Everyday Phrases
Short phrases Muslims use every day. You will hear them often, and they are an easy way to remember Allah throughout the day.
ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
As-salāmu ʿalaykum
Peace be upon you
WHEN
The greeting between Muslims. Reply with “Wa ʿalaykumu-s-salām”, and upon you be peace.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ
Bismillāh
In the name of Allah
WHEN
Before eating, drinking, and starting anything.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ
Alḥamdulillāh
All praise is for Allah
WHEN
After eating, when something good happens, after sneezing, and in answer to “How are you?”.
سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ
Subḥānallāh
Glory be to Allah
WHEN
When amazed by something, and as dhikr, remembrance of Allah.
ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
Allah is the Greatest
WHEN
In the prayer, and as dhikr.
إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ
In shāʼ Allāh
If Allah wills
WHEN
When speaking about something you plan to do in the future (Quran 18:23–24).
مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ
Mā shāʼ Allāh
What Allah has willed
WHEN
When admiring something or praising someone, acknowledging that it comes from Allah.
جَزَاكَ ٱللَّٰهُ خَيْرًا
Jazāk Allāhu khayran
May Allah reward you with good
WHEN
To thank someone.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ
Astaghfirullāh
I seek Allah’s forgiveness
WHEN
After a mistake or sin, and as dhikr throughout the day.
يَرْحَمُكَ ٱللَّٰهُ
Yarḥamuk Allāh
May Allah have mercy on you
WHEN
Said to someone who sneezes and says “Alḥamdulillāh”.
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn
We belong to Allah, and to Him we return
WHEN
On hearing of a death or suffering a loss (Quran 2:156).
آمِين
Āmīn
O Allah, accept
WHEN
After a dua, and after Al-Fatiha in the prayer.