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A
glossary of Muslim terms |
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Muslim Glossary |
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The
Qur'an was revealed in Arabic, therefore Arabic is the language of
Islam, Islamic worship, theology, ethics and jurisprudence. Islam
is inextricably linked with the Arabic language despite the variety
of languages spoken by the believers. When translated the Qur'an loses
its status as the revealed word as a translation diminishes the message. |
Pronunciation
note: Certain words appear with an 'h' when alone but with a 't'
when part of a phrase. A pause or breath is shown by an apostrophe.
The glossary is a simplified version. |
pbuh:
The letters pbuh (peace be upon
him) is used everytime the name of the prophet Muhammad pbuh
is mentioned. Similar respect is accorded to the other prophets.
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A
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Abd |
Servant.
As in Abdullah, servant of Allah. |
Abu
Bakr |
The
first Khalifah, successor to the leadership
of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad
pbuh |
Adam |
Adam
pbuh. The first man, and
Prophet of Allah. |
Adhan |
Call
to prayer. From the same root as, Mu'adhin
(one who makes the call to prayer) |
Aishah |
One
of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh,
and daughter of Abu Bakr (Radhi-Allahu-anhum - may Allah be pleased
with him). |
Akhirah |
Everlasting
life after death - the hereafter. |
Akhlaq |
Conduct,
character, attitudes and ethics. |
al-Amin |
The
trustworthy. The name by which the Prophet Muhammad
pbuh was generally known,
even before the revelation of Islam. |
al-Aqsa |
Masjid-ul-Aqsa
(The Farthest Mosque) in Jerusalem, often known
as the Dome of the Rock. |
al-Fatihah |
The
Opener. Surah 1 of the Qu'ran. Recited
at least 17 times daily during the five times of salah. Also known as 'The essence' of the Qur'an. |
al-hamdu-li-Llah |
All
praise belongs to Allah. Frequently used as an expression
of thanks to Allah. |
al-Kafi |
The
title of the books of the Hadith compiled by Muhammad ibn-Yaqub Koleini,a Shi'ah
scholar. |
al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun |
The
rightly guided Khalifahs. The first four successors
to the leadership role of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.
They were Abu Bakr, Umar,
Uthman and Ali
.(May Allah be pleased with them). |
al-Madinah |
Madinatu'n-Nabi
(The city of the Prophet). The name given to Yathrib
after the Prophet Muhammad pbuh
migrated there in 622 CE and founded the first Islamic state. |
Ali |
Cousin
and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh;
husband of Fatimah Zarah; father of
Hassan, Hussein and Zainab; the fourth of 'al-Khulafa
ur-Rashidun' according to Sunnis,
and the first successor accepted by Shi'ah
Islam. (May Allah be pleased with
them). |
Allah |
The
Islamic name for God in the Arabic language. Used in preference
to the word God, this Arabic term is singular, has no plural,
nor is associated with masculine, feminine or neuter characteristics. |
Allahu
Akbar |
Allah
is most great |
Angels |
Beings
created by Allah from light. They have
no free will and are completely obedient to Allah. |
Ansar |
supporters.
The Muslims of al-Madinah, who welcomed,
helped and supported the Muslims who migrated there from Makkah. |
Arafat |
A
plain, a few kilometers from Makkah, where pilgrims gather to worship, pray and ask
for forgiveness. This takes place on the ninth day of the Islamic
month of Dhul-Hijjah, the day before
Id-ul-Adha. |
Asr
(Salat-ul-Asr) |
Mid-afternoon
salah which may be performed from the
late afternoon until a short while before sunset. |
As-Salamu-Alaykum |
Peace
be upon you. An Islamic greeting. |
Ayah (sing) |
A
unit within a Surah of the Qur'an. |
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B |
Barakah |
Blessings |
Barzakh |
Partition
or Barrier the divide between the life on earth
and the life after. This barrier cannot be crossed except by
death and judgement. |
Bilal |
The
first Mu'adin of Islam (see Adhan), a companion
of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh,
a former Abyssinian slave (may Allah be
pleased with him). |
Bismillah |
In
the name of Allah, |
Bismillah-ur-Rahman-
ir-Rahim |
In
the name of Allah - all gracious, all merciful. The
preface to all Suras of the Qur'an
except the ninth one. It is usually said by Muslims before eating
or beginning any action. |
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C |
No
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D |
Dar-ul-Islam |
House
or abode of Islam. Sometimes used to refer to lands
ruled by Islamic Shari'ah. |
Da'wah |
Call.
