The Fourth Kalima or “Kalima Tawheed” (كَلِمَاتْ اَلتَّوْحِيدْ). اَلتَّوْحِيدْ is an Arabic word which means “Oneness,” whereas in this Kalima, it specifically refers to the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. It also reflects the concept of monotheism and indivisible unification of Oneness in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Hence, the 4th Kalima is also the base of the first pillar of Islam, the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Al-Ahad (أَحَدٌ) or Al-Wahid (الواحد) (both Arabic) are also used to describe the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in various contexts in Islamic theology. Tawheed forms the basic ideology of Islam and is the first thing that one has to believe in before accepting Islam as a religion.
This concept has been dealt with explicitly in the Quran in various Surahs and verses. As part of the six popular Kalimahs in Islamic teachings, Kalimah 4 is recited by Muslims as a routine practice. However, it may be noted that the six Kalimahs are more popularly and commonly recited in South Asian Countries, such as Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, though the basic concepts of these Kalimahs are also recited frequently by the entire Islamic world. As such, the 4th Kalimah, in parts or its entirety, is more often recited by Muslims worldwide.
Tawheed (Word of Oneness)
lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu lā yamūtu abadan abadan dhu l-jalāli wa l-ʾikrām biyadihi-l khayr wa-huwa ʿala-kulli shayʾin qadīr
(There is) no god except Allah - One is He, no partners hath He. His is the Dominion, and His is the Praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is Living, who will not die, never. He of Majesty and Munificence. Within His Hand is (all) good. And He is, upon everything, Able (to exert His Will)
lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu l-mulku wa lahu l-ḥamdu yuḥyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu lā yamūtu abadan abadan dhu l-jalāli wa l-ʾikrām biyadihi-l khayr wa-huwa ʿala-kulli shayʾin qadīr
(There is) no god except Allah - One is He, no partners hath He. His is the Dominion, and His is the Praise. He gives life and causes death, and He is Living, who will not die, never. He of Majesty and Munificence. Within His Hand is (all) good. And He is, upon everything, Able (to exert His Will)
The main theme of the 4th Kalimah or Kalima Tawuheed is monotheism, which is the base of Islamic ideology. As evident from its name Tawheed, it is affirmation by the reciter that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى One and that He has no partner. That is, in fact, also the concept that forms the first pillar of Islam. Negation of this concept, known as “Shirk” is strongly prohibited in Islam. So, reciting this Kalimah reminds us that everything in the Universe is the Creation of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and that He is Alone and has no partners.
Surah Al-Ikhlas of the Quran specifically describes the ideology more explicitly.
Translation:
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One ˹and Indivisible.
Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all.
He has never had offspring, nor was He born.
And there is none comparable to Him.
So, with that in mind, when we recite the 4th Kalimah, we can comprehend its theme and meanings easily. The theme of this Kalimah can be summarized as follows:
No one is worth our worship except Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is the One and Alone.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has no partner. Considering anything else as His partner is “Shirk,” which is not acceptable in Islam. No one can be a Muslim if he commits shirk.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى holds Sovereignty, is the Creator, and rules the entire Universe, including this world and the Heavens.
All Praise is for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
Birth, life, and death of all the living beings in this world are entirely in the Control of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is alive and will never die. He is Eternal.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Holds the Majesty and is worth Supreme Reverence.
Everything is in the hands of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, and He Holds the ultimate Power and Authority for everything.
Worships and duas are the basis of Islam. Likewise, the six Kalimahs are also very important. These Kalimas, including the fourth Kalima (Kalimah Tawheed), cover all the important teachings of Islam. So, reciting them anytime during the day or the night is beneficial and valuable for achieving the best way of life. So, recite Kalima Tawheed as much as you can.
The fourth Kalimah comprises the very basic teachings of Islam, the Oneness and Sovereignty of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. It is a more elaborate form of the basic idea of monotheism. Hence reciting it more frequently is highly recommended. It can be recited anywhere, with regular Prayers, during work and leisure time. Traditionally, it is often recited while visiting the graveyard, as a practice followed by the Muslims of Pakistan and India. However, it is not restricted to traditions and customs; it can be recited everywhere and every occasion.
Some worship in Islam, such as Fasting, must be performed during a specific period of the day. Similarly, regular Prayers are also offered during the pre-defined time slots of the day and night. But contrary to that, Duas and Supplications, although sometimes specific for a certain event or occasion, can generally be recited anytime. Kalimahs, including the fourth Kalima, are among those supplications that can be recited irrespective of the time or a certain event or occasion. Fourth Kalimah is an affirmation by the reciter that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is One and Alone, and all Powers and Authorities belong to Him. Hence, there are no restrictions on when to recite it and when not to.
You can recite it as many times as you like. Make it a habit to recite all six Kalimas at least once daily. Although it is relatively lengthy compared to the first three Kalimas, it is not difficult to memorize it. Once memorized, it will be easier to recite it often. At the same time, try to understand its meanings so that you may know what you are reciting.
Making this Kalima a part of the daily life routine has a huge impact on the life and faith of a Muslim. It positively impacts various aspects of your life, such as strengthening the faith and avoiding “Shirk,” one of the serious Sins. Additionally, one gets the opportunity of huge rewards. Reciting it so often reminds us of the prime ideology of firm belief in monotheism.
The whole concept of Islamic theology is based on the oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. By reciting this Kalimah, we re-confirm our belief in the Sovereignty and the Ultimate authority and power of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. That strengthens our Imaan (faith), and regularly reciting it keeps us from deviating from this basic teaching of Islam. Secondly, it also keeps us from considering anything else as a partner of Allah. Hence, it protects us from committing “Shirk,” which is the baseline that differentiates Muslims and others.
Apart from these two important aspects, reciting this Kalimah is rewarded heavily. So, the regular recitation of this Kalimah, along with the other Kalimahs, has a deep impact on our life.
As discussed earlier, the theme of this Kalimah can be found in the Quran in the 112th Surah, namely, Surah Al-Akhlas. The verses of this Surah are known as the base of the Islamic ideology of Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, which corresponds to the phrases of Kalima Tawheed. That’s why reciting this Kalima is so important.
A Hadith quoted in Sunan An-Nasai, at serial 1340, explicitly narrates the importance of remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Translation - "Abdullah bin Az-Zubair used to recite the tahlil following every prayer, saying: There is none worthy of worship except Allah (SWT) alone, with no partner or associate. His is the Dominion, to Him be all praise, and He is able to do all things; there is no power and no strength except with Allah (SWT) the Almighty. There is none worthy of worship except Allah (SWT), and we worship none but Him, the source of blessing and kindness and the One Who is deserving of all good praise. There is none worthy of worship except Allah (SWT), and we are sincere in faith and devotion to Him even though the disbelievers detest it. Then Ibn Az-Zubair said: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite the tahlil in this manner following every prayer.'"
The concept narrated in this Hadith is very similar to Kalima Tawheed's words. Almost the same concept is also quoted in Hadith 2691 of Sahih Muslim. Hence, reciting this Kalimah regularly, as narrated in these two Hadiths, is highly beneficial. Keep reciting it as much as possible.