Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un Meaning
Said on hearing of a death or loss. Here is its meaning, the Arabic and where it comes from.
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
- Transliteration
- Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn
- Meaning
- We belong to Allah and to Him we return
- Say it
- IN-naa lil-LAA-hi wa IN-naa i-LAY-hi raa-ji-‘OON
Quick answer
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ) means “we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return”. Muslims say it on hearing of a death, and at any loss or hardship. It comes from Quran 2:156, which describes the patient who say it when a calamity strikes. The Prophet ﷺ taught adding: “Allahumma’jurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha” (Sahih Muslim 918).
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un means “we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return”. Muslims say it on hearing of a death, and at any loss or hardship.
Origin in the Quran
Allah describes the patient as those who, when struck by a calamity, say: “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return” (Quran 2:156). The next verse promises them blessings and mercy from their Lord.
The dua to add
اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا
Allāhumma-ʾjurnī fī muṣībatī wa akhlif lī khayran minhā: “O Allah, reward me in my affliction and replace it for me with something better.” The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever says this, Allah will replace their loss with something better (Sahih Muslim 918).
What to say to someone who is grieving
Many people say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”, then make dua for the deceased, such as “May Allah have mercy on them and grant them Jannah”, and offer help to the family.
Is it only said when someone dies?
No. The verse speaks of anyone struck by a calamity (musibah) (Quran 2:156), so Muslims also say it for other losses and setbacks, such as an illness, a lost job or bad news.
Quran and hadith references link to quran.com and sunnah.com, where you can read the full text. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
When do you say Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un?
On hearing of a death, and at any loss or hardship, big or small, as taught in Quran 2:156.
How do you write it in Arabic?
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
Can you say Inna lillahi for small losses?
Yes. Quran 2:156 is about any calamity, so it can be said at any loss or hardship, not only a death.
What do you reply when someone says Inna lillahi?
There is no fixed reply. Offer your condolences and make dua, such as “May Allah have mercy on them and grant them Jannah”, and ask how you can help.