Kalima 3 is one of the six Kalimas, after the Kalima Tayyab and Kalima Shahadat. The Third Kalima is commonly referred to as Kalima Tamjeed (كَلِمَاتْ اَلتَّمْجِيدْ). The Arabic word Tamjeed can be translated in English as “a word of Praise” or “a word of Glory,” and both these refer to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. The word Tamjeed is sometimes also translated as “word of Majesty.” So, the third Kalima is a confirmation by the reciter that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is worth of Praise and Glory and that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is the one Who holds the Supreme Authority and Sovereignty.
Hence, after confirming one’s belief in the Oneness of Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and the Prophet-Hood of Muhammad ﷺ, in 1st Kalima and then bearing witness to this belief in the 2nd Kalima, Muslims praise the Greatness and Sovereignty of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in the third Kalimah.
Tamjeed (Word of Majesty)
Subḥāna-llāhi, wa-l-ḥamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, Wa-llāhu akbar, Wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-ʿalīyyi-l-ʿaẓīm
Exalted is Allah, and praise be to Allah, and there is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And there is no might nor power except in Allah, the Most High, the Most Great
Subḥāna-llāhi, wa-l-ḥamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, Wa-llāhu akbar, Wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-ʿalīyyi-l-ʿaẓīm
Exalted is Allah, and praise be to Allah, and there is no deity except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. And there is no might nor power except in Allah, the Most High, the Most Great
3rd Kalimah is a confirmation by the reciter about the Glory and Greatness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. At the start, the reciter admits the Glory of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and that He is the Only Who worth all Praise. Subsequently, he also admits the Greatness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Then it is also confirmed that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى holds every Power and Authority.
The words “Subhanallah - سُبْحَان اللهِ” and “Allah-o-Akbar - اللّهُ أكْبَرُ” are specifically of much importance in this Kalima. Saying Subhanallah is perhaps the most relevant word to admit the Glory of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. This word expresses the highest dignity, glorification, and superiority in Arabic. So, by reciting this word, Muslims confirm and admit that the Gloriousness and Exaltedness only belong to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
The word Allah-o-Akbar is yet another way to express the Powers and Authorities of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. In Arabic, Akbar is a way of accepting one’s greatness. So, when we say Allah-o-Akbar, it is, in fact, an acceptance by us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is the Greatest of all. So, the theme and concept of Kalima Tamjeed can be summarized as follows:
All Glories belong to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
All praises are for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
No one is worth our worship except Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى is the Greatest of all
Only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى holds the Power to save us from wrongdoings and sins, and Only He is the One Who keeps us on the righteous way
And Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى holds the highest status of Greatness and Exaltedness
Hence, the third Kalima is in continuation of the first and second Kalimas, the sequence being Faith, Shahdah, and then Praising the Glory of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
Like any other worship and Duas in Islamic teachings, reading the six Kalimahs, including Kalima Tamjeed, is equally important. The Muslims frequently recite it. Apart from reciting the entire Kalima Tamjeed, its first word, Subhanallah (سُبْحَان اللهِ), is one of the most popular and frequently recited phrases all around the Muslim world. It is, in fact, a word that we read multiple times a day in our daily life routine.
Third Kalimah is the praise of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. I firmly believe in Islamic theology, so it is often worth reciting. It is a way of admitting the Majesty of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Hence, it should be recited as much as possible. It can be recited anywhere, especially during prayers and supplications. However, there are no limits or restrictions on reciting this Kalimah; it can be done anytime during the day and night, even during our routine daily work.
Like any other of the 6 Kalimahs, Kalima Tamjeed can also be recited whenever you want, especially when we see the signs of the Glories and Powers of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Everything in this world and every event occurring around us reminds us of the Powers and Authorities of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. We often encounter many such events we were not expecting or hoping for. So, that’s the most relevant time to recite this Kalima. Even if the outcome of our Duas is beyond our expectations, either good or bad, we should invariably recite this Kalimah, expressing our firm belief in the Powers of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
As explained above, there are no restrictions on reciting this Kalima regarding the number of times. Ideally, it should be recited more than once a day. But at least one needs to read it as many times as possible. Memorize it and recite it frequently. It is a small phrase that can be memorized in just a few minutes. And when you make it a habit to recite it so many times, it will be even easier to memorize it.
When a person recites this Kalima, it has a profound impact on his personal life and his conduct and dealings with others.
When we testify the Glory and Greatness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, it strengthens our Imaan (Faith). At the same time, it pleases Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. Apart from that, the reciter of this Kalima also seeks guidance from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to save him from sins and wrongful acts and deeds. This is very important, as it forms the baseline for a true Muslim society. Simultaneously, the reciter is also requesting the guidance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to live a righteous way of life.
Hence, the impact of this Kalima on our lives and deeds is enormous. When we seek guidance to avoid wrongful acts, it not only keeps us on the right track but also positively impacts our dealings with others. So, the Kalima Tamjeed affects the entire social structure of a Muslim Community. If everyone follows this pattern, the whole community can be transformed into a true Islamic Society.
The importance of Kalima Tamjeed is evident from various Hadith and verses of the Quran. So, it carries huge benefits for the reciters not only for their faith and belief but at the same time beneficial by following the Sunnah.
Hadith number 18 of Sunan Abu Daud tells us that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to remember Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, by praising His Greatness.
Translation - The Apostle of Allaah (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to remember Allaah, the Great and Majestic, at all moments.
Another Hadith narrated in Riyad as-Salihin at serial number 1435 (as appears in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) speaks about the same concept.
Translation - Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah the Exalted says: 'I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e., in the assembly of angels)."
That means a Muslim should always remember and Praise Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى so that he may receive the best of Him.
We can find this important theme of remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى in the Quran as well. Verse 152 of Surah Al-Baqarah narrates this as follows:
Translation - remember Me; I will remember you. And thank Me, and never be ungrateful.
So, the spiritual benefits of remembering and Praising His Greatness and Exaltedness are quite evident from the above-referred Hadith and Quranic verse. Reciting the Quran in itself is a source of huge benefits, but reciting it with a Niyyah of remembering Allah carries something more than that. A Hadith appearing at serial number 2910 of At-Tirmidhi narrates as follows:
Translation - Narrated Muhammad bin Ka'b Al-Qurazi: "I heard 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud saying: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah's Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter."
So, keep reciting the Kalimah 3 regularly to get maximum benefits and rewards from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.