Glossary

Hello there and Salaams (Peace: a greeting)!

I thought it would be useful to have a glossary page for those of you who don’t understand the Arabic terms I mention in my blog.  I hope the glossary is useful to you! If I’ve missed any out, please do let me know!

Bismillah: In the name of God (the Arabic calligraphy shown above says this)

Assalam alaikum or Salaams (shorthand): Peace be upon you! This is a universal greeting used by all muslims around the world,

AlhamduLillah: Praise the Lord

InshaAllah: God-Willing

Ameen: Amen

MashaAllah: God has willed

ﷺ: Peace be upon him, usually referring to the Prophet Muhammad, whom we believe to be is the Last Messenger of God

JazkAllah, JazakIllah, Jazakamullah khairun: These words all mean thank you or literally- may God reward you with good.  The differences are due to the grammatical differences in speaking to a man, woman or many people.

Shukran: Also means thank you.

Dhikr: Remembrance of God through the tongue

Jannah- paradise

Jummah- Friday prayers

Imaan- belief

Deen- religion of Islam

Duniya- world

Akhira- hereafter

Quran- holy book

Qaidah- Arabic alphabet book

JazakAllah- thank you

Tanveer Al Quloob- the light of hearts

Fi AmanAllah- Goodbye or literally- Be in the safety of God

Ma Salaam: Modern Arabic for Goodbye.  It literally means peace be with you.

Please do get in touch if you need me to clarify something in my writing that doesn’t come through because of an Arabic term that I’ve used.

Peace and love,

Sidra Ansari