Is It a Bid’a to Memorize the Six Kalimas?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I’m currently memorizing the six kalimas. I understand the benefit of it, but from the standpoint of innovation, does it not fall under the category of innovation as it is not found in the sunna for us to specifically learn these six kalimas. If one does not learn them or memorize them does it exit them out of Islam?

Answer

The six kalimas which are taught in many Indo-Pak madrasas are all statements that have a basis in the sunna. They range from the declarations of faith to forms of dhikr, and wordings of istighfar (asking for forgiveness from Allah). All of these are rooted in the sunna.

Yes, there isn’t a specific command to memorise them in this particular order or wording, but that doesn’t render them innovations. An innovation is something that essentially contradicts the spirit and essence of the teachings of Islam. [Nabulsi, Al-Hadiqa al-Nadiyya]

This is clear from the hadith “Whoever inaugurates in our matter (Islam) that which is not from it – it is completely rejected. “[Bukhari] Being from it means that it supports one of the goals of the religion.

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May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.