هداك الله
Hadaka Allah
The English phrase 'may allah guide you' is translated into Arabic as هداك الله (Hadaka Allah).
This phrase is a prayer or wish that God leads someone to the right path or corrects their behavior. It can be used sincerely as a prayer for someone's guidance, but it is also frequently used idiomatically to express disapproval or to tell someone they are being foolish or wrong.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase هداك الله is composed of the verb hada (to guide), the suffix -ka (you, masculine singular) and Allah (God).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the suffix of هداك الله to adjust the gender or number of the person you are addressing. To direct the phrase toward a female, change the masculine suffix -ka to the feminine suffix -ki to form هداكِ الله. To direct the phrase toward a group of people, replace the suffix with the plural suffix -kum to form هداكم الله.
How do you pronounce it?
Hadaka Allah
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the phrase can be used as a 'polite' way to end a disagreement without actually agreeing with the other person's point of view.
- The term الله in the phrase is linguistically connected to the Hebrew word 'Eloah' and the Aramaic 'Alaha'. These words all stem from the same ancient Proto-Semitic root.
- The concept of guidance in هداك الله is often envisioned as a physical journey. It is spiritually linked to the motif of following 'the straight path' found throughout the Quran.
Examples in context
- هداك الله يا أخي.Hadaak Allah ya akhi.May Allah guide you, my brother.
- هداك الله إلى الطريق الصحيح.Hadaak Allah ila al-tariq al-sahih.May Allah guide you to the right path.
Example conversation
Layla is expressing her concern to Ziyad after he made a bad decision.
- ليلى Laylaلقد كان قرارك خاطئاً جداً.Laqad kana qararuka khati'an jiddan.Your decision was very wrong.
- زياد Ziadأنا آسف يا ليلى.Ana asif ya Layla.I am sorry, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaهداك الله يا زياد.Hadaak Allah ya Ziyad.May Allah guide you, Ziyad.
- زياد Ziadآمين، شكراً لكِ.Amin, shukran laki.Amen, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
