The Six Kalimas (Kalima) in Islam are key declarations of faith, essential beliefs, and supplications that every Muslim is encouraged to know, understand, and recite. They are foundational to the faith and provide a way to remember Allah, seek forgiveness, and affirm one’s commitment to Islam.
The Significance of the Six Kalimas
The Six Kalimas serve multiple purposes:
- Affirmation of Faith – They remind us of the core belief in the Oneness of Allah and the finality of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- Spiritual Purification – Regular recitation purifies the heart and mind from sins and negativity.
- Seeking Forgiveness – They help a believer turn back to Allah and seek pardon for mistakes knowingly or unknowingly committed.
- Protection from Evil – They act as spiritual armor against disbelief, polytheism, and immoral deeds.
- Strengthening Memory of Allah – By reciting them daily, one constantly remembers Allah, His greatness, and His mercy.
1. First Kalima (Kalima Tayyibah – The Pure Declaration)
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Transliteration: Laa Ilaaha Illa-llah Muhammadur-Rasoolullah
Translation: There is no deity but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Benefits:
- Strengthens the core belief in Tawheed (Oneness of Allah).
- Forms the basis of a Muslim’s faith.
- Reminds the believer of the purpose of life: worshiping Allah alone.
See Also: After Hearing Adhan Dua
2. Second Kalima (Kalima Shahadah – The Declaration of Faith)
َأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Transliteration: Ash-hadu An Laa Ilaaha Illa-llah Wa Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhu Wa Rasooluh
Translation: I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah (God), the One, there is no partner to Him, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.
Benefits:
- Strengthens faith and belief in the finality of Prophethood.
- Helps cultivate sincerity and devotion in worship.
- Aids in reinforcing a moral and righteous lifestyle.
3. Third Kalima (Kalima Tamjeed – The Glorification of Allah)
سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration: Subhan-Allahi Walhamdu Lillaahi Wa Laa Ilaaha Illa-llahu Wallaahu Akbar Wa Laa Hawla Wa Laa Quwwata Illa Billahi Al-Aliyyil-Azeem
Translation: Glorified is Allah, [all] praise is due to Allah, there is no deity except Allah, Allah is greater [than everything], and there is no power nor strength except in Allah, the Lofty, the Great.
Benefits:
- Promotes mindfulness of Allah’s greatness.
- Encourages gratitude for Allah’s blessings.
- Serves as a powerful supplication during daily life and hardships.
4. Fourth Kalima (Kalima Tawheed – The Oneness of Allah)
َ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
Transliteration: Laa Ilaaha Illa-llahu Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lahu Lahul-Mulku Walahul-Hamdu Yuhyi Wa Yumeetu Wa Huwa Hayyun Laa Yamootu Abadan Abada Dhul-Jalaali Wal-Ikraam Biyadihil-Khayr Wa Huwa Ala Kulli Shay’in Qadeer
Translation: There is no deity but Allah 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.
Benefits:
- Strengthens belief in Tawheed and divine sovereignty.
- Increases reliance on Allah during challenges.
- Helps cultivate awareness of life, death, and accountability.
5. Fifth Kalima (Kalima Astaghfar – The Declaration of Seeking Forgiveness)
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
Transliteration: Astaghfirullaha Rabbi Min Kulli Dhambin Adhnabtu Hu Amadan Aw Khata’an Sirran Aw Ala’niyyatan Wa Atoobu Ilayh Minadh-Dhanbilladhee A’lamu Wa Minadh-Dhanbilladhee Laa A’lamu Innaka Anta Allamul-Ghuyub Wa Ghaffarudh-Dhunub Wa Laa Hawla Wa Laa Quwwata Illa Billahil-Aliyyil-Azeem
Translation: 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.
Benefits:
- Encourages repentance and humility.
- Cleanses the heart from guilt and regret.
- Provides a pathway for spiritual growth and divine mercy.
See Also: Darood-e-Ibrahim in Arabic, English
6. Sixth Kalima (Kalima Radde Kufr – The Declaration of Rejecting 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
Transliteration: Allahumma Inni A’udhu Bika Min An Ushrika Bika Shay’an Wa Ana A’lamu Bihi Wa Astaghfiruka Lima Laa A’lamu Bihi Tubtu Anhu Wa Tabarra’tu Minal-Kufri Wash-Shirki Wal-Kadhibi Wal-Ghibati Wal-Bid’ati Wan-Namimati Wal-Fawahishi Wal-Buhtani Wa Sa’iril-Ma’asi Kulliha Wa Aslamtu Wa Aqoolu Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah Muhammadur Rasoolullah
Translation: 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).
Benefits:
- Protects the believer from spiritual misguidance.
- Instills humility, self-awareness, and repentance.
- Reinforces complete submission and devotion to Allah alone.
Additional Benefits of Reciting the Six Kalimas
- Enhances spiritual mindfulness in daily life.
- Acts as a daily reminder of Allah’s mercy, power, and oneness.
- Provides protection from sinful habits and negative influences.
- Strengthens the moral and ethical character of a Muslim.
- Serves as a tool for inner peace and tranquility through regular dhikr.
