رحمه الله
rahimahu Allah
In Arabic, "may he rest in peace" is said as رحمه الله (rahimahu Allah).
The phrase رحمه الله is used to express a wish for God to show mercy to someone who has died. It is commonly used immediately after mentioning the name of a person who has passed away. While English speakers often use "Rest in Peace" (RIP) as a standalone sentiment, this Arabic phrase is specifically a direct prayer for God's mercy.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb rahima (to have mercy), the suffix -hu (him) and Allah (God).
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female deceased person, the suffix changes from -hu to -ha, forming رحمها الله (may God have mercy on her).
How do you pronounce it?
rahimahu Allah
Did you know?
- The root of the verb in رحمه الله, which is R-H-M (ر-ح-م), is the same root used for the Arabic word for 'womb'.
- The word الله used in this phrase is linguistically cognate with the Hebrew word אֱלוֹהַּ ('Eloah), both stemming from the same Proto-Semitic root.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying رحمه الله is so reflexive that people may say it even if the person's death was not recently discussed, as a way of sanctifying a name.
Examples in context
- رحمه الله.rahimahu Allah.May God have mercy on him.
- كان رجلاً طيباً، رحمه الله.kana rajulan tayyiban, rahimahu Allah.He was a good man, may God have mercy on him.
- سمعت عن وفاة جده، رحمه الله.sami'tu 'an wafati jaddihi, rahimahu Allah.I heard about the death of his grandfather, may God have mercy on him.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are discussing a former colleague who passed away.
- زياد Ziadهل سمعت عن خبر وفاة مديرنا القديم؟hal sami'ta 'an khabar wafati mudirina al-qadim?Did you hear the news about our old manager's death?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، رحمه الله.na'am, rahimahu Allah.Yes, may God have mercy on him.
- زياد Ziadلقد كان دائماً يساعد الجميع.laqad kana da'iman yusa'idu al-jami'.He was always helping everyone.
- ليلى Laylaحقاً، رحمه الله.haqqan, rahimahu Allah.Truly, may God have mercy on him.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries الله, CC BY-SA 4.0.
