Confused by some of the words you hear Muslims using? Not sure how to respond when someone says assalamu ‘alaikum? Below are some commonly used Arabic expressions to help you navigate your Islamic conversations!
Adhan ~ the call to prayer; recited before compulsory prayers.
Allahu Akbar ~ “Allah is the Greatest” – commonly used in many circumstances, including during prayer (salaat).
Alhamdulillah ~ “All praise is due to Allah” – used when something good happens, to thank Allah. Also said when you sneeze!
Asr ~ the mid afternoon prayer – the third of the five obligatory daily prayers.
Assalamu ‘alaikum ~ “Peace be upon you” – the Muslim greeting; the response is “walaikum salam” (“And peace be upon you”).
Bismi’llah ~ “In the name of Allah” – said at the beginning of any action in order to ask for Allah’s blessings.
Dhikr ~ the remembrance of Allah.
Dua ~ supplication to Allah – prayer asking Allah for something wanted or needed.
Eid ~ “Festival” – the days of celebration at the end of Ramadhan (Eid al-Fitr) and Hajj (Eid al-Adha).
Eid al-Fitr ~ One of the two Eids.
Fajr ~ the dawn prayer – the first of the five obligatory daily prayers.
Fardh ~ Fardh beliefs or actions are those that are compulsory.
Fi sabi lillah – in the way of Allah/ for the sake of Allah.
Hadith ~ reported sayings and actions of the Prophet; related by his family & companions.
Hajj ~ one of the five pillars of Islam – the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
Halaal ~ “Permissible” or lawful. Often seen referring to meat or food.
Haraam ~ “Prohibited” or forbidden. Often used when referring to actions or food.
Hijaab ~ “Curtain, veil or cover” – the style of modest dress adopted by Muslims. Often used to refer to the covering of women’s bodies and hair by loose clothing and a headscarf.
Ibrahim ~ the Arabic name for the Prophet Abraham.
Iman ~ “Faith” or “belief”.
In sha’ Allah ~ “If Allah wills” – used as you would say “hopefully”; recognising that nothing can happen except by the will of Allah.
Isa ~ the Arabic name for the Prophet Jesus.
Isha ~ the evening prayer – the fifth of the five obligatory daily prayers.
Jannah ~ Paradise.
JazaakAllahu Khayran ~ “May Allah reward you with good” – the Muslim way of saying “thank you”.
Jumuah ~ refers to both the day of the week and the congregational ’Friday prayer’ that takes place instead of zuhr; attendance is obligatory upon all sane adult muslim men (with certain exceptions).
Khutbah ~ sermon or speech given before the congregation of believers, preceding the Friday prayer and the two Eid prayers.
Maghrib ~ the twilight prayer – the fourth of the five obligatory daily prayers.
Ma sha’ Allah ~ “As Allah wills” – this is said whenever something good, beneficial or admirable happens, to recognise that any benefit comes from Allah.
Masjid ~ a sanctified area in which congregational prayers are offered.
Musa ~ the Arabic name for the Prophet Moses.
Qibla ~ the direction which Muslims face when praying; the Kaaba in Mecca is the focal point for the direction of prayer.
Quran ~ the holy book of Islam – the word of Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Ramadhan ~ the month of fasting.
Salaat ~ prayer – one of the five pillars of Islam, the five daily ritual prayers.
Salallahu alayhi wassallam ~ “May Allah bless him and grant him peace” – said whenever the name of the Prophet is spoken or written; often abbreviated to “saw”.
Sawm ~ fasting during the month of Ramadhan – one of the five pillars of Islam.
Shahada ~ declaration of faith – the first of the five pillars of Islam, declaring, “There is no god except Allah and Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah”.
SubhanAllah ~ “Glory be to Allah” – can be used when suprised or startled, or generally as remembrance of Allah.
Sunnah ~ the “trodden path” or practice of the Prophet – things that the Prophet himself said or did or condoned others doing in his lifetime are his “sunnah”; Muslims try to emulate the life of the Prophet as he was the most perfect of human beings.
Ummah ~ the global muslim community.
Wajib ~ imperative actions.
Wudhu ~ ritual purification required for prayer – involves washing the face, arms and feet and wiping the head.
Zakaat ~ ‘Purification’ of one’s wealth by giving a percentage in charity to the poor and needy – one of the five pillars of Islam.
Zuhr ~ the midday prayer – the second of the five obligatory daily prayers.