Pronunciation in English
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Arabic Script
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Meaning
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When To Use
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Abd |
عبد |
Servant, worshipper, slave. Muslims consider themselves servants and slaves of God. |
Popular Muslim names such as Abdullah (Servant of God), Abdul-Malik (Servant of the King), Abdur-Rahmān (Servant of the most Beneficent), Abdus-Salām (Servant of Peace), all refer to names of Allah. |
Adab |
أدب |
The proper way to go about something, |
Traditionally describes good manners, as in etiquette. |
Adhan |
أذان |
Call to Salaat(prayer) |
Used when asking about the time of prayer : “when is the adhan?” |
Ahad |
أحد |
Literally “one.” Islamically, Ahad means One Alone, unique, none like God. Al-Wahid is one of the names of God. |
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Aakhirah |
الآخرة |
Hereafter or eternal life |
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Akhlaaq
Ikhlas |
أخلاق
إخلاص |
The practice of virtue. Sincerity with intentions to do good. |
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Alhamdulillah |
الحمد لله |
Praise and thanks to Allah. |
Used to show gratitude to Allah after success or even after completing anything, usually to express satisfaction, after having finished eating or used after sneezing. |
Allahu Akbar |
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Allah is the greatest |
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Allahu A’lam |
الله أعلم |
Allah knows best. |
Said when not sure about something, or simply don’t know, could be the equivalent of “I don’t know.” “is it going to rain tomorrow?” – Allahu A’lam! |
Allahu Must’aan |
الله المستعان |
Allah (God) is the source of help and assistance. |
Al-Must’aan is one of Allah’s names. |
Allahumma salli ala Muhammad. |
اللهم صلي على محمد |
Oh Allah bestow your mercy on Mohammed. |
A way to praise the prophet (PBUH). |
‘Alayhi Salaam |
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Peace be upon him (A.S.) |
Whenever you say the name of a prophet |
Amana |
الامانة |
Trust |
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Ameen |
آمين |
May it be so. |
The end of a du’a (supplication/prayer) |
Ash-hadu An laa Ilaha Illa Allah wa Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasulu Allah |
أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله و أشهد أن محمد رسول الله |
I bear witness that there is no other God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of the Allah. |
This one is called “shahadah”, it’s one of the 5 main pillars of Islam, and that’s the first step of converting to Islam. Also used by Muslims to refresh their belief, it’s recommended to use it daily. |
As-Salaamu Alaykum |
السلام عليكم |
Peace be upon you |
A way of greetings used more widely and can be the equivalent of “hi, hello, good morning/ afternoon/ evening, good-bye, bye …) so it’s basically a way to greet and could be used in farewells. |
As-Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhi |
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته |
Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you |
This is a full equivalent of the above mentioned greeting “Assalamu Alaykum”. It is considered to be more polite. |
Aqeedah |
عقيدة |
The Islamic creed, or the six article of faith, which consists of the belief in God, Angels, Messengers and Prophets, Scriptures, the Day of Judgment, and Destiny. |
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Asr |
العصر |
The third salat prayer of the day. The time of the day before sunset and after noon. also means “era”. |
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Astaghfiru Allah |
أستغفر الله |
I seek forgiveness from Allah. |
Commonly used when you think you did something wrong (a sin, cursed …).
After every Salah (payer), a Muslim says this statement three times. |
Audhu billahi mina shaitaan Arrajeem |
أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم |
I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Satan “shaitan”. |
Used whenever feeling unsafe or when scared by something (a bad dream …), or before reading Quran, or before anything you want to do. |
Awrah |
عورة |
The parts of the body, male or female, must be covered in public but not between spouses, such as, body parts must be concealed of a woman before non-related men.(non-related men means she can marry those men lawfully). |
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Ayah / Ayaat |
آية,(آيات) |
A sign. More specifically, a verse in the Qur’an. |
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Barakah |
بركة |
Blessing. |
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Barak Allahu Feek |
بارك الله فيك |
May Allah bestow his blessings on you. |
Used to wish someone blessings from Allah especially in return to a favor done by that person, the equivalent to “thank you very much”. |
Barak Allahu Feekum / Allah Baraka Feek |
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May Allah bless you |
Responding to someone’s thanks/ a way of expressing thanks
(Reply: Wa feek(i), Wa feekum; Trans.: And you) |
Bid’ah |
بدعة |
Innovation in religion, i.e. inventing new methods of worship. |
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Bismillah |
بسم الله |
In the name of Allah |
Used to start something, whatever a Muslim wants to start (driving, eating, walking, reading …) |
Bismillah
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim |
بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم |
In the name of Allah, the most Gracious the most Merciful. |
A full equivalent to “bismillah”, many Muslims use it before reciting the Qur’an and before doing anything. |
Dajjal |
دجّال |
Antichrist; means “liar” or “deceiver”. |
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Daw’ah |
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Literal meaning to invite others to Islam |
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Deen |
الدين |
The way of life based on Islamic revelation; the sum total of a Muslim’s faith and practice. Dīn is often used to mean the faith and religion of Islam. |
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Dhikr |
