Kalima-e-Tayyeba (Shia)

The Kalima-e-Tayyeba (The Word of Purity) is the spiritual passport of a Muslim. It is the declaration that enters a person into the fold of Islam. For the followers of the Ahlul Bayt (Shias), this declaration reaches its perfection by acknowledging the authority of Imam Ali (AS) alongside the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad (SAWW).

لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّٰهِ
عَلِيٌّ وَلِيُّ ٱللَّٰهِ

"There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Ali is the Vicegerent of Allah."

This comprehensive article explores the three pillars of this testimony, the theological reasons behind the inclusion of "Aliyun Waliyullah," and its profound significance in the life of a believer.

1. Tawheed: The Foundation of Existence

La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah)

The first part of the Kalima is the negation of all false deities and the affirmation of the One True God. This is the bedrock of Islam. It is not merely a verbal utterance but a worldview.

Negation (La ilaha): A Muslim first rejects all tyrants, idols, ego-worship, and material powers. We declare that nothing in the universe has independent power or authority.
Affirmation (Illallah): We affirm that Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign. He has no partners, no children, and no equal.

For Shias, Tawheed is understood through the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt. Imam Ali (AS) describes Allah in Nahjul Balagha with such philosophical depth that it removes all anthropomorphism (giving human traits to God), preserving the absolute purity of the Divine essence.

2. Nabuwat: The Path of Guidance

Muhammadur Rasulullah (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

Belief in God is not enough; one must know how to worship Him. This guidance comes through the Prophets. By testifying that Muhammad (SAWW) is the Messenger of Allah, we accept:

He is the final Prophet (Khatam an-Nabiyyin). No prophet will come after him.
The Quran revealed to him is the unparalleled word of God.
His life (Sunnah) is the perfect model for humanity.

We believe that the Prophet was infallible (Ma’soom), protected from sin and error, ensuring that the message of Islam was delivered without any corruption.

3. Wilayah: The Perfection of Faith

Aliyun Waliyullah (Ali is the Vicegerent of Allah)

This constitutes the distinct identity of the Shia faith. While the first two testimonies make one a Muslim (submission), the testimony of Wilayah makes one a Mu'min (true believer).

Why do we recite it?

It is crucial to understand that Shias do not consider "Aliyun Waliyullah" to be a part of the Quran, nor do they believe Ali (AS) is a prophet. Rather, it is a statement of fact and loyalty. We recite it to declare that after the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), the spiritual and political authority belongs to Imam Ali (AS) by Divine command.

Proofs from the Quran and Hadith

The authority of Imam Ali (AS) is established in numerous sources accepted by all schools of thought:

Verse of Wilayah (Quran 5:55): "Your Wali (Guardian) is only Allah, His Messenger, and those who believe, those who establish prayer and pay charity while they bow."
Historians agree that this verse was revealed when Imam Ali (AS) gave his ring in charity to a beggar while in the state of Ruku (bowing) during prayer. Allah placed Ali's authority alongside His own and the Prophet's.
The Event of Ghadir Khumm: The Prophet declared, "Of whomsoever I am Master (Mawla), Ali is his Master." This was a clear appointment of leadership.
Verse of Perfection (Quran 5:3): After the declaration at Ghadir, the verse was revealed: "This day I have perfected for you your religion..." This implies that without the Wilayah of Ali (AS), the religion of Islam was incomplete.

The Concept of Wilayah

Wilayah means more than just leadership; it implies love, spiritual guardianship, and closeness. By accepting Ali (AS) as the Wali:

We Protect the Message: The Prophet brought the message (Tanzil), and Imam Ali protected its interpretation (Ta'wil). Without the Guardian, the message gets distorted by tyrants and corrupt scholars.
We Complete the Obedience: Obedience to Allah is incomplete without obedience to His Messenger, and obedience to the Messenger is incomplete without obedience to the successor he appointed.
We Identify Hypocrisy: The Prophet said to Ali: "O Ali! No one loves you except a believer, and no one hates you except a hypocrite." The Kalima thus becomes a litmus test for faith.

Reciting it in Adhan and Aqamah

Shias recite "Ash-hadu anna Aliyan Waliyullah" in the Adhan (Call to Prayer). It is important to note that according to Shia jurisprudence (Fiqh), this line is Mustahab (recommended) and not a mandatory part of the Adhan like the first two testimonies. We recite it to proclaim the truth of Wilayah publicly, especially in a world that tried to suppress the name of Ali (AS) from the pulpits for centuries.

Addressing Misconceptions

Misconception 1: "Shias prioritize Ali over the Prophet."
Fact: Absolutely false. Imam Ali (AS) himself said, "I am but a servant from the servants of Muhammad (SAWW)." The Prophet is the master, and Ali is his successor.

Misconception 2: "Shias believe Gabriel made a mistake."
Fact: A baseless fabrication. Shias believe Allah is All-Knowing and Gabriel is "Al-Amin" (The Trustworthy). The Prophethood was intended solely for Muhammad (SAWW).

Conclusion

The Kalima-e-Tayyeba is the fortress of faith. "La ilaha illallah" is the foundation, "Muhammadur Rasulullah" is the structure, and "Aliyun Waliyullah" is the gate. One cannot enter the city of knowledge (The Prophet) except through its gate (Ali).

For the believer, reciting Aliyun Waliyullah is a pledge of allegiance. It is a promise to stand for justice, to seek knowledge, and to love the family of the Prophet. It is the testimony that completes the blessings of Allah and perfects the religion.