The Five Kalimas: A Forgotten Pillar of Faith You Must Know

Sacred declarations that illuminate the path of every Muslim

What Are The Five Kalimas? 🌟

The Kalimas are sacred declarations in Islam that express the core beliefs of our faith. Each one carries deep meaning and serves as a light guiding us on our spiritual path. Let’s explore them with their Arabic text, pronunciation, translation, and meaning.

1️⃣ First Kalima: Tayyab 🌸

The Pure Word

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ

Pronunciation:
“Laa ilaaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah”

Translation:
“There is no god but Allah, Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah”

Heart’s Understanding:
This is our foundation – pure, simple, and powerful. It’s like the key that opens the door to Islam, declaring our belief in One God and His beloved Messenger ﷺ.

2️⃣ Second Kalima: Shahadat 👆

The Testimony

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهٗ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهٗ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُوْلُهٗ

Pronunciation:
“Ash-hadu al-laa ilaaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu”

Translation:
“I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, who is without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger”

Heart’s Understanding:
A fuller declaration of our faith, where we not only believe but testify to Allah’s oneness and Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood.

3️⃣ Third Kalima: Tamjeed ✨

The Glory of Allah

سُبْحَان اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلهِ وَلا إِلهَ إِلّا اللّهُ وَاللّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

Pronunciation:
“Subhanallahi walhamdu lillahi wala ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Wala hawla wala quwwata illa billahil ‘aliyyil azeem”

Translation:
“Glory be to Allah, and all praise be to Allah, and there is no deity but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And there is no power and might except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great”

Heart’s Understanding:
A beautiful celebration of Allah’s greatness, reminding us that all power and strength come from Him alone.

4️⃣ Fourth Kalima: Tawheed 🤲

The Oneness

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهٗ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهٗ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِيْ وَيُمِيْتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَّا يَمُوْتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا ؕ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِ ؕ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرُ

Pronunciation:
“Laa ilaaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyee wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyul laa yamootu abadan abada. Dhul jalaali wal ikraam. Biyadihil khair wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shai in qadeer”

Translation:
“There is no deity but Allah. He is alone and He has no partner. His is the kingdom and His is the praise. He gives life and causes death. And He is living and will not die, never, ever. Possessor of glory and honor. In His hand is goodness, and He has power over everything”

Heart’s Understanding:
A profound declaration of Allah’s absolute oneness, sovereignty, and eternal nature. It reminds us that all good comes from Him.

5️⃣ Fifth Kalima: Astaghfar 🌊

The Seeking of Forgiveness

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ أَعْلَمُ وَمِنَ الذَّنْبِ الَّذِيْ لَا أَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوْبِ وَسَتَّارُ الْعُيُوْبِ وَغَفَّارُ الذُّنُوْبِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ

Pronunciation:
“Astaghfirullah Rabbi min kulli dhanbin adhnabtahu ‘amdan aw khata’an sirran aw ‘alaniyatan wa atubu ilayhi minadh dhanbi alladhi a’lamu wa minadh dhanbi alladhi laa a’lamu innaka anta ‘allaamul ghuyubi wa sattarul ‘uyubi wa ghaffarudh dhunubi wa laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billahil ‘aliyyil ‘azeem”

Translation:
“I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, and I turn towards Him from the sin that I know and from the sin that I do not know. Certainly, You (O Allah), are the Knower of the hidden things and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and might except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great”

Heart’s Understanding:
A humble recognition of our human nature and need for Allah’s forgiveness, acknowledging His mercy and our complete dependence on Him.

A Message from the Heart 💝

These five Kalimas are like precious jewels in our faith. Each one helps us build a stronger connection with Allah in its own special way:

• The first one opens the door to Islam
• The second strengthens our testimony
• The third celebrates Allah’s glory
• The fourth deepens our understanding of His oneness
• The fifth reminds us of His endless mercy

Learn these beautiful declarations with proper understanding and let them fill your heart with light and peace.

Remember, these words aren’t just meant to be memorized – they’re meant to be lived, felt, and carried in our hearts. Each time we say them, we’re reinforcing our connection with Allah and reminding ourselves of the beautiful truths of our faith.

May these Kalimas be a source of peace, guidance, and blessings in your life. 🤲

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