kalima

Kalima is an Arabic word meaning "word" or "speech." In linguistic terms, kalima denotes a unit of language and is used in discussions of Arabic vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. The word appears in many phrases and titles in Arabic-speaking cultures and across languages that borrowed from Arabic.

In Islamic usage, kalima refers to a formal declaration of faith. The most widely known is the Shahada, the two-part creed stating that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is the messenger of God. The kalima is a fundamental profession of belief and is central to conversion, religious identity, and various ceremonies. It is recited in daily prayers and appears in religious texts and inscriptions in many Muslim communities.

Beyond its religious sense, kalima can be used more generally to mean any declaration or statement. In this broader sense, it can refer to specified statements such as kalimat al-tawhid (the declaration of oneness of God). The term also appears as a given name in some cultures and can function as a toponym or title in various languages that incorporate Arabic vocabulary.

Overall, kalima encompasses both a specific doctrinal declaration within Islam and the wider concept of a spoken statement, reflecting its roots in Arabic language and religious practice.