Explained: What is Kalma? The Islamic declaration of faith that terrorists used to target Pahalgam tourists

People stage a protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, in Bikaner.

“Pehle Kalma padhne ko kaha, jab bhai nahi padh paye toh sir mein goli maar di (They first asked him to read the Kalma, and when my brother couldn’t, they shot him in the head),” said Saurabh Dwivedi, the cousin of 31-year-old Saurabh Dwivedi, a Kanpur-based businessman who was one of the 26 people killed in the heinous Pahalgam terror attack.

Meanwhile, Assam University’s Associate Professor Debasish Bhattacharya says he was spared by the terrorists because he knew Kalma and recited it before them.

First-hand accounts from survivors reveal the chilling tactic used by the terrorists: demanding tourists recite the Kalma to identify and selectively target non-Muslims.

The act of weaponizing a sacred religious text for violent discrimination represents not just a perversion of religious principles, but a deliberate attempt to incite fear and division under the guise of faith.

What is the Kalma?

The Kalma, or Shahada, is the foundational declaration of faith in Islam. It is a sacred statement that expresses a Muslim's belief in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. Reciting the Kalma is considered the first and most essential step in embracing Islam. It is meant to be an act of personal devotion, not coercion.

Six Types of Kalmas

The Islamic faith recognizes six distinct Kalmas, and the consistent recitation of these is regarded as a necessary practice for all Muslims, reinforcing their dedication to the worship of Allah and the tenets of Prophet Muhammad.

Kalma Tayyab: "La ilaha illallah Muhammadur Rasulullah" (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah). This is the core declaration of faith.

Kalma Shahada: "Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu" (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger). This is a testimony of faith.

Kalma Tamjeed: "Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar. Wala haula wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem" (Glory be to Allah and all praise be to Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Allah is the Greatest. There is no might or power except from Allah, the Exalted, the Great One). This Kalma glorifies Allah.

Kalma Tauheed: "La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumitu wa huwa hayyun la yamutu abada abada zul jalali wal ikram biyadikhil khairu wa huwa ala kulli shai'in qadeer" (There is none worthy of worship except Allah. He is only One. There is no partners for Him. For Him is the kingdom. And for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. And He is Alive. He will not die, ever, ever. Possessor of Majesty and Honour. In His hand is all goodness. And He is over all things powerful). This Kalma emphasizes the oneness of Allah.

Kalma Astaghfar: "Astaghfirullah rabbi min kulli zambin aznabtuho amadan au khatan sirran au alaniyatan wa atubu ilaihi minaz zambil lazi a'lamu wa minaz zambil lazi la a'lamu innaka anta allamul ghuyubi wa sattarul uyubi wa ghaffaruz zunubi wala haula wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azeem" (I seek forgiveness from Allah, my Lord, from every sin I committed knowingly or unknowingly, secretly or openly, and I turn towards Him from the sin that I know and from the sin that I do not know. Surely You, You are the Knower of the hidden, the Concealer of faults, and the Forgiver of sins. And there is no power and no strength except from Allah, the Most High, the Most Great). This Kalma is a plea for forgiveness.

Kalma Radde Kufr: "Allahumma inni a'uzu bika min an ushrika bika shai'an wa ana a'lamu bihi wa astaghfiruka lima la a'lamu bihi tubtu anhu wa tabarra'tu minal kufri wash shirki wal kizbi wal ghibati wal bid'ati wan namimati wal fawahishi wal buhtani wal ma'asi kulliha wa aslamtu wa aqulu la ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah" (O Allah! I seek refuge in You from that I should ascribe any partner with You knowingly. I seek Your forgiveness for the sin of which I have no knowledge. I repent from it. And I reject disbelief and polytheism and falsehood and backbiting and innovation and slander and lewdness and calumny and all disobedience, all of them. And I submit and I say there is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the messenger of Allah). This Kalma is a rejection of disbelief.

Historical Context

The Shahada has been in use since the time of the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. When early Muslims faced persecution in Mecca, they were asked to renounce their faith or recite polytheistic affirmations. Many chose martyrdom instead of denying the Kalma. It was a symbol of resilience, not aggression.