Proverbs and Idioms #
الأَمْثَال وَالتَّعَابِير العَرَبِيَّة
Arabic uses many short expressions that carry deep meanings.
Some are general proverbs, while others are Islamic expressions commonly used in daily speech.
Part 1: General Arabic Proverbs & Idioms #
These are cultural expressions used in everyday conversation.
- الصَّبْرُ مِفْتَاحُ الفَرَج
Patience is the key to relief.
Used when encouraging someone to stay patient during difficulty.
- مَنْ جَدَّ وَجَد
Whoever strives, succeeds.
Used to motivate effort and hard work.
- كُلُّ تَأْخِيرٍ فِيهِ خَيْر
Every delay has good in it.
Said when something doesn’t happen as expected.
- اليَوْمَ لَكَ وَغَدًا عَلَيْكَ
Today it’s for you, tomorrow against you.
Life changes; don’t be arrogant or hopeless.
- عَلَى قَدِّ لِحَافِكَ مَدَّ رِجْلَيْكَ
Stretch your legs according to your blanket.
Live within your means.
- لِكُلِّ مُجْتَهِدٍ نَصِيب
Everyone who strives gets a share.
Effort is always rewarded in some way.
- دَقَّة بِدَقَّة
Tit for tat / action for action.
Used when actions are repaid in kind.
- لَا نَاقَةَ لِي فِيهَا وَلَا جَمَل
I have neither a camel nor a she-camel in it.
Meaning: It has nothing to do with me.
- ضَرْبُ عُصْفُورَيْنِ بِحَجَرٍ وَاحِد
To kill two birds with one stone.
Achieving two goals with one action.
- الطُّيُورُ عَلَى أَشْكَالِهَا تَقَع
Birds of a feather flock together.
People with similar traits stick together.
- القِرْدُ بِعَيْنِ أُمِّهِ غَزَال
A monkey is a gazelle in his mother’s eyes.
Parents see their children as perfect.
- أَنَا فِي وَادٍ وَأَنْتَ فِي وَادٍ
I am in a valley and you are in a valley.
We are not on the same wavelength.
Part 2: Islamic Expressions & Proverbs #
These are phrases rooted in Islamic belief and commonly used by Muslims.
- قَدَرُ اللهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَل
It is Allah’s decree, and He does what He wills.
Said when accepting Allah’s decision.
- الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَال
All praise is due to Allah in every situation.
Expresses gratitude even during hardship.
- إِنْ شَاءَ الله
If Allah wills.
Used when talking about future plans.
- مَا شَاءَ الله
What Allah has willed.
Said when admiring something to avoid envy.
- تَوَكَّلْ عَلَى الله
Put your trust in Allah.
Encouragement before starting something.
- جَزَاكَ اللهُ خَيْرًا
May Allah reward you with goodness.
A polite Islamic way to say thank you.
- حَسْبُنَا اللهُ وَنِعْمَ الوَكِيل
Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.
Said during fear, injustice, or hardship.