In every corner of the Muslim world, the kalimahs serve as the foundation of faith—concise, powerful declarations that encapsulate the essence of Islamic belief. No matter the academic perspective, as a student of Islamic education, as a spiritual searcher for truth, or as a teacher, promoting the richness of the faith that is deen, these hallowed expressions form a core of your daily devotions and learning. These Six Kalimas are not only old words, they are living words which lay the foundation of the life of millions. They encourage you to reassert your commitment daily, to contemplate on your spiritual way, and to turn towards a life of submission, of gratitude, and of the supreme faith.
This comprehensive article explores the origins, meanings, and practical applications of the Six Kalimas, providing the complete Arabic texts, precise transliterations, and clear English translations as verified by trusted sources.
"There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah .
This opening declaration is far more than words—it is a transformative mantra that has been passed down through generations in Islam. In the following sections, we will journey through each of the Six Kalimahs—from the basic affirmation of monotheism to a comprehensive rejection of disbelief—exploring their historical evolution, spiritual depth, and practical relevance in modern life.
Historical Background and Evolution of the Kalimahs
Since the early times of Islam there has always been a pressing requirement for pronouncements of faith that areeasily and unconventionally memorable. The purity of the text—La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the apostle of Allah”—was) too simple for the young Muslim believers. Nevertheless, since the religion moved to various cultures and languages, the learned people added more and more statements to encompass more detailed points of the religion. They were, from that time, to be known as the Six Kalimas, and today they are used as a valuable tool of instruction, a wellspring of assurance in faith, and a figurehead of social identity.
By integrating these divine declarations into daily life—whether during prayer (salah), dhikr (remembrance), or personal reflection—Muslims renew their connection with the Creator, reaffirming the oneness of Allah and the profound responsibilities that come with such belief.
The status of Kalimahs in Daily Worship and Islamic Studies
The kalimahs are much more than mere recitations; they are a constant reminder of the believer’s relationship with Allah. Reading them gives spiritual relief, promotes personal thought and reaffirms the principles of Tawheed (oneness of God). Whether uttered silently in one’s heart or proclaimed aloud during communal gatherings, these declarations serve as an anchor amid the challenges of daily life.
By covering transliteration and translation aspects of Kalimas, students learn not only to recite these statements correctly but also to internalize their deep spiritual significance.
Six Kalimahs
First Kalimah: The Fundamental Declaration of Faith
Though regarded at other times as the initial declaration of belief, the First Kalma is in fact, the final declaration of the monotheistic faith.
Arabic:
لَإِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰه
Transliteration:
La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah
English Translation:
“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
the recognition of Allah’s exclusive divinity and Muhammad PBUH as a Messenger of Allah. . It is the starting point for every Muslim’s journey toward spiritual enlightenment, serving as the gateway to deeper understandings of the deen.
Second Kalimah: The Shahadah
The Second Kalima is a continuation of the foundation laid by the First Kalimah with a new testimony covering the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Arabic:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.
Transliteration:
Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo, Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu.
English Translation:
“I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, alone without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.
The Second Kalima is the heart of a Muslim existence. It’s not just a statement—it’s the powerful testimony that affirms the absolute oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. Repeating it is a conscious decision to affirm the truth and constitutes the literal beginning point of becoming a Muslim. This declaration is the foundation upon which every believer builds their faith, serving as a daily reminder of their commitment to living a life guided by divine wisdom and purpose.
Third Kalimah: Kalima Tamjeed (Glorification of Allah)
The Third Kalma is a complete testimony to the glorifying of Allah,asserting his puertitude, majesty and ultimate power.
Arabic:
سُبْحَان اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُلِلّهِ وَلا إِلهَ إِلّااللّهُ وَاللّهُ أكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْم”
Transliteration:
Subhaana-llaahi Walhamdu Lillaahi Walaaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wallaahu Akbar. Walaa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi-l ‘Aliyyil ‘Azeem.
English Translation:
Glory be to Allah, praise is to Allah, Allah, [there is no god] but Allah, Allah is the Highest/Greatest. There is no power nor strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
The third kalimah, known as Kalima Tamjeed, is critically important in Islamic practice as it glorifies and praises Allah, reminding believers of His absolute perfection, majesty, and supreme power. This statement emphasizes humility and thankfulness and also clarifies the spiritual dimension. On regular repetition of this kalimah, the practitioner acquires a renewed faith and spiritual energy, which serves as a daily anchor for worship and remains an eternal testimony to The Majesty and Pity of Allah, the Omnipotent and Merciful. It remains our guide..
