The 6 Kalimas represent key statements of Islamic faith that encapsulate the fundamental principles of Islam. These declarations help strengthen believers’ faith, bring them closer to the gifts of Allah (SWT), and foster greater commitment to Muslim values. The 5th Kalima, Astaghfar (Penance), is recited to seek Allah’s forgiveness, a practice that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged us to perform 100 times daily. We spoke with Mekaeel Mohsin, Imam of the Islamic Community of Salinas, California, for guidance on enhancing your relationship with Allah (SWT) and understanding the importance of forgiveness in Islam. Read on to learn how to effectively recite this dua.
How to Recite the 5th Kalima
Recite the 5th Kalima, Astaghfar, to request Allah, the Most Merciful, to forgive your sins, both those you are aware of and those you are not. Through asking for forgiveness, Allah (SWT) will grant you peace of mind and open your heart to offer forgiveness to others.
Steps to Follow
What is the 5th Kalima?

- The 6 Kalimas are declarations of faith that praise Allah SWT. Each Kalima represents a unique aspect of the Islamic faith and can help deepen one’s connection with Allah SWT while encouraging the practice of Muslim values.
Translation and Transliteration of the 5th Kalima

أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمَدًا أَوْ خَطَأً سِرًّا أوْ عَلَانِيَةً وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي أَعْلَمُ وَمِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ وَسَتَّارُ ٱلْعُيُوْبِ وَغَفَّارُ ٱلذُّنُوبِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
- Transliteration: Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kullay Zambin Aznabtuho Amadan Ao Khat An Sirran Ao Alaniatan Wa Atoobo ilaihe Minaz Zambil Lazee Aalamo Wa Minaz Zambil Lazee La Aalamo innaka Anta Allamul Ghuyoobi Wa Sattaarul Oyobi Wa Ghaffaruz Zunoobi Wala Haola Wala Quwwata illa billahil AliYil Azeem.

Advantages of Reciting the 5th Kalima

- Mekaeel Mohsin, Imam of the Islamic Community of Salinas and founder of Voyagers of Knowledge, reminds us that we are imperfect by design: “[E]ven though we’re going to fall short, [Allah] still wants us to come back and repent and to try again.”


Using the Kalimas to Strengthen Your Faith


- لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah.
There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

- اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّآ اِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَہٗ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُولُہٗ
Shhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu wa-ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluhu.
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

- سُبْحَان اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُلِلّهِ وَلا إِلهَ إِلّااللّهُ وَاللّهُ أكْبَرُ وَلا حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلّا بِاللّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيْم
Subhanallah walhamdulillah wala ilaha illallah wallahu akbar wala hawla wala quwwata illa billah aliyyil azeem.
Glory be to Allah, all praise is due to Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no power or might except with Allah, the Exalted, the Great.

- لَآ اِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهٗ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهٗ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيٖ وَ يُمِيْتُ وَ هُوَحَیٌّ لَّا يَمُوْتُ اَبَدًا اَبَدًاؕ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْاِكْرَامِؕ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُؕ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شیْ ٍٔ قَدِیْرٌؕ
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumitu Wahuwa Hayyu-l Laa Yamootu Abadan Abada. Dhul Jalaali Wal Ikraam. Biyadihil Khair. Wahuwa Ala Kulli Shai-in Qadeer.
(There is) none worthy of worship except Allah. He is One and has no partners. To Him belongs the Kingdom and to Him belongs the Praise. He gives life and causes death. He is Alive, and will never die. He is the Possessor of Majesty and Honor. In His hand is all goodness, and He has power over everything.

- اَللّٰهُمَّ اِنِّیْٓ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ اَنْ اُشْرِكَ بِكَ شَيْئًا وَّاَنَآ اَعْلَمُ بِهٖ وَ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا لَآ اَعْلَمُ بِهٖ تُبْتُ عَنْهُ وَ تَبَرَّأْتُ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الشِّرْكِ وَ الْكِذْبِ و الْغِيْبَةِ وَ الْبِدْعَةِ وَ النَّمِيْمَةِ وَ الْفَوَاحِشِ وَ الْبُهْتَانِ وَ الْمَعَاصِىْ كُلِِّهَا وَ اَسْلَمْتُ وَ اَقُوْلُ لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللهِؕ
Allahumma Inne A’udhu-bika Min An Ushrika Bika Shay-awn Wa-ana A’lamu Bihee Wa-astaghfiruka Limaa Laaa A’lamu Bihee Tubtu ‘Anhu Wata-barraatu Mina-l Kufri Wash-shirki Wal-kidhbi Wal-gheebati Wal-bid’ati Wan-nameemati Wal-fawahishi Wal-buhtaani Wal-m’aasi Kulli-haa Wa-Aslamtu Wa-aqoolu Laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Muhammadur Rasulullah.
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from attributing any partner to You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for the sins of which I am unaware. I repent from them and renounce disbelief, idolatry, lying, backbiting, innovation, slander, immorality, false accusations, and all acts of disobedience. I submit to Your will, declaring that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.