Question

Would it be possible to tell me where the seven kalimahs, that we are taught from a young age, are derived from? I guess they are derived from the Quran and the Hadith but how did they come about in a systematic formation.? Why do we have seven and not eight?

Answer

These “kalimahs” (sentences/statements) were extracted from the Quran and Hadith by our senior ‘Ulama in the sub-continent. The purpose was to create ease for the masses in learning the basics of belief. Some of these are exact wordings of the Hadith, and others seem to be derived therefrom.

By reading and believing in these “sentences” one’s ‘Aqidah (belief) is protected. It is therefore taught at the elementary level in the Madrasahs. The translations should be memorized too.

In other parts of the world too, the scholars formulated other such statements/sentences/kalimahs so the ‘Aqidah of their masses is cemented.

Why are they called kalimahs?

“Kalimah” can be translated as: “a word” and even as: “a beneficial sentence”. This second meaning was probably considered when they were termed as such.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar