What do InshaAllah, MashaAllah and other Islamic phrases mean?
Muslims use a handful of short phrases every day: "Assalamu alaikum" to greet, "Bismillah" before you begin something, "Alhamdulillah" to thank Allah, "InshaAllah" for plans, "MashaAllah" to admire, and "JazakAllahu khairan" to thank someone. Each one is a small dua, and they are the easiest place to start as a new Muslim.
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Week 1: Bismillah and Alhamdulillah. Say Bismillah before every meal and task, and Alhamdulillah after eating and whenever someone asks how you are.
- Week 2: the salam and InshaAllah. Greet every Muslim you meet with "Assalamu alaikum", and say InshaAllah whenever you talk about the future.
- Week 3: MashaAllah and JazakAllahu khairan. Say MashaAllah when you admire something, and JazakAllahu khairan when a Muslim helps you.
- Week 4: SubhanAllah, Astaghfirullah and La ilaha illAllah. Use them in quiet moments and after prayer.
The phrases, with what they mean
The greeting, and the reply
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ
As-salamu alaykum. Wa alaykum as-salam
Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace.
Before you begin anything
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
In the name of Allah
Gratitude, and the answer to "How are you?"
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
Alhamdulillah
All praise is due to Allah
Awe at something beautiful
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ
SubhanAllah
Glory be to Allah
Admiring something or someone
مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ
MashaAllah
As Allah has willed
Talking about the future
إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
InshaAllah
If Allah wills
After a mistake
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
Astaghfirullah
I seek Allah's forgiveness
The heart of the faith
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
La ilaha illAllah
There is no god but Allah
Thank you, as a dua
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
JazakAllahu khairan
May Allah reward you with good
Why these words matter
Each phrase turns an ordinary moment into a remembrance of Allah. A greeting becomes a prayer for the other person, and a plan becomes an act of trust.
InshaAllah comes from the Quran itself: "And never say of anything, I will do that tomorrow, except with: If Allah wills" (18:23-24).
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Common questions
How do I reply to "Assalamu alaikum"?
Say "Wa alaykum as-salam" (And upon you be peace). You can add "wa rahmatullah" (and the mercy of Allah) to reply with more.
How do I reply to "JazakAllahu khairan"?
A common reply is "Wa iyyakum" (And you as well).
Can I say these phrases if my Arabic is not good?
Yes. They are short, and Muslims all over the world say them with every accent. Saying them sincerely is what counts.
Is InshaAllah a polite way to say no?
It should not be. It means you truly intend to do something, while trusting that the outcome is with Allah.
Practise it with audio
Revertly walks you through this with a recitation for every word, at your own pace. Can't afford the app? Ask for a free code.