Islamic honorifics

Islam uses a number of "conventionally complimentary phrases" or durood, sometimes called Islamic honorifics, ‘blessings’, ‘titles’ or even ‘prayers’. The "honorifics" either praise (e.g. "Subhanahu wa-ta’ala", in the case of Allah), or wish good things (such as "prayers and peace", "Allah be pleased with them") for Muhammad, another prophet or other objects of the honorific. In Arabic writing (and speaking) they follow the name of the object of the honorific fully spelled out (fully enunciated), while in English language sources they are sometimes abbreviated, ("Allah (swt)" or "Muhammad (pbuh)"), sometimes spelled out ("Abdurrahman ibn Abi Bakr, Radi-Allahu anhu"), sometimes appear spelled out in Arabic, and sometimes appear as a typographic ligature of Arabic calligraphy.

Unlike conventional honorifics they follow, rather than precede, the name of the individual being noted. (They are distinct from honorifics such as "Hadrat-i Muhammad", the Persian title given Muhammad, which precedes his name, or titles for distinguished Muslims such as Mawlana or Sheikh.) (The term durood may be limited to the prophets in Islam, or go beyond "conventionally complimentary phrases" into short prayers, honorifics for scholars or companions follow the same pattern as durood but are not prayers.)

Some Muslims preach against the use of abbreviations in honorifics, insisting on the entire phrase spelled out, quoting a hadith in support of this.

The honorifics for Muhammad are based on a quaric verse according to one source: "Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace." - Qur'an 33:56

A hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah states: The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever sends one salah upon me, Allah will send ten upon him."

Honorifics applying to God

Subhanahu wa-ta’ala

Translation: glorified and exalted be He or: may He be glorified and exalted
abbreviation: "swt"

Azza wa jal

Translation: Mighty and the Majestic.
or:Glorified and Sublime be He.
abbreviation: "awj"

Honorifics applied to Muhammad and his family

These are also called Darood Shareef

'Alayhi?-?alatu was-Salam
Translation: "Upon him be prayers and peace"
Example: "The Messenger of Allah ('Alayhi?-?alatu was-Salam) ..."
'Alayhe wa 'ala Alehi?-?alatu was-Salam
Translation:"Upon him and on his family be prayers and peace"
General Supervisor: Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid|

Example: "The Messenger of Allah ('Alayhe wa 'ala Alehi?-?alat was-Salam) ..."
?allallahu 'alayhe waa all-a-hi wassallam
Translation:"May Allah send blessings and peace upon him"
Example: "The Messenger of Allah (?allallahu 'alayhe wa sallam) ..."
Abbreviations: "SAW" or "PBUH" (some believe these should not be used).
?allallahu 'alayhe wa 'alehe wa ?a?behe wa sallam
Translation: May Allah send blessings and peace upon him, his family, and his companions.
Example: "The Messenger of Allah (?allallahu 'alayhe wa 'alehe wa ?a?behe wa sallam) ..."
?allallahu 'alayhe wa alehe wa sallam
Translation: May Allah send blessings and peace upon him and his family

Example: "The Messenger of Allah (?allallahu 'alayhe wa alehe wa sallam) ..."

Honorifics applied to angels and prophets

Applies to the Archangels (Gibraeel, Mikaeel, etc ) as well as any other Islamic prophets preceding Muhammad (Isa as, Musa a.s, Ibrahim as etc). Does not apply to Mariyam.

Alayhis Salam
Peace be upon him.
abbreviation: "as"
Alaihissalatu Wassalam
Translation: On Him are the blessings and the peace of Allah.

abbreviation: "asw"

Honorifics applied to companions of Muhammad
Used after companions ("A?-?a?abah") of the Islamic Prophet Mu?ammad

Radeyallahu 'Anhu
Translation: "May Allah be pleased with him."
abbreviation: "ra"
Example: "Al-‘Abbas (Radeyallahu 'Anhu) ..."

Radeyallahu 'Anha
Translation: "May Allah be pleased with her."
Example: "Khadeejah (Radeyallahu 'Anha) ..."

Radeyallahu 'Anhum
Translation: May Allah be pleased with them.
Example: "A?-?a?abah (Radeyallahu 'Anhum) ..."

Honorifics applied to scholars
Applies to high level scholars such as a sheikhul-Islam

Rahmatullahi Alaih/ Rahimullah Alaih
Translation: May Allah's mercy/blessing be upon him
example: Ibn Taymiyyah (rahmtuallahi alayh)

Rahmatullahi alaihum
Translation: May Allah's mercy/blessing be upon them