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
