First we are obliged to examine the nature of the path so that we may ourselves realize what islam is. The fist pillar of islam is that we bear witness that there is no god other  than God and Muhammad is the prophet of God. The approximate meaning of bearing witness there is no god other than God is This; God is the exlusive possessor of divinity, and none of  his creation shares in any of the aspects or properties of divinity. The first aspect of divinity is absolute rule, whence arises the right to legislate for his worshipers, to ordain paths for their lives, to prescribe values on which their lives should be based. It is not possible to bear witness that there is no god other than God without recognizing that God alone has the right to ordain the path which human life should follow, and without attempting to establish that path, and none other, in human life. Anyone who claims for himself the right to lay down a path for the life of a group of human beings has claimed also the right of divinity over them for he claims the greatest of all aspects of divinity. Bearing witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God means approximately admitting that this path has been conveyed to from God; and that it is the only path we are obliged to follow and implement in human life. So that we may ourselves realize that attribute or Muslim which we claim. This is possible only through bearing witness that there is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet. This profession of faith is possible only by recognizing God as the sole possessor of divinity, and alone entitled to lay down a path for human life. We must attempt the realization of that path conveyed to us from God by Muhammad, the peace and bleassings of God upon him.

We must do so for reasons connected with the nature of that path it self. It is only path which realizes nebelity of man, grants him true freedom and releases him from slavery. It is the only path that enables him to liberate himself completely within the limits of his humanity and his service of God, for service of God releases man fro servitude to others. There is no other path in the word possessing this quality. For Islam, by recognizing God Almighty as the sole possessor of the right to legislate for the life of humanity, leaves only one God and one Master for humanity, it prevents some men from being the gods of others with legislative and directive right over them, as a result of the servitude of these who accord these gods the aspects of divinity. From This Religion of Islam by Sayyid Qutb