Teaching children the six kalimas without turning it into homework
By Zubair Sattar, founder of Online Quran Learnings · Updated · 3 min read
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The short answer
Teach the first kalima and its meaning first, and make sure your child really knows it before adding the next. Then add the others one at a time, over weeks or months, with a little meaning for each. Short daily repetition works better than long sessions.
The six kalimas
- Kalima TayyabThe word of purity: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.
- Kalima ShahadatBearing witness to the same truth.
- Kalima TamjeedGlorifying Allah.
- Kalima TawheedThe oneness of Allah.
- Kalima AstaghfarAsking Allah’s forgiveness.
- Kalima Radd-e-KufrRejecting disbelief.
The six kalimas are taught widely in South Asian families. The first two hold the core of faith; the others are beautiful words of remembrance.
Tips for teaching
- Say it together once a day, at the same time.
- Explain one idea from it, not every word.
- Move on only when the last one is solid.
- Keep it warm. It is worship, not a test.
Quick questions
At what age can a child learn the kalimas?
The first kalima can be learned from age 3 or 4. The longer ones usually come between 6 and 10.
