The Kalma represents the solemn declaration of faith in Islam. In the Shia Ithna Ashari (Twelver) tradition, the declaration of faith encapsulates not only Monotheism (Tawheed) and Prophethood (Nabuwwah), but also the vital third pillar affirmed by the Prophet (S.A.W) at Ghadir Khumm: the Divine Guardianship (Wilayah) and Leadership (Imamate) of Ameer al-Mu'mineen Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S) and the purified Ahlulbayt.
1. The First Kalma: Kalma Tayyabah (The Word of Purity)
The first Kalma is the bedrock of Islamic faith. In Shia belief, reciting the third testimony (Shahadah Thalithah) alongside Tawheed and Risalah manifests complete adherence to Quranic instruction:
Transliteration: La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullahi Aliyyun Waliyyullahi Wasiyyu Rasulillahi wa Khalifatuhu bila fasl.
English Translation: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Ali is the Guardian (Wali) appointed by Allah, the inheritor/executor of the Messenger of Allah, and his immediate successor without separation.”
اردو ترجمہ: اللہ کے سوا کوئی معبود نہیں، محمدؐ اللہ کے رسول ہیں، اور علیؑ اللہ کے ولی، رسول اللہ کے وصی اور ان کے بلا فصل جانشین ہیں۔
2. The Second Kalma: Kalma Shahadat (The Word of Testimony)
Transliteration: Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluh, wa ash-hadu anna 'Aliyyan Ameeral-Mu'mineena Waliyyullah.
English Translation: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, He is One with no partners; I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger; and I bear witness that Ali is the Commander of the Faithful and the Wali of Allah.”
3. The Third Kalma: Kalma Tamjeed (The Word of Glorification)
English Translation: “Glory be to Allah, and all praise is for Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest; and there is no might nor power except with Allah, the Exalted, the Magnificent.”
The Quranic Basis of Wilayah
The third testimony is deeply rooted in the Holy Quran. Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:55) commands:
“Verily, your Guardian (Wali) is only Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe—those who establish prayer and give Zakat while bowing in Ruku.” (5:55)
All classical Shia and prominent Sunni commentators (including Al-Suyuti, Zamakhshari, and Fakhr al-Din al-Razi) record that this verse was revealed specifically when Imam Ali (A.S) gave his ring to a beggar while bowing down in prayer.
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