There are six Kalimas in all, and millions of Muslims throughout the world remember them because they convey core concepts about Allah and Islam. These six phrases are instructive, and they are frequently imparted to children while they are young so that they would benefit from knowing them early in life. We’ll go through the second Kalima in-depth in this post.
What is kalima Shahadat?
The shahadat, or ‘giving testimony to the faith,’ is the second of the kalima. This refers to Tawheed, Islam’s core principle. The faith in Allah’s unity or oneness is known as Tawheed. It claims that Allah is both One (Al-Ahad) and Single (Al-Wahid).
Meaning Of second kalima
أَشْهَدُ أنْ لا إلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu.
Translation in English:
The meaning of second kalima shahadat (Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu) is,
“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger“
Translation In Urdu:
“Main gawaahi deta hun ke ALLAH ke siwa koi Ma’abud nahi, WO Tanha hai, USKA koi Shareek nahi, aur main gawaahi deta hun ke beshak Muhammad ﷺ USKE Bande aur Rasool hain.”
Concept of 2nd kalima:
When a Muslim recites the second Kalima they proclaim:
- That Allah is the one and only God, and that Muhammad is his servant and messenger.
- That they personally accept this as true.
- That they will obey all the commitments of Islam in their life.
The Kalima Shahadat has its unique role in the life of Muslims. By surrounding their lives around it, Muslims witness that Allah is the one and only who does not require any partner and Muhammad (SAW) is His last messenger and prophet. This witness and the concept of Tauhid complete the doctrines of the faith in a life of a Muslim.
However, the existence of four things eliminates all the benefits and advantages of saying the Kalima Shahadat. They are Shirk, Shak, Tashbih, and Tatil. Shirk means to believe that there are more Gods. Shak means uncertainty or doubts in a religion. Tasbih means to link Allah to an imaginary creature. Tatil means to believe that Allah does not interfere with beings and everything is created by itself.
What does Quran say about the oneness of ALLAH?
The first portion of the phrase refers to the denial of “Shirk,” which is defined as considering someone to be comparable to Allah. HE emphasizes several times in the Quran that HE would forgive all of our sins except “shirk”. According to Surah Al-Maida,
“Verily, whoever associates others with Allah (in His Divinity or worship) Allah will forbid him Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. And there shall be no helpers for the wrongdoers.”
(Al-Ma’idah 5: 72)
Kalima Shahadat in Azaan:
2nd Kalima is mentioned in the azaan which is recited before every prayer five times a day. This reason being is Muslims need to be in constant remembrance of Allah in our minds.
It was narrated by Abu Mahdhurah in Sunan Ibn Majah hadith 709: The Messenger of Allah taught me the Adhan with nineteen phrases and the Iqamah with seventeen. The Adhan is:
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar,
Allah is the Most great, Allah is the Most great,
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar;
Allah is the Most great, Allah is the Most great,
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah,
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah,
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallah;
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah,
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah,
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah;
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
Hayya ‘alal-salah,
Come to the Prayer,
Hayya ‘alal-salah;
Come to the Prayer,
Hayya ‘alal-falah,
Come to the Success
Hayya ‘alal-falah;
Come to the Success
Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar;
Allah is the Most great, Allah is the Most great,
La ilaha illallah.
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.
Benefits of 2nd kalima in light of Ahadees
There are several Ahadees regarding kalima Shahadat, few are given below:
Muhammad (SAW) stated that:
“Verily, you are coming to a people among the humans of the Book (Ahl Kitab), so call them to testify there is no God but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah.” (Al-Bukhari 1422H)
He also stated that:
“Whoever dies, while he knows that no god is allowed to be worshipped But Allah, and then he entered Paradise.”
(Muslim 2006)
‘Umar (rad) recounted it in Bulugh al-Maram Hadith 57: Allah’s Messenger (Abu Bakr) stated:
If one performs ablution (wudu) and recites the following statement: (Ash-hadu a la ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu) ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner, and Muhammad (SAW) is his prophet and messenger’ , all the eight doors of Jannah will be opened for him and he may enter through any door he wishes”.
How kalima Shahadat impacts the life of a Muslim?
Reciting the Kalima Shahadat on daily basis is obligatory for every Muslim. By proclaiming the Shahadat, a Muslim claims that all of his acts are according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. By this, he accepts the fact that Allah is his Sustainer & Creator, and to Him, he shall return. The memorization and recitation of 2nd Kalima on daily basis wipes our fear away except for the fear of Allah. It makes a believer calm and honest in his deeds and actions.
There are ample ways that impact the lives of Muslims by saying the Kalima Shahadat daily:
- The believers are affectionate towards each other
- Allah will be pleased with the one saying Kalima Shahadat
- There will be ease in death
- One’s grave will be capacious
- One will see one’s clay/adobe in Jannah
- One will attain the greatest of all blessings
- The reciter will be befriended by the most truthful people in Jannah
- One will reach the highest level of virtues and will gain the pleasure of Allah
Conclusion
To conclude, kalima shahadat is a testimony that every Muslim recites with proper trust and belief. Its words are also present in azaan. The Kalima Shahadat has its unique role in the life of Muslims. By surrounding their lives around it, Muslims witness that Allah is the one and only who does not require any partner and Muhammad (SAW) is His last messenger and prophet.
Read more about 1st Kalima Tayyab.
