20 Common Arabic Expressions Every British Muslim Should Know (UK Daily-Use Guide)

Beyond the seven beautiful Islamic dhikr expressions (covered in our previous guide), British Muslims encounter many other common Arabic phrases in everyday Muslim conversation. From insha'Allah at the start of plans to Jazakallahu khayran in thanks, from Ya rabb in moments of stress to Inna lillah at moments of grief — these phrases are the daily fabric of British Muslim life. This UK guide explains the most common Arabic expressions UK Muslim families use, when to use them, and how to teach them naturally to British Muslim children.

1. Insha'Allah (إن شاء الله) — "If Allah wills"

Said before any future plan: "I'll see you tomorrow, insha'Allah." "We'll go to Umrah next year, insha'Allah." The Quran specifically commands this in Surah Al-Kahf 18:23-24: "Never say of anything 'I will do that tomorrow' without saying 'insha'Allah'. And remember your Lord when you forget."

The phrase acknowledges that all outcomes are in Allah's hands. UK Muslim teenagers can use it naturally in mixed-faith settings: "I'll be at the meeting at 3, insha'Allah" sounds polite even to non-Muslim colleagues.

2. Mash'Allah (ما شاء الله) — "What Allah has willed"

Said when admiring something. Covered in our seven Islamic expressions guide. Use whenever complimenting another Muslim's child, success, possession.

3. Jazakallahu khayran (جزاك الله خيراً) — "May Allah reward you with good"

The Sunnah way to thank someone, particularly for help with deen. Variants:

• Jazakallahu khayran — to a male
• Jazakillahu khayran — to a female
• Jazakumullahu khayran — to a group

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever has good done to him and says to its doer 'Jazak Allahu khayran' has indeed thanked him properly" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2035, hasan).

4. Wa iyyak / Wa iyyaki / Wa iyyakum (وإياكم) — "And you (too)"

The standard response to "Jazakallahu khayran". Means "may Allah reward you with good as well". Adjust the suffix:

• Wa iyyak (to a male)
• Wa iyyaki (to a female)
• Wa iyyakum (to a group)

5. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون)

"Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return." Said upon hearing of someone's death, or upon experiencing any major loss or calamity. From Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156: "Those who, when disaster strikes them, say 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.'"

UK Muslim families: when a relative passes away, say this verbally and in any condolence text. It is shorter than English condolences but theologically richer.

6. Astaghfirullah (أستغفر الله) — "I seek Allah's forgiveness"

Covered in our previous guide. Use after any slip, sin, harsh word, or moment of inattention.

7. Tabarakallah (تبارك الله) — "Blessed is Allah"

An expression of awe. Often used when something extraordinary happens or is witnessed. Quranic origin: Surah Al-A'raf 7:54: "Tabarakallahu rabb al-alameen" — "Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds." UK Muslims use it interchangeably with Subhanallah for moments of awe.

8. SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi (سبحان الله وبحمده)

"Glory and praise to Allah." A combined dhikr. The Prophet ﷺ said reciting this 100 times a day causes one's sins to be forgiven even if they were like the foam of the sea (Sahih al-Bukhari 6405).

9. La ilaha illallah (لا إله إلا الله) — "There is no god but Allah"

The first half of the shahadah. Most foundational dhikr in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best dhikr is la ilaha illallah" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3383, sahih). Recite throughout the day.

10. Hasbun Allah wa ni'mal wakeel (حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل)

"Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of affairs." From Surah Aal-Imran 3:173. Said in moments of overwhelming difficulty or fear when relying entirely on Allah. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said this when thrown into the fire (Sahih al-Bukhari 4563).

11. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله)

"There is no power and no strength except with Allah." Covered in our previous guide. The Prophet ﷺ called it "a treasure from the treasures of Paradise" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6610).

12. Ya rabb / Ya Allah (يا رب / يا الله) — "O my Lord / O Allah"

Direct address to Allah. Used at the start of personal du'a or as a sigh in moments of stress. Allah encourages this address: "And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the caller when he calls Me" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186).

13. Bismillah (بسم الله) — "In the name of Allah"

Said before every meaningful action. Covered in our previous guide. The shortened form of "Bismillahi r-rahmani r-raheem".

14. Sadaqallahul Adheem (صدق الله العظيم) — "Allah, the Most Great, has spoken the truth"

Said after reciting from the Quran. Many British Muslim madrasahs and mosques have adopted this as customary practice (though scholars differ on whether it is a strictly authentic Sunnah practice or a later cultural addition; both views are within Sunni tradition).

15. Salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam (صلى الله عليه وسلم) — ﷺ

"May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him." Said after mentioning the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Quran instructs in Surah Al-Ahzab 33:56: "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and ask for his salutations."

Variants: peace be upon him (PBUH) in English-language writing; the Arabic ﷺ symbol; or written out fully. All are acceptable.

16. Alayhi as-salam (عليه السلام) — "Peace be upon him"

Said after mentioning any prophet other than Muhammad ﷺ — Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, etc. (peace be upon them). Variants: alayhuma as-salam for two prophets (e.g. Musa and Harun); alayhim as-salam for many prophets.

17. Radiya Allahu anhu / anha / anhum (رضي الله عنه/عنها/عنهم) — "May Allah be pleased with him/her/them"

Said after mentioning a Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet ﷺ. RA in shorthand. The Quran in Surah At-Tawbah 9:100 mentions Allah's pleasure with the early Muhajireen and Ansar; from this, Sunni tradition derives the practice of always saying this honorific after the Companions' names.

18. Rahimahullah (رحمه الله) — "May Allah have mercy on him"

Said after mentioning any deceased righteous Muslim who is not a Sahabi or a prophet. Variants for female (rahimaha Allah) and plural (rahimahum Allah).

19. Hayya alas-salah / hayya alal falah

"Come to prayer / come to success." From the adhan. UK Muslims hearing the adhan from a phone or local mosque should pause briefly — the Sunnah is to repeat after the muadhdhin (except at "hayya alas-salah / hayya alal falah" where the Sunnah is to say "la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah").

20. Barakallahu feek (بارك الله فيك) — "May Allah bless you in you"

Covered in previous guide. Less common than Jazakallahu khayran for thanks, but warmer for goodbye and well-wishes.

How British Muslim parents can teach these expressions

1. Use them yourself, in front of your children. "Insha'Allah" before plans, "Mash'Allah" at compliments, "Inna lillah" at sad news. Children copy speech they hear daily.
2. Translate every phrase the first time. "Insha'Allah means 'if Allah wills'. We say it because we don't know what tomorrow will bring."
3. Connect to Quranic source. "We say 'insha'Allah' because Allah told us to in Surah Al-Kahf."
4. Don't overuse to the point of dilution. Some British Muslim families say "insha'Allah" so reflexively it loses meaning. Use it consciously.
5. Pronunciation matters. Eaalim teachers correct the Arabic pronunciation of these phrases as part of Tajweed lessons — the dhikr is not approximate but precise.

How Eaalim teachers help British Muslim children master Arabic expressions

Eaalim's one-to-one online lessons include the proper pronunciation of common Arabic expressions as part of the broader Tajweed curriculum. Lessons are 30 minutes, GMT/BST, in pounds, free real trial. Start here.

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