The phrase written in ArabicRecitation of the Istirjāʿ in Quran 2:156Muslim Cemetery along theEastern Wall of theOld City of Jerusalem with the phrase written on thetombstone
TheIstirjā[a] is the name for the Arabic phraseʾinnā li-llāhi wa-ʾinnā ʾilayhi rājiʿūn[b], found in the 156thverse[1] of thesecond chapter of theQuran.[2][3] It reflects the Islamic belief that life and all that exists belong to God, and that every being will ultimately return to Him and serves as a reminder forMuslims to stay patient and seek solace in their faith during the trials as mentioned in the previous verse.[c] It is often recited upon hearing news of death[2][d] but also used in response to any form of calamity as a sign of acceptance ofdivine will and trust in God's wisdom.[4][5][6]
It is reported that the Islamic ProphetMuhammad said when a disaster befalls a believer and they recite this phrase, God would grant them something better in return.[7]
The phrase conveys the broader theological principle of human existence being temporary and the afterlife being the ultimate destination.
^"God tests the people’s belief by giving them either welfare or adversity because he wants to know how they behave in prosperity and in adversity... He imposes hunger, poverty, and the loss of property, lives and crops upon them to test them (q 2:155). Being tried by these afflictions, people should show their belief in God by patient endurance."[3]
^"To express sadness upon hearing bad news about someone known to the person; reacting to news of somebody’s death, when it is always followed by the qur ānic expression innā li-llāhi wa-innā ilayhi rāji ūn... It also conveys a sense of anger or displeasure in certain contexts."[2]
^Quran2:156(Translated by Al-Hilali & Khan). "Arabic:ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَ أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّ إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ,lit.'Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return."'"
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