“Kalima” is an Arabic word that translates to “phrase” or “statement.” In the Islamic context, this word can refer to the Arabic phrases that center around the principles of the religion. These six kalimas (plural) encapsulate the fundamental concepts of Islam and help one focus on understanding the core of the religion. This blog will explore these kalimas in detail, highlighting what the hadiths state about them.
What Are The 6 Kalimas?
Each of the six kalimas have their own name and significance. These names are based on the most emphasized topic in each kalima, and the way they are numbered is according to their virtues. The following are the six kalimas:
1. Kalima e Tayyaba
The first kalima, also known as Kalima-e-Tayyab. “Tayyab” is an Arabic word and means “pure” or “good.” When the two words are combined, this kalima can be translated into English as “the pure words” or “the good words.” This kalima highlights the core principle of Islam: the belief that only Allah is worthy of worship and that the Prophet PBUH is his messenger. It emphasizes the cornerstone of belief while stating the two most important aspects of one’s faith.
Transliteration: La ilaha illallahu muhammadur rasulullah
Translation: “There is none worthy of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
The Messenger of Allah said, “There is not one soul that died bearing witness to La ilaha illallah and that I am Allah’s messenger with certainty from the heart, but it will be forgiven by Allah.”
2. Kalima e Shahadat
The second kalima, also referred to as “Kalima e Shahada,” can be translated as
“The words of the testimony” because in this kalima, the reciter ‘bears witness to the faith.’ This kalima also affirms the oneness (Tawheed) of Allah SWT and highlights how Allah is without a partner. This serves as a constant reminder of the Lord’s incredible nature and emphasizes the basic theme of Islam.
Transliteration: ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu.
Translation: “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”
Prophet PBUH stated, “If a person recites the (above) after performing wudu, all the eight gates of Jannah will be opened for him, and he may go through whichever door he wishes.”
3. Kalima e Tamjid
Tamjid is also an Arabic word that translates to ‘praise’ or ‘glorification.’ Therefore, the third kalima can also be referred to as the ‘phrases of praise.’ This kalima is all about the great nature of Allah SWT. It is a great way to do dhikr and remind oneself of the power their lord has over the whole universe.
Transliteration: subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar wala hawla wala quwwata illa billah aliyyil azeem
Translation: “Glory be to Allah and all praise be to Allah; there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no might or power except from Allah, the Exalted, the Great One.”
A man came to Muhammad PBUH and said that he can’t learn anything of the Quran and asked the Prophet PBUH to teach him something that he can say instead of reciting the Quran, so the Prophet PBUH said the (above).
4. Kalime e Tawheed
The fourth kalima includes the phrases of tawheed (oneness of Allah SWT). Tawheed is one of the two core principles of Islam and the foundation upon which the whole religion stands. This kalima reinforces the belief that all praise, power, goodness, and worship are only for Allah. He is the giver of life and death, and He is the giver of every goodness that comes in the life of a Muslim.
This kalima reminds Muslims to be aware of the greatness of the Lord and to always keep in mind that He is the all-seeing and the all-listening, and that there is no problem of His servants that He isn’t aware of.
Transliteration: la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumitu Wahuwa Hayyu-l Laa Yamootu Abadan Abada. Dhul Jalaali Wal Ikraam. Biyadihil Khair. Wahuwa Ala Kulli Shai-in Qadeer.
Translation: “(There is) none worthy of worship except Allah. He is only One. (There is) no partners for Him. For Him (is) the Kingdom. And for Him (is) the Praise. He gives life and causes death. And He (is) Alive. He will not die, never, ever. Possessor of Majesty and Reverence. In His hand (is) the goodness. And He (is) the goodness. And He (is) on everything powerful.”
Although the exact words of this kalima aren’t found in a hadith, different phrases are stated in hadiths with benefits for the reciter. For example,
Prophet PBUH said, “The one who utters these words: ‘la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu. Wahuwa Ala Kulli Shai-in Qadeer.’ 100 times a day will have the reward for emancipation of ten slaves; 100 virtues are regarded to his credit, 100 vices are blotted out from his scroll, and it will act as a safeguard for him against the devil till the evening of that day.”
5. Kalima e Istaghfar
“Istaghfar” is an Arabic word and means “seeking forgiveness from Allah.” Therefore, the fifth kalima can also be referred to as the “phrases of seeking forgiveness.” This kalima comprises asking forgiveness for all kinds of sins, whether a Muslim commits them intentionally or unintentionally. When a Muslim recites this kalima, it serves as a reminder that they should be aware of their actions as well as ask for constant forgiveness, as it is a way to grow closer to Allah.
Transliteration: Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Dhambin Adhnabtuhoo ‘Amadan Aw Khata-an Sirran Aw ‘Alaaniyata-wn Wa-atoobu Ilaihi Min-adh Dhambi-l Ladhee A’lamu Wamina-dh Dhambi-l Ladhi Laaa A’lamu Innaka Anta ‘Allaamu-l Ghuyoobi Wasattaaru-l ‘Uyoobi Wa Ghaffaaru-dh Dhunubi Walaa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi-l ‘Aliyyil ‘Azeem.
Translation: “I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, and I turn towards Him from the sin that I know and from the sin that I do not know. Certainly you (are) the knower of the hidden things and the Concealer (of) the mistakes and the Forgiver (of) the sins. And (there is) no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.”
6. Kalima e Raddi-kufr
The sixth and last kalima, “Raddi-kufr,” means “rejecting disbelief,” and “kalima e Raddi-kufr” means “phrases of rejecting disbelief.” The main focus of this kalima is the rejection of sins that are extremely severe in Islam. All these sins mentioned in this kalima are those that have very serious consequences and should be avoided by a Muslim, no matter what.
Transliteration: Allahumma Inne A’udhu-bika Min An Ushrika Bika Shay-awn Wa-ana A’lamu Bihee Wa-astaghfiruka Limaa Laaa A’lamu Bihee Tubtu ‘Anhu Wata-barraatu Mina-l Kufri Wash-shirki Wal-kidhbi Wal-gheebati Wal-bid’ati Wan-nameemati Wal-fawahishi Wal-buhtaani Wal-m’aasi Kulli-haa Wa-Aslamtu Wa-aqoolu Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Muhammadur Rasulullah.
Translation: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from that I should ascribe any partner with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for the sin of which I have no knowledge. I repent from it. And becoming disgusted of disbelief and idolatry, lying and backbiting, innovation and slander, lewdness and abomination, and all other acts of disobedience, I submit to Your will. I believe and I declare that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”