Fourth Kalimah: Kalima Tawheed (Oneness and Sovereignty of Allah)
The Fourth Kalma provides a deeper insight into the concept of Tawheed by emphasizing Allah’s exclusive dominion and His eternal nature.
Arabic:
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:
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulk wa lahul hamd, yuhyee wa yumitu, wa huwa hayyun la yamutu abadan abadan, dhu al-jalaali wa al-ikraami biyadihil khairu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.
English Translation:
“The fourth kalimah, known as Kalima Tawheed, is vital as it reaffirms Allah's absolute oneness and supreme sovereignty. It emphasizes that Allah alone governs all creation, giving life and causing death, while remaining eternal and unchanging. By reciting this kalimah, believers reinforce their trust in His omnipotence and find strength in His unmatched authority, deepening their commitment and resilience against doubt in every aspect of life.
This extended declaration not only reinforces Allah’s exclusive divinity but also highlights His absolute control over life and death. It deepens our understanding of His eternal nature and serves as a reminder that every blessing and every moment of life is by His design.
Fifth Kalimah: Kalima Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
The Fifth Kalimah is a heartfelt supplication in which the believer seeks forgiveness from Allah for all sins—whether committed knowingly or unknowingly, openly or secretly.
Arabic:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمَدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً، وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي أَعْلَمُ، وَمِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ، وَسَتَّارُ الْعُيُوبِ، وَغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوبِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration:
Astaghfiru-llaaha Rabbi min kulli dhanbin ‘amadan aw khata’an sirran aw ‘alaniyatan, wa atubu ilayhi min adh-dhanbi alladhī a’lamu, wa min adh-dhanbi alladhī lā a’lamu, innaka anta ‘aalimu-l ghaybi, wa suttaaru-l ‘uyubi, wa ghaffaaru-dhunubi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illaa billahi-l ‘aliyyil ‘aẓeem.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek forgiveness from You, my Lord, from every sin—whether committed deliberately or by mistake, done secretly or openly; and I repent to You for the sin I know and for the sin I do not know. Indeed, You are the Knower of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins; and there is no power nor strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.”
The fifth kalima, known as Kalma Istighfar, holds immense significance as it represents a sincere plea for Allah’s forgiveness. Believers acknowledge their human shortcomings and seek divine mercy through heartfelt repentance for both known and unknown sins. This recitation fosters continuous spiritual renewal, encourages humility, and serves as a constant reminder of the need for self-purification, ultimately deepening one’s connection with Allah and reinforcing the importance of seeking His boundless mercy.
Sixth Kalimah: Kalima Radd al-Kufr (Rejection of Disbelief)
The Sixth Kalimah serves as a resolute declaration against all forms of polytheism and disbelief. It reinforces the exclusive oneness of Allah while negating any association of partners with Him.
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ، تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالشِّرْكِ وَالْكِذْبِ وَالْغَيْبَةِ وَالْبِدْعَةِ وَالنَّمِيمَةِ وَالْفَوَاحِشِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ وَالْمَعَاصِي كُلِّهَا، وَأُسْلِمْتُ وَأَقُولُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
Transliteration:
Allaa-humma innee 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 walkidhbi wal-gheebati wal-bid’ati wan-nameemati wal-fawahishi wal-buhtaani wal-ma’aasi kullihaa, wa uslimtu wa aqoolu laa ilaaha illaa-llaahu Muhammadu-r Rasoolu-llah.
English Translation:
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating any partner with You, while I know that such association exists; and I ask Your forgiveness for that which I do not know. I repent from it and renounce disbelief, polytheism, falsehood, backbiting, innovation, slander, indecency, calumny, and all disobedience. I have submitted [to You] and I declare: there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
The sixth kalimah, known as Kalima Radd al-Kufr, holds critical importance as it decisively rejects disbelief, polytheism, and all deviations from true Tawheed. By affirming exclusive loyalty to Allah, it reinforces unwavering faith and clarity in belief. Reciting this kalimah not only bolsters spiritual resolve but also unites the community against falsehood, serving as a powerful reminder to uphold the purity of faith and resist any form of misguidance.
