What is the meaning of allahu musta’an?

Allahu Mustan’an is an Arabic word which means that “Allah is the one sought for help”

This is phrase is mentioned in Surah Yusuf Ayat 18:

وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍۢ كَذِبٍۢ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًۭا ۖ فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ

Wa jaaa’oo ‘alaa qamee shihee bidamin kazi’ qaala bal sawwalat lakum anfusukum amraa; fasabrun jameel; w allaahul musta’aa nu ‘alaa man tasifoon
18. And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, “Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe.”

Here are other translations of the word:

DR. GHALI And Allah is (The One) Whose help is to be sought against what you describe.
MUHSIN KHAN And it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert.
PICKTHALL And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought in that (predicament) which ye describe.

Other Common Spellings:

  • allahul musta’an
  • allah musta’an
  • allahu musta’an
  • allahu al musta’an

In Arabic Text

In Arabic text allahu musta’an is written as,

الله المستعان

When to say allahu musta’an

The best way to understand proper usage of the word is to see how Muslim’s use it in everyday conversation. So we went to Facebook and Twitter and compiled a list of different ways it’s being used.

Generally, it is said in tough trying times. It is through Allah which things are possible so by saying allah musta’an you are admitting it is his help that is needed.

Example #1:
So now India is building concentration camps for muslims? I wonder who is next Allahu’l musta’an.

Example #2:
Its not good for any believer. I realize that with every day that passes by, yet here we are stuck. Allahu al musta’aan.

Example #3:
Sometimes just sometimes or maybe most of the time we look for peace in everything except the Quran. Allahu musta’an.

Example #4:
Islam was modelled by the prophet (saw), his wives and the rightly guided companions. You can’t call yourself a Muslim if you don’t follow their paths. Covering of awra is a must for Muslim women. Calling those using niqab “extremists” is an attack on the sunnah. Allahu musta’an

Learn Other Islamic Terms