The Kalimas of Islam

Explore the six Kalimas of Islam, their meanings, and significance in a Muslim's life.

1. Kalima Tayyibah (The Word of Purity)

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ

Translation: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

Significance: This is the foundation of Islamic faith, declaring the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

2. Kalima Shahada (The Word of Testimony)

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

Translation: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

Significance: This Kalima reinforces the declaration of faith, emphasizing personal testimony and belief.

3. Kalima Tamjeed (The Word of Glorification)

سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ

Translation: "Glory be to Allah, and all praise is for Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest."

Significance: This Kalima focuses on praising and glorifying Allah, fostering a deeper sense of spirituality.

4. Kalima Tawheed (The Word of Oneness)

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِيْ وَيُمِيْتُ، وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوْتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا، ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ

Translation: "There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner. His is the kingdom, and His is the praise. He gives life and causes death. He is living and does not die, ever. He is the Possessor of glory and honor. In His hand is all good, and He has power over everything."

Significance: This Kalima emphasizes Allah's sovereignty, eternal existence, and power.

5. Kalima Istighfar (The Word of Repentance)

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً، وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ أَعْلَمُ، وَمِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ وَسَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ، وَغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

Translation: "I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for all my sins, which I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I repent to Him for the sins I know and the sins I do not know. Truly, You are the Knower of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great."

Significance: This Kalima highlights the importance of seeking Allah's forgiveness and repenting for sins.

6. Kalima Radde Kufr (The Word of Rejecting Disbelief)

اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالشِّرْكِ وَالْكَذِبِ وَالْغِيْبَةِ وَالْبِدْعَةِ وَالنَّمِيْمَةِ وَالْفَوَاحِشِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ وَسَائِرِ الْمَعَاصِيْ كُلِّهَا، وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَآمَنْتُ وَأَقُوْلُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ

Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know. I repent from it and I distance myself from disbelief, polytheism, lies, backbiting, innovations, slander, immorality, and all other sins. I have submitted and believed, and I declare: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

Significance: This Kalima expresses complete rejection of disbelief and affirmation of Islam.

Quick Facts
  • Number of Kalimas: Six
  • Purpose: Affirmation, repentance, and glorification
  • Importance: Integral to a Muslim's faith and practice
Did You Know?
  • The first Kalima (Tayyibah) is often recited daily in prayers and supplications.
  • The sixth Kalima (Radde Kufr) emphasizes rejection of disbelief and embracing Islam wholeheartedly.
  • Memorizing the Kalimas is a common practice for Muslims worldwide.

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