Found this on a wordpress blog and I have copy/pasted it verbatim, so feel free to correct any mistakes and add more (words and phrases).
jazakum Allah khairan
Every Muslim should remember these essential expressions.
Note: Spellings may vary when translated to English
These expressions are mostly singular. For example to say ‘Jazak(i) Allahu Khair” to more than one person you would ‘Jazakum Allahu Khairan’ and to say ‘Barak Allahu feek(i)” to more than one person is “Barak Allahu Feekum”
e.g.
Masculine: Jazak Allahu Khair
Feminine: Jazaki Allahu Khair
Plural: Jazakum Allahu Khair
Note:It is fine to speak in the masculine tense when speaking to women formally.
Colour Key:
Say
When
Translation
Assalamu ‘Alaikum
when you meet a muslim
Translation: Peace be upon you
Wa’alaikum Assalam
a Muslim greets you
Translation: And peace be upon you
Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
formal and great greeting to a Muslim
Translation: May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you
Wa’alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh
a Muslim greets you
Translation: And peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
Hiyyak Allah
When greeting someone after Salaams
Translation: May Allah greet you (lit. May Allah preserve your life)
Bismillah arRahman arRahim
before making a beginning
Translation: In the name of Allah, most Gracious most Merciful
Jazakum Allah Khairan
for expression of thanks
Translation: May Allah reward you with blessings
(Reply: Wa iyak(i), wa iyakum; Trans. And you)
BarakAllahu feekum or Allah baraka feek(i)
responding to someone’s thanks/ a way of expressing thanks
Translation: May Allah bless you
(Reply: Wa feek(i), Wa feekum; Trans.: And you)
Fi Amanillah
by way of saying good-bye
Translation: May Allah protect you
Subhanallah
for praising something
Translation: Glory be to Allah
Insha Allah
for expressing a desire to do something
Translation: If Allah wills/Through Allah’s will
Astaghfirullah
Repenting for sins before Allah
I beg Allah for forgiveness
Masha Allah
for expressing appreciation of something good
Translation: As Allah has willed/Praise be to Allah
Alhamdulillah
for showing gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything
Translation: Thanks be to Allah
Ameen
the end of a Dua or prayer
Translation: May it be so
Sallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam
whenever say the name of Prophet Muhammad
Translation: Peace be upon him (S.A.W.)
‘Alayhi salaam
whenever say the name of a prophet
Translation: Peace be upon him (A.S.)
Radi Allah ‘Anhu
whenever say name of male companion of the Prophet (Sahabi)
Translation: May Allah be pleased with him (R.A.)
Radi Allah ‘Anha
whenever say name of female companion of the Prophet
Translation: May Allah be pleased with her (R.A.)
Radi Allah ‘Anhum
Plural form of saying companions of the Prophet
Translation: May Allah be pleased with them (R.A.)
Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon
this is uttered as an expression upon hearing the news of some loss or some one’s death
Translation: To Allah we belong and to Him is our return
aathama allahu ajrakom
uttered to family of deceased
Translation: may Allah make your ajer (reward) great
Shakar Allahu Sa’yikum
uttered to people who attend aaza - when friends go to send condolences upon death of a person
Translation: May Allah accept that your effort
La hawla wala quwata illah billah
during the time of troubles
Translation: There is no strength nor power except Allah
_________________ A few more:
Tawakkal-tu-’ala-Allah- I have put my trust in Allah-rely on Allah solving a problem
Tawkkalna-’ala-Allah - we have put our trust in Allah - waiting for a problem to be solved
Rahimahullah - Allah have Mercy on him - you see someone in distress
Na’uzhu-bi-Allah - we seek refuge in Allah - showing your dislike
Fi sabeel illah - in/for Allah’s cause/way - you give charity/help people
Ittaqillah-fear Allah- you see someone doing a bad deed
Hayyak Allah - Allah maintain your life - you greet someone
Hasbi Allah - Allah will suffice me - you are in a difficult situation
Azhak Allah sinnaka - May Allah keep you cheerful - you seek another Muslim with cheerful countenance
____________________ A 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. It’s 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,” and “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’UDHU BILLAHI MINASHAYTAN IRAJEEM
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. It’s 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.
K 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: “Mohammedan 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. 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 are 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 ‘ADHEEM
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
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.
S.A.W. These letters are abbreviations for the words “Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam”.
SUBHANAHU WA TA’ALA
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.
