rahimahullahu

Rahimahullahu is an Arabic phrase meaning "may Allah have mercy on him." It is used as a post-nominal supplication for male deceased Muslims, invoked to ask God’s mercy for the person named. The corresponding female form is rahimahullaha (رحمها الله), meaning "may Allah have mercy on her." Transliteration varies, with common forms including rahimahullahu, rahimahullāh, and rahimahullaah.

The expression is typically added after the name in classical biographical works, hadith commentaries, sermons, obituaries, and everyday speech among Muslims. It signals respect for the deceased and aligns with the broader Islamic practice of invoking mercy for those who have passed away. It should be noted that the phrase is a prayer for mercy rather than a description of the person’s status, and it is not used for living individuals.

Usage is widespread across Arabic-speaking communities and among Muslims worldwide, appearing in scholarly texts, as well as informal mentions on social media and in printed memorials. While most commonly associated with Sunni and Sufi circles, the practice is also found across various Islamic traditions and cultures, reflecting a shared ethic of mercy and remembrance for those who have died. As with other honorific prayers, it is typically used with the name of the deceased and is not directed at the living.