15 Important Islamic Words Every New Muslim Should Know

When I first reverted to Islam, I was so nervous about saying the common phrases and words I often heard. I didn’t know what half of them meant, and that uncertainty would sometimes stress me out. Even saying something as common as “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) made me anxious because I didn’t want to mispronounce it.

I want to preface this article by saying that you don’t need to be fluent in Arabic to be a Muslim. While it may feel like you need to learn an entire language, you only need to know what is essential for worshiping Allah. When it comes to learning Arabic for the Qur’an or for obligatory prayers, it takes time and practice. As for the common phrases and words, I was always too intimidated to ask Muslims around for definitions or to help with pronunciation.

To make this easier for you, I’ve compiled a list of 15 common Islamic words and phrases every new Muslim should know. These terms will help you feel less lost or confused when you hear them. As I’ve shared in previous revert resources, any effort to learn more about Islam is a step toward building a stronger relationship with Allah. InshaAllah, Allah will reward your efforts and make it easier for you! 

1. Shahada (The Declaration of Faith)

Definition: The testimony of faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the final Messenger of Allah.”

If you’re not already familiar, the declaration of faith—Shahada—is the statement a person says to testify their belief in one God and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is His last messenger. This profound statement is not only how someone formally enters Islam but is also a key part of the daily prayers Muslims perform.

It’s important to understand the meaning of the Shahada and how to say it in Arabic because it is recited during prayer. When declaring your Shahada in front of witnesses, it is often said in both your native language and Arabic, with someone there to guide you through the process. If you’re alone, saying it in your native language is sufficient.

For reference, I’ve included the Arabic transliteration below to help you feel confident saying it.

Ashhadu la ilaha illa Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah.

2. Allah (God)

Definition: The Arabic name for God.

In Arabic, Allah is the word for God. It’s used by all Arabic speakers, including Christian Arabs.  Research suggests that Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), referred to Allah as “Ellah” in his native language.

If you’re new to Islam, you’ll soon find that saying the name of Allah flows naturally and feels comforting to your tongue. Since the Quran and much of Islamic scholarship are written and preserved in classical Arabic, Muslims continue to use the word Allah to honor God and maintain the traditions passed down from the prophets, especially our final prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

3. Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)

Definition: A phrase commonly used before starting any task.

Bismillah is a reminder to begin every action in the Name of Allah. It’s more than just a phrase—it’s a way of setting your intention to align your actions with worship. Whether you’re about to eat, drink, or begin any task, saying Bismillah connects your actions to your purpose of serving Allah.

For Muslims, keeping Allah’s name on our tongues throughout the day is important. Saying Bismillah helps bring us back into a state of mindfulness and consciousness of Allah, reminding us that everything we do is an opportunity for worship.

4. Alhamdulillah (All Praise be to Allah)

Definition: A phrase expressing gratitude to Allah.

Alhamdulillah is a phrase Muslims use to express gratitude for everything, whether good or bad. It reflects an attitude of thankfulness and recognition that all situations are part of Allah’s plan. For example, when someone asks, “How are you?” a Muslim might respond with Alhamdulillah, meaning “All praise be to Allah” regardless of the circumstances.

In the United States, it’s common to hear responses like “Good, and you?” when someone asks about your well-being. However, when a Muslim asks, “How are you?” replying with Alhamdulillah is more than just a response—it’s an acknowledgment that everything in life, both the blessings and challenges, is a gift from Allah. Muslims believe that every event, whether perceived as good or bad, is ultimately a blessing, and we are grateful for it.

5. Insha’Allah (If Allah wills)

Definition: A phrase used to express hope for something to happen in the future, contingent upon Allah’s will.

When I first became Muslim, I was surprised to hear Insha’Allah so often. For example, if I mentioned, “I might go to the gym later,” a Muslim would respond with Insha’Allah—”If Allah wills.” It’s one of those phrases that serves as a constant reminder of Allah’s control over everything. It acknowledges that, while we have plans and hopes, everything is ultimately in the hands of Allah, and we rely on His will for the outcome.

6. SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah or Allah is without imperfections)

Definition: A phrase used to praise Allah’s perfection or express awe.

SubhanAllah is probably one of my favorite phrases—and one I use often. My mom always says I get easily excited or amazed by the simplest things, which makes sense because I tend to say this a lot! Whether I’m looking at the moon, hearing about a unique story, or witnessing an unlikely situation, I find myself saying, SubhanAllah.

This phrase became even more special to me once I learned about its depth. Like all these phrases, the more you learn about their meanings, history, and cultural context, the more beautiful and significant they become. SubhanAllah truly captures the awe and perfection of Allah.

7. Salah (Prayer)

Definition: The Islamic obligatory prayer performed five times a day.

“Let’s do Salah,” as my husband often says! This term is straightforward, but you won’t hear it as casually as you would InshaAllah or Alhamdulillah. However, it’s a term you’ll certainly hear, especially at the masjid, where the call to prayer and the act of performing Salah are central to the daily routine.

8. Zakat (Almsgiving) and Sadaqah (Charity)

Definition: Zakat is the mandatory charity given by Muslims to help the less fortunate among them. Sadaqah is voluntary charity given to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

I’m covering both words here because they relate to the act of giving—whether it’s a portion of your earnings or goods. Zakat is one of the five foundational pillars of Islam that every Muslim must observe. If you’re wondering what exact percentage of your earnings or wealth must be donated to help less fortunate Muslims, it’s best to consult your local masjid’s scholar. This is especially important if you have a substantial income or investments, as you want to ensure your wealth is as halal as possible.

