Being a "Crypto Muslim" is the way to go
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Outward practices like prayer posed significant challenges to enslaved Muslims in ways that the shahada did not, primarily due to their public and ritualistic nature, which made them difficult to observe under conditions of enslavement in non-Muslim environments. The shahada is a verbal declaration of faith, simple and private, "There is no God but God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God." This statement could be recited internally or in less obvious ways "by being a crypto Muslim", making it easier to maintain discreetly, even in hostile or restrictive conditions. On the other hand, salat presented several issues due to its structured and visible nature. Prayer is required five times a day at precise times and involves specific physical steps such as ablutions (washing the feet, forearms, hands, and face), the use of a prayer carpet, and, for women, they have to wear a veil. These actions can not be easily hidden, making it risky for enslaved Muslims to perform them in spaces and environments where Islam was forbidden or suppressed. The enslaved Muslims dealt with these challenges. Many of them resorted to secret prayer to avoid punishment, as maintaining a public prayer routine could draw unwanted attention. In the Americas, due to forced conversion policies and the general lack of religious tolerance for Islam, secret prayer became common. Thus, shahada could be maintained/practiced more easily and consistently by enslaved Muslims, allowing them to uphold their identity as Muslims even under difficult circumstances.