What are the ‘six kalimas’?

The six kalimas, possibly taken from the Arabic كلمة‎ kalima, i.e. “word,” is only a South Asian innovation with no basis found in the Islamic Shariah. All Islamic teachings are derived from either of the two primary sources of the Quran and Sunnah/Hadith.All the six kalimas came into existence to facilitate the easy memorization and learning of Aqeedah (beliefs). There is no shariah evidence to state that there is a need for kids to memorize them. There is no record whatsoever of when they came into existence

What is the ruling for memorization and recital of the six kalimas?

Religiously asking kids or adults to memorize these shahadas and forms of dhikr is something we don’t have any God-given authority for.

It is also, in reality, a way of implying that our beautiful religion was deficient, and something needed to be added to it to complete it.Whereas, Allah revealed the verse of Surah al-Maidah on Mount Arafat: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Quran 5:03).

The means to Allah’s pleasure is by following His beautiful guidance on His terms. And not based on our whims and desires.Below, the shahadahs, duas, and dhikr have been recorded with the relevant hadith to support them and state their real purpose

The 6 Kalimas with their English Translation

First Kalima (Tayyab)

Arabic: Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Muhammadur-Rasoolu-llaahEnglish: There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of AllahThe Prophet (PBUH) asked: “Do you know what faith in Allah is?” They replied: “Allah and His Apostle know best.” He said: “It includes the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle…” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4677)

Second Kalima (Shahadat)

Arabic: Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu.English: I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and MessengerThis supplication has been authentically narrated as being a part of the daily prayer. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 289)

Third Kalima (Tamjeed)

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Fourth Kalima (Touheed)

Arabic: Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka-lahoo Lahu-l Mulku Walahu-l Hamdu Yuhyee Wayumeetu Wahuwa Hayyu-l Laa Yamootu Abadan Abada. Dhu-l Jalaali Wal Ikraam. Biyadihil Khair. Wahuwa Alaa Kulli Shai-’in Qadeer.English: There is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is alone and has no partner. To Him belongs the Kingdom and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. In His hand is all good and He has power over everything.This has been narrated as an invocation for entering a market. (Jami at-Tirmidhi 5/291)

Fifth Kalima (Astaghfar)

Arabic: Astaghfiru-llaaha Rabbi Min Kulli Dhambin Adhnabtuhoo ‘Amadan Aw Khata-an Sirran Aw ‘Alaaniyata-wn Wa-atoobu Ilaihi Min-adh Dhambi-l Ladhee A’lamu Wamina-dh Dhambi-l Ladhi Laaa A’lamu Innaka Anta ‘Allaamu-l Ghuyoobi Wasattaaru-l ‘Uyoobi Wa Ghaffaaru-dh Dhunubi Walaa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaahi-l ‘Aliyyil ‘Azeem.English: I seek forgiveness from Allah, who is my Creator and Cherisher, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for all sins which I am aware of or am not aware of. Certainly, You (O Allah!), are the Knower of the hidden and the Concealer of mistakes and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, and the Most Great.According to DarulIfta Deoband, this supplication can be located in Bukhari 2:933,

Sixth Kalima (Radd-e-Kufar)

Arabic: Allaa-humma Inneee A’udhu-bika Min An Ushrika Bika Shay-awn Wa-ana A’lamu Bihee Wa- astaghfiruka Limaa Laaa A’lamu Bihee Tubtu ‘Anhu Wata-barraatu Mina-l Kufri Wash-shirki Wal-kidhbi Wal-gheebati Wal-bid’ati Wan-nameemati Wal-fawahishi Wal-buhtaani Wal-m’aasi Kulli-haa Wa-Aslamtu Wa-aqoolu Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Muhammadu-r Rasoolu-llah.English: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from that I should ascribe any partner with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for the sin of which I have no knowledge, I repent from it. And becoming disgusted of disbelief and idolatry, lying and backbiting, innovation and slander, lewdness and abomination and all other acts of disobedience, I submit to Your will. I believe, and I declare that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.According to DarulIfta Deoband, this supplication can be located in Musnad Imam Ahmad 5:451.Instead of teaching our children what Islam does not specify at all, we should teach them what it does. Teach them to pray, fast, speak the truth, be respectful, read the daily adhkaar, etc. for starters. The Prophet (PBUH) told us that: “Every innovation is going astray, and every going astray will be in the Fire.” (Muslim 867)[elementor-template id=”7190″]