ذكر |
Remembrance of God |
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Dhuhr |
الظهر |
The second obligatory daily prayer. |
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Du’a |
دعاء |
Supplication, prayer, asking Allah for something |
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Dunya |
دنيا |
The physical Universe, as opposed to the Hereafter |
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Eid ul-Adha |
عيد الأضحى |
“The Festival of Sacrifice.” Celebration after Hajj. |
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Eid ul-Fitr |
عيد الفطر |
“The Festival of Fitr (Breaking the fast).” A festival that marks the end of the fast of Ramadan. |
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Fajr |
فجر |
Morning, as in the morning prayer. The time of the day when there is light in the horizon before sunrise. |
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Fard |
فرض |
An obligatory action:
e.g. praying 5 times a day is fard |
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Fatwa |
فتوى |
Ruling or edict |
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Fitna |
فتنة |
Trial or tribulation; also refers to any period of disorder, such as a civil war, or the period of time before the end of the world or any civil strife. |
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Fi Amanillah |
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May Allah protect you‘ |
By way of saying good-bye |
Ghusl |
غسل |
Full ablution of the whole body. Ghusl jenobat is the mandatory shower after having sexual discharge. |
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Hadith |
حديث |
Record of sayings and deeds, known as the Traditions, which is commonly refer to Prophet Muhammad’s life. |
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Halal |
حلال |
Lawful, persmissible |
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Halaqa |
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A gathering or meeting for the primary purpose of learning about Islam. |
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Hajj |
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Pilgrimage to Mecca during the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Muslims are required to perform hajj at least once in their lifetime, if means and health allow. |
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Haqq |
حق |
Truth, reality, righteous |
Al-Haqq is one of Allah’s names. |
Haraam |
حرام |
Forbidden |
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Haram |
حرم |
Sanctuary |
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Hayaa |
هيا |
Modesty |
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Hijab |
حجاب |
Literally “cover”. It describes the self-covering of the body for the purposes of modesty and dignity; broadly, a prescribed system of attitudes and behaviour regarding modesty and dignity. |
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Hijra |
الهجرة |
The flight of Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622 because of increasing opposition. |
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Imam |
إمام |
A religious leader or head of a local community, or a spiritually qualified leader. He also leads in community political affairs. |
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Iman |
إيمان |
This is a belief or faith in God (Allah). |
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Inshaa Allah |
إن شاء الله |
If Allah wills. |
Usually used to refer to planning to do a future action, I will do this … if Allah wills it. |
Inna lillahi wa Inna illahi Rajioon |
إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون |
To Allah we belong, and to him we will return. |
Usually used when you hear someone died, or if you had a terrible lost (financial or personal). |
Islam |
إسلام |
The religion of Muslims. Submission to Allah (the One True God) |
5 pillars make up Islam. 1. Declaration of faith, 2. Five daily prayers 3. Zakat (charity) 4. Fasting 5. Hajj pilgrimage |
Isha |
عشاء |
Night, the fifth salat/prayer |
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Jannah |
جنة |
Paradise, Heaven, the Garden |
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Jazaka Allahu Khairan |
جزاك الله خيرا |
May Allah reward you with all good. |
When someone does something good to you (gives you something, helps you with something …) |
Jihad |
جهاد |
Struggle or to strive. Any earnest striving in the way of God, involving personal, physical, for righteousness and against wrong-doing; |
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Jinn |
جنّ |
These are unseen or spiritual beings who are required to follow the orders of Allah and are accountable for their deeds. Like humans, they are given the power to choose between right and wrong. |
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Juz’ |
جزء |
One of thirty parts of the Qur’an |
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Ka’ba |
الكعبة |
A cubic stone structure where the black stone is housed. Located in the center of the Great Mosque at Mecca, Muslims believe that it was the first house of worship built by Abraham and Isma’il. It is also spelled ka’aba or ka’bah. |
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Kafir, Kuffar, Kafireen, Kafiroon |
كافر |
Qur’anic term for a non-Muslim. |
It is derived from the root word of Ka-fa-ra (cover). The term is to indicate a person declining or denying any of the principles of the Islam.
Often mistranslated as “infidel” which is the term the crusaders used to refer to the Muslims and not the other way around. The Islamic term used to refer to the crusades was the “war of the foreigners.”
Muslims are encouraged to follow the Islamic example in referring to Christians and Jews as “Ahl-Kitab: People of the book.” |
Khutbah |
خطبة |
The sermon at Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer. |
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La ilaha illa Allah |
لا إله إلا الله |
There is no god but Allah. Can be said any time. |
This expression is the most important one in Islam. It is the creed that every person has to say to be considered a Muslim. It is part of the first pillar of Islam. The meaning of which is: “There is no Lord worthy of worship except Allah.”
