The Six Kalimas

The foundational declarations of Islam — the essence of the faith every Muslim should know, recite, and embody.

The Six Kalimas are the foundational declarations of Islam. They form the essence of the faith — concise expressions of belief that every Muslim should know, recite, understand, and embody in their daily life.

The Essence of the Kalima: The Kalimah is the essence of Islam. A true Muslim is one who is completely aware of the meaning of the Kalimah, proclaims it with sincerity and devotion, and acts and lives in accordance with its requirements.

The Six Kalimas

1

Kalimah-e-Tayyibah

(Word of Purity)

لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ

"There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah."

This is the Shahadah — the testimony of faith that every Muslim must recite to enter Islam. It affirms the absolute oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.

2

Kalimah-e-Shahadah

(Word of Testimony)

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَّ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger."

An extended version of the Shahadah, expressing the personal testimony of the believer with the affirmation that Allah has no partners.

3

Kalimah-e-Tamjeed

(Word of Glorification)

لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِيْ وَيُمِيْتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لاَّ يَمُوْتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا، ذُو الْجَلاَلِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ

"There is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Kingdom and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. In His hand is all good and He has power over everything."

This Kalima affirms Allah's absolute sovereignty, His eternal life, and His power over all creation.

4

Kalimah-e-Tauhid

(Word of Unification)

سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَلاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

"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."

This Kalima contains four essential phrases: Tasbih (glory), Tahmid (praise), Tahleel (oneness), and Takbir (greatness) — a comprehensive expression of divine perfection.

5

Kalimah-e-Astaghfar

(Word of Repentance)

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمَدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلاَنِيَةً وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ أَعْلَمُ وَمِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ لاَ أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوْبِ وَسَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ وَغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

"I seek forgiveness from Allah, who is my Lord and Cherisher, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for all sins which I am aware of or am not aware of. Certainly You (O Allah!) are the Knower of the hidden and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, the Most Great."

This is the Kalima of repentance — a comprehensive seeking of forgiveness that acknowledges our human fallibility and turns to Allah for mercy.

6

Kalimah-e-Rud-e-Kuffr

(Word of Rejection of Disbelief)

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لاَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالشِّرْكِ وَالْكِذْبِ وَالْغِيْبَةِ وَالْبِدْعَةِ وَالنَّمِيْمَةِ وَالْفَوَاحِشِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ وَالْمَعَاصِيْ كُلِّهَا، وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَأَقُوْلُ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ

"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 ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah."

This Kalima is the declaration of a Muslim's separation from all forms of disbelief, sin, and innovation — a complete commitment to faith and righteousness.

The Importance of Learning the Kalimas

The Six Kalimas are essential for every Muslim because they:

  • Are concise summaries of the entire faith
  • Can be recited in any language, but learning them in Arabic brings the reward of worship
  • Are traditionally taught to children as their first religious education
  • Are recited during prayers, supplications, and daily remembrance
  • Provide the foundation for understanding the Quran and Hadith

When to Recite the Kalimas

  • After each Salah (prayer)
  • Before sleeping and upon waking
  • During times of distress or anxiety
  • When seeking forgiveness
  • When beginning any important task
  • At the time of death

Final Reminder: The Six Kalimas are not just words to memorize — they are declarations of belief that should shape our actions, character, and daily life. May Allah grant us the understanding, sincerity, and consistency to embody their meanings, Insha'Allah.

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