S.W.T. These letters are abbreviations for the words of “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala”.
W WA ‘ALAIKUM ASSALAM
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.”
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If there’s an Islamic phrase/ word that’s not included above, feel free to share with us down in the comments below inshallah!! The more knowledge you give, the more rewards! Also please include the translation, and when its commonly used. I’m human, so if you’ve found I made a mistake, feel free to correct me. If you have any questions on any of the terms, don’t be shy to ask inshallah!!
Jazakum Allahu Khairan
fi aman Allah
w’salaam
Quranic term for a non-Muslim. It is derived from the root word of Ka-fa-ra (cover) . The term is to indicate a person declining or denying any of the principles of the Islam.
Often mistranslated as “infidel” which is the term the crusaders used to refer to the Muslims and not the other way around. The Islamic term used to refer to the crusades was the “war of the foreigners.”
Muslims are encouraged to follow the Islamic example in referring to Christians and Jews as “Ahlel-Kitab: people of the book.”
Professor Charles A. Kimball, Chair of the Dept of religion at Wake Forest Univ., Winston-Salem, NC, stated
“Religious scholars approach the term fundamentalist in different ways. Some argue that term is rooted in a particular form of protestant Christianity that it can not be used in relation to Islam, Judaism, etc... “
“In other words, this term does not apply to and should not be used for Muslims.
It is relevant to state that Muslims adhering to the strict fundamentals of their faith will have the utmost tolerance to all other humans; Muslims and non-Muslims. Same applies to Islamic “fanatism” and Islamic “conservatism.”
Struggle, strive, or exert... in the cause of God and in His way, physical or inner, using peaceful means and at times resorting to the use of power. Often mistranslated as "holy war."
Muslim are to use Jihad in all aspects of life, particularly in defending and protecting God given Rights, be it the Muslim rights or a non-Muslim rights with equal commitment. The rights for every one of us and every newborn to earn his spot under the sun and live free from oppression and injustice. Protecting these Rights is an Islamic religious duty.
We are to use whatever means accessible and available to provide relief to God’s creations from oppression and injustice however they exist and wherever they exist. This duty is not limited to Muslim’s homelands; it extends to ensure a free world for all humans. A free world that affords all humans the right to choose their own faith and belief, the right to freedom, to dignity, to justice and balance, to brotherhood/sisterhood, the right to fair play, as well as the right to opportunities based on effort.
“And how could you refuse to fight in the cause of God and of the utterly helpless men and women and children who are crying, "O our Sustainer! Lead us forth [to freedom] out of this land whose people are oppressors, and raise for us, out of Thy grace, a protector, and raise for us, out of Thy grace, one who will bring us succour!" Asad
Peaceful means are to be exhausted before any physical use of power is attempted. Even when the use of arms is a must, Muslims are constrained by the highest code of ethics; the divine law of Islam. Muslims are only to fight the oppressors, the aggressors, and the forces of injustice. Killing, molesting, or abusing civilian elderly, women, and children is prohibited at any time.
Muslims are not to press heavier than necessary nor are they to exceed the necessary limits if they must fight. Destroying farms, factories, infrastructure, houses of worship, etc. is not allowed. Prisoners of war are treated in the most humane way. Peace must not be withheld when the enemy comes to terms.
For 13 years, in the midst of some of the worst forms of torture and oppression the world has ever known, Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his companions observed an unparalleled practice of nonviolent resistance. When the revelation did come to the Prophet for military defence, it came with the following admonition: Quran 2:190
“AND FIGHT in God's cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression-for, verily, God does not love aggressors..” Asad
Simply put: Muslims are to observe the highest code of ethics that would leave the door open for the "defeated enemy" to voluntarily and willingly join Islam later on with no bitterness or bad feelings.
Allah is God as revealed to us in the Quran. He is the One God. Our Creator. The Lord of the Universe. The God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. (Arabic speaking Christians and Jews refer to God as Allah). Although Muslims use Allah in reference to God almost always, I will use “God” here for convenience of the readers.
We know Allah through what He revealed to us in the Quran, and I chose for you the following verses.
Quran (112: 1-4) “Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none like unto Him”
And (59:22-24): "Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god- who Knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god- The Sovereign, The Holy One, The Source of Peace (and Perfection), The Guardian of Faith, The Preserver of Safety, The Exalted in Might, The Irresistible, The Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) Above the partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, The Creator, The Evolver, The Bestower of forms (or colour). To Him belong The Most Beautiful names: Whatever is in the heavens and on earth doth declare His Praises and Glory; and He is The Exalted in Might, The Wise.”
