Essential Arabic Phrases
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R |S| T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
These expressions are mostly singular. For example to say ‘Jazak(i) Allahu Khair” to more than one person you would ‘Jazakum Allahu Khairan’ and to say ‘Barak Allahu feek(i)” to more than one person is “Barak Allahu Feekum” ( e.g. Masculine: Jazak Allahu Khair | Feminine: Jazaki Allahu Khair | Plural: Jazakum Allahu Khair).
A
AL-HAMDU LILLAHI RABBIL ‘ALAMIN
This is a verse from the Qur’an that Muslims recite and say many times
per day. Other than being recited daily during prayers, a Muslim reads this
expression in every activity of his daily life. The meaning of it is: “Praise
be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” A Muslim invokes the praises
of Allah before he does his daily work; and when he finishes, he thanks
Allah for His favors. A Muslim is grateful to Allah for all His blessings.
It is a statement of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude from the creature
to his Creator.
ALLAHU AKBAR
This statement is said by Muslims numerous times. During the call for prayer,
during prayer, when they are happy, and wish to express their approval of
what they hear, when they slaughter an animal, and when they want to praise
a speaker, Muslims do say this expression of Allahu Akbar. Actually it is
most said expression in the world. It’s meaning: “Allah is the
Greatest.” Muslims praise Allah in every aspect of life; and as such
they say Allahu Akbar.
ASSALAMU ALAIKUM
This is an expression Muslims say whenever they meet one another. It is
a statement of greeting with peace. The meaning of it is: “Peace be
upon you.” Muslims try to establish peace on earth even through the
friendly relation of greeting and meeting one another. The other forms are:
“Assalamu ‘Alalikum Wa Rahmatullah,” which means:”May
the peace and the Mercy of Allah be upon you,” and “Assalamu
Alalikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,” which means:”May the
peace, the mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you.”
To Reply: "Wa’alaikum Assalam" (And peace be upon you) or "Wa’alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh" (And peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you).
ASTAGHFIRULLAH
This is an expression used by a Muslim when he wants to ask Allah forgiveness.
The meaning of it is: “I ask Allah forgiveness.” A Muslim says
this phrase many times, even when he is talking to another person. When
a Muslim abstains from doing wrong, or even when he wants to prove that
he is innocent of an incident he uses this expression. After every Salah
(payer), a Muslim says this statement three times.
A’UDHU BILLAHI MINASHAYTAN AR'RAJEEM
This is an expression and a statement that Muslims have to recite before
reading to Qur’an, before speaking, before doing any work, before
making a supplication, before taking ablution, before entering the wash
room, and before doing many other daily activities. The meaning of this
phrase is: “I seek refuge from Allah from the outcast Satan.”
Allah is the Arabic name of God. Satan is the source of evil and he always
tries to misguide and mislead people. The Qur’an states that Satan
is not an angel but a member of the Jinn, which are spiritual beings created
by Allah. So the belief that Satan is a fallen angel is rejected in Islam.
AZHAK ALLAH SINNAKA
May Allah keep you cheerful - when you seek another Muslim with cheerful
countenance.
B
BARAKA ALLAH
This is an expression, which means: “May the blessings of Allah (be
upon you).” When a Muslim wants to thank to another person, he uses
different statements to express his thanks, appreciation, and gratitude.
One of them is to say “Baraka Allah.” The other form is: "BarakAllahu
feekum or Allah baraka feek(i)" (May Allah bless you).
To Reply: "Wa feek(i), Wa feekum" (And you).
BISMILLAH AR'RAHMAN AR'RAHEEM
This is a phrase from the Qur’an that is recited before reading the
Qur’an. It is to be read immediately after one reads the phrase: “A’udhu
Billahi Minashaytan ar' Rajeem.” This phrase is also recited before
doing any daily activity. The meaning of it is: “In the name of Allah,
the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.”
F
FI AMAN ALLAH
A way of saying good-bye, meaning May Allah protect you.
FI SABEEL ALLAH
In/for Allah’s cause/way - when you give charity/help people
H
HASBI ALLAH
Allah will suffice me - when you are in a difficult situation.
HIYYAK ALLAH
This is used when greeting someone after Salaams. The meaning of it is:
"May Allah greet you" (lit. May Allah preserve your life).
I
INSHA'ALLAH
When a person wishes to plan for the future, when he promises, when he makes
resolutions, and when he makes a pledge, he makes them with permission and
the will of Allah. For this reason, a Muslim uses the Qur’anic instructions
by saying “InshaAllah.” The meaning of this statement is: “If
Allah wills.” Muslims are to strive hard and to put their trusts with
Allah. They leave the results in the hands of Allah.
INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAHI RAJI’UN
When a Muslim is struck with a calamity, when he loses one of his loved
ones, or when he has gone bankrupt, he should be patient and say this statement,
the meaning of which is: “We are from Allah and to whom we are returning.”
Muslims believe that Allah is the One who gives and it is He takes away.
He is testing us. Hence, a Muslim submits himself to Allah. He is grateful
and thankful to Allah for whatever he gets. On the other hand, he is patient
and says this expression in times of turmoil and calamity.
Aathama allahu ajrakom is uttered to the family of the deceased (translation: may Allah make your reward great).
Shakar Allahu Sa’yikum is uttered to people who attend aaza - when friends go to send condolences upon death of a person (translation: May Allah accept that your effort.
ITTAQILLAH
Fear Allah-when you see someone doing a bad deed.