Inviting people to Islam, whether by literal invitation and
preaching, or by the example of good actions. |
Dawad |
David
(pbuh). A prophet of Allah
to whom the Zabur (the book of Psalms) was given. |
Dhikr |
Remembrance.
Remembrance of Allah in one's heart or be reciting His names or sections
from the Qur'an. |
Dhimmi |
A
non-Muslim living freely under the protection of an Islamic
state. |
Dhul-Hijjah |
The
month of the Hajj, last month of the
Islamic year. |
Din |
Way
of life, religion together with its practices. |
Din-ul-Fitrah |
A
description of Islam as the natural way of life. |
Du'a |
Varying
forms of personal prayer and supplication. |
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E |
No
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F |
Fajr
(Salat-ul-Fajr) |
Dawn
salat which may be performed from dawn
until just before the sunrise. |
Fard |
Obligatory
duty according to divine law, e.g. offering salah
five times a day. |
Fatihah |
See
al-Fatihah |
Fatimah
(al-Zahrah) |
Daughter
of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh,
wife of Ali; mother of Hassan, Hussein
and Zainhab (May Allah be pleased with
them). |
Fatwa |
The
legal guidance of a pious, just, knowledgeable Muslim scholar
and jurist, based on the Qur'an, Sunnah
and Islamic Shari'ah |
Fiqh |
Understanding.
Islamic jurisprudence. |
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G |
Ghusl |
Greater
ablution. Formal washing of the whole body prior to worship
(see Wudu). |
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H |
Hadith |
Saying;
report; account. The sayings of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh,
as recounted by his household, progengy and companions. These
are a major source of Islamic law. Some Hadith
are referred to as Hadith Qudsi (sacred Hadith)
having been divinely communicated to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh. |
Hafiz |
Someone
who knows the whole Qur'an by heart. |
Hajar |
Hagar.
Wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, and mother
of the prophet Isma'il. (Peace be upon them). |
Hajj |
Annual
pilgrimage to Makkah, which each Muslim
must undertake at least once in a lifetime if he or she has
the health and the wealth. A Muslim male who has completed Hajj
is called Hajji, and a female Hajjah. |
Halal |
Any
action or thing which is permitted or lawful. |
Haram |
Anything
unlawful or not permitted. |
Haram
Sharif |
The
grand mosque in Makkah, which encompasses
the Ka'bah, the hills of Safa
and Marwah and the well of Zamzam. |
Hijab |
Veil.
Often used to describe the head scarf or modest dress worn by
women, who are required to cover everything except face and
hands in the sight of anyone other than the immediate family. |
Hijrah |
Departure,
exit, emigration. The emigration of the Prophet Muhammad
pbuh, from Makkah
to Medinah in 622 CE. The Islamic calendar
commences from this event. |
Hira |
The
name of a place near Makkah, where the
Prophet Muhammad pbuh went
for solitude and worship. It was there that he received the
first revelation of the Qur'an. |
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I |
Ibadah |
All
acts of worship. Any permissible action performed with the intention
to obey Allah. |
Iblis |
The
Jinn who defied Allah be refusing to bow to Adam
(pbuh) and later became
the tempter of all human beings (see Shaytan). |
Ibrahim |
Abraham
(pbuh). A Prophet of Allah
to whom the 'scrolls' were given. |
Id |
Recurring
happiness. A religious holiday; a feast for thanking
Allah and celebrating a happy occasion. |
Id
Mubarak |
Id
blessings ! Greeting exchanged during Islamic celebrations. |
Id-ul-Adha |
Celebration
of the sacrifice, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim's
willingness to sacrifice his son Ishma'il
for Allah (peace
be upon them). Also known as Id-ul-Kabir - the
Greater Id - and Qurban Bayram (Turkish) - feast
of sacrifice. |
Id-ul-Fitr |
Celebration
of breaking the fast on the day after Ramadan
ends, which is also the first day of Shawal, the tenth Islamic
month. Also known as Id-ul-Saghir - the Lesser Id
- and Sheker Bayram (Turkish) - sugar feast. |
Ihram |
The
state or condition entered into to perform either Hajj
or Umrah. During this period, many normally
permitted actions are placed out of bounds to Muslims. Also,
the name of the two plain white unsewn cloths worn by male pilgrims
to indicate the brotherhood, equality and purity of the pilgrim.
For, woman, the dress of Ihram consists of their normal modest
clothing. |
Ijma |
General
consensus of scholars, expressed or tacit, on matters of law
and practice. |
Imam |
Leader.
