أخاف الله
akhāfu Allāh
The English phrase "I fear allah" is translated into Arabic as أخاف الله (akhāfu Allāh).
This phrase is often used to express one's piety or to justify a moral decision based on religious accountability.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb أخاف (akhāfu) means "I fear" and الله (Allāh) means "Allah".
Which one should you use?
The phrase أخشى الله is a formal way to say I feel cautious towards Allah.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb أخاف (akhāfu) is in the first-person singular present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
akhāfu Allāh
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, saying أخاف الله is not just a statement of faith, but a common way to swear that one is telling the truth.
- The word الله may have originated from a contraction of الٱِلٰه ('al-ilāh), meaning 'the deity'.
- In a social context, saying أخاف الله can serve as a powerful rhetorical tool to suggest that one's actions are being watched by a higher power, even outside of a prayer.
Examples in context
- أنا أخاف الله في عملي.ana akhafu Allaha fi 'amali.I fear Allah in my work.
- أنا أخاف الله ولا أظلم أحداً.ana akhafu Allaha wa la azlimu ahadan.I fear Allah and do not wrong anyone.
- لأني أخاف الله، أنا صادق دائماً.li'anni akhafu Allaha, ana sadiqun da'iman.Because I fear Allah, I am always truthful.
Example conversation
Mariam and Ziad are discussing honesty in business.
- مريم Maryamهل تتبع قواعد التجارة بصدق؟hal tatba'u qawa'ida al-tijara bi sidq?Do you follow the rules of trade honestly?
- زياد Ziadنعم، أنا أخاف الله في كل شيء.na'am, ana akhafu Allaha fi kulli shay'.Yes, I fear Allah in everything.
- مريم Maryamهذا هو التصرف الصحيح يا زياد.hadha huwa al-tasarruf al-sahih ya Ziad.That is the correct way to act, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا مريم على نصيحتكِ.shukran laki ya Mariam 'ala nasihatik.Thank you, Mariam, for your advice.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
