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
It is fine to speak in the masculine tense when speaking to women formally.
Say/When/Translation
Assalamu ‘Alaikum اسلام علیکم ۔
when you meet a muslim
Translation: Peace be upon you
Wa’alaikum Assalam وعلیکم السلام ۔
a Muslim greets you
Translation: And peace be upon you
Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh اسلام علیکم ورحمتہ اللہ وبرکاتہ ۔
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 وعلیکم السلام ورحمتہ اللہ وبرکاتہ ۔
a Muslim greets you
Translation: And peace and mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
Hiyyak Allah حیاک اللہ ۔
When greeting someone after Salaams
Translation: May Allah greet you (lit. May Allah preserve your life)
Bismillah hirRahman nirRahim بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم ۔
before making a beginning
Translation: In the name of Allah, most Gracious most Merciful
Jazak Allah Khairan جزاک اللہ خیرا ۔
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) - بارک اللہ فیکم / اللہ بارک فیک
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 - فی امان اللہ
by way of saying good-bye
Translation: May Allah protect you
Subhanallah - سبحان اللہ
for praising something
Translation: Glory be to Allah
Insha Allah - انشا اللہ
for expressing a desire to do something
Translation: If Allah wills/Through Allah’s will
Astaghfirullah - استغفر اللہ
Repenting for sins before Allah
I beg Allah for forgiveness
Masha Allah - ماشا اللہ
for expressing appreciation of something good
Translation: As Allah has willed/Praise be to Allah
Alhamdulillah - الحمد للہ
for showing gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything
Translation: Thanks be to Allah
Ameen - آمین
the end of a Dua or prayer
Translation: May it be so
Sallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam - صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم
whenever say the name of Prophet Muhammad
Translation: Peace be upon him (S.A.W.)
‘Alayhi salaam - علیہ السلام
whenever say the name of a prophet
Translation: Peace be upon him (A.S.)
Radi Allah ‘Anhu - رضی اللہ عنہ
whenever say name of male companion of the Prophet (Sahabi)
Translation: May Allah be pleased with him (R.A.)
Radi Allah ‘Anha - رضی اللہ عنہا
whenever say name of female companion of the Prophet
Translation: May Allah be pleased with her (R.A.)
Radi Allah ‘Anhum - رضی اللہ عنہا
Plural form of saying companions of the Prophet
Translation: May Allah be pleased with them (R.A.)
Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon - انا للہ و انا الیہ راجعون
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 - اعظم اللہ اجرکم
uttered to family of deceased
Translation: may Allah make your ajer (reward) great
Shakar Allahu Sa’yikum - شاکر اللہ سعیکم
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 - لا حول ولا قوہ الا باللہ
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
