15 June 2015
| Last updated on 15 June 2015
Ramadan Phrases
Learn the language of Ramadan with this guide to the terms you'll be hearing frequently throughout the Holy Month!
:iid sa:iid | Happy Eid |
Aafwaan | You're welcome (response to Shukran, "thank you") |
Adhan | Call to prayer |
Afwan | Sorry/Excuse me |
alHamdulillah | Means praise God, answer to Kayf al Haal (how are you?) |
Allah | God |
Asr | Mid-afternoon prayer |
Dhuhur | Midday prayer |
Eid al Adha | This means Day of Sacrifice. It's a four day festival that starts around 70 days after the end of Ramadan, and commemorates Ibrahim (aka Abraham) being ready to sacrifice his son |
Eid al Fitr | The festival at the end of Ramadan - the first 3 days of the month of Shawwal - to celebrate the completion of the month of fasting |
Eid Mubarak | Greeting at the start of Eid |
Fajr (a.k.a. dawn) | The first prayer of the day, at dawn |
Iftar | The evening meal after sunset to break the daily fast during Ramadan |
Imam | An Islamic religious leader |
Imsak | Beginning the daily fast, means the act rather than the time |
Isha | Evening prayer, the fifth and last prayer of the day |
Kabaa | The black granite structure inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, regarded as the holiest place for Muslims |
Kayf al Haal? | How are you? |
Laylat Al Qadr | This means Night of Power. One of the last nights of Ramadan, marking the anniversary of when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel |
Ma:a salama | Goodbye |
Maghreb | Sunset prayer |
Manara | Minaret |
MarHaba | Hello |
Masaa al khayR | Good evening |
Qibla | The direction of the Ka'ba in Mecca |
Qur'an | The holy book for Islam, first revealed during Laylat Al Qadr. Muslims recite the entire Qur'an during Ramadan |
Rak'ah | The cycle of standing, bowing, prostration and recitation that make up a unit of prayer |
Ramadan Kareem | Ramadan greeting - means generous |
Ramadan Mubarak | Ramadan greeting - means blessings |
SabaaH al khayR | Good morning |
Salah | Praying |
Salat Al Jama'a | Communal prayers |
Sawm | Abstinence or fasting |
Suhoor | The morning meal taken before the sun rises and the start of fasting during Ramadan |
Shukran | Thank you (very much) |
Shurooq | Early morning prayer |
Sunnah | The way of the Prophet, meaning to follow his words and actions |
Taraweeh prayers | Special evening prayers during Ramadan, after Isha, when the Qur'an is recited |
Wudu | Cleansing of the body when preparing for prayer |
Zakat | Giving alms. It is especially important for Muslims to give Zakat during Ramadan |