Is Reciting The Shahadah During Prostration Permissible?
There is no restriction in reciting shahada in prostration per Quran. However, your point is valid. Purpose of Salat is to connect with God (literal meaning of Salat: contact, connection), and therefore, Salat’s content should consist of commemorating God alone. Preferably, prayers and salawat for Prophets can be recited after the Salat. The correct shahada (testimony of faith) is “ash-hado al-la ilaha illa Allah”, which is given in verse 3:18 of Quran, and we are told that God, the angels, and people with knowledge recite this shahada: 3:18 God bears witness that there is no god except He, as do the angels, and those with knowledge, He is standing with justice. At the time of Prophet, the munafiqeen used to recite the second part of now prevalent shahada, which was disliked by God: 63:1 When the hypocrites come to you they say: “We bear witness that you are the messenger of God.” And God knows that you are His messenger, and God bears witness that the hypocrites are liars. The above verse explains that it is an obvious fact that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a bonafide Messenger of God, and therefore, there is no particular need to state this fact repeatedly. Though the two statements of the now prevalent shahada are present in the Quran (for instance, 37:35 and 48:29), they are not found there side by side as in the ritualistic shahada formula. Please also note that from historical standpoint, versions of both phrases began to appear together in coins and monumental architecture in the late seventh century, which suggests that it had not been officially established as a ritual statement of faith until then. In his book (2005) “Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World (Daily Life Through History)”, James E. Lindsay notes: “According to Fred M. Donner, what was of greatest concern, at least in the early years of Muhammad’s career in Medina, was belief in the one God and the Last Day.’ Nevertheless, versions of both phrases begin to appear on coins in the late seventh century. Since we do not find the shahada formula per se on earlier coins, it appears that the shahada had not been officially established as a ritual statement of faith until the end of the first Islamic century.” Please also see verse 19:65 of Quran: 19:65 the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! Worship, then, Him alone, and remain steadfast in His worship! Dost thou know any whose name is worthy to be mentioned side by side with His?” [Muhammad Asad] Therefore, the correct and complete shahada is : اشہد ان لا الہ الا اللہ