Are the 6 Kalimas Part of Islam?
Are the 6 Kalimas Part of Islam?
The Six Kalimas:
Kalimatut-Tayyibah (The Word of Purity)
Arabic: لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Translation: There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Kalimat-ush-Shahadah (The Word of Testimony)
Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Translation: I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
Kalimatut-Tamjeed (The Word of Glorification)
Arabic: سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ وَٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Translation: Glory be to Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is no deity but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Great.
Kalimatut-Tawheed (The Word of Oneness)
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
Translation: There is no deity but Allah, alone, without any partners. To Him belongs the sovereignty, and to Him belongs all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is living and does not die, ever, ever. The Possessor of majesty and honor. In His hand is all good, and He is powerful over everything.
Kalimatul-Istighfar (The Word of Seeking Forgiveness)
Arabic: أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي أَعْلَمُ وَمِنْ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ وَسَتَّارُ ٱلْعُيُوبِ وَغَفَّارُ ٱلذُّنُوبِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Translation: I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for all my sins, which I committed intentionally or mistakenly, secretly or openly, and I turn to Him in repentance for the sins that I know and those that I do not know. Indeed, You are the Knower of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Great.
Kalimatul-Radd al-Kufr (The Word of Rejecting Disbelief)
Arabic: ٱللَّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكُفْرِ وَٱلشِّرْكِ وَٱلْكِذْبِ وَٱلْغِيبَةِ وَٱلْبِدْعَةِ وَٱلْنَّمِيمَةِ وَٱلْفَوَاحِشِ وَٱلْبُهْتَانِ وَسَائِرِ ٱلْمَعَاصِي كُلِّهَا وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَأَقُولُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
Translation: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know. I repent from it, and I disassociate myself from disbelief, polytheism, lying, backbiting, innovations, slander, immorality, and all other sins. I submit to You, and I declare that there is no deity but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
These Kalimas are integral to the spiritual life of many Muslims, and they are often taught from a young age. They serve as reminders of the core beliefs and practices in Islam.
The six Kalimas hold a significant place in the religious practices and educational traditions of many Muslims around the world. These declarations or statements are concise expressions of fundamental Islamic beliefs and are often memorized and recited by Muslims, particularly in South Asia. Although they are not part of the obligatory rituals of Islam, like the Five Pillars, the Kalimas are deeply respected and widely utilized in various aspects of Islamic life.
Understanding the Six Kalimas:
The six Kalimas each encapsulate a key concept of the Islamic faith:
Kalimatut-Tayyibah (The Word of Purity) – “There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” This is a fundamental expression of the monotheistic belief that is central to Islam.
Kalimat-ush-Shahadah (The Word of Testimony) – “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.” This statement is essential in the Islamic declaration of faith, marking the entry point for anyone converting to Islam.
Kalimatut-Tamjeed (The Word of Glorification) – “Glory be to Allah, and all praise is due to Allah; there is no god but Allah; and Allah is the Greatest. There is no might or power except with Allah, the Exalted, the Great.” This Kalima is a reminder of Allah’s greatness and the believer’s dependence on Him.
Kalimatut-Tawheed (The Word of Oneness) – “There is no god but Allah. He is One. He has no partner. His is the Kingdom, and His is the Praise. He gives life and causes death. He is Ever-living and does not die. In His hand is all good, and He has power over everything.” This declaration emphasizes the oneness and sovereignty of Allah.
Kalimatul-Istighfar (The Word of Seeking Forgiveness) – “I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed intentionally or unintentionally, secretly or openly. I turn to Him in repentance for whatever He knows better than I do. Indeed, You are the Knower of the Unseen and the Forgiver of sins.” This Kalima is a plea for forgiveness, acknowledging human fallibility and the need for divine mercy.
Kalimatul-Radd al-Kufr (The Word of Rejecting Disbelief) – “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for that which I do not know. I repent from it and I declare myself free from disbelief, polytheism, lying, backbiting, innovation in religion, defaming others, immorality, slander, and falsehood.” This statement is a rejection of disbelief and a reaffirmation of faith in Allah.
The Role of the Kalimas in Islamic Practice
The six Kalimas are not obligatory practices in the sense of the Five Pillars of Islam, which include the Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Instead, the Kalimas serve as tools for spiritual education and personal development. They are often recited in daily prayers, supplications, and during moments of reflection to strengthen one’s connection with Allah.
The first two Kalimas, Kalimatut-Tayyibah and Kalimat-ush-Shahadah, are particularly central to the Islamic faith. The Shahadah is the cornerstone of Islamic belief, encapsulating the essence of what it means to be a Muslim. It is recited during the conversion process and is a vital part of daily prayers.
Cultural and Educational Significance
The practice of memorizing and reciting the six Kalimas is particularly common in South Asian Islamic culture. They are taught to children at an early age, often as part of their religious education in madrasas or at home. This memorization is seen not only as a means of instilling foundational Islamic beliefs but also as a way of building spiritual discipline and reinforcing a connection to Allah through regular recitation.
While the six Kalimas are not universally emphasized in the same way across all Muslim communities, their use in South Asia and among those with cultural ties to the region is widespread. This practice reflects a broader tradition within Islam of using succinct, meaningful phrases and prayers to help Muslims internalize their faith and reflect on their relationship with Allah.
Theological Perspectives on the Six Kalimas
From a theological perspective, the six Kalimas are not explicitly mandated in the Quran or Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Instead, they are derived from various Quranic verses and Hadiths, serving as a summary of key Islamic beliefs. The Kalimas are therefore seen as valuable tools for reinforcing the core tenets of Islam, but not as obligations.
The Kalimas are often recited individually as part of personal devotion or collectively in gatherings, especially in South Asian communities. Their regular recitation can help to solidify the concepts of monotheism, repentance.
and the rejection of disbelief, which are central to Islamic teachings.
Practical Application of the Six Kalimas
The six Kalimas can be integrated into daily life in various ways:
Morning and Evening Recitations: Many Muslims include the Kalimas in their morning and evening prayers or supplications, using them to start and end their day with reflections on their faith.
Teaching Tools for Children: The Kalimas are often among the first religious phrases taught to Muslim children, helping them to understand and memorize the foundational aspects of their faith.
Spiritual Reflection: Reciting the Kalimas during moments of introspection or difficulty can provide comfort and a reminder of Allah’s presence and mercy.
Community Gatherings: In some communities, the Kalimas are recited collectively during religious gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and shared belief among participants.
Conclusion
The six Kalimas, while not obligatory elements of Islamic practice, play an important role in the spiritual lives of many Muslims, particularly in South Asian communities. They serve as concise expressions of key Islamic beliefs and are used to help Muslims of all ages internalize the core tenets of their faith. Although they are not prescribed by Islamic law, their widespread use and the comfort they provide make them a cherished part of Islamic tradition.
Whether used as educational tools for children or as personal reminders of one’s faith, the six Kalimas contribute to the broader tapestry of Islamic devotional practices, helping Muslims to maintain a strong connection to Allah and the principles of Islam in their daily lives.