The Six Kalmas of Islam

Introduction

The basic beliefs of Islam are contained in a series of statements called the Six Kalmas. These brief words form the basis for the beliefs and spiritual practices of millions of believers around the world. In this comprehensive guide, we look at the meaning of the six Kalmas and how they are a manifestation of spiritual journeying.

Meaning of 6 Kalimas

Kalma 1 Meaning

(The Declaration of Purity),  Kalma Tayyab

Kalma 2 Meaning

(The Declaration of Testimony) Kalma Shahada

Kalma 3 Meaning

(The Glory Declaration) Kalma Tamjeed 

Kalma 4 Meaning

(The Declaration of Monotheism) Kalma Tawhid 

Kalma 5 Meaning

(The Declaration of Repentance) Kalma Istighfar

Kalma 6 Meaning

(The Declaration of Rejection of Disbelief) Kalma Radde Kufr 

Understanding the 6 Kalimas

The “Six Phrases’ ‘ or “Six Articles of Faith,’ ‘ commonly referred to as the “Six Kalmas,’ ‘ are Islamic affirmations of religion. Muslims of various ages and backgrounds recite and remember them to strengthen their connection to Allah and to support their religious convictions.

The Six Kalmas

1 Kalma in English

Kalma Tayyab (The Declaration of Purity)

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ

1st Kalima Transliteration‎

La ilaha illallahu muhammadur rasulullah

1st Kalma in English

“There is no deity except Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

2 Kalma in English

Kalma Shahada (The Declaration of Testimony)

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

2nd Kalima Transliteration

ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu.

‎2nd Kalma in English

I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, alone, without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

3 Kalma in English

Kalma Tamjeed (The Declaration of Glory)

سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

3rd Kalima Transliteration

subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar wala hawla wala quwwata illa billah aliyyil azeem

3rd Kalma in English‎

“Glorified is Allah (God), [all] praise is due to Allah (God), there is no deity except Allah (God), Allah (God) is greater [than everything], and there is no power nor strength except in Allah (God), the Lofty, the Great.”

4 Kalma in English

Kalma Tawhid (The Declaration of Monotheism)

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا، ذُو ٱلْجَلَالِ وَٱلْإِكْرَامِ بِيَدِهِ ٱلْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ 

كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

4th Kalima 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.

4th Kalma in English

There is no deity but Allah (God) alone and has no partners. To Him belongs all sovereignty and to Him belongs all Praise. He gives life and causes death, and He [Himself] is alive and does not die, ever! Ever! He of Majesty and Munificence. In His hand is all goodness and He has power over everything.

5 Kalma in English

Kalma Istighfar (The Declaration of Repentance)

أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمَدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي أَعْلَمُ وَمِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ وَسَتَّارُ ٱلْعُيُوْبِ وَغَفَّارُ ٱلذُّنُوبِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

5th Kalima 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.

5th Kalma in English

“I seek the forgiveness of Allah (God), my Lord, for every sin which I knowingly committed and every sin which I unknowingly committed. Verily, You are the Knower of the hidden, the Concealer of the faults, and the Forgiver of the sins, and there is no power nor strength except in Allah (God), the Lofty, the Great.”

6 Kalma in English

Kalma Radde Kufr (The Declaration of Rejection of Disbelief)

ٱللَّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْءً وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأَتُ مِنَ ٱلْكُفْر وَٱلشِّرْكِ وَٱلْكِذْبِ وَٱلْغِيبَةِ وَٱلْبِدْعَةِ وَٱلنَّمِيمَةِ وَٱلْفَوَاحِشِ وَٱلْبُهْتَانِ وَٱلْمَعَاصِي كُلِّهَا وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَأَقُولُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ

6th Kalima 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.

6th Kalma in English

“O Allah (God)! I seek refuge in You from that I should not join any partner with You and I know of it, and I seek Your forgiveness from that which I do not know. I repent from it and I reject disbelief, polytheism, falsehood, backbiting, deviation, defamation, immorality, calumny and all sinfulness. I submit to You and I declare: There is no deity but Allah (God), Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (God).”

The Significance of the Six Kalimas

The fundamental principles of Islam are attested to by the Six Kalmas

Monotheism

The belief in Allah’s unity is emphasized through the Kalma Tayyab and Kalma Tawhid. They serve as a declaration of Tawheed, the central tenet of Islam.

Prophethood

The Kalma Shahada recognizes Muhammad as Allah’s final prophet and messenger. It expresses confidence in his message and direction.

Glorification

The Kalma Tamjeed exalts Allah and proclaims His sovereignty and greatness. It serves as a reminder to believers of the significance of glorifying and worshiping Allah in all spheres of life.

Repentance

The Kalma Istighfar acknowledges human frailty and the necessity of pleading with Allah for mercy. It serves as a reminder that everyone commits sin, and that the only way to earn Allah’s mercy is through repentance.

Rejection of Disbelief

The Kalma Radde Kufr is an affirmation of faith and a request for protection against equating other people with Allah. It supports the Islamic belief that shirk—associating others with Allah is forbidden.

Application of the Six Kalmas in Daily Life

The Six Kalmas are fundamental to Muslims’ daily life and are more than merely recitations:

Prayer

The Kalmas are frequently recited during morning prayers as a reminder of faith and Islamic beliefs.

Spiritual Reflection

Muslims often ponder the significance of the Kalmas and how they affect their daily lives as they meditate on their meanings.

Teaching and Education

Children and new converts are taught the Kalmas, which serve as a vehicle for disseminating Islam’s core values.

Supplication and Repentance

Recitation of the Kalma Istighfar emphasizes the value of real repentance and turning to Allah at times of seeking forgiveness.

Protection by Kalmas of Islam

For defense against doubt and false beliefs, seeking Allah’s guidance, and preserving one’s faith, the Kalma Radde Kufr is chanted.

The Spiritual Journey of Declaration

The Six Kalmas represent a route towards spiritual enlightenment for Muslims. They guide followers through the core tenets of their faith, such as rejection of atheism, the importance of asking for forgiveness, and monotheism. This is a continuous process that fortifies the core principles and beliefs of Islam and enhances the believer’s bond with Allah.

Conclusion

The Six Kalmas are professions of religion and belief that have great significance for Muslims. They are not just plain words. They embody the fundamental principles of Islam and lead followers on a spiritual path of declaration, connection, and comprehension. This verse emphasizes the Oneness of Allah, the need for repentance and the rejection of doubt. Muslims consider the Six Kalmas an important part of their spiritual path as they use regular readings and meditations to strengthen their faith and relationship with Allah.