Are Prayers Valid Without the Shahada?

Question: I was born to Muslim parents. As of 4 months ago, I have begun to perform the prayer. I did not declare the testification of faith (shahada) before doing so, do my prayers count?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,

Yes. Your prayers are valid. If you were born to Muslim parents, then you are considered Muslim. Therefore, it is not a condition of the validity of the prayer that you declare the testification of faith (shahada). [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Either way, when praying you would have said the shahada as it is a part of the tashahhud supplication during the sitting.

What Should I Do?

Continue to be steadfast in performing your prayers. At the same time, you should seek to increase your understanding of Islamic beliefs and the rulings of Islamic worship. Consider the Islamic Studies Curriculum offered here at SeekersGuidance.

I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences