The Six Kalimas are not just words; they represent a deep commitment to the core principles of Islam, by reciting and reflecting on these 1 to 6 kalma (six kalimas). Muslims strengthen their connection with Allah, deepen their understanding of their faith, and strive to live by these principles in their daily lives. The Six Kalimas are especially emphasized in South Asian countries like Pakistan, but it is important for all Muslims around the world to understand them, as they convey the fundamental truths of Islam.
What Are the Six Kalimas in Islam?
The word Kalima (كَلِمَة) in Arabic means “word” or “speech.” In Islam, a kalima refers to short phrases that express the foundation of faith and devotion to Allah. Muslims, especially in South Asia, are taught six kalimas from childhood, as they summarize essential beliefs of Islam. These phrases are derived from authentic supplications and dhikr (remembrance of Allah) found in Hadith, making them both spiritual and educational.
Here are the kalma 6 with their core meanings:
- What is First Kalma (Tayyab) – It declares purity of faith by affirming that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.
- Second Kalima Shahadah – It serves as testimony of belief in Allah and His Prophet.
- Third Kalma Tamjeed – It is a glorification of Allah, praising Him as free from all defects and full of majesty.
- Fourth Kalma Tawheed – It emphasizes the Oneness of Allah, rejecting all forms of shirk (associating partners with Him).
- Fifth Kalima Astaghfaar – It is a supplication seeking forgiveness for sins, both known and unknown.
- Sixth Kalma Radde Kufr – It is a declaration of rejecting disbelief and reaffirming strong commitment to Islam.
When it comes to the 4th Kalma, also called Kalma Tawheed, it carries a unique importance. Whether someone refers to it as kalma 4, its meaning remains consistent: affirming that only Allah is worthy of worship and that He has no partner. This powerful statement lies at the heart of Islamic belief and strengthens a Muslim’s faith by reminding them of the central doctrine of Touheed.
Understanding the 1 to 6 kalima in Islam
- The Six Kalimas in Islam are essential declarations of faith that summarize the core beliefs every Muslim holds.
- Each Kalma in Islam strengthens belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), Prophethood, and the importance of seeking forgiveness.
- Learning the Six Kalimas with English translation helps non-Arabic speakers deeply understand their meanings.
- These Kalimas are widely taught in South Asia (like Pakistan and India), but their message is universal for all Muslims.
- From the 1st Kalima affirming Allah's Oneness to the 5th Kalima seeking forgiveness, each serves a distinct spiritual purpose in Islam.
Benefits of Reading six kalimas:
- Reading 1 to 6 kalma in English and Arabic promotes spiritual enlightenment and fosters internal growth. Regular recitation of the Kalimas fortifies a Muslim's faith and trust in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), strengthening and reinforcing belief in His oneness. When Muslims recite all kalima 6 in Arabic, they connect more deeply with the language of the Quran, enriching their spiritual experience and understanding the true purpose of kalma in Islam.
- Shared recitation of the Kalimas strengthens the sense of community and unity among Muslims worldwide. Reflecting on the meanings of all 6 kalmas in English helps Muslims grasp the essential tenets of Islam more profoundly, inspiring them to live according to Islamic principles.
- Regular recitation nurtures a closer relationship with Allah and deepens understanding of monotheism, fortifying the belief in the oneness and greatness of Allah. The Kalimas affirm that Allah is the supreme and singular deity, with no associates or partners. By reciting the 5 kalma and six kalma, one seeks forgiveness directly from Allah, enhancing spiritual well-being and promoting immense peace and contentment.
- Reciting the Kalimas (6 kalima) also enhances character by encouraging humility and appreciation, leading to greater success in life. Thus, the continuous remembrance of kalima in Islam serves as a powerful tool for spiritual transformation and deeper faith.
1. First Kalima: Tayyab (Purity)
-1st kalma in Arabic text is:
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
- In Transliteration ,the 1st kalima is:
Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Muhammadur-Rasoolu-llaah
-When it comes to the translation of the first kalima in English, it is:
“There is no God but Allah Muhammad is the messenger of
Allah.”
2. Second Kalima: Shahadat (Testimony)
- In Arabic, the 2 kalma is:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu.
-When it comes to the translation of the 2nd Kalma in English, it is:
“I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship but Allah, the One alone, without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”
3. Third Kalima: Tamjeed (Glorification)
- In Arabic, the 3 kalma is:
سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
- In Transliteration ,the third kalima is:
Subhaana-llaahi Walhamdu Lillaahi Walaaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wallaahu Akbar. Walaa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi-l ‘Aliyyil ‘Azeem.
-When it comes to the translation of the 3rd Kalma in English, it is:
“Glory be to Allah and Praise to Allah, and there is no God but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And there is no Might or Power except with Allah.”
4. Fourth Kalima: Tauheed (Unity)
- In Arabic, the 4th kalma is:
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
- In Transliteration, the fourth kalima is:
Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka-lahoo Lahu-l Mulku Walahu-l Hamdu Yuhyee Wayumeetu Wahuwa Hayyu-l Laa Yamootu Abadan Abada. Dhu-l Jalaali Wal Ikraam. Biyadihil Khair. Wahuwa Alaa Kulli Shai-’in Qadeer.
-When it comes to the translation of the Kalima 4 in English, it is:
“(There is) none worthy of worship except Allah. He is the only One. (There is) no partners for Him. For Him (is) the kingdom. And for Through 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.”
5. Fifth Kalima: Astaghfar (Penitence)
- In Arabic, the 5th Kalma is:
اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهِ رَبِّىْ مِنْ كُلِِّ ذَنْۢبٍ اَذْنَبْتُهٗ عَمَدًا اَوْ خَطَا ًٔ سِرًّا اَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَّاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْۢبِ الَّذِیْٓ اَعْلَمُ وَ مِنَ الذَّنْۢبِ الَّذِىْ لَآ اَعْلَمُ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ وَ سَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ و َغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِىِ الْعَظِيْمِؕ
- In Transliteration ,the fifth kalima is:
Astaghfiru-llaaha 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.
-When it comes to the translation of the 5 kalima in English, it is:
“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, 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. Sixth Kalima: Radde Kufr (Rejecting Disbelief)
- In Arabic, the kalima 6 is:
اَللَّٰهُمَّ 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
- In Transliteration ,the 6 kalima is:
Allaa-humma Inneee 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 Muhammadu-r Rasoolu-llah.
-When it comes to the translation of the 6 kalima in english, it is:
“O Allah! Certainly, I seek protection with You from, that I associate partner with You anything and I know it. And I seek forgiveness from You for that I do not know it. I repented from it and I made myself free from disbelief and polytheism and the falsehood and the back-biting and the innovation and the tell-tales and the bad deeds and the blame and the disobedience, all of them. And I submit and I say (there is) none worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The Ideal Times to Recite the 6 Kalmas:
- Early Morning: Start your day with the kalima 6 to set a positive and spiritual tone.
- After Prayers: Recite the Kalimas after each of the five daily prayers for continued spiritual reinforcement.
- Before Sleep: End your day with the six kalimas to bring peace and reflection before resting.
- During Difficult Times: Recite the Kalmas when facing challenges for comfort and guidance.
- In Moments of Gratitude: Use the Kalimas to express thankfulness and reinforce your faith.
- During Islamic Gatherings: Recite the Kalimas in congregational settings to strengthen communal bonds.
The Origin of the six kalimas
The six Kalmas are not mentioned together in any single Islamic text; instead, they are selected from verses in the Holy Quran and Hadith. The first and second Kalmas are declarations of faith, reinforcing the first pillar of Islam (Tawhid). The third and 4th kalma are ways to beautifully remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The kalima 5 and 6 kalima seek His mercy and forgiveness.
Origin of 1st Kalima:
The origin of the first kalima can be traced back to this hadith:
Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "(The superstructure of) Islam is based on five (pillars), testifying the fact that La ilaha illallah wa anna Muhammad-ar-Rasul-ullah [there is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad ((ﷺ)) is the Messenger of Allah], establishing As-Salat (the prayers), paying Zakat (compulsory alms), the pilgrimage to the House [of Allah (Ka'bah)], and the Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan."[Riyad as-Salihin 1271]
Origin of Second Kalima:
The Second Kalma (Shahadat) proclaims the oneness of Allah and the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Confirming the finality of the Prophet (ﷺ), Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated him as saying:
“Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "My similitude in comparison with the other prophets before me, is that of a man who has built a house nicely and beautifully, except for a place of one brick in a corner. The people go about it and wonder at its beauty, but say: 'Would that this brick be put in its place!' So I am that brick, and I am the last of the Prophets." [Sahih al-Bukhari 3535].
Origin of Third Kalima:
The root of the 3rd kalma (Tamjeed) can be attributed to this hadith:
Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: 'Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and He is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection]'." [Riyad as-Salihin 1408]
Origin of 4th kalma & 5 kalma:
kalima 4 Tauheed and Kalma Astaghfaar beseech Allah for his mercy and it is a way for Muslims to ask forgiveness from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Ibn 'Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying:
"If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not." [Riyad as-Salihin 1873]
Origin of 6th kalima:
It is a masnoon practice for Muslims to proclaim the uniqueness and oneness of Allah. The 6th kalma (Radd-e-Kufr) allows Muslims to show the Almighty they submit only to Him.
An-Nu`man bin Bashir (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated the Prophet (ﷺ) saying:
“The supplication is worship.” Then he recited: And Your Lord said: “Call upon me, I will respond to you. Verily, those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell humiliated."
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3372]
The 6 Kalimas of Islam hold great importance in every Muslim’s faith, serving as foundational declarations of belief. Understanding the six Kalimas in Arabic alongside their English translations helps deepen one’s comprehension and devotion. Each Kalima in English carries a unique message, from affirming monotheism to seeking forgiveness. Learning to recite the 6 Kalimas with English translation makes it easier for non-Arabic speakers to grasp their meanings. This guide provides the 6 Kalimas in Arabic and English text, offering an accessible way for everyone to connect with these essential Islamic declarations.
FAQ’s
What are the six kalmas?
The 6 Kalimas are a set of declarations and supplications that summarize key aspects of Islamic faith and belief. They are recited by Muslims to reinforce their faith and remembrance of Allah.
What is the purpose of reciting the 6 Kalimas?
Reciting the 6 Kalimas helps strengthen faith in Allah, promote spiritual growth, enhance understanding of monotheism, bring peace and contentment, improve character, and encourage humility and appreciation.
Can the 6 Kalimas be recited in any specific order?
Yes, they are typically recited in the order they are traditionally compiled, starting from the first Kalima and proceeding to the sixth.
Is it possible to memorize the 6 Kalimas?
Yes, with regular practice and dedication, you can memorize the 6 Kalimas. Joining AwwalQuran is the best way to help you memorize Islamic teachings.
What is the First Kalma Tayyab?
It is the declaration of purity, affirming that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.
Can the 6 Kalimas be recited in any language?
While they are traditionally recited in Arabic, it is beneficial to understand their meanings. Translations can be used for comprehension, but recitation in Arabic preserves the original form and pronunciation.
