Islamic Expressions and Abbreviations Clarified
Innaa Lillahi wa Innaa Ilaihi 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 Who 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.
Inshaa' 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 Shaa' 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.
Jazaakallahu 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.
Laa Ilaaha 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: "Mohammedan Rasul Allah,"
which means: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Laa Hawla Wa Laa Quwwata Illaa Billah:
The meaning of this expression is: " There is no power and no
strength save in Allah". A Muslim reads this expression 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.
Mashaa' 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 Shaa' Allah".
It has become a tradition that whenever a person constructs a
building, a house, or an office, he says 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, and purification of the previous
prophets of Allah to humanity.
Radhiallahu 'Anhu (RA): This is an
expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a companion
of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) 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 (SAWS) for
their sacrifices, their leadership, and their contributions.
Muslims are advised to use this phrase when such names are
mentioned or written. (RA) is an abbreviation for the words
Radhiallahu 'Anhu.
Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam (SAWS):
When the name of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) 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. (SAWS) is an abbreviation for the words "Salla Allahu 'Alaihi
Wa Sallam".
Subhaanahu Wa Ta'aala (SWT): 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. (SWT) is an abbreviation for the words of "Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala".
Wa 'Alaikumu-s-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 'Alaikumus Salamu Wa Rahmatullah."
and "Wa 'Alaikumus Salamu Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh."
(AS): These two letters mean "Alayhi
Salam" in Arabic, which means "May Allah (God) bless him" in
English.
(PBUH): 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 (PBUH) after
the name of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS); they should use "Salla
Allahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam" instead, or they may use the
abbreviated form of (SAWS) in writing.