A person who leads the communal prayer, or a founder of an Islamic
school of jurisprudence. In Shi'ah Islam,
Imam is also the title of Ali (may
Allah be pleased with him) and his successors. |
Imamah |
Office
and function of an Imam. Religious authority
in Shi'ah Islam; successor to the Prophet
Muhammad pbuh, as leader
of the Muslim community. |
Iman |
Faith. |
Injil |
Gospel.
A book given to the Prophet Isa (pbuh). |
Iqamah |
Call
to stand up for salah. |
Isa |
Jesus.
A prophet of Allah, born of the virgin
Mary (peace be upon them). |
Isha
(Salat-ul-Isha) |
Evening
salah which may be performed from just
over an hour after sunset until midnight. |
Islam |
Peace
attained through willing obedience to Allah's divine guidance. |
Isma'il |
Ishmael.
A prophet of Allah. Son of the Prophet Ibrahim
and Hajar (peace
be upon them). |
Isnad |
Chain
of transmission of each Hadith. |
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J |
Jahannam |
Hell,
the punishment for those who are judged to be evil |
Jannah |
Paradise,
the reward for those who are judged to be good |
Jibril |
Gabriel.
The angel who delivered Allah's messages
to His Prophets. |
Jihad |
Personal
individual struggle against evil in the way of Allah.
It can also be collective defense of the Muslim community. |
Jinn |
Being
created by Allah from fire. |
Jumu'ah
(Salat-ul-Jumu'ah) |
The
weekly communal salah, and attendance
at the khutbah performed shortly after
midday on Fridays. |
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K |
Ka'bah |
A
cube-shaped structure in the center of the grand mosque in Makkah.
The first house built for the worship of the One True God. |
Khadijah |
First
wife of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.
Mother of Fatimah Zahrah. (may
Allah be pleased with them). |
Khalifah |
Successor;
inheritor; custodian; vice-regent (see al-Khulafa-ur-Rashidun). |
Khilafah |
The
institution of the Khalifah. |
Khums |
Contribution
(additional to zakat) of the fifth of
surplus annual income paid by Shi'ah Muslims.
Sunni Muslims only apply Khums to booty. |
Khutbah |
Speech.
Talk delivered on special occasions such as the Jum'uah and Id prayers. |
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L |
Laylat-ul-Qadr |
The
Night of Power, when the first revelation of the Qur'an
was made to the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.
It is believed to be one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. |
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M |
Madinah |
See
al-Madinah |
Maghrib
(Slat-ul-Maghrib) |
Sunset
salah which is performed after sunset
until daylight ends. |
Mahdi,
al-Muntazar |
The
(rightly) guided one who is awaited and will appear towards
the end of time to lead the Ummah and
restore justice on Earth. The one who is promised in the Judaic,
Christian and Islamic traditions. |
Makkah |
City
where the Prophet Muhammad pbuh was born, and where the Ka'bah is located. |
Maryam |
Mary.
The virgin mother of the Prophet Isa
(Jesus) (pbuh). |
Masjid |
Place
of prostration. The Mosque. |
Mihrab |
Niche
or alcove in a mosque wall, indicating the Quiblah
- the direction of Makkah, towards which
all Muslims face to perform salah. |
Miqat |
Place
appointed, at which pilgrims enter into the state of
Ihrim. |
Mi'raj |
The
ascent through the heavens of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh. |
Mu'adhin |
Caller
to prayer (see Adhan) Known in English
as 'muezzin'. |
Muhammad (pbuh) |
Praised.
Name of the final Prophet (pbuh). |
Muharram |
First
month in the Islamic, calendar, which is calculated from the
time the Prophet Muhammad pbuh migrated to Yathrib
(Madinah). |
Musa |
Moses
(pbuh). A Prophet of Allah
to whom the Tawah (Torah) was given. |
Mumin |
Faithful.
A believer, a practicing Muslim who wholeheartedly yields to
Allah's guiding wisdom and is thus harmony
with His will and at peace with himself and fellow creatures. |
Muslim |
One
who claims to have accepted Islam by professing the Shahadah. |
Muzdalifah |
Place
where pilgrims on Hajj stop for a time
during the night of the day they spend at Arafat. |
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N |
Nabi |
Prophet
of Allah. |
Niyyah |
Intention.
