The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2204 page)

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Authors: John Bowker

BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions
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Sh
fi‘ites
.
School of Muslim law derived from
al-Sh
fi‘
. The school was founded by his pupils and followers. It is characterized by his own adherence to
Qur’
n
and
ad
th
as the absolute sources of law. Great importance is therefore attached to the methodology of exegesis. The school is characterized by its continuing openness to interpretation and application on this basis.
Shah
da
.
Profession of faith in
All
h
and his messenger; the first
Pillar of Islam
, proclaiming the uniqueness of All
h, and the centrality of
Mu
ammad
as his prophet. Pronouncing the shah
da implies acceptance of Islam in its totality, and is the only formal requirement for entry into the ’umma (community).
(Ashhadu aina) l
il
ha ill
All
h
wa-Mu
ammad ras
l All
h
(I bear witness that) there is no god but God and Mu
ammad is the messenger of God.
The shah
da is included in the
dh
n

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