This list contains some Arabic expressions that are used frequently by Muslims in day-to-day life. You will hear them used constantly by Muslims on many occasions. Some are quotations from the Holy Qur’an and used for the remembrance of Allah.
The expressions are given in Arabic first, with English transliteration, followed by meaning and appropriate occasion of use.
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْم
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
This should be recited before beginning any task.
اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ
Aaoozobillahe minushaitanir rajeem.
I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.
This should be said before beginning recitation of the Holy Qur’an, together with Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem. Also used to ward off bad thoughts, loss of temper or evil.
رَبِّ زِدْنِیْ عِلْمًا
Rabbe zidni ilma.
O Lord, increase my knowledge.
This short prayer may be said before reading the Holy Qur’an or before any type of study.
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ
Subhaan Allah.
Glory to Allah.
To express admiration or praise for Allah.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ
Alhamdo lillah.
All praise belongs to Allah.
Use this to show appreciation of Allah’s blessings; e.g., when you receive good news, or whenever you wish to praise Allah.
اَللّٰہُ اَکْبَرْ
Allaho akbar.
Allah is the Greatest.
This is used in azaan and salaat, and also be said any time in praise of Allah.
Glory to Allah, all praise belongs to Allah, Allah is the Greatest.
These three expressions are repeated after finishing salaat. The first two are said 33 times and the third should be said 34 times, making 100 in all. Prayer beads or fingers may be used to keep count.
Allaho Akbar, Allaho Akbar, la illaha illaha illalaho, wa Allaho Akbar, Allaho Akbar wa lillahil hamd.
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest; there is no God but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest and all praise belongs to Allah.
This is a takbeer which is recited repeatedly on the way to and from Eid Prayer. It is also recited for three days following Eid after every prayer. This follows a tradition of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).
Astaghferullaha Rabbi min kulle zumbin wa atoobo ileh.
I seek forgiveness from Allah for all my sins and turn to Him.
Can be used anytime to ask forgiveness from Allah. It is also repeated after finishing salaat to beg forgiveness for lapses in concentration during salaat. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said it seventy times a day.
Peace be on you and the mercy and blessings of Allah.
This prayer is used by Muslims to greet each other. The shortened version assalamo alaikum can be used also.
وَعَلَیْکُمُ السَّلَام
Wa alaikum salaam.
And peace be on you too.
This expression is the reply to the above greeting.
فِیْ اَمَانِ اللّٰہ
Fee amaan Allah.
In the protection of Allah.
You say this when you see anyone off on a journey.
اِنْشَاءَ اللّٰہ
Inshallah.
If Allah so wills.
This should be said when talking of future plans.
مَا شَاءَ اللّٰہ
Maashallah.
As Allah willed.
This is said when praising a person or object.
جَزَاکَ اللّٰہُ اَحْسَنَ الْجَزَاء
Jazakallaho ahsanal jaza.
May Allah reward you the best.
This is the most common form of “thank you.” It is said after receiving any kind of favor.
بَارَکَ اللّٰہُ فِیْ اَھْلِکَ وَ مَلِکَ
Barakallaho fee ahleka wa maleka.
May Allah bless your family and wealth.
You say this to someone who gives you a gift, a prize or money.
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ
Alhamdo lillah
All praise belongs to Allah.
یَرْحَمُکُمُ اللّٰہُ
Yerhamo komullaho.
May Allah be merciful to you.
یَھْدِیْکُمُ اللّٰہُ
Yahdeekomullaho.
May He guide you.
These three prayers are used after a person sneezes. The person who has sneezed should say the first one after sneezing. If anyone hears him/her, they should reply with the second one. The person who sneezed then says the third prayer.
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیَ الْاَعْلٰی
Subhana Rabbe yal Aa’la.
Glory to my Lord the most High.
This said is said when in prostration during salaat; when you hear the first verse of Chapter Al Aa’la of the Holy Qur’an recited; and whenever Heaven or Hell are mentioned.
سَجَدَ لَکَ رُوحِیْ وَ جَنَانِیْ
Sajada laka roohi wa janaani.
My spirit and heart prostrate for You.
Some verses of the Holy Qur’an require prostration after their recitation. No ablution is required, and in whatever position or wherever you are, say Allaho akbar and prostrate. Recite subhana Rabbe yal Aa’la three times followed by this prayer. Then lift your head saying Allaho akbar.
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَ اِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْن
Inna lillahe wa inna ilaihe raajeoon.
Surely we belong to Allah and to Him we return.
We say this on hearing of the death of someone. It is also said when trying to find something you have lost, and upon hearing any bad news.
اَلَیْسَ اللّٰہُ بِکَافٍ عَبْدُہٗ
Alaisallaho bekaafin abdohu.
Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?
These words of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) when he was grieving over the death of his father. He had these words inscribed on a ring, and Ahmadi Muslims like to follow this tradition.
صَلَّی اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمْ
Sallaho alaihe wa sallum.
Peace and blessings of Allah be on him.
Whenever you hear the name of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) mentioned, you should say this blessing aloud.
عَلَیْہِ السَّلاَم
Alaiaihissalaam.
Peace be on him.
This should be said after mention of the name of any prophet of God.
رَضِیْ اَللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ / عَنْھَا
Razi Allaho ta’ala anho/anha.
May Allah be pleased with him/her.
These blessings are said after the mention of the names of the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) or of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him).
رَحْمَۃُ اللّٰہ عَلَیْہِ
Rahmatullahe alaihe.
May Allah have mercy on him.
This is said when referring to Khalifas of the Promised Messiah who are not his companions, and to saints of Islam.
