# Arabic experts - \[i\]Allahumma\[/i\] and \[i\]ahl\[/i\] vs. \[i\]al\[/i\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arabic-experts-i-allahumma-i-and-i-ahl-i-vs-i-al-i/183217>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 20, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arabic-experts-i-allahumma-i-and-i-ahl-i-vs-i-al-i/183217 "2003-06-20T17:51:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WeRSauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@WeRSauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WeRSauron)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arabic-experts-i-allahumma-i-and-i-ahl-i-vs-i-al-i/183217/1 "2003-06-20T17:51:05Z")

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Arabic experts, maybe you can solve two major Arabic questions I have been having.

First, what is the difference between “_Ya Allah_” and “_Allahumma_”? Many prayers begin with the latter rather than the former, although I have seen both translated the same, namely, “O God!”

Second, what’s the difference between “_ahl_” and “_al_”? I read a lot about “_Ahl ul-Bayt_” or the household of Hazrat Muhammad (sa). But in the _salwat_, it says, “_Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa **ali** Muhammad_” (bold mine). Shouldn’t it be “_wa **ahli** Muhammad_” (bold mine)?

Thanks!

WRS