Arabic Phrases You Need to Learn This Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month and is religiously significant for Muslims who pay special attention to their religious obligations during this month. The ninth month in the Hijri calendar depends on the cycles of the moon’s phases. Throughout this month, Muslims fast and make special prayers along with performing good deeds. For this holy month, countries with non-Muslim majorities also make special arrangements for Muslims to observe this month with reverence and devotion. 

To add more beauty and civility to the way with which people interact with each other in this holy month, there are some common Arabic phrases to be learnt. If you learn and use these phrases, they will let you make deeper connections and communal bonds.

Learning a language can be challenging but learning certain phrases can suffice the need for its usage on a particular occasion.

We have listed some of the most important Arabic phrases you need to learn this Ramadan.

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As-Salamu Alaykum

This is the most widely known Arabic phrase that is even used by people who do not speak Arabic. This phrase is used by Muslims when they meet each other and is often accompanied by a handshake or an embrace.

It means “peace be upon you” and the other person returns the greeting by saying “Wa alaikum as-salam!” which means “and upon you be peace”. It is considered a very basic etiquette among Muslims and holds great significance.

Ramadan Kareem/Mubarak

These two expressions are commonly used in the month of Ramadan and are used as greetings especially when Ramadan’s moon is sighted. “Ramadan Kareem” means “have a generous Ramadan” and “Ramadan Mubarak” means have a blessed Ramadan”.

Mataa Al Maghrib?

Muslims observe fasts and each starts from the Azan-e-Fajr (the first obligatory prayer) till Azan-e-Maghrib (the fourth obligatory prayer). Azan is the Muslim call to prayer. Upon hearing this they prepare to perform salah or end up or start having a meal during Ramadan.

“Mataa Al Maghrib” is a phrase that people often use especially during Ramadan. It means “What time is Maghrib?” by which they mean call (Azan) for Maghrib prayer. It is because when the prayer is called, Muslims break fast and one obligatory fast is completed.

Sayem?

“Sayem?” is used to ask someone if they are fasting and the exact meaning is “Are you fasting?”. It is used just for the sake of inquiring about a Muslim’s practice of fulfilling this obligation.

Anaa Saa’im

It is the response to “Sayem?” and it literally means “I’m fasting”. It doesn’t need to be used only as a response to “Sayem?” – it can be used elsewhere to tell someone that you are fasting.

Taqabbala Allah Minka

This phrase is a wish that is used as a response or a greeting to tell someone that Allah accepts their good deeds. It means “may Allah accept from you” and in Ramadan, it may mean that Allah accepts the observance of fasting of a fellow Muslim. 

Masha’Allah

It means “Allah has willed it” and is said as a response to someone’s telling you good news or something appreciable. It can be used to greet someone who is blessed with something and this phrase is even used by non-Arabs. This is a very common word in Arabic but is not necessarily used in Ramadan only.

Insha’Allah

It is also not necessarily used only in Ramadan as it means “God (Allah) willing” or “If Allah wills”. It is commonly used when someone is about to start something or wishes that something happens. 

The use of Insha’Allah is considered good etiquette when someone plans something or something good is about to happen.

Tarawih

It is a word that is solely connected to Ramadan and is the name of the prayer that is observed with the Isha prayer (the last obligatory prayer of the day). 

Tarawih is not an obligatory prayer but is considered very special and is widely observed during Ramadan.

Suhoor

The name of the meal that Muslims have before Azan-e-Fajr (or sunrise) is called “Suhoor”. After azan-e-Fajr, one can no longer have anything to eat or drink (alongside refraining from the sins).

Iftar

This is the meal that is eaten when one breaks fast at Azan-e-Maghrib (or sunset). After the fast is broken, one can eat till the Azan-e-Fajr of the next day.

Conclusion

Ramadan is a holy month that is full of religious practices and good deeds that Muslims perform. It is a way to teach oneself discipline and self-restraint and among these good deeds is the practice of greeting or saying kind words to others. For that, one must learn the Arabic phrases that can be used in Ramadan to interact with fellows, fulfilling the obligations of this month. Above-listed phrases and words can also work well for you if you want to start learning Arabic.