شفاه الله
Shafahu Allah
The phrase "may allah cure him" in Arabic is شفاه الله (Shafahu Allah).
This phrase is used when speaking about a sick person in the third person, such as when you are talking to someone else about a male who is unwell.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb shafa (to cure or heal), the suffix -hu (him) and Allah (God).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female instead of a male, change the suffix from -hu to -ha, resulting in شفاها الله.
How do you pronounce it?
Shafahu Allah
Did you know?
- The word الله is a linguistic contraction of 'al-ilāh', which means 'the deity'.
- Even non-religious people in Arabic-speaking societies frequently use شفاه الله as a standard linguistic convention for empathy and politeness.
- In many Arabic-speaking regions, the phrase is part of a social ritual called 'iyada', which frames visiting the sick as a moral and communal duty rather than just a personal courtesy.
Examples in context
- هو مريض جداً، شفاه الله.Huwa mareedun jiddan, shafahu Allah.He is very sick, may Allah cure him.
- سمعت عن مرض أخيك، شفاه الله.Sami'tu 'an maradi akhika, shafahu Allah.I heard about your brother's illness, may Allah cure him.
- إن شاء الله شفاه الله قريباً.In sha' Allah shafahu Allah qariban.God willing, may Allah cure him soon.
Example conversation
Youssef and Maryam are discussing a sick mutual friend.
- يوسف Youssefأحمد في المستشفى اليوم.Ahmad fil mustashfa al-yawm.Ahmed is in the hospital today.
- مريم Maryamلا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله، شفاه الله.La hawla wala quwwata illa billah, shafahu Allah.There is no power or strength except with Allah, may Allah cure him.
- يوسف Youssefآمين، أتمنى له السلامة.Amin, atamanna lahu al-salama.Amen, I wish him safety.
- مريم Maryamسنذهب لزيارته غداً.Sanadh-habu li ziyaratihi ghadan.We will go to visit him tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
