah wa-'ashhadu 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
Translation: I testify that there is no god besides Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

2. La 'ilaha 'illa-llah wa Muhammadu-r-rasulu-llah.
Translation: There is no god besides Allah and Muhammad is Allah's messenger.

Everyone who desires to become a Muslim is required to pronounce shahada. Actually, this is the only requirement. So, everyone who pronounces shahada, believing that it is true, becomes a Muslim. Muslims also often pronounce shahada in their worship and in other situations. Pronounciation of shahada is the first of the five main rituals of Islam. Others are prayer, fast in Ramadan, alms (zakat), and pilgrimage (hajj).

The first part of shahada implies not only rejection all the pagan deities, but also rejection of the Trinity. The second part implies that Muhammad is the last prophet who brought the last revelations and laws from Allah. Muslims are required to believe everything that Muhammad said and keep all his commandments.

There are also longer Muslim creeds.
1. Iman mujmal (short confession of faith)
Amantu bi-llahi wa huwa bi-'asmaihi wa-sifatihi wa-kabiltu jami'a ahkamihi wa-'arkanih.
Translation: I believe in Allah with all His names and attributes and receive all His laws and commandments.

This confession emphasizes faith in Allah and His names and attributes.

2. Iman mufassal (detailed confession of faith). It is also called "Amantu" (from the first word which means "I believe"). There are two versions of "Amantu."

1) Amantu bi-llahi wa-mala'ikatihi wa-kutubihi wa-rusulihi wa-l-yawmi-l-'ahiri wa-l-kadiri hairihi wa-sharrihi mina-llahi ta'ala wa-l-ba'si ba'da-l-mawt.
Translation: I believe in Allah, and His angels, and His books, and His messengers, and the last day, and predestination of good and evil from Allah the Most High, and resurrection after death.

2) Amantu bi-llahi wa-mala'ikatihi wa-kutubihi wa-rusulihi wa-l-yawmi-l-'ahiri wa bi-l-kadiri hairihi wa-sharrihi mina-llahi ta'ala wa-l-ba'su ba'da-l-mawti hakk. 'Ashhadu 'al-la 'ilaha 'illa-llah wa-'ashhadu 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
Translation: I believe in Allah, and His angels, and His books, and His messengers, and the last day, and in predestination of good and evil from Allah the Most High, and that resurrection after death is true. I testify that there is no god besides Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

"Amantu" is based on the hadith regarding Jibril (hadith 0001 from Sahih Muslim) where Jibril asked Muhammad about Islam, Iman (faith), and Ihsan (sincerity). Here is the part regarding faith:

He (the inquirer) said: Inform me about Iman (faith). He (the Holy Prophet) replied: That you affirm your faith in Allah, in His angels, in His Books, in His Apostles, in the Day of Judgment, and you affirm your faith in the Divine Decree about good and evil.

Here instead of "Apostles" should be "messengers."

So, according to Islam, the main points of faith are:
1. Allah
2. His angels
3. His books (Holy Scriptures)
4. His messengers and prophets
5. The Day of Judgment
6. Allah's predestination of everything good and evil

According to Sunni theology, there are two stages of faith:
1. Ijmali iman (general faith) - faith in the two point of shahada.
2. Tafsili iman (detailed faith) - faith in ever point of of "Amantu." A person who denies even one of them is not considered to be a Muslim.