Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum: Meaning, Reply & Eid Greeting

“Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum” (تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُم) is the traditional Eid greeting Muslims exchange after Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It means “May Allah accept (this worship) from us and from you.”

This is not a generic congratulation — it is a du‘a. The sahaba (companions of the Prophet ﷺ) used to say it to one another on Eid day, and it remains the most spiritually meaningful greeting of the festival. This guide covers the full meaning, the proper reply, the longer variations (with saleh al-amal and wa taqabbal ya kareem), when to say it, whether it counts as authentic Sunnah, and the common misconceptions Muslims have about it.

Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum Meaning

The phrase breaks down word-by-word:

• Taqabbala (تَقَبَّلَ) — “may He accept” (a du‘a in past-tense form, common in Arabic when invoking Allah).
• Allahu (اللهُ) — “Allah” (the subject doing the accepting).
• Minna (مِنَّا) — “from us.”
• Wa minkum (وَمِنْكُم) — “and from you (plural).”

Together: “May Allah accept (the worship) from us and from you.” The implied object is the act of worship just performed — the fasting of Ramadan (for Eid al-Fitr) or the Hajj and udhiya/sacrifice (for Eid al-Adha).

The phrase carries a humility every Muslim should reflect on. After 30 days of fasting or completing Hajj, the temptation is to congratulate yourself on what you accomplished. The sahaba instead reminded each other: this is in Allah’s hands — may He accept it.

Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum in Arabic

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُم

Transliteration: Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum
Translation: “May Allah accept from us and from you.”

How to Reply to Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum

There is no single fixed reply — the sahaba simply repeated the same phrase back. Three responses are widely accepted:

1. Repeat the phrase back: “Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum” — the most authentic and most common reply, used by the companions themselves.
2. Say “Ameen”: a simple affirmation of the du‘a being made for you, then return the same du‘a.
3. Add “wa antum min al-fa’izin”: meaning “and may you be among the successful ones.” This is a cultural addition popular in some Arab regions but not from the Sunnah specifically.

Replying with “Eid Mubarak” alone is acceptable but misses the spiritual weight of the original du‘a. The most rewarded response is to return the same prayer to your brother or sister.

Variations of the Phrase

The core phrase is just five words, but several authentic and culturally accepted longer forms exist:

1. With “Saleh al-Amal”

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُم صَالِحَ الأَعْمَال

“Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum saleh al-amal” — “May Allah accept from us and from you the righteous deeds.” This explicitly names the object of acceptance (the righteous deeds) instead of leaving it implied.

2. With “Wa Taqabbal Ya Kareem”

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُم وَتَقَبَّلْ يَا كَرِيم

“Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum wa taqabbal ya kareem” — “May Allah accept from us and from you, and accept (this), O Most Generous.” This adds a direct invocation of one of Allah’s names (Al-Kareem — the Most Generous).

3. With “Wa Ghafara Lana wa Lakum”

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُم وَغَفَرَ لَنَا وَلَكُم

“…wa ghafara lana wa lakum” — adding “and may He forgive us and you.” A natural extension since Eid follows a month of repentance and seeking forgiveness.

When to Say Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum

The phrase is specifically tied to occasions of completed worship — not used as a general greeting throughout the year:

• Eid al-Fitr — said after the Eid prayer when meeting other Muslims, marking the acceptance of the Ramadan fast.
• Eid al-Adha — said after the Eid prayer and after performing the sacrifice (udhiya), referring to acceptance of the Hajj rites and the sacrifice.
• After completing Hajj or Umrah — even outside Eid days, returning pilgrims often greet each other with this phrase.
• After Ramadan ends — throughout the first day of Shawwal, in messages, calls, and in person.
• In Eid messages and cards — the phrase pairs naturally with “Eid Mubarak,” for example: “Eid Mubarak — Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.”

Is Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum Authentic Sunnah?

This is a question many Muslims ask — and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

The phrase is not narrated as a direct command from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. There is no hadith with chain to the Prophet ﷺ instructing Muslims to greet each other this way on Eid.

However, it is reported as the practice of the Sahaba. Jubayr ibn Nufayr (a Tabi‘i, student of the companions) said: “When the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would meet one another on the day of Eid, they would say to each other: Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.”

This is reported in al-Mahamili’s Salat al-‘Idayn (2/218) and was accepted by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. When the companions did something collectively without rebuke from the Prophet ﷺ during his lifetime — and this was a normal practice they continued after him — the action carries weight as a confirmed companion-practice (athar of the Sahaba), even if not a direct hadith. Most scholars across all four madhabs consider it permissible and recommended.

Common Misconceptions

• “You must say it in Arabic” — not true. The Arabic carries the original blessing, but saying the English meaning to a non-Arabic speaker (“May Allah accept from us and from you”) is also acceptable.
• “It’s only for Eid al-Fitr” — equally said on Eid al-Adha, often with the implied object being the sacrifice and Hajj rites rather than the fast.
• “The longer versions are bid‘ah (innovation)” — the longer additions like saleh al-amal or wa kareem are not innovation; they are du‘a, and du‘a wording is generally flexible as long as the meaning is sound.
• “You only say it once after Eid prayer” — you can say it multiple times throughout Eid day to different people, and in Eid messages over the following days.

How to Use It Meaningfully on Eid

• Say it before “Eid Mubarak” — lead with the du‘a, then add the cultural greeting. The du‘a is the spiritually weightier piece.
• Pause when saying it — treat it as a real du‘a for the person in front of you, not a reflex. The companions meant it sincerely; we should too.
• Reply in kind — when someone says it to you, return the same phrase rather than just “you too.” That returns the blessing in equal measure.
• Use it in messages, voice notes, and Eid cards — pair it with Arabic calligraphy if you can, since the visual carries the original meaning even for non-readers.
• Teach it to children early — one of the easiest authentic phrases to introduce, and tied directly to the festival they look forward to most.

Frequently Asked Questions