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Discover the powerful dua for forgiveness
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 5th Kalima is a supplication seeking Allah’s SWT forgiveness. The 5th Kalima, Astaghfar (penitence), is a prayer asking Allah SWT to forgive all of our sins, whether we are aware of them or not, and to conceal our faults from others. As taught by the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we should seek forgiveness (istighfar) 100 times a day.
- 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
The 5th Kalima in Arabic (With Pronunciation)
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
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.
Translation of the 5th Kalima I ask for forgiveness from Allah, my Creator and Sustainer, for every sin I have committed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in secret or openly. I also seek His forgiveness for the sins I am aware of and those I am unaware of. Truly, You, O Allah, are the All-Knowing of the unseen, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.
Advantages of Reciting the 5th Kalima
Reciting the 5th Kalima invites Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness. What has already happened is in the past, and Allah is fully aware of it. Acknowledging your faults and repenting for your mistakes allows you to be freed from your sins, as Allah witnesses your sincere repentance.
- 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.”
Reciting the 5th Kalima can bring you inner peace. Carrying the weight of past wrongs creates mental distress, anxiety, and an overall sense of unease. By letting go of your transgressions and seeking Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness, you can find relief, ease your mind, and move forward toward happiness.
Living by this Kalima helps you follow Allah’s (SWT) guidance. While Allah (SWT) doesn’t expect perfection from us, He sent the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to show us the way to improve. Part of that path involves showing mercy and forgiveness. When Allah forgives you, it becomes easier for you to forgive the wrongs of others as well.
Using the Kalimas to Strengthen Your Faith
The Kalimas help strengthen our connection to Allah (SWT). By reciting the Kalimas, you are continually remembering and praising Allah (SWT), which reflects your devotion to Him. Asking for His forgiveness acknowledges both His supreme power and boundless mercy. Consistently communicating with Allah deepens the bond you share with Him.
First Kalima: Tayyab (Purity) It is narrated in Hadith that anyone who believes in the first Kalima—that there is no god but Allah (SWT) and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His messenger—will receive forgiveness from Allah (SWT). Reciting this Kalima strengthens your faith in Allah’s (SWT) divine power over your life.
- 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.
Second Kalima: Shahadat (Testimony) Mohsin explains that the core of Islam lies in believing in Shahadat: “[This] testimony means submission. [Y]ou submit your body, mind, soul, and desires to Allah.” This Kalima reinforces your faith, serving as a reminder of the essential principles of being a Muslim.
- 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.
3rd Kalima: Tamjeed (Glorification) This Kalima is an expression of praise and remembrance of Allah (SWT), as those who remember Allah are remembered by Him. The more He remembers you, the more likely you are to receive His blessings and protection.
- 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.
4th Kalima: Tauheed (Unity) Tauheed is the fundamental principle of Islam: Allah (SWT) is the only one, without any partner. According to Hadith, reciting the 4th Kalima 100 times frees ten slaves for Allah (SWT), grants you 100 credits, and erases 100 of your sins.
- 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.
Sixth Kalima: Radde Kufr (Rejecting Disbelief) The gravest sin in Islam is attributing a partner to Allah (SWT), known as ‘shirk.’ The 6th Kalima, also called Radde Kufr (Rejecting Disbelief), helps affirm a believer's commitment to Allah (SWT), which may lead to even stronger faith and divine rewards.
- 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.
