6 Kalimas
Some of the most useful and widely recited Islamic testimonies of faith are the Six Kalimas (Arabic: ٱلكَلِمَاتُ ٱلسِّتّ, Urdu: چھ کلمے). Though not gathered together in the Quran, they represent the best of the Islamic faith and declare the oneness of Allah, the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ, and the most important virtues of Tawhid (oneness of God).
Throughout history, Muslim children across South Asia have been taught to recite these Kalimas during their early religious education so that they could internalize the spirit of faith and religiosity.
Kalima literally means a “word” or a “statement.” One may come across various Kalimas that convey different aspects of a believer’s relationship with Allah — faith, repentance, thankfulness, and submission. When they are memorized and reflected upon, a person becomes more spiritually aware, morally strong, and closer to Allah.
The Six Kalimas, though not compiled directly in the Quran, are based on authoritative Hadiths and Quranic teachings. Together, they form a devotional system that encapsulates the pillars of faith and repentance.
1. The First Kalima: Tayyibah (The Pure Declaration)
Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللهِ
Transliteration:
La ilaha ill Allah Muhammadur Rasulullah
English Meaning:
Allah is the only God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
The core of Islam lies in the First Kalima. It affirms the cardinal creed of Tawhid, the unification of Allah, and the fact that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is His final prophet. This is what differentiates a Muslim from a non-believer and serves as the gateway to faith (Shahada).
It cleanses the heart of shirk (attributing partners to God) and fills it with oneness with Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever says earnestly La ilaha illallah will enter Jannah.” It breeds humility, submission, and holiness — the foundation of all worship.
2. The Second Kalima: Shahada (The Testimony of Faith)
Arabic:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Transliteration:
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
English Meaning:
I testify that there is no god but Allah, who has no partners, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
This is a solemn profession of faith — the conscious and purposeful declaration that one submits to Islam. It forms the foundation of Islamic Aqidah (belief system). Muslims bear witness to this in prayer and daily life.
The Shahada renews life through submission to the will of Allah. It is the first statement a person recites to embrace Islam — the gateway to belief and spiritual transformation.
3. The Third Kalima: Tamjeed (The Declaration of Glory of Allah SWT)
Arabic:
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ، وَالْـحَمْدُ لِلهِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration:
Subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar. Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem.
English Meaning:
Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no power and no strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Supreme.
This Kalima is full of Dhikr (remembrance) of the greatness and magnificence of Allah. It reminds believers that every blessing, provision, and success comes solely from Him. Reciting it cultivates gratitude, humility, and inner peace.
Scholars refer to this Kalima as a spiritual staircase that elevates the believer’s status. The Prophet ﷺ said that these words are among the most beloved to Allah and will weigh heavily on the scales of good deeds on the Day of Judgment.
4. The Fourth Kalima: Tawhid (The Declaration of Unity)
Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْـحَمْدُ، يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ، وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ، أَبَدًا أَبَدًا، ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Transliteration:
La ilaha illAllahu wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-hamdu, yuhyi wa yumitu, wa huwa hayyun la yamutu, abadan abada, dhul-jalali wal-ikram, biyadihil khayr, wa huwa ala kulli shay’in qadeer.
English Meaning:
There is no god but Allah, without partner. His is the sovereignty, and His is all praise. He gives life and death, and He is Ever-Living and never dies. He is the Lord of Majesty and Honor. In His hands is all good, and He has power over all things.
This Kalima emphasizes Allah’s eternal power, sovereignty, and oneness. It acknowledges Him as the giver of life and death and the sustainer of all existence. Memorizing and reciting it strengthens Tawakkul (trust in Allah) and detachment from worldly dependence.
Believers often recite it during illness or hardship as a reminder that only Allah determines fate and outcomes.
5. The Fifth Kalima: Astaghfar (The Declaration of Repentance)
Arabic:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمَدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً، وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي أَعْلَمُ، وَمِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ وَسَتَّارُ الْعُيُوبِ وَغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوبِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration:
Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhanbin adhnabtuhu amdan aw khata’an sirran aw ‘alaniyah, wa atubu ilayh min adh-dhanb alladhi a‘lamu wa min adh-dhanb alladhi la a‘lamu. Innaka anta allamul-ghuyub wa sattar al-uyub wa ghaffar adh-dhunub. Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem.