There are countless blessings in giving charity, and Muslims believe that the sustenance Allah provides is far greater than anything in this physical world. However, it’s also important to strike a balance, ensuring that the power and resources we have are shared with our community. Zakat and Sadaqah both serve the purpose of taking care of each other with the resources we are blessed with in this life.

Sadaqah is a particularly meaningful concept. Like many words in Arabic, it carries a deeper meaning about putting your money where your mouth is. If you say you’re a Muslim, then act upon it by showing kindness and mercy towards your brothers and sisters in humanity.

9. Ramadan (The Fasting Month)

Definition: The holy month when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims, and we all ask Allah to grant us the opportunity to witness it every year. It’s truly special, and if you haven’t experienced Ramadan yet, let me tell you—the energy during this time of year really feels different. Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, join together for long hours of prayer at night, break their fast with food in the evening, and organize community events throughout the month.

Many Muslims use this time to deepen their connection with Allah by committing to acts of worship. Insha’Allah, they may even adopt these practices for the long term. Ramadan is also a time to realign the soul with what truly matters.

If you’re a revert and your first Ramadan is approaching, I highly recommend downloading Berry’s free Ramadan planner. It’s a simple guide designed to help you focus on prayer, fasting, and reading the Quran throughout the month. The planner includes daily Islamic motivational reminders and Quran verses to help keep you on track. The goal is that, by the end of Ramadan, you’ll feel more connected to your faith, praying all five daily prayers and reading the Quran regularly.

10. Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan)

Definition: An expression used to greet others at the beginning of Ramadan.

Speaking of Ramadan, when the blessed month arrives, inshaAllah, Muslims will greet each other with this phrase. Even if it’s already the middle of Ramadan and you run into someone you haven’t seen in a while, they’ll say “Ramadan Mubarak” as a warm greeting. Some also say it means “may you have a blessed Ramadan.” This is one of those phrases that can be adapted to your own culture or language. Whether you say “Feliz Ramadan” or whatever feels personal to you, it adds a special touch. Regardless of how you say it, you’ll hear “Ramadan Mubarak” throughout the most sacred time of the year.

11. JazakAllah Khair (May Allah reward you with goodness)

Definition: A phrase used to express gratitude and appreciation.

I still find myself occasionally stumbling over the pronunciation of this one, but it’s such a sweet phrase to say, especially to sisters when they’ve done something kind for you. It’s a short supplication you say at the moment someone does something kind for you. When you say “JazakAllah Khair,” you’re asking Allah to reward them for their kindness. The person will usually respond by asking Allah to reward you as well.

Phrases like these remind me how blessed we are to be Muslim and to have each other in this life.

12. Assalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you all)

Definition: The common greeting among Muslims.

When a Muslim says salaams to you, the proper response is “Wa Alaikum Assalam.” The reason this greeting is in the plural form is because we are also sending peace to the angels who are with us. You may also hear the longer version: “Salaamualiakum Waramatullahi Wabaraktu,” which means “Peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you all”

I get super giddy whenever I meet a sister in public, a complete stranger, and we exchange salaams. It always makes my day.

13. Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater)

Definition: A statement repeated in our obligatory prayers, also used to express gratitude or celebration.

This statement might seem open-ended, but it’s actually very specific. Allah is Greater than anything, truly. By repeating “Allahu Akbar” in our prayers or acts of remembrance, we remind ourselves that Allah is greater than anything we might care about in this life. Allah is greater than the job you just got accepted into, greater than the school test you failed, and greater than whatever you were doing before you began praying. I like to think of this phrase as a way to refine your intention with each repetition during prayer.

You might also hear “Allahu Akbar” in celebratory moments instead of clapping or cheering. For example, when someone says their shahada in public at the masjid, Muslims will often cheer “Allahu Akbar.”

14. MashaAllah (Allah has willed it)

Definition: Also means “what Allah wanted has happened.” It’s usually said as a positive sentiment.

This is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear. It expresses appreciation for good news or acknowledges something as Allah’s will. It serves as a reminder that all good things come from Allah and are blessings from Him. For example, if you’ve recently started a business or embraced Islam, someone might respond with “MashaAllah” to express admiration and gratitude for Allah’s will in your life.

15. La Ilaha Illa Allah (There is no god but Allah)

Definition: A foundational phrase in Islam, affirming the oneness of Allah.

This is a crucial phrase to learn because it’s part of the shahada and our obligatory prayers. Once you get the hang of saying it, it becomes second nature—it doesn’t require much effort to pronounce, making it easy to say regardless of the language you were born speaking. The declaration that there is no god but Allah is also known as tawhid, which refers to the oneness of Allah and is the core concept of Islamic monotheism. This central tenet of Islam affirms that Allah is the only deity and does not have any children, for example. If you’re interested in diving deeper into this concept, I highly recommend speaking with your local scholar about aqidah (Islamic creed) classes or reading related books.

Embracing the Beauty of Islamic Phrases

Learning and using these key Islamic phrases not only helps you connect deeper with your faith, but also enhances your spiritual practice and sense of community. Each phrase serves as a reminder to always be mindful of Allah, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Whether you say Bismillah before a meal, Alhamdulillah after a blessing, or SubhanAllah in awe of the world around you, these phrases keep your heart and mind focused on what truly matters.

As you continue your journey in Islam, remember that every phrase carries immense power in connecting you to the Divine. By embracing them, you integrate the beauty and wisdom of Islam into your everyday life, strengthening both your faith and your personal connection with Allah. May you find peace and joy in every word you say, and may your journey in faith be filled with blessings. Ameen.

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