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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

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

- Kalimat Shahadah: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah (I bear witness that

- Kalimat Tamjid: Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar (Glory be to God, and praise,

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

- Kalimat Istighfar: Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhambin wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness from God, my

Usage and significance vary by community. While the kalimas are important devotional tools for many believers,

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

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.
Messenger
of
Allah.)
there
is
no
god
but
Allah,
and
I
bear
witness
that
Muhammad
is
the
Messenger
of
Allah.)
there
is
no
deity
but
God,
and
God
is
the
Greatest.)
through
God.)
Lord,
for
every
sin,
and
I
repent
to
Him.)
they
are
not
universally
standardized
across
all
Muslims.