15 Essential Islamic Phrases Every New Muslim Should Know

Muslims around the world share a set of short Arabic phrases that weave remembrance of Allah into ordinary conversation. Learning them helps you feel at home in any Muslim community — and turns small moments into worship.

Greetings

1. As-salamu 'alaykum

"Peace be upon you." The Muslim greeting. A fuller version adds wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh — "and the mercy of Allah and His blessings."

Reply: Wa 'alaykumus-salam — "And upon you be peace." The Qur'an teaches us to reply with an equal or better greeting An-Nisa 4:86.

Before and after

2. Bismillah

"In the name of Allah." Said before eating, drinking, starting a task, leaving home, or reading the Qur'an.

3. Alhamdulillah

"All praise is for Allah." Said after eating, after sneezing, when asked how you are, and when good news comes — and in hard times too.

4. Insha'Allah

"If Allah wills." Said when talking about the future: "See you tomorrow, insha'Allah." The Qur'an teaches this directly Al-Kahf 18:23-24. Use it sincerely — not as a polite way of saying no!

5. Masha'Allah

"What Allah has willed." Said when admiring something — a baby, a new home, someone's achievement — acknowledging that every blessing comes from Allah.

Remembrance

6. SubhanAllah

"Glory be to Allah." Said when amazed, or as dhikr.

7. Allahu Akbar

"Allah is the Greatest." Said in prayer, in celebration, and as dhikr.

8. Astaghfirullah

"I seek Allah's forgiveness." Said after a mistake, or simply as remembrance.

9. La ilaha illallah

"There is no god but Allah." The heart of the shahada, and the best dhikr.

Kindness and thanks

10. JazakAllahu khayran

"May Allah reward you with good." The Islamic way to say thank you.

Reply: Wa iyyakum — "And you too."

11. BarakAllahu fik

"May Allah bless you." For congratulations or thanks.

12. Yarhamukallah

"May Allah have mercy on you." Said to someone who sneezes and says "Alhamdulillah". They reply: Yahdikumullah wa yuslihu balakum — "May Allah guide you and set your affairs right."

Hard moments

13. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un

"To Allah we belong, and to Him we return." Said when hearing of a death or facing a loss. It comes from the Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:156.

14. La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah

"There is no power and no strength except with Allah." Said in difficulty or when facing something beyond you.

15. Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal-wakil

"Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs." The words of the believers when they were warned of danger Aal-Imran 3:173.

Honouring the Prophets

When you mention the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims add "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" — "may Allah send blessings and peace upon him", often written ﷺ. For other prophets, like Ibrahim or 'Isa, Muslims say "'alayhis-salam" — "peace be upon him".

How AskDeen can help

Not sure how to pronounce a phrase, or what to say when someone gives you news? Ask AskDeen. You'll get the phrase, its meaning, when to use it and the verse or hadith behind it — linked so you can read it in context. The app's tasbih counter also helps you build a habit of SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar every day.

Start with "Bismillah" — and let AskDeen help with the rest.