At a glance
جزاك الله خيرا
- Transliteration
- jazāka Allāhu khayran, often written jazakallah khair
- Pronunciation
- ja-zaa-kal-LAH khair
- Literal meaning
- may God reward you with good
- Everyday sense
- thank you, may God reward you
- Reply
- wa iyyak (وإياك), and to you too
Where the phrase comes from
Jazakallah khair is a short form of jazakallahu khayran. Jaza means "reward", the ending -ka means "you", Allah means "God" and khayr means "good". Together they read "may God reward you with good".
Although the verb is in the past tense in Arabic, the phrase works as a prayer. It asks God to reward the person, so the thanks come with a wish for their good.
When Muslims say jazakallah khair
Muslims say jazakallah khair to thank someone for a kindness, a gift, advice or help. It is common in conversation, messages and emails among Muslims.
Many Muslims say it especially when they feel unable to repay a favour, trusting God to reward the person.
Forms for a man, a woman and a group
Arabic changes the ending to match the person you are thanking. Say jazakallahu khayran to a man, jazakillahu khayran to a woman, and jazakumullahu khayran to a group. In casual speech many people use the short form jazakallah khair for everyone.
How to reply to jazakallah khair
A common reply is wa iyyak, "and to you too", or wa iyyaki when speaking to a woman. Some people answer aameen, "may it be so", or barakallahu feek, "may God bless you". There is no single fixed reply. People also say it in reply to festive greetings such as Eid Mubarak, when a friend wishes them well or hands them a gift.
Jazakallah khair and shukran
Shukran is the everyday Arabic word for thank you, and anyone can use it. Jazakallah khair adds a prayer and is used mostly among Muslims. Our guide to thank you in Arabic shows more ways to say it.
Why thanking people matters in Islam
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that whoever receives a kindness and says to the one who did it "may God reward you with good" has done their utmost in giving thanks. This is reported by Usamah ibn Zayd in Jami at-Tirmidhi.
This is one reason the phrase is so common among Muslims.
Jazakallah khair and related phrases
Several phrases are used to thank someone. This table shows how they compare.
| Phrase | Arabic | Meaning | When it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jazakallahu khayran | جزاك الله خيرا | May God reward you with good | Thanking a man |
| Jazakillahu khayran | جزاكِ الله خيرا | May God reward you with good | Thanking a woman |
| Jazakumullahu khayran | جزاكم الله خيرا | May God reward you all with good | Thanking a group |
| Wa iyyak / wa iyyaki | وإياك / وإياكِ | And to you too | The common reply, to a man or to a woman |
| Barakallahu feek | بارك الله فيك | May God bless you | Thanking someone with a blessing |
| Shukran | شكرا | Thank you | The everyday word for thank you |
| Alhamdulillah | الحمد لله | Praise be to God | Thanking God for a blessing |
Examples of jazakallah khair in a sentence
- Jazakallah khair for your help.
- May God reward you with good for your help.
- Jazakallahu khayran, that was very kind.
- May God reward you with good, that was very kind.
- "Jazakallah khair." "Wa iyyak."
- "May God reward you with good." "And to you too."
Common questions
What does jazakallah khair mean?
Jazakallah khair means "may God reward you with good". Muslims say it to thank someone for a kindness, a gift or help. It is a prayer for the person as well as thanks, which is why many Muslims use it in place of, or alongside, a simple thank you.
How do you reply to jazakallah khair?
The most common reply is wa iyyak, which means "and to you too", or wa iyyaki when speaking to a woman. Some people answer aameen, "may it be so", or barakallahu feek, "may God bless you". There is no single fixed reply, and a simple smile or thank you is also fine.
What is the difference between jazakallah khair and shukran?
Shukran is the everyday Arabic word for "thank you" and anyone can use it. Jazakallah khair thanks a person with a prayer, asking God to reward them, and is used mostly among Muslims. Both are polite, and many Muslims use each one depending on who they are speaking to.
How do you say jazakallah khair to a woman or a group?
To a man say jazakallahu khayran. To a woman say jazakillahu khayran, and to a group say jazakumullahu khayran. In casual speech many people use the short form jazakallah khair for everyone. All forms mean "may God reward you with good", with the ending matching the person you are thanking.
How do you write and pronounce jazakallah khair?
In Arabic it is written جزاك الله خيرا, from right to left. Say it as ja-zaa-kal-LAH khair, with the stress on the last part of Allah. English spellings vary, and you will see jazakallah khair, jazak Allah khair, jazakallahu khayran and jazakallahu khairan, all for the same phrase.
Explore more Arabic phrases
- Thank You in ArabicشكراShukran and other ways to say thank you, with how to reply.
- Alhamdulillahالحمد للهPraise be to God. Thanks for a blessing and the usual reply to how are you.
- Assalamualaikumالسلام عليكمPeace be upon you. The Muslim greeting, how to reply and the full form.
- Mashallahما شاء اللهWhat God has willed. When and how Muslims say it.
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This page is a general guide. For your own situation, please consult a qualified scholar.