Commonly Used Islamic
Words and Phrases

Quote :

To better understand Islam it is necessary to know the meaning of
certain key words and phrases used by Muslims in everyday conversation.
Most of them are in the Arabic language, and there is often no
equivalent in English or in other tongues.

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A


ALAIHISSALATU WASSALAM

(See Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam)


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. Its 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"

"Assalamu Alalikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh," which means :"May the
peace, the mercy, and the 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'UZU BILLAHI MINASHAITANIR RAJIM

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.


B


BARAKALLAH

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."


BISMILLAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM

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'uzu
Billahi Minashaitanir Rajim."

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."




I


IN SHA' 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 "In Sha ' Allah." 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.



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. Its 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.


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: "Muhammadun Rasul Allah," which means: "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."




M


MA SHA' 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 "Ma sha' 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
"Ma Sha' 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 literally
meaning "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." 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.




P


P.B.U.H.

These letters are abbreviations for the words "Peace Be Upon Him" which
is 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.





S


SADAQALLAHUL 'AZIM

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 ( Abbreviated as: S.A.W.)

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.


SUBHANAHU WA TA'ALA (Abbrviated as: S.W.T.)

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.




W


WA 'ALAIKUMUS SALAM

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."
TOPIC : Commonly Used Islamic Words and Phrases  SOURCE : Linguistic Studies ** http://languages.forumactif.org/