Key to Islamic Terms

Madina Archives


Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board

Key to Islamic Terms
zanfaz
12/03/01 at 06:13:50
Key to Islamic Terms


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. Its
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'UZU BILLAHI MINASHAITANIR RAJIM
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.

[hr]

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."

[hr]

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 hom 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.

[hr]

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. Its 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.


KALAM
Talk or speech as in "kalamu Allah"; has also been used through the
ages to mean logic or philosophy.

[hr]

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: "Muhammadun Rasul
Allah," which means:"Muhammad is the messenger of Allah."

[hr]

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.

[hr]

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.

[hr]

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.

[hr]

S

SADAQALLAHUL 'AZIM
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 'ALAIKUMUS SALAM
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."


More such terms are there in [url=http://www.jannah.org/board/help.html]FAQ[/url]

wassalam
Faizan


Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author.
The rest © Jannah.Org