Radeyallahu ′Anhu (رضي الله عنه) is an Arabic honorific phrase that means "May Allah be pleased with him." Muslims say Radeyallahu ′Anhu after saying the name of the Sahaba, the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), to demonstrate their respect. This honorific comes from the Quran itself. In Surah Al Fath, Allah Azzawajal proclaims:
"لَّقَدْ رَضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًۭا"
"Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you [O Prophet under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent serenity upon them and rewarded them with a victory at hand." (Al-Fath, verse 18).
The word "Radi" means pleased or satisfied," Allah is the Arabic name for the one God, "Anhu" means "with him" or "upon him." So, the phrase, Radeyallahu ′Anhu can be translated to:
Muslims revere the sahaba for their companionship, support, and love for the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and they express this reverence by saying Radeyallahu ′Anhu, an expression that acknowledges their righteousness and status. This honorific is used for all the Sahaba, i.e., individuals who saw the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) with their own eyes and were in his company. These include Abu Bakar (رضي الله عنه), Omar Ibn Al-Khatab (رضي الله عنه), Ali Ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), Ayesha Binte Abu Bakar (رضي الله عنها) Umme Salma (رضي الله عنها), etc.
Honorifics are used for the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his ashaab, his family members, and the Muslims who were the companions of these ashaab. A definition of individuals for who the honorific Radeyallahu ′Anhu, Radeyallahu ′Anha, or Radeyallahu ′Anhuma are used are as follows:
1. Radeyallahu - ra-dee-al-la-hu
Ra: Pronounced as “Ra”sounds like ra in raw.
De: Pronounced as "Dee" as dee in deep.
Al: Pronounced as ul in adult.
Lah: Pronounced as Lah in Chalah.
Hu: Pronounced as Ho in Home.
2. ′Anhu – An-ho
An: Pronounced as Un in Unbiased
Ho: Pronounced as Ho in Home
So, the correct pronunciation is "Ra-dee-al-la-hu An-ho."
For females, An-ho changes to An-ha, where ha sounds like ha in halt. When using the honorific for more than one sahaba, the word changes to "Anhuma," where huma is pronounced as hu-ma, as in human.
Radeyallahu ′Anhu is an honorific phrase used to show respect and admiration for the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), tabi'un, tabi' al-tabi'un, and notable Islamic figures. It is in acknowledgment of their contributions to Islam and their role in shaping Islamic history. By using Radeyallahu ′Anhu (رضي الله عنه), Muslims honor the memory of these individuals and recognize their importance in Islamic heritage.
Here are a few instances in which Radeyallahu ′Anhu is used commonly:
It is preferable to say the honorific when talking or writing about these honorable figures. There is no sin on you if you do not say this honorific, but it is better to say the honorific to show these figures the respect they have earned. The purpose of using this honorific is as follows:
By using Radeyallahu ′Anhu (رضي الله عنه), Muslims honor the memory of their companions and seek blessings for them from Allah.
Radeyallahu ′Anhu has been taken from the Quran. In Surah Fath, Allah Azzawajjal said that Allah was pleased with the companions who pledged their allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
"لَّقَدْ رَضِيَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًۭا"
Translation: "Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you [O Prophet under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent serenity upon them and rewarded them with a victory at hand" (Quran 48:18).
Similarly, in Surah al-Maida (119), Allah Azzawajal declares that on the day of Judgment, the truthful will get the reward for their truthfulness and explains those rewards. He says:
قَالَ اللہُ ہٰذَا يَوْمُ يَنْفَعُ الصّٰدِقِيْنَ صِدْقُہُمْ۰ۭ لَہُمْ جَنّٰتٌ تَجْرِيْ مِنْ تَحْتِہَا الْاَنْھٰرُ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْہَاۗ اَبَدًا۰ۭ رَضِيَ اللہُ عَنْہُمْ وَرَضُوْا عَنْہُ۰ۭ ذٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيْمُ۱۱۹
Translation: Allah will say: "This is a day on which the truthful will profit from their truth: theirs are gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,- their eternal Home: Allah well-pleased with them, and they with Allah: That is the great salvation, (the fulfillment of all desires).
The Sahaba, many of who received annunciation from the Prophet of their place in Jannah, have followed the guidelines set by Allah and his Prophet, thus earning Allah's pleasure and reward. The trilateral root rā ḍād wāw (ر ض و) appears 73 times in the Quran. The meaning of words that contain this root is in the range of "being pleased," "being satisfied," "accept," and "approve." So there is no doubt Radeyallahu ′Anhu means Allah is pleased and satisfied with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and they are with Allah.
The phrase Radeyallahu ′Anhu (رضي الله عنه) shows cultural sensitivity and respect in the following ways:
1. Honoring Islamic heritage: It shows cherishing the contributions of the companions and their role in shaping the faith.
2. Respecting religious figures: Expresses appreciation for the companions who are respectable and acknowledges their sacrifices.
3. Cultural awareness: Using " Radeyallahu ′Anhu (رضي الله عنه) shows an understanding of Islamic customs and traditions.
4. Respect for religious terminology: Using the phrase correctly shows respect for Islamic terminology.
5. Empathy and understanding: It conveys empathy and understanding for the significance of the Companions in Islamic tradition, promoting a sense of shared values and respect.
6. Community building: It helps build bridges within the Muslim community, fostering a sense of unity and shared respect for Islamic history and tradition.