A legally required statement of intent, made prior to all acts
of devotion such as salat, Hajj
or sawm. |
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O |
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P |
No
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Q |
Qadar |
Allah's
complete and final control over the fulfillment of events or
destiny. |
Qiblah |
Direction
which Muslims face when performing salah
- towards the Ka'bah (see Mihrab) |
Qur'an |
That
which is read or recited. The Divine Book revealed to the Prophet
Muhammad pbuh. Allah's final revelation to humankind. |
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R |
Rak'ah |
A
unit of salah, made up of recitation,
standing, bowing and two prostrations. |
Ramadan |
The
ninth month of the Islamic calender, during which fasting is
required from just before dawn until sunset, as ordered by
Allah in the Qur'an. |
Rasul |
Messenger
of Allah. |
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S |
Sa'y |
Walking
and hastening between Safa and Marwah, as part of the Hajj,
in remembrance of Hajar's search for
water for her son Isma'il (peace
be upon them). |
Sadaqah |
Voluntary
payment or good action for charitable purposes. |
Safa
and Marwah |
Two
hills in Makkah, near the Ka'bah,
now included within the grand mosque (see Sa'y) |
Sahih
al-Bukhari |
The
title of the books of Hadith compiled
by Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, a Sunni
scholar. The collection is described as Sahih (authentic). |
Sahih
Muslim |
The
title of the books of Hadith compiled
by Abul Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, a Sunni
scholar. The collection is described as Sahih (authentic). |
Salah |
Prescribed
communication with, and worship of, Allah,
performed under specific conditions, in the manner taught by
the Prophet Muhammad pbuh,.and
recited in the Arabic language. The five daily times of salah are fixed by Allah. |
Sawm |
Fasting
from just before dawn until sunset. Abstinence is required from
all food and drink (including water) as well as smoking and
conjugal relations. |
Shahadah |
Declaration
of faith, which consists of the statement, "There is no
god except Allah, Muhammed is the Messanger of Allah". |
Shari'ah |
Islamic
law based upon the Qur'an and Sunnah. |
Shaytan |
Rebellious,
proud. The devil (see Iblis). |
Shi'ah |
Followers
Muslims who believe in the Imamah, successorship of Ali
(May Allah be pleased with him) after the Prophet
Muhammad pbuh and 11 of
his most pious, knowledgeable descendants. |
Shirk |
Association.
Regarding anything as being equal or partner to Allah.
Shirk is forbidden in Islam. |
Shura |
Consultation
of the people in the management of religious and worldly affairs.
A duty prescribed in the Qur'an to leaders at all levels, from family to government. |
Sirah |
Biographical
writings about the conduct and example of the Prophet Muhammad
pbuh. |
Subhah |
String
of beads used to count recitations in worship. |
Sunnah |
Model
practices, customs and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.
This is found in both Hadith and Sirah. |
Sunni |
Muslims
who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (May Allah be
pleased with them) after the Prophet Muhammad pbuh. |
Surah |
Division
of the Qur'an (114 in all). |
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T |
Takbir |
Saying
"Allahu Akbar!" Recited during salah,
Id and other celebrations. |
Tawaf |
Walking
seven times around the Ka'bah in worship
of Allah. Also, a part of Hajj
and Umrah. |
Tawhid |
Belief
in the Oneness of Allah - absolute monotheism
as practices in Islam. |
Tawrah |
The
Torah. The book given to the Prophet Musa
(Moses) (pbuh). |
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U |
Ulama |
Scholars
of Islamic law and jurisprudence (singular Alim) |
Umar
ibn ul-Khattab |
Second
Khalifah of Islam. |
Ummah |
Community.
World-wide community of Muslims, the nation of Islam. |
Umrah |
Lesser
pilgrimage which can be performed at any time of the year. |
Uthman |
The
third Khalifah of Islam. |
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V |
No
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W |
Wudu |
Ablution
before salah. |
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XYZ |
Yathrib |
Town
to which the Prophet Muhammad pbuh
migrated from Makkah (see al-Madinah) |
Zabur |
The
Book of Psalms given to the Prophet Dawud (David) (pbuh). |
Zakah |
Purification
of wealth by payment of annual welfare due. An obligatory act
of worship. |
Zakat-ul-Fitr |
Welfare
payment at the end of Ramadan. |
Zamzam |
Name
of the well adjacent to the Ka'bah in
Makkah. The water first sprang in answer
to Hajar's search and prayers (see Hajar
and Sa'y). |
Zuhr
(Salat-ul-Zuhr) |
Salah
which can be performed after midday until afternoon. |
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