Most of us learn our first words of faith as small children, long before we understand them. A parent or grandparent says them, and we repeat. Later in life, many people want to know what those words really mean. If you are curious about how Shia Muslims state their faith, you may have noticed that their declaration sounds a little longer than the one you heard elsewhere. This guide explains the words, the meaning, and the reasons behind them in plain English. The teachers at Shia Quran Academy Online answer these questions from students in the USA all the time, so we wrote this the way we explain it in a live class.
What Is the Shia Kalima
The Shia Kalima is the declaration of faith that Shia Muslims recite to state what they believe. It builds on the Shahada that all Muslims share, which is belief in one God and belief in Muhammad as His Messenger. Shia Muslims then add a third line that speaks about Imam Ali. In Arabic, kalima means a word or a statement, and shahada means a witness or a testimony. In daily speech, people use both terms for the same idea.
Shia Kalima in Arabic with Transliteration and Translation
Here is the full text, line by line. The transliteration helps you read the sounds if you cannot yet read Arabic script.
| Arabic text | Transliteration | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ | La ilaha illallah | There is no god but Allah |
| مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ | Muhammadun Rasulullah | Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah |
| عَلِيٌّ وَلِيُّ اللّٰهِ | Aliyyun Waliyyullah | Ali is the Wali of Allah |
Twelver Shia scholars generally teach that the first two lines are enough for a person to enter Islam. The third line is a statement of Wilayah, which means the guardianship and leadership of the Ahlul Bayt, the family of the Prophet. Shia Muslims say it as part of their faith and their love for Imam Ali. Scholars explain its exact religious status in different ways, so please ask a qualified scholar if you need a ruling for your own practice.
The Deeper Meaning of Each Line
Tawhid and the First Line
La ilaha illallah means nothing is worthy of worship except Allah. The Quran tells believers to know that there is no god but Allah (Surah Muhammad, verse 19), and Surah Ikhlas sums up the same idea in four short verses. This idea is called Tawhid, and every other belief grows from it. If you want to study it step by step, our course on Belief in Allah in Shia Islam covers it in simple lessons.
Risalah and the Second Line
Muhammadun Rasulullah means Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. This is called Risalah, and Surah Al Fath, verse 29, uses these very words. Saying it means you accept the Quran as Allah’s word and the Prophet as its guide.
Wilayah and the Third Line
Aliyyun Waliyyullah means Ali is the Wali of Allah. Wali can mean a close friend of Allah, a guardian, or a leader, and Shia scholars use all of these shades of meaning. This is why the Shia Kalima includes a third line. The belief rests on several sources. Shia Muslims point to Ghadir Khumm, where the Prophet said that whoever has him as their mawla also has Ali as their mawla. Both Sunni and Shia books record this hadith, but the two sides explain the word mawla differently. Shia scholars read it as master and guardian, while many Sunni scholars read it as friend and supporter.
Shia Kalima Compared with the Sunni Kalima
Sunni and Shia Muslims agree on the first two lines. Both say there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. The difference is the third line, and it comes from a different view of leadership after the Prophet. Shia Muslims believe Imam Ali was appointed as the guardian of the faith, so they mention him in the declaration. Sunni Muslims do not add this line.
How to Learn and Say the Shia Kalima Correctly
Reading it well is not hard, but the sounds matter. This is the order we use with beginners.
- Learn the Arabic letters first, so you do not depend on transliteration forever.
- Listen to a teacher say each line slowly, then repeat it back.
- Practice one line a day, then join all three lines together.
- Learn the meaning along with the words, so your recitation has focus.
One small Tajweed point helps a lot. The letter lam in the word Allah sounds full and heavy after a fatha or a damma, as in illallah and Rasulullah, and light after a kasra. Good Quran reading with Tajweed lessons fix this early and carry over to every surah you learn later.
Learn with a Qualified Teacher
A blog post gets you started, but a live teacher hears what you cannot hear in your own voice. At Shia Quran Academy Online, students learn the Kalima, Quran reading with Tajweed, and core Shia beliefs in live online classes, at a pace that suits a child or an adult. If you are ready to begin, visit Shia Quran Academy Online and ask the team about a class that matches your level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shia Kalima in English?
In English it reads, There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and Ali is the Wali of Allah. The first two lines are the Shahada shared by all Muslims, and the third line states Shia belief in the guardianship of Imam Ali.
Do Shia Muslims need the third line to become Muslim?
Most Shia scholars say the two testimonies of Tawhid and Risalah are enough to enter Islam. They teach that belief in Wilayah is part of complete faith in the Shia school. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.
What is the difference between the Shia and Sunni Kalima?
The first two lines are the same. Shia Muslims add a third line about the guardianship of Imam Ali, and Sunni Muslims do not. The difference comes from their views on who should lead the Muslim community after the Prophet.
At what age can a child learn the Shia Kalima?
Most children can start between ages four and six by listening and repeating. Keep sessions short, and add the meaning in simple words as they grow.
How can I learn the Shia Kalima online?
Choose a live class with a qualified teacher who shows you the Arabic text, corrects your pronunciation, and explains the meaning. Start with the letters and practice each line slowly.