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Islamic Expressions

There are a number of different collections of Islamic terms and common expressions. Here is a collection that I have found
to be most useful to explain common expressions and terminology used by Muslims.

SALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM

'May Allah bless him and grant him peace', the formula spoken after the mentioning of the Prophet Muhammed
[usually the following two sets of abbreviations are used for this phrase (pbuh) which means 'peace be upon him' and is the
technical reply for all Prophets or (saws) the correct suffix when referring to the Prophet Muhammed ]

ALAYHIS SALAM
'Peace be upon him', a formula used after the name of all prophets

RADIYALLAHU ANHA
The formula 'May Allah be pleased with her' used after a female companion [usually abbreviated as RA or RAA]

RADIYALLAHU ANHU
This is an expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a male companion of the Prophet Muhammed is
mentioned or used in writing. IT means 'May Allah be pleased with him' [usually abbreviated as RA or RAA]

AMEEN
The Arabic expression meaning 'Please accept', used at the end of prayers and supplications,

ASSALAMU ALAYKUM
'Peace be upon you' the greeting of the muslim - [the reply is 'wa alaikumus salam' which means 'and peace be upon you
too. The fuller version reads, 'assalamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa baakatuhu' which means 'peace be upon you and the
blessings and mercy of Alllah' the reply is 'wa alaikumus salam wa rahmatulahi wa baakatuhu']

ALLAHU AKBAR
The Arabic expression meaning 'Allah is greater.' Also called the ‘Takbir’

ALLAHU ALAM
An Arabic expression meaning 'Allah knows best'

AL HAMDU LILAH
The Arabic expression meaning which means 'Praise belongs to Allah'

ASTAGFURALLAH
The Arabic expression meaning 'I ask forgiveness of Allah'

AUDHU BILLAHI MIN ASH SHAYTAN AR RAJIM

The Arabic expression meaning 'I seek protection in Allah from the accursed satan.'

BARAKALLAH FIK
An expression which means 'May the blessings of Allah be upon you.' When a muslims wants to thank another person, he
uses different statements to express his thanks, appreciation and gratitude. One of them is BarakAllah

BISMILLAH AR RAHMAN AR RAHIM

The basmala. 'In the name of Allah, the all Merciful the all Compassionate' [this is also translated as in the name of Allah
most gracious most merciful]

FI AMANALLAH
Valedictory phrase meaning 'In Allah’s protection'

FI SABILILLAH
The Arabic expression meaning 'In the way of Allah', 'For the cause of Allah' [also used to mean 'for the love of Allah']

HADHRAT/HAZRAT
Literally 'Presence'; a term of address roughly equivalent to 'Your Honor'
HASBALLAH
The Arabic expression, 'Hasbunallah wa nimalwakil' meaning 'Allah is enough for us and an excellent guardian'. Usually
known as 'Hasbi Allah'

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAJIUN

This is something which a muslim expresses when he is afflicted by a misfortune, the meaning of which is 'We are from
Allah and to Him are we returning.' It is taken from an ayat (verse) from the Quran (ch 2 vs 156). [this is usually said upon
hearing of the death of an individual or any kind of bad news]

INSHALLAH
The Arabic expression meaning 'If Allah wills' [this is usually said when referring to a situation in the future e.g. inshAllah I
will go to the grocery shop tomorrow etc]

ASTAGHFURALLAH
To ask the forgiveness of Allah, especially by saying, Astagfuralah, 'I seek the forgiveness of Allah'

JALLA JALALUH
The formula said after the name of Allah meaning 'Great is His Majesty'

JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRAN
This is a statement of thanks and appreciation to be said to a person who does a favour. Instead of saying 'shukran'
(thanks), this phrase is used. It means 'May Allah reward you with good.

KARAM ALLAHU WAJHAHU

'May Allah honor him', a formula used when Ali ibn Abi Talib (RadiAllahu Ta'ala anhu) is mentioned

LA HAWLA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH

The meaning of this expression is 'There is no power nor strength save in Allah'. This is said by a muslim when he is struck
with calamity, or is taken over by a situation beyond his control.

MASHALLAH
A phrase literally meaning 'What Allah wishes', and it indicates a good omen. [example of usage, I get an A in a test, my
mother would say MashAllah]

SUBHANALLAH
'Glorified is Allah.' To honor Allah and make Him free from all (unsuitable evil things) that are ascribed to Him, (or 'Glorified
be Allah')

SUBHANAHU WA TA'ALA
'Glorified is He and exalted,' an expression that muslims use when the name of Allah is pronounced or written. [this us
usually abbreviated as (swt)]

ULAMA
Scholars, or learned men. Especially applied to religious scholars, but often used also for those learned in other branches of
knowledge.