Islamic Terms – no 1

In order to understand Islam it is necessary to know the meaning of certain key terms and the identity of some proper names. Most of them are in the Arabic language, and there is often no equivalent in English or in other tongues.

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.

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.”

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 whom 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.
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.

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.