6 Kalimas in Islam: Arabic, English Translation & Meaning

The Six Kalimas are traditionally taught to Muslims as declarations and supplications related to faith, the oneness of Allah, praise, and repentance. They are commonly learned by children and adults in many Muslim communities, especially in South Asia.

What Are the Six Kalimas in Islam?

The Six Kalimas are a traditional collection of six declarations and supplications. Each has a commonly used name and focuses on themes such as belief in Allah, the testimony of faith, glorifying Allah, and seeking forgiveness.

The six Kalimas are:

1. First Kalima — Tayyab

2. Second Kalima — Shahadat

3. Third Kalima — Tamjeed

4. Fourth Kalima — Tawheed

5. Fifth Kalima — Astaghfar

6. Sixth Kalima — Radd-e-Kufr

1. First Kalima — Kalima Tayyab

The First Kalima is a concise declaration of faith.

Arabic:

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ

English Translation:

There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Explanation:

The First Kalima expresses belief in Allah’s oneness and in Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His Messenger. These are central themes of Islamic faith.

2. Second Kalima — Kalima Shahadat

The Second Kalima is known as the declaration of testimony.

Arabic:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

English Translation:

I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

Explanation:

The Second Kalima states the testimony of faith. It affirms Allah’s oneness and identifies Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His servant and Messenger.

3. Third Kalima — Kalima Tamjeed

The Third Kalima is a declaration of praise and glorification of Allah.

Arabic:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

English Translation:

Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no power and no strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.

Explanation:

The Third Kalima brings together words of praise, glorification, and acknowledgment of Allah’s greatness and power.

4. Fourth Kalima — Kalima Tawheed

The Fourth Kalima focuses on the oneness of Allah and His sovereignty.

Arabic:

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

English Translation:

There is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, without any partner. To Him belongs the kingdom and all praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is Ever-Living and never dies. He is the Possessor of Majesty and Honor. All good is in His hand, and He has power over everything.

Explanation:

The Fourth Kalima describes Allah’s oneness, everlasting life, authority, and power over all things.

5. Fifth Kalima — Kalima Astaghfar

The Fifth Kalima focuses on seeking forgiveness and turning back to Allah.

Arabic:

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ 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 بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ

English Translation:

I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin I have committed intentionally or unintentionally, secretly or openly. I repent to Him for the sins I know and those I do not know. Surely, You are the Knower of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. There is no power and no strength except through Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.

Explanation:

The Fifth Kalima expresses repentance and asks Allah for forgiveness for known and unknown sins.

6. Sixth Kalima — Kalima Radd-e-Kufr

The Sixth Kalima expresses rejection of disbelief and a request for Allah’s protection and forgiveness.

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 إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ

English Translation:

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowingly associating anything with You, and I ask Your forgiveness for what I do not know. I repent and reject disbelief, associating partners with Allah, lying, backbiting, religious innovation, tale-bearing, immoral acts, false accusations, and all sins. I submit to You and declare that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Explanation:

The Sixth Kalima includes seeking Allah’s protection, asking forgiveness, and rejecting disbelief and sinful conduct.

Note: The Arabic wording and transliteration above follow commonly published versions of the traditional Six Kalimas. Check the full text with a qualified Arabic teacher before using it as a definitive memorization resource, as spelling, diacritics, and transliteration can vary between editions.

Conclusion

The Six Kalimas are traditionally taught to help Muslims learn declarations of faith, glorify Allah, and express repentance. Studying their Arabic wording alongside transliteration and English translation can help learners understand the meaning of each declaration.

Learn them carefully, verify the Arabic wording, and seek guidance from a qualified teacher when you need help with pronunciation or meaning.