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Ramadan Phrases

Posted on

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! 

Ramadan Phrases

: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