رحمهم الله
Rahimahum Allah
The English phrase 'may allah have mercy on them' is translated into Arabic as رحمهم الله (Rahimahum Allah).
This phrase is a prayer used when mentioning deceased people to ask for God's forgiveness and compassion toward them. It is typically used immediately after mentioning the name of a person or a group of people who have passed away.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rahima (to have mercy), the suffix -hum (them) and Allah (God).
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the suffix to refer to different subjects: change the suffix from -hum (them) to -hu (him) to say رحمه الله (May Allah have mercy on him), or change it to -ha (her) to say رحمها الله (May Allah have mercy on her).
How do you pronounce it?
Rahimahum Allah
Did you know?
- The word for 'mercy' rahima and the word for 'womb' rahim share the same root, linking the concept of divine compassion to maternal care.
- When reading this phrase in a formal or religious context, you might see it written with a tiny symbol above the name of the deceased, which acts as a shorthand visual marker for the entire prayer.
- Even non-Muslim Arabs frequently use رحمهم الله as a matter of cultural etiquette and social habit.
Examples in context
- لقد كانوا أشخاصاً طيبين، رحمهم الله.Laqad kanu ashkhāsan tayyibīn, rahimahum Allāh.They were good people, may Allah have mercy on them.
- كانوا عائلة رائعة، رحمهم الله.Kānū ‘ā’ilatan rā’i‘ah, rahimahum Allāh.They were a wonderful family, may Allah have mercy on them.
- رحمهم الله، لقد تركوا أثراً جميلاً.Rahimahum Allāh, laqad tarakū atharan jamīlan.May Allah have mercy on them, they left a beautiful legacy.
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are talking about Omar's late grandparents.
- عمر Omarكان جدي وجدتي دائماً يعاملونني بلطف.Kāna jaddī wa jaddatī dā'iman yu‘āmilūnani bi-lutf.My grandfather and grandmother always treated me with kindness.
- نور Nourرحمهم الله، لقد كانا شخصين عظيمين.Rahimahum Allāh, laqad kānā shakhsayni ‘azīmayn.May Allah have mercy on them, they were great people.
- عمر Omarأفتقدهم كثيراً في كل وقت.Aftaqiduhum kathīran fī kulli waqt.I miss them a lot all the time.
- نور Nourصبرك الله يا عمر.Sabarak Allāhu yā ‘Umar.May God give you patience, Omar.
