2nd Kalma Understanding the Concept of Shahadah

The 2nd Kalma or the Kalima Shahada is the first of the five pillars of Islam and is the Declaration of Faith in the oneness of Allah and the Declaration of the Prophethood of Muhammad(SAW). Kalma e shahadat is an articulated and powerful expression of a Muslim’s belief and commitment to the core of Islamic doctrine. This simple yet immensely powerful statement serves as the cornerstone of Islamic theology, establishing a firm foundation upon which the entire edifice of Islam stands.   In this blog, we will understand the meaning, translation, and the importance of 2nd Kalma in detail. 

What is Kalma? Understanding the Meaning of Kalma

Before understanding the 2nd kalima, let's understand what is kalma and the meaning of kalma in different contexts.

The word kalma is derived from an Arabic word that means “word, talking or speech”. But the meaning of kalma is way broader and more common in non-Arabic South Asian countries such as India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. According to South Asian Muslim Scholars, kalmas are the sacred statements in Islam. These have been formulated and compiled to facilitate easily memorizing and learning Aqeedah (belief). South Asian Muslims can't speak Arabic, it is the easiest way to articulate and teach the basic concept of Islam to their offspring. Islamic scholars formulate six Kalmas. 

Shahadat Meaning   

The word shahadah (شَهَادَة or الشَّهَادَةُ) is an Arabic word that means ‘the testimony’.shahadat meaning in Islam, is the testimony of Allah’s unity and the Prophethood of our beloved prophet Muhammad(SAW). Shahadat, also pronounced as ‘shahadah’ is the promise of someone willing to embrace Islam. To become Muslim, one should read and pronounce the 2nd Kalma in Arabic and accept it from the core of the heart. At the core of Islamic Aqeedah, Shahadat meaning is the legal determinant for being a Muslim.

Kalima Shahadat in Arabic

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَہٗ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُولُہٗ

 Second Kalima Translation in English  

Reading Islamic Duas in Arabic has a huge reward. Muslims around the globe recite and memorize these Sanctified scriptures in Arabic. Only memorizing and reading is not enough. It is important to understand the soul and meaning of these supplications. Studying the second kalima translation would help to pick the core message of this Dua.  Here we provide the second  kalma in English translation. 

"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the One alone, without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (SAW) is His servant and Messenger."

Second Kalima Transliteration

The Arabic statement of Shahadat Kalma might be difficult to read. It can easily be read through the second Kalima transliteration. Transliteration is defined as the process of converting any written content into a different language, script, or alphabet character by character. Most non-Arabic speakers need help with reading the Arabic script. Transliterating Islamic kalmas and supplications written in Arabic can help non-Arabic speakers to read and understand the Islamic Duas. Here we design the second kalima transliteration word by word for the sake of understanding.

Ash-hadu Al-laaa Ilaaha Illa-llaahu Wahdahoo Laa Shareeka Lahoo Wa-Ash-hadu Anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhoo Wa Rasooluhu.

Significance of Second Kalima Shahadat

There are some rituals and traditions to enter into any religion. Christians perform ‘Baptism’ when someone converts to Christianity and ‘Mikvah’ in Judaism. In Islamic doctrine, reading and accepting the second kalima shahadat is the first step to entering Islam. The second kalima is the witness of Allah’s unity, His Lordship and might, and the declaration of the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAW). Without confessing to these two concepts, no one can enter into the threshold of Islam. This supplication is not only the testimony of the prophethood of Muhammad (SAW) but, also a confession of Him being the last prophet of Allah. This concept is known as ‘Khatm e Nabuwwat’. 

Benefits of Kalma Shahadat

2nd kalima signifies allegiance to Allah

Allah is the creator of the universe and He created it alone. The Lordship of God Almighty demands that He should be worshiped. Each creature from ocean to sky, known or unknown, big or small worship Allah in any form. 2nd kalima not only emphasizes the worship of Allah but also reinforces to spend life according to the teaching of our beloved Prophet (SAW). By delivering the message of Allah’s unity and Prophethood(Khatme Nabuwwat), Kalma Shahadat fortifies our Iman's allegiance to Allah.

Kalma e Shahadat Promises Divine Rewards

Allah does not waste the deeds of those who remember Him. There are rewards for every supplication and prayer in this world and the afterworld (Akhirah). Reciting Kalma e Shadah has a huge reward for supplicant mentioned in Hadiths. According to Hadith (Sunan an-Nasa’i 148), whoever recites the 2nd kalima after performing wudu (ablution), eight doors of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wants.

Kalma 2 Preserves Khatm e Nabuwwat

Along with other immeasurable blessings of Kalma 2, the important part mentioned in the second part of this kalma is Khatme Nabuwwat (finality of the Prophet( SAW). This kalma states that Muhammad (SAW) is the servant and the last Prophet of Allah. By supplicating Kalma 2, a Muslim reinforces his belief in the finality of the Prophet and preserves it till the end of this universe.  

Hadiths about Kalima Shahadat

Hadith is a narrative record of the sayings, actions, approvals, and customs of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After the Quran, Hadiths are the authentic source of the Islamic Shariah. Hadiths can't be denied by Muslims as they are an integral part of Muslim beliefs. Many hadiths highlight the worth and value of Kalma Shahadat.

In a Hadith (Sunan an-Nasa’i 148), narrated by Hazrat Umar Ibne Khattab (R.A), Muhammad (SAW) said;

'Whoever performs Wudu'(ablution) and does it well, then says:

 اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَّآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَہٗ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُولُہٗ

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger’, eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.' 

In another Hadith (Sahih Bukhari 1496 narrated) by Ibn e Abbas (R.A), the Prophet (SAW) said;

“Verily, you are coming to a people among the humans of the Book (Ahl e Kitab), so call them to testify there is no God but Allah and I am the Messenger of Allah.”

These two Hadiths among others highlight the importance of this kalma. It should be incorporated into our daily lives.

Where and When to Read Shahadat Kalma

Shadat Kalma is the first step to accepting Islam. Professing this divine supplication causes immense rewards and blessings, promising protection of iman and the path to eternal salvation. Reciting Shahdah Kalma is not time-bound. It can be supplicated anywhere and anytime. But there are some best (Masnoon) times to utter the second kalima shahadat, at the time of reverting to Islam, when performing wudhu, repeating in Adhan (Muslim’s call for prayer) after Muazzin(one calling for prayer), and when a new Muslim baby is born. Reciting Adhan into the right ear of a newborn baby is the sunnah of our Holy Prophet (SAW). In a hadith (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1514), Ubaidullah bin Abi Rafi' narrates that his father said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say the Adhan in the ear of Al-Hasan bin' Ali (R.A) - when he was born to Fatimah”. Muslims always recite this dua during regular prayer. This dua should be embraced in our daily lives and offered regularly to grasp its genuine benefits.

Conclusion 

The testimony of shahadat is the fundamental requirement which is a mandatory prerequisite to becoming a Muslim. Thus, it is obliged for Muslims to confess, understand, and appreciate the concept of shahadah to prevent them from plunging into the pit of shirk. 2nd Kalma confesses the Tawheed and finality of the Prophet (SAW) till the last day