6 Kalimas in Islam: The Definitive Guide to Your Spiritual Foundation
As a Senior Content Strategist and a dedicated educator at Bushra Quran Academy, I have spent years observing the spiritual trajectories of hundreds of students. I have seen a common thread: those who struggle with consistency in their prayers or feel a “thinness” in their faith often lack a structured articulation of their creed.
They know they believe, but they haven’t “armored” their hearts with the specific declarations that define a Muslim’s worldview. This is where the 6 kalimas come in. They are not just for children in Sunday school; they are the architectural blueprints of the soul. In this guide, I will take you through the nuances, the “why,” and the profound 6 kalma benefits that transform a routine recitation into a life-changing experience.
Introduction: The Crisis of the Fragmented Identity
The Problem
Modern life is designed to distract us. We are constantly bombarded by ideologies, stresses, and “internal whispers” (Waswas) that make us feel disconnected from our Creator. You might find yourself going through the motions of worship while your mind is miles away, leaving you feeling spiritually vulnerable.
The Agitation
This fragmentation leads to a weakened identity. When you cannot clearly state the pillars of your belief, you become susceptible to doubt and social pressures. Your prayer feels like a chore rather than a sanctuary. Without the anchoring of the 6 kalimas, you are essentially navigating a storm without a compass.
The Solution
The 6 kalimas provide a logical, step-by-step framework for reclaiming your identity. From the absolute monotheism of the 1 kalima Tayyab to the rigorous moral boundary-setting of the sixth kalima, these phrases build a fortress around your Iman. At Bushra Quran Academy, we treat these as the “Master Keys” to spiritual resilience.
What are the 6 Kalimas in Islam?
The word “Kalima” literally means “Word” or “Speech.” In the Islamic pedagogical tradition, particularly within the South Asian and Central Asian regions, scholars organized six specific declarations to ensure every believer understands the essential tenets of Aqidah (Creed).
Expert Nuance
It is important to be academically honest. You will not find the “Six Kalimas” as a numbered, sequential list in a single Sahih (authentic) Hadith. However, the content of each Kalima is derived directly from the Quran and the authentic traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This grouping is a teaching masterpiece—a syllabus designed to move a believer from basic belief to advanced spiritual protection.
6 Kalma Benefits: Combatting Mental Fatigue
I often see students who feel overwhelmed by the pace of modern life. I prescribe the third kalima.
SubhanAllah: Removes the weight of imperfection.
Alhamdulillah: Shifts the brain from scarcity to gratitude.
La hawla wa la quwwata…: This phrase is described in Hadith as a “treasure from the treasures of Paradise.” It is the ultimate admission that we have no power of our own, which paradoxically gives us the strength to face anything.
1. The First Kalima: Tayyab (The Word of Purity)
The 1 kalima Tayyab is the “DNA” of Islam. Every other belief grows from this seed.
The Arabic
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللهِ
English Translation
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.
Linguistic Expertise: The Power of Negation
Beginners often view this as a simple fact. However, in Arabic, this is a Nafi (Negation) followed by an Ithbat (Affirmation). You start with “La” (No).
You say “No” to your ego.
You say “No” to your fears.
You say “No” to false idols like money or social status.
Only after you clear the heart of these “gods” can you truly affirm Allah. At Bushra Quran Academy, I’ve seen students’ lives change when they treat this Kalima as a “mental detox” rather than just a phrase.
2. The Second Kalima: Shahadat (The Word of Testimony)
The Second kalima moves from a statement of fact to a formal, legal, and spiritual testimony.
The Arabic
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
English Translation
I bear witness that there is no God except Allah, He is One and has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger.
The Third Kalima: Tamjeed (The Word of Glorification)
The third kalima is the engine of spiritual energy. It is arguably the most powerful “mindfulness” tool in the Islamic toolkit.
The Arabic
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ
English Translation
Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Great.
4. The Fourth Kalima: Tauheed (The Word of Oneness)
The fourt kalima (often searched as “fourt”) provides the intellectual grounding for a Muslim’s trust in Allah (Tawakkul).
The Arabic
لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيْتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوْتُ أَبَدًا أَبَدًا ذُوالْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
English Translation
There is no God but Allah, He is One, without a partner. To him belongs the kingdom, and for him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. He is Ever-Living and will never die. He is the Owner of Majesty and Honor. In His Hand is all good, and He has power over all things.
