(37) The first pillar of Islam is composed of two parts: 1. Bearing witness that la ilaha illa Allah (there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah); 2. Bearing witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Though expressed in two phrases, it is one pillar: the first half demands exclusive devotion in worship, and the second half demands following the Messenger ﷺ. A Quranic proof for the testimony that Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger is the verse: “Laqad jaʾakum rasulun min anfusikum ʿazizun ʿalayhi ma ʿanittum harisun ʿalaykum; bil-muʾminina raʾufun rahim” (Indeed, there has come to you a messenger from among yourselves; your hardship weighs heavily on him; he is concerned for your welfare and, toward the believers, compassionate and merciful). Many other evidences from the Quran, the sunnah and the manifest miracles likewise confirm his messengership ﷺ, and this verse is one of those textual proofs.