The second part of this first pillar is to say: “Mohammedan Rasul Allah,” which means:”Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” |
La hawla wala quwata illah billah |
لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله |
There is no change/ transformation nor power/ strength except through Allah |
Used in unfavourable situations beyond one’s control. |
Laylat al Qadr |
(ليلة القدر |
The Night of Power, towards the end of Ramadan, when Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first revelation of the Qur’an. |
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Madina |
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Originally this city was called Yathrib, and was located about 200 km north of Mecca. This was the first city-state that was established under the banner of Islam. |
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Maghrib |
مغرب |
The fourth daily salat prayer right after sunset. |
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Masjid |
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A place or house of prayer-literally, a place of prostration. |
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Muhamadu Rasulu Allah |
محمد رسول الله |
Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. |
Usually comes after La ilaha illa Allah. |
Mustahabb |
مستحبّ |
Literally means ‘recommended’. Recommended, favoured, and virtuous actions. |
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Qibla |
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Direction toward Mecca that is designated in a place of prayer. |
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Radhi Allahu ‘Anhu |
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May Allah be pleased with him |
This is an expression to be used by Muslims whenever a name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is mentioned or used in writing. Muslims are taught to be respectful to the elderly and to those who contributed to the spread and success in Islam. They are to be grateful to the companions of the prophet (s.a.w.) for their sacrifices, their leadership, and their contributions. Muslims are advised to use this phrase when such names are mentioned or written. |
Radi Allah ‘Anha |
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May Allah be pleased with her (R.A.) |
Whenever say name of female companion of the Prophet |
Radi Allah ‘Anhum |
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May Allah be pleased with them (R.A.) |
Plural form of saying companions of the Prophet |
Rahimahullah |
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Allah have Mercy on him |
You see someone in distress |
Ramadan |
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Month of fasting which is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe that it was during this month that the Quranic revelations began. |
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Salam |
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Peace |
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Salaat |
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Worship in the form of ritual prayer that is repeated five times daily. |
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Sawm |
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Fasting, especially during Ramadan. Sawm means total abstinence from food, liquids, and sexual relationships from dawn to sunset, for one lunar month. |
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Shahada |
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Confessing or bearing witness to God’s unity and Muhammad’s role as messenger. “I testify that there is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet.” A person must recite the shahadah to become a Muslim. |
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Shari’ah |
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Shari’ah is Islamic law-the way or divine path of obedience to God. It comprises the writings of the Qur’an and hadith and serves as the guide for worship and ethical living. |
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Sadaqallahul ‘Adheem |
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Allah says the truth. |
This is a statement of truth that a Muslim says after reading any amount of verses from the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the exact words of Allah in verbatim. When Allah speaks, He says the truth; and when the Qur’an is being recited, a Muslim is reciting the words of truth of Allah. |
Salla Allahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam (S.A.W) |
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May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him (Muhammad) |
When the name of Prophet Muhammad (saw) is mentioned or written, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him.Another expression that is alternatively used is: “Alaihissalatu Wassalam.” This expression means: “On Him (Muhammad) are the blessings and the peace of Allah.”
Allah has ordered Muslims, in the Qur’an, to say such an expression. |
Shirk |
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A word that implies ascribing partners to Allah, or ascribing divine attributes to other than Allah, or believing that the source of power, harm and blessings comes from another besides Allah. |
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Subhan Allah |
سبحان الله |
Glory to Allah
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Used in many places, for example if you heard something amazing and you want to express your amazement. |
Subhanu Wa Ta’Ala |
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The meaning of this expression is: “Glory be to Him and the Most High, the Most Exalted |
This is an expression that Muslims use whenever the name of Allah is pronounced or written. Muslims believe that Allah is the only God, the Creator of the Universe. He does not have partners or children. |
Surah |
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Chapter of the Quran |
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Tajweed |
تجويد |
A special manner of reciting the Qur’an according to prescribed rules of pronunciation and intonation.
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Taqwa |
تقوى |
Being conscious and cognizant of God, of truth, of the rational reality, “being piety, fear of God’s disappointment”. |
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Tarawih |
تراويح |
Extra prayers in Ramadan after the Isha prayer.
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Tawakal-tu-’Ala Allah |
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I have put my trust in Allah. |
Rely on Allah solving a problem. |
Tawbah |
توبه |
Repentance |
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Tawheed |
توحيد |
Monotheism; affirmation of the Oneness of Allah. Muslims regard this as the first part of the Pillar of Islam, the second part is accepting Muhammad as rasoul (messenger). The opposite of Tawheed is shirk. |
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Ummah |
الاُمّة |
Refers to the whole Muslim community, irrespective of colour, race, language or nationality |
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Umrah |
عمرة |
The lesser pilgrimage performed in Mecca. Unlike hajj, can be performed throughout the year. |
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Wudhu |
الوضوء |
Ablution for ritual purification from minor impurities before salat (see ghusl) |
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Ya Allah! |
يا ألله |
Oh Allah! |
Usually to ask Allah something. Sometimes used while doing something, like when lifting something heavy you say it to ask Allah for power, or if you’re in pain and you ask Allah to give you strength to bear that pain. |
Ya Rab! |
يا رب |
Oh Lord! |
Used the same way as the one above “Ya Allah”. No difference at all. |
Zakat |
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The alms or contributions to charity required as a duty to God. Zakat constitutes about 2.5 percent of one’s annual wealth. |
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