The Significance and Impact of the Kalimahs
Every time a Muslim recites the kalimahs, it is more than a mechanical repetition—it is a profound renewal of the heart and mind. These divine declarations serve as reminders of Allah’s omnipresence, guiding believers back to the path of righteousness. Kalmas help to purge negative thoughts, instill gratitude, and inspire a sense of responsibility toward both the self and the community.
Real Day-to-Day usages
Morning and evening dhikrs: The kalimas serve as the mind-centeredness preparation of the self to face the challenges of those days or at night reflect its blessings.
Salah and Du’a: To combine these into a formal prayer or a private supplication can strengthen the ties with Allah.
Education: These Kalmas have been sources of foundation texts for teachers and scholars to introduce students with core principles of Islam.
Deep Analysis: A Study of the Meaning Behind Each Kalimah
Knowing the meaning of each kalimah is essential for full appreciation of their profoundness:
The First Kalima
Though short, “La ilaha ill Allah Muhammadur-Rasul Allah” constitutes the gist of Tawheed reminding a believer that, only Allah is one deity worth worshiping. This sentence forms the basis on which the entire structure of Islamic belief is constructed.
The Second Kalima (Shahadah)
This testimony further goes much in witnessing not just in Allah’s singularity but also in the prophethood of Muhammad. It is the word of seal of faith – a declaration that every Muslim ought to recite within themselves.
The Third Kalimah (Kalima Tamjeed)
This kalimah is a hymn of praising Allah in His perfection and majesty from believers that every good comes from Him, every blessing, and every bit of strength.
The Fourth Kalimah (Kalima Tawheed)
This declaration further elaborates the unique nature of Allah and absolute control of all creations and giving life and death by him in affirmation that every moment is by His will.
The Fifth Kalma (Kalima Istighfar)
It says that dictate the acknowledgement of human error, the prayer asking for mercy from God. No sin indeed is too great for a sincere turn before Allah to be forgiven. Its comprehensiveness refers to sins both known and unknown. Through this, it is termed a continuous person to the need for repentance.
The Sixth Kalima (Kalima Radd al-Kufr)
This certainly completes the whole unfinished portion of the final declaration explanation without leaving a single gutter grey over the denial of all kinds of disbelief or polytheist forms. A complete renunciation of every deviation from the oneness of Allah not sealing a believer from the pure human had been structured under this..
The Six Kalimahs are a timeless tribute to the beauty and simplicity of Islamic tenets. They are a personal affirmation, a communal rallying cry, and a scholarly reference, all in one. In learning, reciting, and sharing these sacred words, you not only nourish your own spiritual life but at the same time contribute to the common identity of the Muslim Ummah.
In this article, we have traced the history of the kalimahs, delved into their meaning, and provided the full Arabic text, transliteration, and English translation of each. Each word is a shining testimony to God’s truth and a reminder of God’s supremacy from the unchosen attribute of monotheism defined in the First Kalimah to the comprehensive rejection of disbelief in the Sixth Kalima.
O Allah, grant us the strength to hold these divine words, the wisdom to grasp their significance, and the grace to transmit them to the world! Ameen!
Final Thoughts
Amidst the tides and tempests of time, the kalimah has offered a constant anchor down through the ages. From among a sea of confusions comes clarity; where there is despair, the kalimah hints of hope; and where there is diversity, there is the unity of the kalimah. As you embark upon your daily revival of each of the kalimahs—from the first declaration to the sixth—may their profound messages enliven your actions and thoughts and uplift your spirit.
May the immortal words of the Six Kalmas grant solace to your heart, clarity to your mind, and in your life, the ever-present mercy of Allah. Accept them! Convey them! And let them be your guiding light on the path to your faith.
Start Your Quran Learning Journey Today with Apex Quran Academy
At Apex Quran Academy, we are dedicated to making Quran learning accessible, engaging, and effective for students of all ages and levels. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking advanced tajweed lessons, our expert tutors are here to guide you every step of the way. Don’t wait—take the first step towards enhancing your Quranic and historic knowledge about Islam and Islamic teachings. Enroll now and experience personalized online classes from the comfort of your home
