What does “wa iyyakum" mean?

Question

I would like to know the usage of wa iyyakum. When is it best used and, any restrictions

What does "wa iyyakum" mean?
When do we use "wa iyyakum".

Jazak Allah Khair for the answer

Answer 1

"Wa iyyakum" means "and you", It's most used in response to "Jazak Allah Khair", which makes the conversation:

pckabeer: Jazak Allah Khair (May Allah reward you with goodness)

Mr.TAMER: Wa iyyakum (And you)

In it's form "Wa iyyakum", it responds in the plural, i.e, you reply to a group of people. However, it's obvious that I used "Wa iyyakum" even though pckabeer is a single person (supposed to be, at least :D ), this is because in Arabic, it's of respect to speak to a person in the plural form - and also if someone is speaking about himself in the plural form, then he is very self-confident and proud, hence Allah says:

إنا نحن نزلنا الذكر وإنا له لحافظون

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an, and indeed, We will be its guardian.

Surat Al-Ĥijr - 9

Of course, Allah is speaking about himself without companions, this is a part of emphasizing in that aya which assures that the Qur'an never changes.

So as mentioned it's "attached" with meanings of respect, so it's not appropriate to say it in response to harm or insult, it's said only in response to good words, specifically Dua'a.

Please note that this is a personal-experience answer, no citations included because it's not a part of Sharia, it's only a good convention (like Salam).

Answer 2

It means "And to you."

It is a phrase that is usually said in return when someone says something good to you.

Answer 3

• "wa" is for "and", here means "the same"

• "iyya" is for "to" (returning something)

• "kum" is for you all"

So, "wa iyya kum" means, "The same is for you all". This is used or can be used in the return of greetings.

This words should be used to return greetings preferably from Non-Muslims who greet you with ambiguous or unclear wordings. Though, it can also be used for return of general greetings.

But the preferred and best way to return salam is "Wa alaikumus Salam", speaking the word salam in return. Allah knows best.

Answer 4

"Wa Iyyakum" is the most commonly used response to when someone says "JazaakAllahu Khair". Since "JazaakAllahu Khair" is a dua (prayer) meaning "May Allah reward you with good", saying "Wa Iyyakum" is a shortened way of making the same dua for the person who said it to you.

Literally translated, it means "And to you all" - because "kum" is used when addressing a group of people. The singular equivalent would be "Wa Iyyak" which is also an appropriate response. But as Tamer mentioned earlier, using the plural form in Arabic is a way of showing respect.

Of course, if you wanted a more complete and formal response to "JazaakAllahu Khair" you would say something like "Wa Antum Fa JazakumUllahu Khairan" ("And to you all, may Allah reward with goodness") - note the use of plural again out of respect.

I hope the explanation is beneficial.