Islamic Dictionary

G L O S S A R Y


Adam: First prophet in the earth.

Adhan: To call muslims to salat/namaz(prayer). It is obligatory for 5 times in a day and night.





Badiyyah

a desert or semi-arid environment.

Badr

the first full military confrontation between the Muslims and the enemies of Allah. The battle took place between the Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca in the second year of Hijrah (624 CE). Eventhough the Muslims were outnumbered, the final result was to their favor.

Bakka'in

means weepers. These were the people that could not accompany the Prophet on his campaign to Tabuk because they lacked the resources to do so. They started to weep when they could not go.

Baqi

the cemetery where a good many of the sahaba are buried. It is in the south-east side of Madinah.

Barakah

means blessing or Divine Grace.

Batil

means false of falsehood.

Batul

means ascetic. It is ascribed to Fatimah (the Prophets daughter) and the Virgin Mary.

Bawadi

plural form of badiyyah.

Bay'ah

it is an oath of allegiance. To make a pledge.

Bayt al-Mal

the State Treasury in an Islamic State.

Bismillah

In the name of Allah (God).

Bi'thah

the beginning of the Prophet's mission, his call to Prophethood in 610 C.E..

Busr

means partially ripe dates.



C.E.

stands for Christian Era. It is used instead of A.D. in Islamic text referring to the dates before the Hijrah.

Covenant

a solemn agreement between two or more persons or groups, a compact between God and man. The Old Testament tells of the covenant the Jews made with Allah.



Daff

tambourine used in Arabia.

Da'iy

Muslim missionary involved in da'wah. It can also have a general meaning reffering to someone who calls others to a certain belief.

Dalal

going astray, deviation from what is right or normal.

Da'wah

inviting others to Islam. Missionary work.

Dhikr

remembrance for the sake of Allah.

Dhimmi

a non-Muslim living under the protection of a Muslim state. He is exempt from duties of Islam like military and zakat but must instead pay a tax called jizyah.

Dhu-n Nurayn

it means 'Possessor of the Two Lights'. It is used to refer to Uthman ibn Affan because he married two of the Prophet's daughters.

Din

means way of life or religion.

Dirham

a silver coin.

Du'a

a prayer.

Du'at

plural of da'iy.

Dunya

this world or life, as opposed to the Hereafer.


Efaa

virtue, abstention from illegal sexual intercourse. Doing only sexual intercourse with their Wives/Husbands.



Fajr

the obligatory salat, prayer, before sunrise.

Faqih

a person who is an expert on Islamic jurisprudence (law), fiqh.

Fard

something which is obligatory on a Muslim. It is sometimes used in reference to the obligatory part of salat.

Faruq

this was the name given to Uman ibn al-Khattab. It means 'One who distinguishes the truth from falsehood'.

Fatwa

legal opinion concerning Islamic Law.

Fiqh

Islamic law.

Fitnah

means civil strife, war, riots.

Fuqaha

plural form of faqih.



Gaz'a

the reward God will give to his people after life according to their acts in life.

Ghazi

Muslim soldier, warrior.

Ghazwah

military expedition.
Hadith Qudsi

the Hadith Qudsi are hadith's in which the Prophet says the Allah says so and so. The meaning of the these hadith was revealed to the Prophet but he put them in his own words, unlike the Quran which is the word of Almighty Allah and the Prophet conveyed it exactly as it was revealed to him.


Hadith

sayings of the Prophet.

Haiyaa

Bashfulness especially for women, to feel timid, shy in presence of foreigners.

Hajj

means effort. The Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that is obligatory on every Muslim. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place during the Islamic month of Zhul al-Hijjah. A Muslim must perform the Hajj at least once in his life. The exception to this is financial and health reasons.

Halal

something that is lawful and permitted in Islam.

Halif

a person who enjoys the protection of a tribe but does not belong to it by blood.

Halqah

a group of students involved in the study of Islam.

Hanif

people who during the time of jahiliyyah rejected the idolatry in their society. These people were in search for the true religion of Prophet Abraham.

Haqq

the Truth.

Haraam

something which is unlawful or prohibited in Islam.

Haram

a Haram is a sanctuary, a sacred territory. Mecca has been considered a Haram since the time of Abraham. All things within the limit of the Haram are protected and considered inviolable Madinah was also declared a Haram by the Prophet.

Harb

War or jihad.

Hijab

Veil or Cover. This is the Islamic dress for Muslim women which cover the whole body except the foot and the hands.

Hijrah

means migration. The Hijrah refers to the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Madinah. This journey took place in the twelfth year of his mission (622 CE). This is the beginning of the Muslim calendar. The word hijrah means to leave a place to seek sancturary or freedom from persecution or freedom of religion or any other purpose. Hijrah can also mean to leave a bad way of life for a good or more righteous way.

Hudud

the limits ordained by Allah. This includes the punishment for crimes.

Imam

leader of the congregational prayer, salat, that the Muslims offer five times a day. It is sometimes used to refer to the head of an Islamic State.