5. The Fifth Kalima: Astaghfar (The Word of Penitence)
The fifth kalima is the “Emotional Hygiene” of the believer. It is the conversation between a flawed human and a Merciful God.
The Arabic
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبِّيْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمَدًا 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 بِاللهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْمِ
English Translation
I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I repent to Him from the sin that I know and from the sin 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.
6. The Sixth Kalima: Radde Kufr (The Word of Rejection of Disbelief)
The sixth kalima is your spiritual “firewall.” It is an active rejection of everything that corrupts the soul.
The Arabic
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَا أَعْلَمُ بِهِ تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَتَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَالشِّرْكِ وَالْكِذْبِ وَالْغِيْبَةِ وَالْبِدْعَةِ وَالنَّمِيْمَةِ وَالْفَوَاحِشِ وَالْبُهْتَانِ وَالْمَعَاصِي كُلِّهَا وَأَسْلَمْتُ وَأَقُوْلُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللهِ
English Translation
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from associating anything with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for what I do not know. I repent from it, and I disown disbelief, polytheism, lies, backbiting, innovation, slander, indecency, falsehood, and all sins. I accept Islam and declare that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.
Data & Facts: The "Spiritual DNA" Section
| Kalima | Primary Focus | Best Use Case |
| 1st (Tayyab) | Foundation | Morning intentions and resetting your “Why.” |
| 2nd (Shahadat) | Evidence | Public standing for truth and social justice. |
| 3rd (Tamjeed) | Praise | Reducing anxiety and “racing thoughts” during work. |
| 4th (Tauheed) | Attributes | Deep meditation on destiny and providence. |
| 5th (Astaghfar) | Healing | Nightly emotional detox and letting go of guilt. |
| 6th (Radde Kufr) | Protection | Shielding your character from toxic social influences. |
Why Children Should Learn the 6 Kalimas Early
As an educator, I cannot stress this enough. Learning the 6 kalimas early is not just about religious duty; it’s about cognitive and moral development.
Identity Building: In a world that tells children they can be “anything,” the Kalimas tell them who they are in relation to the Creator.
Linguistic Excellence: The complex Arabic sounds help in early phonetic development.
Moral Compass: By learning the sixth kalima, children understand early on that lying and backbiting are not just “mean,” but are contrary to their faith.
At Bushra Quran Academy, our children’s curriculum uses visual aids and storytelling to make the 6 kalimas come alive.
The Role of the 6 Kalimas in Daily Life
To get the full 6 kalma benefits, you must move beyond occasional recitation.
The Commute: Use the third kalima as your “traffic jams” Dhikr. It turns frustration into reward.
The Workplace: Recite the Second kalima to remind yourself that you are a “witness” for truth, which encourages honesty in business.
Bedtime: Use the fifth kalima to clear your heart of any grudges or mistakes from the day, ensuring you sleep with a Qalb-e-Saleem (a sound heart).
6 Kalimas PDF: Your Digital Companion
In our fast-paced world, having these resources on your phone is a necessity. This is why we provide a 6 kalimas pdf free download for all our students.
Our 6 kalimas pdf includes:
Clear, high-resolution Arabic script.
English and Urdu translations for deep understanding.
Transliteration for those still perfecting their Tajweed.
What are the 6 Kalma Benefits?
The benefits of mastering these six words are multi-dimensional:
Mental Peace: Constant Dhikr lowers cortisol levels and grounds the nervous system.
Intellectual Clarity: You understand the nuances of monotheism better than most.
Ethical Integrity: You have a built-in rejection system for social sins.
Spiritual Proximity: You fulfill the command of Allah to “Remember Me, and I will remember you.”
Conclusion: Build Your Shield at Bushra Quran Academy
The 6 kalimas are the heartbeat of a believer. They are the transition from being a Muslim by name to being a Muslim by conviction. From the foundational 1 kalima Tayyab to the protective sixth kalima, you have a roadmap for a life of purity and power. At Bushra Quran Academy, we don’t just teach you to read; we teach you to understand. Whether you need our 6 kalimas pdf or a one-on-one session to perfect your Tajweed, we are here for your spiritual growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About 6 Kalimas
Are the 6 Kalimas mandatory for every Muslim?
Can I recite the 6 Kalimas without Wudu?
Why do we call them "1st, 2nd, 3rd..."?
What is the difference between the 1st and 4th Kalima?
2nd kalma in arabic?
Where can I find a reliable 6 kalimas pdf?
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