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Guide · Islamic greetings
Islamic phrases.
Inshallah, Mashallah, Alhamdulillah, Jazakallah khair: the everyday Arabic phrases Muslims use, what each one means, and exactly when to say it.
The most common Islamic phrases are Assalamu alaykum (peace be upon you), Bismillah (in the name of Allah), Alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah), Inshallah (if Allah wills), Mashallah (what Allah has willed), SubhanAllah (glory be to Allah) and Jazakallahu khayran (may Allah reward you with good). Each is tied to a moment: greeting, starting, thanking, planning, admiring.
Everyday Islamic phrases and their meanings
These are the phrases you'll hear in any Muslim home, mosque or comment section. Each one is short, but each carries a whole attitude: gratitude, trust in Allah, care for the person in front of you.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
Assalamu alaykum
Meaning: Peace be upon you.
When to say it: When you meet anyone, and when you enter a home. The reply is wa alaykum assalam. The Prophet ﷺ said spreading salam is a way to love one another (Muslim).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
Meaning: In the name of Allah.
When to say it: Before eating, drinking, leaving the house, starting work or anything worthwhile.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Alhamdulillah
Meaning: All praise is for Allah.
When to say it: When something good happens, when someone asks how you are, after eating, and after sneezing.
إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Inshallah
Meaning: If Allah wills.
When to say it: Whenever you talk about something you plan to do in the future. Inshallah meaning, in full.
مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ
Mashallah
Meaning: What Allah has willed (has happened).
When to say it: When you admire something: a child, a home, a recitation, someone's success. Mashallah meaning, in full.
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
SubhanAllah
Meaning: Glory be to Allah.
When to say it: When something amazes you, and as dhikr after prayer. Count it on the tasbeeh counter.
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allahu Akbar
Meaning: Allah is the Greatest.
When to say it: In every prayer, at moments of awe or joy, and in the takbeer of Eid.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
Astaghfirullah
Meaning: I seek Allah's forgiveness.
When to say it: After a mistake, when you hear something wrong, and throughout the day. The Prophet ﷺ sought forgiveness more than seventy times a day (Bukhari).
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Jazakallahu khayran
Meaning: May Allah reward you with good.
When to say it: To thank someone. It is described in a hadith as the most complete way of thanking (Tirmidhi). Jazakallah khair meaning and replies.
بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ
Barakallahu feek
Meaning: May Allah bless you.
When to say it: To thank or congratulate someone, and when you admire something, so that it is blessed rather than envied.
آمِين
Ameen
Meaning: O Allah, accept.
When to say it: After a dua, your own or someone else's, and after Surah al-Fatiha in prayer.
يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ
Yarhamukallah
Meaning: May Allah have mercy on you.
When to say it: When someone sneezes and says Alhamdulillah. They reply yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum (Bukhari).
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un
Meaning: Truly we belong to Allah, and to Him we return.
When to say it: On hearing of a death or any loss, big or small (Quran 2:156).
لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ
La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah
Meaning: There is no power and no strength except with Allah.
When to say it: When facing something hard. The Prophet ﷺ called it a treasure of Paradise (Bukhari, Muslim).
فِي أَمَانِ اللَّهِ
Fi amanillah
Meaning: In the protection of Allah.
When to say it: When saying goodbye.
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam (ﷺ)
Meaning: May Allah send blessings and peace upon him.
When to say it: Every time the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is mentioned.
عِيدٌ مُبَارَكٌ
Eid Mubarak
Meaning: Blessed Eid.
When to say it: On Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Many also say Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.
Inshallah vs Mashallah vs Alhamdulillah
| Phrase | Points to | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inshallah | The future | "I'll see you tomorrow, inshallah." |
| Mashallah | Something you admire | "Mashallah, your son reads so well." |
| Alhamdulillah | Something you're grateful for | "I passed my exam, alhamdulillah." |
Hearing these phrases in nasheeds
Many of these words are the backbone of nasheeds: SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar run through dhikr nasheeds, and the names of Allah are sung in full in nasheeds of the 99 names of Allah. If you're new to the art form, start with what a nasheed is or listen to our nasheeds.
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Frequently asked questions
What do Muslims say when greeting each other?
Assalamu alaykum, meaning peace be upon you. The reply is wa alaykum assalam, and upon you be peace. You can add wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (and the mercy of Allah and His blessings) to either.
What do you say when someone sneezes in Islam?
The person who sneezes says Alhamdulillah. Whoever hears them says Yarhamukallah (may Allah have mercy on you), and the sneezer replies Yahdikumullahu wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and set your affairs right). This is in Sahih al-Bukhari.
What is the difference between Inshallah and Mashallah?
Inshallah (if Allah wills) is about the future: you say it about something you plan or hope to do. Mashallah (what Allah has willed) is about the present or past: you say it when you admire something that has already happened or that you can see.
What do you say when someone dies?
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un: truly we belong to Allah and to Him we return (Quran 2:156). People also make dua for the deceased, such as Allahumma ighfir lahu, O Allah forgive him.
What do Muslims say on Eid?
Eid Mubarak (blessed Eid) is the everyday greeting. The companions are reported to have said Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum, may Allah accept from us and from you, which Ibn Hajar graded as having a good chain.
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