kalimah

Kalimah is an Arabic word meaning word or speech. In general usage it refers to a short statement or creed, and in Islamic contexts it often denotes a formal declaration of faith or a set of creedal phrases that are memorized and recited.

In Islam, kalimah can signify the central declaration of faith, the shahada, which affirms belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. The term is also used to describe collections of short formulas that are taught in some Muslim communities, especially in South Asia, as sets of five kalimas. The exact wording of these kalimas can vary by tradition, but they are commonly recited as expressions of faith, devotion, and moral intention.

Five commonly cited kalimas in some South Asian traditions are:

- Kalimat Tayyiba: La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah (There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)

- Kalimat Shahadah: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)

- Kalimat Tamjid: Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar (Glory be to God, and praise, there is no deity but God, and God is the Greatest.)

- Kalimat Tawhid: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no power and no strength except through God.)

- Kalimat Istighfar: Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhambin wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness from God, my Lord, for every sin, and I repent to Him.)

Usage and significance vary by community. While the kalimas are important devotional tools for many believers, they are not universally standardized across all Muslims.

See also: Shahada, Kalima (Islamic term), Dhikr.