Jazakallah or Jazakallah Khayran?

By Mufti Shafiq Jakura and Mufti M.D. Mangera
Posted: 18 Rabi at-Thani 1435, 18 February 2014

Q.): I read the hadith: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If good is done to someone and then they say "JazakAllahu khairan" to the one who did the good, they have indeed praised them well." [Tirmidhi] If we just say "JazakAllah" (May Allah reward you) instead of the whole "JazakAllahu khairan" (May Allah reward you with good), which is common in the Asian community, will it still be counted as if we are acting on the words of the Prophet (Sall Allahu alaihi wa salam)?


A.)  Though it is better to say JazakAllahu Khairan as reported in the hadith, merely saying JazakAllah is also sufficient for two reasons:

1. It is accepted in Arabic that sometimes certain words (which are known to one and all) are omitted.
2. There are reports that some Sahabah like Hazrat Ibn Abbaas (r.a.a) sufficed on ‘JazakAllah’. Had this not been permissible, then the Sahaabah would not have used this.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best