The Six Kalimas of Islam are a foundational part of a Muslim’s faith. These six powerful declarations summarize core beliefs, praises of Allah, and sincere acts of repentance. Although the Kalimas are not listed together in the Qur’an or Hadith, each one is deeply rooted in authentic Islamic texts. They have been compiled and taught over generations to help Muslims—especially children and new learners—develop a clear understanding of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah), Prophethood, and personal accountability.
Together, the Kalimas offer a path for spiritual purity and remembrance (dhikr), and are widely taught in madaris and Islamic institutions around the world.
The Six Kalimas of Islam – Arabic with English Translation
1. First Kalima – Tayyibah (Purity)
Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ
Translation:
There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
2. Second Kalima – Shahadah (Testimony)
Arabic:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ
وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
Translation:
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, He is One and has no partner.
And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
3. Third Kalima – Tamjeed (Glorification)
Arabic:
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ، وَاللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Translation:
Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest.
There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
4. Fourth Kalima – Tawheed (Oneness)
Arabic:
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ
يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوْتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا
ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ، وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Translation:
There is no god but Allah. He is One and has no partner.
His is the kingdom and all praise belongs to Him. He gives life and causes death, and He is Ever-Living and never dies.
He is the Owner of Majesty and Honor. In His hand is all good, and He has power over all things.
5. Fifth Kalima – Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness)
Arabic:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا 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 بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ
Translation:
I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, in secret or in public.
I repent from the sins I know and those 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 Most Great.
6. Sixth Kalima – Radde Kufr (Refutation of Disbelief)
Arabic:
اللّٰهُمَّ 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 وَأَقُوْلُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ
Translation:
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating anything with You, and I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know.
I repent from it and declare myself free from disbelief, polytheism, lies, backbiting, innovation, slander, indecency, false accusation, and all sins.
And i submit to Your will and declare: There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
The Collective Importance of the Six Kalimas
These Six Kalimas help develop a strong spiritual identity and reinforce the essential tenets of Islamic belief. They encompass the declaration of faith, glorification of Allah, seeking forgiveness, and the rejection of all forms of disbelief and immorality. Regularly reciting them keeps a Muslim’s heart connected to Allah (SWT), serves as a form of daily dhikr, and strengthens moral character.
They are widely taught in Islamic schools and madaris because they lay a solid foundation for Islamic knowledge, especially for young minds and those new to the faith.
Learn the Six Kalimas Online with JH Quran Academy
At JH Quran Academy, we are committed to helping students of all ages learn, understand, and internalize the Six Kalimas with correct pronunciation, meaning, and practical relevance. Our online Quran classes ensure students don’t just memorize but also reflect on their meanings, applying them in their daily spiritual journey.