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Learn the religious significance of this Arabic expression of gratitude
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“Jazakallah khair” is an Islamic expression and Arabic phrase that translates to “May Allah reward you with goodness.” Muslims commonly use this polite saying to express their gratitude to someone who helped them. If you want to learn more about this phrase, keep reading! We’ll go over when and how to use “Jazakallah khair,” how to respond to it, and tell you more about its religious significance.

The Meaning of “Jazakallah Khair” in English

“Jazakallah khair” is an expression mostly used by Muslims that means “May Allah reward you with goodness” in Arabic. It is a polite and respectful way to say, “Thank you” and show gratitude for someone’s help or support (similar to “shukran,” the typical Muslim word for “thank you”).

Section 1 of 5:

What is the meaning of “Jazakallah khair”?

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  1. “Jazakallah khair” (جزاك اللهُ خيرً) is an Arabic expression that is mostly used by Muslims. This polite phrase is similar to “shukran” (the Arabic word for “thank you”) and expresses your heartfelt gratitude to someone who helped you out, showed you kindness, gave you a gift, or congratulated you about something.[1]
    • In Arabic, Jazakallah means “May Allah reward you” and khair means “good” or “goodness.”
    • Can you shorten the phrase? Some people shorten the phrase to just “Jazakallah,” but most people consider this incomplete, as it doesn’t clarify how Allah is rewarding the person—it could be good or bad. So, “Jazakallah khair” is seen as the full, correct phrase.
    • Example sentences:
      • “Jazakallah khair. I really appreciate you helping me move in.”
      • “You’re too kind, you didn’t have to get me a gift! Jazakallah khair.”
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Section 2 of 5:

When and How to Use “Jazakallah Khair”

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Section 4 of 5:

How to Respond to “Jazakallah Khair”

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  1. When someone thanks you by saying, “Jazakallah khair,” respond back with “Wa iyyaka” or “Wa iyyaki,” depending on their gender. Both of these polite phrases translate to “And to you, too.”[3]
    • Them: “I appreciate you helping me with the homework! Jazakallah khair.”
      You: “Wa iyyaka, Samir. Helping you helped me understand it better!”
    • If you’re responding to a group (men, women, or mixed), say “Wa iyyakum.”
  2. “BarakAllahu feek” means “My Allah bless you” in Arabic. This is a kind way to acknowledge the person’s gratitude and give your thanks right back.[4]
    • Them: “Thank you for your kind words at the meeting today. Jazakallah khair.”
      You: “BarakAllahu feek. I appreciate the time you took to meet with us.”
    • If you’re speaking to a man, say “BarakAllahu feeka.”
    • If you’re talking to a woman, say, “BarakAllahu feeki.”
    • If you’re addressing a group, say, “BarakAllahu feekum.”
  3. If you’re at a formal occasion or responding to “Jazakallah khair” from an elder or authority figure, use the longer phrase “Wa Antum fa Jazakumullahu Khairan.” This polite and respectful expression translates to “And to you too, may Allah reward you with goodness.”[5]
    • Them: “Thank you for volunteering with us. Jazakallah khair.”
      You: “Wa Antum fa Jazakumullahu Khairan. You are doing amazing work in the community.”
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Section 5 of 5:

Religious Significance of “Jazakallah Khair”

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  • “Jazakallah khair” has many alternative spellings, including “JazakAllah khair,” “Jazakallah khairan,” and “Jazak allahu khayran.”
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About This Article

Devin McSween
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Devin McSween is a wikiHow Staff Writer. With a background in psychology, she has presented her research in social psychology at a variety of conferences and has contributed to several manuscripts for publication. At wikiHow, Devin combines her love of writing and research with the goal of bringing accessible information to wikiHow readers that will help them learn and grow. She earned her BS in Psychology from the College of Charleston. This article has been viewed 9,357 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: September 23, 2024
Views: 9,357
Categories: Arabic | Islam
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,357 times.

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