Phrases

Welcome. You will hear a lot of new phrases, so get comfortable with them. Practice these and you will feel more at home, and say the right thing at the right time.

Everyday words

• بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِBismillahIn the name of God

  Before starting anything: eating, a journey, a task.

  Quran 1:1

• ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِAlhamdulillahAll praise is due to God

  To give thanks, in good times and hard ones. It is also the answer to "How are you?"

  Quran 1:2

• السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْAssalamu alaikumPeace be upon you

  The greeting.

  Sahih al-Bukhari 6227

• وَعَلَيْكَ السَّلاَمُWa alaikum as-salamAnd upon you be peace

  The reply. The Quran asks that a greeting be returned with one as good or better (4:86); the Prophet's own reply to one person was "wa alayka as-salam", shown here.

  Sahih al-Bukhari 6251

• إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُIn sha AllahIf God wills

  When speaking of anything you intend to do, acknowledging that God decides: "I will see you tomorrow, in sha Allah." (Quran 18:23 to 24)

  Quran 48:27

• مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُMa sha AllahWhat God has willed

  On seeing something good, giving the credit to God. The Quran gives it in full: "ma sha Allah, la quwwata illa billah".

  Quran 18:39

• تَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُTabarak AllahBlessed is God

  In praise of God, often on seeing something fine.

  Quran 7:54

• سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِSubhanAllahGlory be to God

  In wonder or praise.

  Quran 59:23

• يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُYarhamuk AllahMay God have mercy on you

  Said to someone who sneezes and says Alhamdulillah.

  Sahih al-Bukhari 6224

• يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْYahdikum Allah wa yuslih balakumMay God guide you and set your affairs right

  The sneezer's reply.

  Sahih al-Bukhari 6224

• جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًاJazak Allahu khayranMay God reward you with good

  To thank someone, with a prayer for them.

  Jami at-Tirmidhi 2035

• أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَAstaghfirullahI beg forgiveness from Allah

  In repentance, at any time. The Prophet said it three times on finishing each prayer.

  Sahih Muslim 591

• سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰSubhanahu wa ta'alaGlorified and exalted is He

  After the name of God.

  Quran 16:1

• عَزَّ وَجَلَّAzza wa jallMighty and majestic

  Also after the name of God.

  Sahih al-Bukhari 4684

Two more you will hear often. After the name of a prophet other than Muhammad, such as Moses or Abraham, Muslims say alayhi as-salam, peace be upon him. After the name of the Prophet Muhammad they say salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, in answer to the Quran’s call to send blessings on him (Quran 33:56). In writing it is often shortened to the sign ﷺ.

When you admire something that belongs to someone else, the Prophet taught praying for blessing on it for them (Sunan Ibn Majah 3509), for example, barak Allahu fik, may God bless you.

Words for learning the religion

Allah

God, in Arabic.

Shahada

The declaration of faith.

Tawheed

The oneness of God.

Shirk

The sin of associating partners with God: idolatry or polytheism.

Sunnah

The way of life taught and lived by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Hadith

A report of the sayings or actions of the Prophet.

Salah or salaat

The five daily prayers, with set times and movements.

Dua

Personal prayer or supplication, in your own words, at any time. Wudu is not required.

Wudu

The washing before prayer.

Surah

A chapter of the Quran, which has 114.

Ayah

A verse of a surah.

Fiqh

Islamic jurisprudence: the understanding of the law.

Fatwa

A legal opinion given by a qualified scholar on a particular question. It is not binding on everyone.

Imam

The one who leads the prayer in a masjid; also a religious leader.

Sheikh

An Islamic scholar or an elder.

Rasulullah

The Messenger of God, the Prophet Muhammad.

Sahaba

The companions of the Prophet.

Ummah

The worldwide community of Muslims.