Also (85:14): "And He is The Oft-Forgiving, Full of loving-kindness." The Islamic teachings emphasize the Balance in God's Attributes. The Balance between His Magnificent Powers and Might, on one hand, and His Compassion, Mercy, Love, and Forgiveness on the other. He is Just. He is All-Knowing. His balance is beyond our understanding and His wisdom is beyond our comprehension.
He is the only deity to be praised whether one be in health or in sickness, in richness or in poverty, in times of ease or in times of hardship.
[44:54 كذلك وزوجناهم بحور عين] Asad Thus shall it be. And We shall pair them with companions pure, most beautiful of eye.
[For the rendering of hur in as "companions pure, most beautiful of eye", see notes on 56:22 and 56:34. It is to be noted that the noun zawj (lit., "a pair" or - according to the context - "one of a pair") applies to either of the two sexes, as does the transitive verb zawaja, "he paired" or "joined", i.e., one person with another.]
[56:22 وحور عين] Asad And [with them will be their] companions pure, most beautiful of eye,
[The noun hur - rendered by me as "companions pure" - is a plural of both ahwar (masc.) and hawra (fem.), either of which describes "a person distinguished by hawar", which latter term primarily denotes "intense whiteness of the eyeballs and lustrous black of the iris" (Qamus). In a more general sense, hawar signifies simply "whiteness" (Asas) or, as a moral qualification, "purity" (cf. Tabari, Razi and Ibn Kathir in their explanations of the term hawariyyun in 3:52). Hence, the compound expression hurin signifies, approximately, "pure beings [or, more specifically, "companions pure"], most beautiful of eye" (which latter is the meaning of in, the plural of ayan). In his comments on the identical expression in 52:20, Razi observes that inasmuch as a person's eye reflects his soul more clearly than any other part of the human body, in may be understood as "rich of soul" or "soulful". As regards the term hur in its more current, feminine connotation, quite a number of the earliest Quran-commentators - among them Al-Hasan al-Basri - understood it as signifying no more and no less than "the righteous among the women of the human kind" (Tabari) - "[even] those toothless old women of yours whom God will resurrect as new beings" (Al-Hasan, as quoted by Razi in his comments on 44:54). See in this connection also note on 38:52.]
Islam is an Arabic word derived from the words submission and peace.
Submission:total submission to and acceptance of God and His will.
Peace:inner peace (peace with oneself), peace with the Creator, as well as peace with all humans and other creations.
It is through the total submission to the Will of God, (accepting His Wisdom, His Might, His Justice …) that one reaches this form of peace.
With this definition and understanding of Islam, all of God's Prophets, peace be upon them (p.b.u.t.), received the call to "Islam" since all of them preached the same message: acceptance of God and total submission to His Will.
In other words, Islam is not a new religion. What we refer to as Islam is nothing but the final revelation of the series that started with Adam (p.b.u.h.), and continued with Abraham (pbuh) through Jesus (p.b.u.h.) to Muhammad (p.b.u.h).
Islam acknowledges all previous Prophets and Messengers from God, starting with Adam (p.b.u.h) and ending with Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Islam acknowledges the messages of Abraham (p.b.u.h), Moses (p.b.u.h), and Jesus (p.b.u.h.), to name just a few.
Islam is a way of life that addresses every aspect of human physical and spiritual needs. The Islamic teachings provide a balanced integration of the two. This integration is emphasized in the Islamic belief, prescribed worships, as well as the Islamic lifestyle. Islam presents a way of life for humanity on all levels, for the individual, the family, the community, as well as for the whole world. The teachings of Islam do not separate religion from human affairs. Politics, economics, law, and all other aspects of human affairs are integrated into one system with a well defined code of values and ethics, and with one unique objective, that is the worship of God.
Through Islam, ethics, righteousness, legitimacy, correctness, and similar fundamentals are well defined and are not left to individuals to experiment with or differ about. Having been legislated by Allah, the Creator of this world, the Islamic way of life is the most suitable one for us to follow.
An example of the Islamic balance and integration, Islam teaches that true belief and righteous deeds are two key elements for one to attain God's acceptance. It takes both elements to establish healthy individuals and healthy societies. Belief alone is not sufficient; it must be practised. Practising the belief by doing righteous deeds maintains that belief and nourishes it.
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