The Kalimahs
There are six Kalimahs in Islam, each with a specific name, purpose, and number of words. Students should be able to identify each Kalimah by its serial number and its distinguishing feature.
Overview of the Six Kalimahs
- First Kalimah β Kalimah Tayyabah: contains seven words and 48 letters; it is the Kalimah that has no dotted letter in it. Its recitation is called Tahleel.
- Second Kalimah β Kalimah Shahadat: contains fifteen words. Its literal meaning is 'to testify' (bearing witness to the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad ο·Ί). This Kalimah is recited after Wuzu and is also the Kalimah recited during Namaz (Salat).
- Third Kalimah β Kalimah Tamjeed: its literal meaning is 'to praise.' It contains a total of 29 words.
- Fourth Kalimah β Kalimah Rad-i-Kufr: this Kalimah is specifically for renouncing disbelief (Kufr).
- Fifth Kalimah β Kalimah Astaghfar: a Kalimah of seeking Allah's forgiveness.
- Sixth Kalimah β Kalimah Tauheed: affirms the Oneness of Allah.
Other Key Facts
- All six Kalimahs together are recited at the time of Nikah.
- A Murtad is a person who leaves Islam after having become a Muslim (apostasy) β this is different from someone who simply never accepted Islam or embraced it with conditions.
Because several questions test the exact serial number of a Kalimah (e.g., 'which number is Rad-i-Kufr?'), students should memorize the sequence in order: (1) Tayyabah, (2) Shahadat, (3) Tamjeed, (4) Rad-i-Kufr, (5) Astaghfar, (6) Tauheed.