رحمك الله
Rahimaka Allah
The English phrase "may allah have mercy on you" is translated into Arabic as رحمك الله (Rahimaka Allah).
This phrase is the standard Islamic response used when someone has sneezed and said Alhamdulillah.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rahima (to have mercy), the suffix ka (you, masculine) and Allah (God).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, it is common to use ربنا يرحمك to mean "may allah have mercy on you", while in the Arabian Gulf, people commonly say الله يرحمك to convey the same sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix changes depending on who you are addressing: use the feminine suffix ki as in رحمكِ الله to address a female, and use the plural suffix kum as in رحمكم الله to address a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
Rahimaka Allah
When do people say it?
In Islamic culture, this phrase serves as a specific prayer for God's mercy offered in response to a sneeze.
Did you know?
- The root word rahima shares its origin with the Arabic word for 'womb', which is rahm. This linguistic link suggests that divine mercy is viewed as a nurturing and protective love similar to that of a mother.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, the person who sneezed is expected to respond back to the person who said رحمك الله by saying Yahdikum Allah, which means 'may Allah guide you'.
- In some social contexts, saying رحمك الله can be used ironically to suggest that someone is behaving so poorly that they are in desperate need of divine mercy.
Example conversation
Omar sneezes while talking to Layla.
- ليلى Laylaالحمد لله.Alhamdulillah.Praise be to Allah.
- عمر Omarرحمك الله.Rahimaka Allah.May Allah have mercy on you.
- ليلى Laylaيهديكم الله ويصلح بالكم.Yahdikum Allah wa yuslihu balakum.May Allah guide you and set your affairs right.
- عمر Omarآمين يا ليلى.Amin ya Layla.Amen, Layla.
