In this article we will list common Islamic phrases for everyday use. Knowing the lingo Muslims use in their day to day language can help you avoid those awkward moments you feel when you think you should know what something means but don’t. You feel embarassed to even ask.

This is no fault of your own, we’ve all been there. Sometimes the memo just wasn’t received. That’s why we are here.

We created this exhaustive list that aims to be your glossary of the most commonly used phrases by Muslim’s in everyday conversation.

List Of Popular Islamic Sayings

Alhamdulillah
Praise to Allah
Used to express satisfaction. Commonly used after having finished eating. Also, used frequently as response to when some asks how your day was, “Alhamdulillah, it was good”

Jazaka Allahu Khairan
May Allah reward you with all good
Sign of appreciation. When someone does something good to you (gives you something, helps you with something…)

Ashokrulillah
Means Thanks to Allah
Usage is same as Alhamdulillah

Subhanallah (read more detailed explanation) 
Glory to Allah. Said whenever something good happens. Allah’s greatness is said and realized everytime something good happens to us. Example, A man overlooking the Grand-Canyon exclaims, Subhanllah!”

Mashallah
Closely translated to mean “as God has willed” or “what Allah wanted has happened.”
Supposed to be a reminder that all good things come from God and are blessings from Him. It is a good omen. Example, You’ve become a father. Mashallah! You passed aced your exams. Mashallah!

Allahu Akbar
a phrase meaning ‘God is most great’, used by Muslims in prayers and as a general declaration of faith or thanksgiving. Used by Muslims to remind themselves of God’s vastness and power. Unfortunately, some Muslim extremists employ this phrase before performing acts of terror, leading many to associate “Allahu Akbar” with violence and destruction

Da’wah
Da’wah is an Arabic word which has the literal meaning of “issuing a summons,” or “making an invitation.” This term is often used to describe how Muslims teach others about the beliefs and practices of their Islamic faith.

Jumu’ah
Also known as Friday Prayer or Congregational Prayer, is a prayer that Muslims hold every Friday.  Takes place just after noon and substitue for Zuhr prayer.

La hawla wala quwwata illa billah
Saying is that man is weak by nature. He has no ability to move from a condition to another except with the help of Allah. Used in unfavorable situations beyond ones control, also to express dissatisfaction.

Inshallah
If Allah wills. Usually used to refer to planning to do a future action, I will do this … if Allah wills it. Do not say of anything, ‘I shall do such and such tomorrow,’ without adding, ‘Insha’Allah.’ And call your Lord to mind when you forget… (18:23-24). Example, Inshallah tomorrow I will get the oil change done.

Amen
Is a declaration of affirmation. found in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. It is found in Jewish, Christian and Muslim worship as a concluding word or response to prayers. Example, May Allah guide us on the right path, Amen!

Subhanallah
Glory to Allah.
Used in many places, for example if you heard something amazing and you want to express your amazement.

Imaan
in Islamic theology denotes a believer’s faith in the metaphysical aspects of Islam. Its most simple definition is the belief in the six axioms of faith.

Deen
Refers to belief and practice of Islam; way of life. Example. that brother’s or sister’s deen is strong.

Jannah
Jannah symbolically referring to paradise. However “Firdaus” also designates the highest layer of heaven.

Jahannam
In Islam refers to an afterlife place of punishment for evildoers. In Quran, Jahannam is also referred as an-Nar (“The Fire”), Jaheem (“Blazing Fire”), Hutamah (“That which Breaks to Pieces”, Haawiyah‬ (“The Abyss”), Ladthaa , Sa’eer (“The Blaze),

Hadith
A collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad which, with accounts of his daily practice (the Sunnah), constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Quran. For example, see hadith on what Prophet Muhammad said about learing the 99 Names of Allah.

Sahih – Grade of Hadith as being authenthic.
Hasan –
 Grade of Hadith as being Good.  
Da’if
– Grade of Hadith as being Weak.

Fatwa
A fatwa is an Islamic religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law. A fatwa is not necessarily “binding” on the believers. The people who pronounce these rulings are supposed to be knowledgeable, and base their rulings in knowledge and wisdom. As Muslims, we look at the opinion, the reputation of the person giving it, the evidence given to support it, and then decide whether to follow it.

 

Fi-Sabi-Lillah

Expression meaning “in the cause of Allah” or more befittingly, “for the sake of Allah”. Doing anything for the sake of God and in the way of God to gain nearness to Him and gain His pleasure.”

Umrah
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holy city for Muslims. It can be undertaken at any time of the year, unlike Ḥajj which occurs on a specific date determined by Islamic Calendar.

Hajj
The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The holy city for Muslims, and a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime. That is if they are financial capable of doing so.

Yarhamuka Allah
May Allah have mercy on you. When you sneeze, it is said after someone sneezes. 

Astaghfiru lillah
I seek forgiveness from Allah. Commonly used when you think you have sinned. It is a powerful from of Istighfar (asking for forgivness). Read hadith of Prophet Muhammad regarding Astaghfiru illah and asking forgivness.

Halal
meaning permissible in Islam. It is frequently applied to permissible food and drinks. Into a more complex classification known as “the five decisions”: mandatory, recommended, neutral, reprehensible, and forbidden.

  1. (fard/wajib) – Compulsory”/”duty”
  2. (mustaḥabb) – Recommended, “desirable”
  3. (mubah) – Neutral, “permissible”
  4. (makruh) – Disliked
  5. (haram) – Sinful, “prohibited

Haram
Is an Arabic term meaning forbidden. This may refer to: either something sacred to which access is forbidden to the people who are not in a state of purity; or to an evil thus “sinful action that is forbidden to be done

Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala (SWT)

It is an honorififc followed after using one of Allah’s names. For exampple saying, “Allah (SWT)”. It means to “May He be praised and exalted.”

Salla llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam (SAWS)

Muslims often follow it with the abbreviation “SAWS.” Example, Muslims believe that Muhammad (SAWS) was the last Prophet and Messenger of God.

Radeyallahu ′Anhu

Used after companions. Of the Islamic Prophet Muḥammad Radeyallāhu ′Anhu. Translation: “May Allāh be pleased with him.”

Baraka Allahu fik (Barak Allahu Feekum)
The blessings of Allah (be upon you) (Arabic: barak ‘Allah) is a phrase used by Muslims to express thanks, typically to another person. It is one of many phrases used by Muslims to express thanks. Used commonly in reply to a person that says jazakallah.

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Common phrase greeting a fellow Muslim. The meaning is, “Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.”

Fi Amanillah

“(be) with the safety of Allah” or “May Allah Protect You”. The general idea is a person recites it wishing for the safety of God (Allah) upon them.

Congratulations, you now have a better chance of surviving daily conversations by having knowledge and understanding these Islamic phrases.

Please comment below any other words you’d like to see added to the list and we will expand this collection.

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I’d recommend checking out this our other popular post,  Dua For Lost Items. It’s not just to help you find items when they go missing but we also breakdown how to begin the process of detaching yourself from material things, a very important skill we should all learn to cultivate.