The Fifth Kalma is called Kalma Astaghfar (كلمة الاستغفار) and is a lovely form of seeking forgiveness from Allah. Muslims are taught to apologise for their mistakes, confess them to Allah and ask for forgiveness.
Fifth Kalma In Arabic and English
Arabic:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ رَبِّي مِن كُلِّ ذَنبٍ أَذْنَبْتُهُ عَمْدًا أَوْ خَطَأً، سِرًّا أَوْ عَلَانِيَةً، وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي أَعْلَمُ وَمِنَ ٱلذَّنْبِ ٱلَّذِي لَا أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ عَلَّامُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ وَسَتَّارُ ٱلْعُيُوبِ وَغَفَّارُ ٱلذُّنُوبِ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّٰهِ ٱلْعَلِيِّ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Transliteration:
Astaghfirullaha Rabbi min kulli dhanbin adhnabtuhu ‘amdan aw khata’an, sirran aw ‘alaniyyatan, wa atubu ilayh min adh-dhanbilladhi a’lamu wa min adh-dhanbilladhi la a’lamu. Innaka anta ‘allamul-ghuyubi wa sattarul-‘uyubi wa ghaffarudh-dhunubi, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil ‘Aliyyil ‘Azim.
Translation:
I ask Allah to forgive me for anything I did or said, whether or not I was aware. I acknowledge my known sins and forgive myself for the ones I am unaware of. Without a doubt, you are the one who is Aware of secrets, Keeps Hidden Our Faults and Pardons All Our Mistakes. The greatest power might come only from Allah, the Most High and Great.
Significance and Meaning
Praying Kalma expresses the depth of your regret for your actions. It acknowledges:
- Errors and mistakes that appear intentionally or unintentionally from humans
- We need Allah’s help and mercy.
- Allah knows everything we do, everything good and bad, both hidden and open.
It also proves a person’s faith in Allah being the All-Knower, the Hider of flaws and the Forgiver.
When to Recite It
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After committing a sin or making a mistake
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During du’a and personal reflection
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Especially in the last third of the night, a time encouraged for repentance in Islam
Conclusion
The Fifth Kalma – Kalma Astaghfar – is a powerful tool for spiritual cleansing. It reminds Muslims that no matter how many sins they commit, Allah’s mercy is always greater, as long as they sincerely turn back to Him.