J
JAZAKALLAHU KHAYRAN
This is a statement of thanks and appreciation to be said to the person
who does a favor. Instead of saying “thanks” (Shukran), the
Islamic statement of thanks is to say this phrase. It’s meaning is:
” May Allah reward you for the good.” It is understood that
human beings can’t repay one another enough. Hence, it is better to
request Almighty Allah to reward the person who did a favor and to give
him the best.
To Reply: "Wa iyak(i), wa iyakum" (And you).
K
KALAM
Talk or speech as in “kalamu Allah”; has also been used through
the ages to mean logic or philosophy.
L
LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH
The meaning of this expression is: ” There is no power and no strength
save in Allah.” This expression is read by a Muslim when he is struck
by a calamity, or is taken over by a situation beyond his control. A Muslim
puts his trust in the hands of Allah, and submits himself to Allah.
LA ILAHA ILLALLAH
This expression is the most important one in Islam. It is the creed that
every person has to say to be considered a Muslim. It is part of the first
pillar of Islam. The meaning of which is: ” There is no lord worthy
of worship except Allah.” The second part of this first pillar is
to say: “Mohammedan Rasul Allah,” which means:”Muhammad
is the messenger of Allah.”
M
MASHA’ ALLAH
This is an expression that Muslims say whenever they are excited and surprised.
When they wish to express their happiness, they use such an expression.
The meaning of “Masha’ Allah” is: “Whatever Allah
wants.” or “Whatever Allah wants to give, He gives.” This
means that whenever Allah gives something good to someone, blesses him,
honors him, and opens the door of success in business, a Muslim says this
statement of “Masha’ Allah.” It has become a tradition
that whenever a person constructs a building, a house, or an office, he
puts a plaque on the wall or the entrance with this statement. It is a sign
of thanks and appreciation from the person to Almighty Allah for whatever
he was blessed with.
MUHAMMADUN RASULULLAH
This statement is the second part of the first pillar of Islam. The meaning
of this part is that Prophet Muhammad is the last and final prophet and
messenger of Allah to mankind. He is the culmination, summation, purification
of the previous prophets of Allah to humanity.
N
NA'UZHU BI'ALLAH
We seek refuge in Allah - showing your dislike for something.
P
P.B.U.H.
These letters are abbreviations for the words Peace Be Upon Him which are
the meaning of the Arabic expression ” ‘Alaihis Salam”,
which is an expression that is said when the name of a prophet is mentioned.
This expression is widely used by English speaking Muslims. It is to be
noticed here that this expression does not give the full meaning of “Salla
Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam”. Therefore it is recommended that
people do not use (p.b.u.h.) after the name of prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.);
they should use “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam” instead,
or they may use the abbreviated form of (s.a.w) in writing.
R
RADHIALLAHU ‘ANHU
This is an expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a companion
of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is mentioned or used in writing. The meaning
of this statement is: “May Allah be pleased with him.” Muslims
are taught to be respectful to the elderly and to those who contributed
to the spread and success in Islam. They are to be grateful to the companions
of the prophet (s.a.w.) for their sacrifices, their leadership, and their
contributions. Muslims are advised to use this phrase when such names are
mentioned or written.
Masc: Radi Allah ‘Anhu | Fem: Radi Allah ‘Anha | Plu: Radi Allah ‘Anhum.
RAHIMAHULLAH
Allah have Mercy on him - when you see someone in distress.
S
SADAQALLAHUL ‘ADHEEM
This is a statement of truth that a Muslim says after reading any amount
of verses from the Qur’an. The meaning of it is: “Allah says
the truth. The Qur’an is the exact words of Allah in verbatim. When
Allah speaks, He says the truth; and when the Qur’an is being recited,
a Muslim is reciting the words of truth of Allah. Hence, he says: “Sadaqallahul
‘Azim.”
SALLALLAHU ‘ALAIHI WA SALLAM
When the name of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is mentioned or written, a Muslim
is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him. The meaning
of it is: “May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him (Muhammad).
Another expression that is alternatively used is: “Alaihissalatu Wassalam.”
This expression means: “On Him (Muhammad) are the blessings and the
peace of Allah.” Allah has ordered Muslims, in the Qur’an, to
say such an expression. Muslims are informed that if they proclaim such
a statement once, Allah will reward them ten times.
S.A.W.
These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi
Wa Sallam”.
SUBHANAHU WA TA’ALA
This is an expression that Muslims use whenever the name of Allah is pronounced
or written. The meaning of this expression is: “Allah is pure of having
partners and He is exalted from having a son.” Muslims believe that
Allah is the only God, the Creator of the Universe. He does not have partners
or children. Sometimes Muslims use other expressions when the name of Allah
is written or pronounced. Some of which are: “‘Azza Wa Jall”:
He is the Mighty and the Majestic; “Jalla Jalaluh”: He is the
exalted Majestic.
SUBHAN ALLAH
Used for praising something, meaning Glory be to Allah.
S.W.T.
These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala”.
T
TAWAKKAL TU'ALA ALLAH (Pl. Tawkkalna-’ala-Allah)
I have put my trust in Allah -rely on Allah solving a problem
W
WA ‘ALAIKUM ASSALAM
This is an expression that a Muslim is to say as an answer for the greeting.
When a person greets another with a salutation of peace, the answer for
the greeting is an answer of peace. The meaning of this statement is: “And
upon you is the peace.” The other expressions are: ” Wa Alaikums
Salam Wa Rahmatullah.” and “Wa ‘Alaikums Salam Wa Rahmatullahi
Wa Barakatuh.”