Islamic Honorifics

Throughout the website we have used Islamic honorifics in Arabic. These titles and such like denote
respect whenever referring to Allah, Prophet Muhammad etc. Below is a brief description of what these
are with their meanings in English:

Subhanahu wa-ta’ala (Arabic: ‫)سبحانه و تعالى‬

glorified and exalted be He

may He be glorified and exalted

The phrase is often abbreviated to “swt” - Applies to Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬only

Azza wa jal ( Arabic: ‫)عز و جل‬

Mighty and the Majestic.

Glorified and Sublime be He.

This phrase is often abbreviated to “awj” - Applies to Allah ‫ سبحانه و تعالى‬only.

Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam (Arabic: ‫ صلى ا عليه و سلم‬also ‫)ﷺ‬

May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him (Muhammad).

Peace be upon him.

This phrase is often abbreviated to “sws” - Applies to RasulAllah ‫ صلى ا عليه و سلم‬only.

Sall Allahu ʿalayhi wa-’alih (Arabic: ‫)صلى ا عليه وآله‬

May Allah grant peace and honour to him and his family.

This phrase is often abbreviated to “saww” - Applies to RasulAllah ‫ صلى ا عليه وآله‬only.

Sallallah Alayhi Walihi WaSabihi Wasallam (Arabic: ‫)صلى ا عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم‬

May God exalt and bring peace upon him, his family, and his companions

Applies to RasulAllah ‫ صلى ا عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم‬only.

Alayhis Salam (Arabic: ‫)عليه السلما‬

Peace be upon him.

This phrase is often abbreviated to “as” - Applies to the Archangels (Gibraeel ‫عليه السلما‬, Mikaeel ‫عليه السلما‬
etc ) as well as any other Prophet (with the exception of Mariyam ‫ )عليه السلما‬before RasulAllah sws (Isa
‫عليه السلما‬, Musa ‫عليه السلما‬, Ibrahim ‫ عليه السلما‬etc) only.

Alaihissalatu Wassalam

On Him are the blessings and the peace of Allah.

This phrase can be abbreviated to “asw” - Applies to the earlier angels and Prophets as well.
Radiyallahu anhu (Arabic Masuline: ‫ رضي ا عنه‬Arabic Feminine: ‫ رضی ا عنھا‬Arabic Plural: ‫)رضی ا عنھم‬

Masculine: Radi Allah anhoo - May Allah be pleased with him.

Feminie: Radi Allah anhaa - Mat Allah be please with her.

Plural: Radi Allah anhum - May Allah be pleased with them.

This phrase is often abbreviated to “ra” - Applies to the male and female companions of RasulAllah ‫صلى‬
‫ ا عليه وآله‬including the wives & family of Muhammad ‫ صلى ا عليه وآله‬as well as certain scholars of Islam.

Rahmatullahi Alaih/ Rahimullah Alaih (Arabic: ‫)رحمه ا‬

May Allah’s mercy/blessing be upon him

Variants are alaihum (them)

Applies to scholars such as Imam Abu Hanifa Rahmatullah Alaih or A sheikhul Islam such as Ibn
Taymiyyah rahmtuallahi alayh.

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said: Do not over praise me as the Christians over-praised
the son of Mary. I am His slave so say: ‘Allah’s slave and messenger’

[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Do not excessively praise as it can lead to shirk even if it is out of love. We ask Allah swt for forgiveness
for our faulty and misguided words.