Title: The Six Kalimahs Question: I have a question about the six kalimas that are very popular in Pakistan (at least). I know the translation of the Arabic words and I think they are good prayers, but do these have a religious significance? Also, in reply to a couple of other queries, you said that (and I hope that I got it right) only the words read aloud by the Imam are the mandatory sections of the prayer. So then the " at-tahayat " and the second kalima and darood etc are not mandatory and can be replaced by some other supplications? Thanks, Fatima Canada Answer: Four of the six of these so-called "Kalimahs" , in fact, entail reminders, remembrance and commemoration ( Azkaar ) of God's attributes and His oneness as well as, sometimes, a reminder of the corollaries of His attributes. It should further be kept in mind that the whole corpus of Islam - its beliefs as well as its practices - is primarily based on the very foundation of the belief in the One God who possesses all the right attributes and is free of all blemishes. As a result, the statements reported in these so-called 'Kalimahs' hold a significant importance from the perspective of Islamic faith. Nevertheless - barring the first and the second statement, which, in fact, are a declaration of one's faith and ascription to Islam - because these statements were not given any special position by the Prophet (pbuh), therefore, singling these out as having a special significance is not correct, in my opinion. As for the remaining two so-called 'Kalimahs' , these are supplications for forgiveness of sins and for seeking God's refuge against transgression and rejection ( kufr ). These statements have also not been given any special position in the Islamic faith by the Prophet (pbuh). Yes. You have understood my opinion correctly. Moiz Amjad April 26, 2003