الله أعلم
Allahu a'lam
The phrase 'allah knows best' in Arabic is الله أعلم (Allahu a'lam).
This phrase is commonly used by Muslims to express humility when they are unsure of an answer or to conclude a statement regarding religious or worldly matters.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Allah (God) and the superlative form of the verb 'to know', which is أعلم, meaning 'most knowing' or 'knows best'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In informal Egyptian Arabic, you may use ربنا اعلم to express the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
It functions similarly to the English comparative or superlative, such as 'better' or 'best'.
How do you pronounce it?
Allahu a'lam
Did you know?
- The term الله shares the same ancient Proto-Semitic roots as the Hebrew word for God, אֱלוֹהַּ, and the Aramaic ܐܰܠܳܗܳܐ.
- While the phrase is religious, it is used as a social tool to save face, allowing a speaker to avoid giving a wrong answer without appearing uneducated.
- The word أعلم is an 'elative' form, a unique grammatical feature in Arabic that combines the functions of both comparatives like 'better' and superlatives like 'best' into one word.
Examples in context
- الله أعلم متى ستنتهي هذه الأزمة.Allahu a'lam mata satantahi hadhihi al-azma.Allah knows best when this crisis will end.
- هل سيأتي المطر غداً؟ الله أعلم.Hal sayati al-matar ghadan? Allahu a'lam.Will it rain tomorrow? Allah knows best.
- نحن لا نعرف المستقبل، الله أعلم.Nahnu la na'rif al-mustaqbal, Allahu a'lam.We do not know the future, Allah knows best.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing whether their new business will succeed.
- سارة Saraهل تعتقد أن مشروعنا سيكبر يا عمر؟Hal ta'taqid anna mashru'ana sayakbar ya Omar?Do you think our project will grow, Omar?
- عمر Omarلا أعرف حقاً، الله أعلم.La a'rifu haqqan, Allahu a'lam.I don't really know, Allah knows best.
- سارة Saraأنت دائماً متفائل يا عمر.Anta da'iman mutafa'il ya Omar.You are always optimistic, Omar.
- عمر Omarأنا فقط أثق بقدر الله.Ana faqat athiqu bi-qadar Allah.I just trust in God's decree.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أعلم, الله, الله أعلم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
