الله يرحمه
Allāh yarḥamuheveryday, for a man
The usual Arabic way to say "rest in peace" is الله يرحمه (Allāh yarḥamuh), "may God have mercy on him". For a woman it is الله يرحمها (Allāh yarḥamhā). It is also called رحمه الله (raḥimahu Allāh) and ارقد بسلام (urqud bi-salām).
Meaning: prayer said for someone who has died (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| الله يرحمه | Allāh yarḥamuh | everyday, for a man |
| الله يرحمها | Allāh yarḥamhā | everyday, for a woman |
| رحمه الله | raḥimahu Allāh | formal, written |
| ارقد بسلام | urqud bi-salām | Christian |
Muslims say it when a death is mentioned or when giving condolences. In writing, رحمه الله (raḥimahu Allāh) is the common formal version after a name.
Which one should you use?
Arabic speakers do not translate "rest" word for word. The wish is for mercy, and the phrase ارقد بسلام (urqud bi-salām), "rest in peace", is mostly used by Arab Christians.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending changes with the person who died: -ه (-uh) for a man, -ها (-hā) for a woman and -هم (-hum) for a group.
Did you know?
- البقاء لله (al-baqāʾ li-llāh), "permanence belongs to God", is the standard phrase of condolence in Arabic.
Examples in context
- الله يرحمهAllāh yarḥamuhMay God have mercy on him.
- الله يرحم أميAllāh yarḥam ummīMay God have mercy on my mother.
- رحم الله جديraḥima Allāh jaddīMay God have mercy on my grandfather.
Example conversation
Omar offers condolences to his colleague Laila after her grandfather died.
- Omarالبقاء لله، الله يرحمهal-baqāʾ li-llāh, Allāh yarḥamuhCondolences, may God have mercy on him.
- Lailaشكرا يا عمرshukran yā ʿUmarThank you, Omar.
- Omarالله يرحم جميع موتاناAllāh yarḥam jamīʿ mawtānāMay God have mercy on all our dead.
