Islamic Phrases & Their Meanings

I sometimes use Islamic phrases in my social media posts and stories. Learn their meanings and uses below:

Bismillah/BismiAllah = In the name of Allah.
Usually uttered upon starting something and before eating something.
For example, one can say Bismillah upon entering a car to go somewhere, or upon starting a test, or even upon starting something that one is nervous about.

Alhamdulillah = Praise be to Allah.
This can be used to mean 'thank God', and is often used to convey gratitude and satisfaction.
For example, upon finishing a meal, one will say, "Alhamdulillah." If asked how one is doing, they could say, "Alhamdulillah." If someone learns that something turned out well, they might say "Alhamdulillah." Truly a versatile phrase - as you will see many of the others are, too.

Ashukrulillah = Thanks to Allah.
Unlike the previous phrase, this one literally means 'thank God' and is used as such. Sometimes, the two are paired together.
For example, upon finishing a meal, I might say, "Alhamdulillah wa shukrulillah."

InshaAllah = If Allah wills.
This one is used to talk about what we would like to happen in the future. (Sometimes abbreviated iA.)
It is important to always add this onto the end of something like "I'm going to ace that exam!" or "I'm going to be a doctor." We don't decide what happens in the future; we have no control over it. It is all as Allah wishes. (And, if something does not happen as we wished it would, it is usually understood that it was for the better, as Allah knows what we do not.)

MashaAllah = As Allah willed.
This is used to talk positively about something, essentially saying that it is just as Allah willed it to be. Often used with regards to beauty, talent, or skill. (Sometimes abbreviated mA.)
Usually, if you are complimenting someone or something, you tag this on to the end of your compliment. It can also be used as a way to ward off the evil eye, by reminding others that someone's beauty or talent is not of their own doing, but rather something that Allah gave them. 

SubhanAllah = Glory to Allah.
This is used to emphasize the glory of Allah, usually when speaking of His creation. This can be used when talking about anything awesome, beautiful, or even strange.
For example, if I were to look out at the ocean, I might say, "SubhanAllah, it's so beautiful!" If I was just thinking about someone that I hadn't called for years and they call me out of the blue, I might say "SubhanAllah! What a coincidence."

Ameen = Amen.
Used pretty much the same way as it is in English, this is something that is said after a prayer.
If I was to say to a friend, "Allahy3awnek!" (which means Allah help you), she would say, "Ameen!" in response.

Astaghfirullah = I seek forgiveness from Allah.
This is used to seek forgiveness from Allah, usually for smaller things, like thinking badly of someone when they didn't deserve it, or suspecting someone of something despite no evidence to suggest it.

Deen = faith, religion.
This is used to refer to one's faith. It can be used in the sense of "the deen", as in the faith or the religion. It can also be used in the sense of "my deen", as in my faith, or piety.

Dunya = Life of this world.
This is used to refer to this world, which is filled with ephemeral pleasures and temptations, and serves only as a test of our faith. It is fleeting; none of it will follow you into the hereafter apart from your deeds. So, amassing wealth, hoarding things, or even trying to be buried with items dear to you is fruitless - none of that will be waiting for you on the other side. In fact, I have even heard that once we pass on, this life here in this dunya - all of it will seem like a distant dream; you may not even remember most of it.
You may see some Muslims online saying that they need to prioritize "deen over dunya". They mean that we need to focus on our faith and righteous deeds rather than falling into the trap of this illusory dunya.

Akhira = afterlife / hereafter.
This refers to what comes after the dunya - after one dies, or after the Day of Judgment, when souls are sent to Jannah or Jahannam. The word 'akhira' literally translates to 'last'. You can think of it as the last stage.

The more phrases I use in my writing and posts, the more I'll update this. 

I hope you have found this helpful!