The Five Kalmas of Islam — QuranByOnlineTutor

First Kalma — Tayyibah (The Pure Word)

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ

La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah

"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah"

The First Kalma is the cornerstone of Islam — the Shahadah. It declares belief in the oneness of Allah (Tawheed) and acceptance of Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger. It is the entry point into Islam and the most important declaration a Muslim can make.

Second Kalma — Shahadah (The Testimony)

أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ

Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger"

The Second Kalma is an expanded form of the Shahadah. It emphasises that Allah is alone and without partners (negating shirk), and reaffirms that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger — not divine himself.

Third Kalma — Tamjeed (The Glorification)

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ

Subhanallahi wal-hamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-aliyyil-azeem

"Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest. There is no power and no strength except with Allah the High, the Magnificent"

The Third Kalma combines four of the most beloved phrases in Islam (the four tasbih). It glorifies Allah, praises Him, declares His oneness and His greatness, and ends with an acknowledgement of total dependence on Allah.

Fourth Kalma — Tawheed (The Oneness)

لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ

La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu yuhyi wa yumitu wa huwa hayyu la yamutu abadan. Dhul-jalali wal-ikram biyadihil-khairu wa huwa ala kulli shayin qadeer

"There is no god but Allah, alone, without partner. To Him belongs the kingdom and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. He is alive and will never die. He is full of Majesty and Honour. In His hand is all goodness, and He has power over all things"

The Fourth Kalma is an expansive declaration of Tawheed — the absolute oneness of Allah. It describes His attributes: sovereignty, praise, power over life and death, eternal existence, majesty, and omnipotence. Often recited morning and evening as dhikr.

Fifth Kalma — Astaghfar (Seeking Forgiveness)

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ

Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli zambin adhnabtuhu amadan aw khata an sirran aw alaniyyatan wa atubu ilayhi minadh-dhambil-ladhi alam bi wa minal-ladhi alam alam bihi innaka anta allamul ghuyubi wa sattarul-uyubi wa ghaffarudh-dhunubi wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-aliyyil-azeem

"I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, for every sin I committed intentionally or unintentionally, openly or secretly. I repent to Him from all sins that I know and those I do not know..."

The Fifth Kalma is a comprehensive seeking of forgiveness (Istighfar). It covers sins committed intentionally or accidentally, in public or private, remembered or forgotten. A powerful supplication of humility and repentance, recommended for daily recitation.

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