Wherever they live and whatever language they speak, Muslims share a set of short Arabic phrases used throughout the day. Many come straight from the Quran, and they turn ordinary moments — starting a task, hearing good news, facing loss — into acts of remembrance.91011

Bismillah — "In the name of God"

Said before beginning almost anything (eating, working, traveling). It opens the Quran itself:

"In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful."

— Quran 1:1 (Saheeh International)1

Alhamdulillah — "All praise is due to God"

An expression of gratitude, said in thanks or when things go well. It is the Quran's first line of praise:

"[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds."

— Quran 1:2 (Saheeh International)2

Allahu Akbar — "God is the Greatest"

The takbir, called in the prayer and the call to prayer, and used to magnify God. The Quran commands this magnification:

"And your Lord glorify."

— Quran 74:3 (Saheeh International)3

SubhanAllah — "Glory be to God"

Said to declare God free of any imperfection — often in wonder, or to set aside a wrong thought. Glorification of God (tasbih) runs throughout the Quran.910

In sha' Allah — "If God wills"

Said about anything in the future, following the Quran's direct instruction:

"And never say of anything, 'Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,' except [when adding], 'If Allah wills.'"

— Quran 18:23-24 (Saheeh International)4

Ma sha' Allah — "What God has willed"

Said to express delight or admiration and to acknowledge that good things come from God:

"And why did you, when you entered your garden, not say, 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah'?"

— Quran 18:39 (Saheeh International)5

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un — "To God we belong and to Him we return"

Said on hearing of a death or misfortune, straight from the Quran:

"Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'"

— Quran 2:156 (Saheeh International)6

As-salamu alaykum — "Peace be upon you"

The standard Muslim greeting, answered with wa alaykum as-salam ("and upon you be peace"). The Quran calls it a blessed greeting from God:

"But when you enter houses, give greetings of peace upon each other — a greeting from Allah, blessed and good."

— Quran 24:61 (Saheeh International)7

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged spreading it widely:

"Spread the greeting of peace (salam) among yourselves [and you will love one another]."

— Sahih Muslim 54a8

A few more you will hear

  • Astaghfirullah — "I seek God's forgiveness."
  • JazakAllahu khayran — "May God reward you with good" (a way of saying thank you).
  • BarakAllahu fik — "May God bless you."

In short

These short phrases are the texture of everyday Muslim life — small, frequent acts of gratitude, humility, and remembrance of God, most of them echoing the words of the Quran itself.