Muslims repeat the phrase “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un ” during times of calamities and it is a statement that carries numerous profound meanings, serving as a submission to the command of Allah and an acknowledgment that everything will ultimately return to Him. We will learn in this article about the meaning of Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un and when it is appropriately recited.
What is the meaning of Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un?
The verse Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un encompasses several distinct meanings represented in the following points:
- “Inna lillah” signifies the affirmation of ownership and servitude to Allah which means that dominion belongs solely to Allah and He is the One Who withholds and gives, expands and restricts, causes death and gives life, just as He wills through His control and decree.
- “Wa inna ilayhi raji’un” means the affirmation of accountability, resurrection and recompense in the Hereafter; we are the possession of Allah SWT, so let Him do with us as He wills, for ultimately, we shall return to Him.
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When is “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” said?
The sentence “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” is recited during calamities or upon hearing the news of someone’s death and it is derived from a verse in Surah Al-Baqarah. It signifies that we will indeed return and go back to Allah SWT representing one of the greatest statements a Muslim can repeat during tribulations because it necessitates complete submission to Allah and His command. Furthermore, it involves the acknowledgment that everything in the universe belongs to Allah and that all human beings will inevitably return to Allah so that every individual may be held accountable for their deeds.
The virtue and reward of saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un during calamities
The virtue in reciting Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un during calamities lies in reminding the servant that he is inevitably returning to Allah and that he will stand before Allah SWT to be held accountable and questioned about what he did during his life. The wise person is the one who realizes that his return to Allah is among the best of deeds and the Muslim must necessarily bring to mind Allah’s control and decree and recognize that he is owned by Him, Who decrees concerning him as He wills, for there is no repeller of His decree and no one to revise His judgment.
Saying “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” serves as a form of condolence to the family of the deceased and carries a great reward. This is because offering condolences alleviates the grief of the deceased’s family and consoles them in their affliction.
It is common that Muslims supplicate for each other at all times using phrases in the Arabic language, for example: may Allah accept your prayers Arabic.
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The evidence for Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un in the Quran
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un is mentioned in the Quran specifically in Surah Al-Baqarah:
{الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ}
(Allazeena izaaa asaabathum museebatun qaalooo innaa lillaahi wa innaaa ilaihi raaji’oon)
[Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah and indeed to Him we will return.”]
How do you console someone by saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un ?
Offering condolences (Ta’ziyah) in Islam means comforting the family of the deceased to alleviate their sorrow and affliction. Condolences can be expressed by saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un in several forms, such as:
- إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ غفر الله لفقيدكم، وجبر الله أحزانكم.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
May Allah forgive your deceased and may Allah mend your sorrows.
- إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ لله ما أخذ وما أعطى .
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
To Allah belongs what He took and what He gave.
- إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ عظم الله أجركم وغفر لميتكم.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
May Allah magnify your reward and forgive your deceased.
Is Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un only said upon death?
“Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” is not recited only upon death, but, it is appropriately said when calamities occur. It signifies that we are indeed the possession of Allah SWT and that we will return to Him at any time He wills.
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Appropriate responses upon hearing Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
There exist numerous suitable responses that can be employed upon hearing the statement “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un“. These responses are represented in the following examples:
- الدوام لله وحده الحمد لله على كل شيء.
[Permanence belongs to Allah alone. Praise be to Allah for everything.]
- نسأل الله أن يردنا إليه ردًا جميلًا، وأن يغفر لميتنا.
[We ask Allah to return us to Him in a beautiful manner and to forgive our deceased.]
- جزاكم الله خيرًا، لله ما أخذ وما أعطى.
[May Allah reward you with good. To Allah belongs what He took and what He gave.]
- الحمد لله على مصيبتنا ونسأل الله الصبر والسلوان.
[Praise be to Allah for our calamity and we ask Allah for patience and solace.]
- لكل أجل كتاب ونحن نؤمن بقضاء الله وقدره.
[For every term is a decreed time and we believe in the decree (Qada’) and predestination (Qadar) of Allah.]
Ruling on saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un outside of calamities
There is no harm in reciting “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” outside the context of calamities, because it is not merely an expression of condolence. Instead, it serves to invoke in the believer’s heart the realization that he will return to Allah and that whatever loss has befallen him, whether of a person, wealth, or otherwise, all belongs solely to Allah; let Allah do with us as He wills, so that the soul may find reassurance and the self may be content.
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Common mistakes when using it
Among the common errors when using the phrase Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un is writing it without the Alif in the word “Inna” (إنّ) and similarly writing it as “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un“. These are frequent mistakes that render the sentence lacking complete meaning; therefore, care must be taken to correct the word and write it properly so that its meaning does not differ.
The importance of patience when saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
The importance of patience when reciting “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un” is represented in the following points:
- Attaining great reward in the Hereafter, with the evidence for this being His saying, Exalted is He:
{إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ}
(Innamaa yuwaffas saabiroona ajrahum bighairi hisaab)
[Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.]
- Gaining the love of Allah SWT due to His saying:
{وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ}
(wallaahu yuhibbus saabireen)
[And Allah loves the patient.]
- Being assured of the help of Allah SWT with the evidence for this being:
{وَاصْبِرُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ}
(Wasbirooo; innal laaha ma’as saabireen)
[And be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.]
- The one who demonstrates patience concerning a trial in this world will be rewarded by Allah with Paradise.
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Saying Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un signifies the acknowledgment that whatever loss befalls the believer, whether of wealth, family, or anything else, belongs solely to Allah, returning to Him whenever He wills. This statement necessitates complete submission to the command of Allah and patience in the face of affliction.
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