Islamic Studies

11 articles
Hadith, Seerah and the practical side of worship, taught for students who want the evidence alongside the ruling rather than one without the other.

Astaghfirullah Meaning: What It Means and When to Say It

Astaghfirullah in Arabic with its meaning, I ask Allah for forgiveness

Astaghfirullah (أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ) means “I ask Allah for forgiveness.” Muslims say it after a mistake, three times after every prayer, and many times through the day, because the Prophet did. It is also what people say when they hear something shocking, much as someone else might say “oh no.” Nobody has to have sinned to […]

Inshallah Meaning: What In Sha Allah Means and When to Say It

In sha Allah in Arabic with its meaning, if Allah wills

Inshallah (إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ) means “if Allah wills”. Muslims say it whenever they talk about something they plan or hope to do: “See you tomorrow, inshallah.” It comes from the Quran, which tells believers never to promise anything for tomorrow without adding “if Allah wills” (Al-Kahf 18:23–24). There is no set reply. People usually say […]

Ramadan Mubarak: Meaning, How to Say It in Arabic and How to Reply

Ramadan Mubarak written in Arabic, with the words: what it means, how to say it, and how to reply.

Ramadan Mubarak (رَمَضَان مُبَارَك) means “blessed Ramadan”. Muslims say it to each other from the night the new moon is sighted until the last day of the month. To reply, say Ramadan Mubarak back. If someone says Ramadan Kareem, the traditional answer is Allahu akram, “Allah is more generous”. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin […]

Islamic Phrases and Their Meanings, With Audio and a Free Printable

Chart of twelve everyday Islamic phrases with the Arabic and meaning: Bismillah (in the name of allah), Alhamdulillah (all praise is for allah), SubhanAllah (glory be to allah), Allahu akbar (allah is greater), La ilaha illallah (there is no god but allah), In sha Allah (if allah wills), Masha Allah (what allah has willed), Astaghfirullah (i ask allah's forgiveness), Jazakallahu khayran (may allah reward you with good), As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you), Ameen (o allah, answer it), Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (we belong to allah, and to him we will return).

Islamic phrases are short Arabic sayings Muslims use all through the day. The ones you will hear most are bismillah (in the name of Allah) before starting something, alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah) to give thanks, in sha Allah (if Allah wills) about the future, masha Allah (what Allah has willed) at something good, […]

Salah Steps for Kids: How to Pray, With Pictures and Audio

Salah steps for kids chart, a two-rak'ah prayer drawn in eleven pictures: 1 intention facing the qibla, 2 Allahu akbar with hands raised, 3 al-Fatiha with the right hand over the left, 4 ruku, 5 standing up, 6 sujood, 7 sitting, 8 the second sujood, 9 standing for the second rak'ah, 10 the tashahhud, 11 the salam. A box lists the rak'ahs: Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, Asr 4, Maghrib 3, Isha 4.

Salah is the prayer Muslims pray five times a day. Kids can learn it as eleven steps: face the qibla and intend, raise the hands and say Allahu akbar, recite al-Fatiha, bow, stand up, go down into sujood, sit, go down again, stand for the second rak’ah, sit for the tashahhud, and finish with the […]

The Five Pillars of Islam for Kids, With Pictures and a Free Printable

The five pillars of Islam drawn as a building with Al-Islam on the roof, standing on five pillars: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting) and Hajj (pilgrimage), each with its picture, its Arabic name and how often it is done.

The five pillars of Islam are the five things every Muslim does: the shahada (saying what we believe), salah (praying five times a day), zakat (giving to people in need), sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (visiting the Kaaba in Makkah, once in a lifetime for those who are able). The Prophet ﷺ described Islam […]

Wudu Steps for Kids, With Pictures and a Free Printable

Wudu steps for kids chart: 1 intention and Bismillah, 2 hands three times, 3 mouth three times, 4 nose three times, 5 face three times, 6 arms to the elbows three times, right first, 7 wipe the head once, 8 wipe the ears once, 9 feet to the ankles three times, right first, 10 the du'a.

Wudu is the washing a Muslim does before prayer. Kids can learn it as ten steps: make the intention and say Bismillah, wash the hands, rinse the mouth and nose, wash the face and the arms up to the elbows, wipe the head and ears, wash the feet up to the ankles, and finish with […]

Daily Duas for Kids: Eight to Start With, and When to Say Them

Six cards naming the daily moments a child says a dua: waking up, the bathroom door, before eating, after eating, leaving the house and going to sleep.

Bedtime, and you are three minutes from being downstairs. Your six year old is already in bed. You ask whether she said her dua and she says yes, and that is the end of it, because you have no way of knowing which one she means, whether she got the words right, or whether she […]

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