English Meaning:
I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for all my sins committed knowingly or unknowingly, in secret or in public. I repent for the sins I know and for those I do not know. You are the Knower of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. There is no power and no might except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
The Fifth Kalima is a declaration of humility before Allah — a sincere plea for forgiveness. Reciting it purifies the soul, softens the heart, and cleanses sins. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness frequently, Allah will provide him relief from every hardship.”
6. The Sixth Kalima: Radd-e-Kufr (The Declaration of Rejection of Disbelief)
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالشِّرْكِ وَالْكِذْبِ وَالْغِيبَةِ وَالْبِدْعَةِ وَالنَّمِيمَةِ وَالْفَوَاحِشِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ وَالْمَعَاصِي كُلِّهَا، وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَأَقُولُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللهِ
Transliteration:
Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika min an ushrika bika shay’an wa ana a‘lamu bih, wa astaghfiruka lima la a‘lamu bih. Tubtu ‘anhu wa tabarra’tu min al-kufri wash-shirki wal-kidhibi wal-ghibati wal-bid‘ati wan-namimati wal-fawahishi wal-buhtani wal-ma‘asi kulliha, wa aslamtu wa aqulu la ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah.
English Meaning:
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating partners with You. I seek Your forgiveness for what I do unknowingly. I repent and reject disbelief, polytheism, lies, backbiting, innovation, slander, immorality, and all sins. I submit to You and testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
This Kalima is a defense against spiritual corruption. It renews a believer’s commitment to monotheism and repentance. It is a prayer of protection from disbelief, hypocrisy, and sin. Muslims often recite it before sleep or when seeking forgiveness after a mistake.
Spiritual Implication of the Six Kalimas
The Six Kalimas bring together the essence of Islamic faith and morals — belief, glorification, repentance, and submission. Reciting them helps believers remember Allah (Dhikr) and protects them from sin.
In South Asian madrasas, children learn the Kalimas as part of their early spiritual training. They learn that Islam is not merely a set of rules but a complete way of life. Each Kalima strengthens moral awareness, gratitude, and reliance on Allah.
Believers use these Kalimas as moral guides in daily life. When in distress — La ilaha illallah restores peace; when blessed — Alhamdulillah expresses gratitude; when tempted — Astaghfirullah purifies the heart.
Historical Background
The tradition of the Six Kalimas became widespread in medieval South Asia, where scholars sought to summarize the basics of faith into simple, memorable phrases for easy learning and recitation. Though the classification is not canonical, each Kalima is grounded in Quranic and Prophetic teachings.
This compilation helped new Muslims, especially in non-Arab regions, internalize the essential principles of Islam through memorization and repetition. Over time, the Six Kalimas became a part of spiritual education for children and a practice of daily Dhikr for adults.
Benefits of Reciting the Six Kalimas
- Strengthens Faith (Iman): Renews connection with Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
- Brings Inner Peace: Dhikr calms the heart and eliminates anxiety.
- Forgives Sins: Astaghfar invokes divine mercy and forgiveness.
- Reminds of the Afterlife: Encourages piety and accountability.
- Protects from Disbelief: Radd-e-Kufr guards against pride and spiritual neglect.
- Promotes Unity: Collective recitation fosters unity within the Muslim Ummah.
FAQs
Q1: Do the Six Kalimas exist in the Quran?
No. The Six Kalimas are not compiled in a single verse but are derived from authentic Hadiths and Quranic concepts.
Q2: Should Muslims recite all Six Kalimas daily?
Not mandatory, but highly recommended for spiritual reflection, especially the First and Second Kalimas.
Q3: Why are the Six Kalimas so popular in South Asia?
Early scholars compiled them to teach the core beliefs of Islam in a simple, easy-to-memorize format for new converts and children.
Q4: Can non-Arabs read them in English?
Yes, the meaning matters most. However, reciting in Arabic carries additional blessings.
The Six Kalimas beautifully summarize the doctrine of Islam — faith in one God, gratitude, repentance, and moral self-control. Though their compilation is educational rather than scriptural, their message is deeply rooted in the Quran and Sunnah.
Reciting them daily purifies the heart, strengthens faith, and renews submission to Allah. For Muslims worldwide, especially in South Asia, these Kalimas are not merely childhood lessons but lifelong spiritual companions.
In essence, the Six Kalimas represent a complete circle of faith — from acknowledging Allah’s Oneness to seeking His forgiveness — guiding every believer toward peace, purity, and eternal success.