Iman

faith and trust in Allah.

Injil

the revelations that were sent down during the time of Prophet Isa (Jesus). It is reffered to as the New Testament.

Iqamah

means establishing. It is similar to the adhan with the addition of a pharse that signifies that a compulsory prayer, fard, is about to begin.

Isha

the obligatory salat, prayer, after sunset later in the evening.

Istighfar

to seek Allah's forgiveness. It is something that must be done continuously in a Muslims life.


Jahannam

means Hell.

Jahiliyyah

means ignorant. Jahiliyyah refers to the pre-Islamic era that existed in Arabia. It is a combination of views, ideas, and practices that totally defy and reject the guidance sent down by God through His Prophets.

Jalbab

this is a long loose fitting garment worn by the Arabs.

Jannah

means Paradise.

Jihad

means to strive. This can be any kind of striving in the way of God which involves either spiritual or personal effort, material resources, or arms.

Jizyah

a tax paid by non-Muslims living in a Muslim State. Since the non-Muslims are exempt from military service and taxes imposed on Muslims, they must pay this tax to compensate. It guarentees them security and protection. If the State cannot protect those who paid jizyah, then the amount they paid is returned to them.


Ka'bah

the first house of worship built for mankind. It was originally built by Adam and later on reconstructed by Abraham and Isma'il. It is a cubed shaped structure based in the city of Mecca to which all Muslims turn to in their five daily paryers.

Kafir

a person who refuses to submit himself to Allah (God), a disbeliever in God.

Khalifah

in the begining it was a reference to the successor of the Prophet. Later on it began to take on the meaning of head of state for a Muslim nation.

Khandaq

means ditch.

Khatib

orator, speaker.

Khayr

to do something right, nice and meaningful for others. It could also mean the blessings and welfare God blessed us with.

Kholoq

nature, quality and character of someone.

Khutbah

a speech or sermon. It is sometimes used to refer to the sermon given during the Friday cogregational prayer.

Kuffar

plural form of kafir.

Kufr

to show ungratefulness to Allah and not to believe in Him and His religion.

Laat

a chief goddess in the religion of the pre-Islamic Arabs during the days of jahiliyyah.

Madinah

the first city-state that came under the banner of Islam. It is where the Prophet's masjid and grave are situated.

Maghazi

the military campaigns of the Prophet.

Maghrib

the obligatory salat, prayer, that is performed right after the sun sets over the horizon.

Mahr

a dowry given by the man to the woman he is about to marry. It is part of the Muslim marriage contract. It can never be demanded back under any circumstances.

Mar'aa

Woman

Marwah

a mount near the Ka'bah that is referred to in the Quran as one of the symbols of Allah. It is in conjuction with safa.

Masjid

a place of worship and salat. The life of the early Muslims used to revolve around the masjid. Meetings would be held there, discussions would take place there. It is called a 'mosque' in English.

Mawla

a person of slave origin who does not have tribal protection. It is a word with dual meaning. It can mean either master or servant.

Mawlana

a form of address to a ruler implying protector.

Mihrab

a recess in the masjid that indicates the direction of salat.

Mina

a plain within the bounds of the haram of Mecca, within five kilometers outside the city. During the hajj the pilgrims pass the night between the eighth and ninth day proceed to Arafat on the ninth day.

Minbar

a pulpit.

Muadh-dhin

the person who calls the adhan.

Muhajir

a person who does hijrah.

Mujahid

someone who is active and fights for Islam. A Muslim fighter. The opposite of qaideen.

Mu'min

a person who has deep faith in Allah and is a righteous and obedient servant of His.

Munafiq

a hypocrite, more dangerous and worse than a kafir.

Murabit

a person who is on the road spreading Islam.

Musad'afin

a weak and oppressed person.

Mushaf

a copy of the Quran.
Mushawarah

means consultation.

Mushrik

a polythiest. A person who ascribes partners to Allah.


Nabie

Prophet, someone God had selected to inform people of the Islamic religion and all of its duties.

Narr

Fire or hell.

Nasab

means lineage or geneology.

Nasihah

means sincere good advice.

Nisaa

Women.

Noor

the feeling of satisfaction and happiness the Muslim person gets by his/her acts in life as if they see everything bright and clear without glooms.

Qadi

judge.

Qaideen

people who remain inactive and do not actively fight. The opposit of mujahid.

Qalb

heart.

Qard

a loan given for a good cause in the name of Allah, in hopes of repayment or reward in the Hereafter.

Qari

someone who recites the Quran.

Qiblah

it is the direction that Muslims face when they do their salat. It is in the direction of the Ka'bah in Mecca.

Qisas

retaliation in kind (eye for an eye). In Islam though, retaliation should be forgone as an act of charity sura 5, ayah 48.

Qiyamah

Day of Judgement, resurrection.

Qolub

hearts.

Qudah

plural form of qadi.

Quraysh

the most powerful and prominent tribe in all of Arabia in the Prophet's era. The Quraysh were the keepers of the Ka'bah and therefore one of the wealthiest and most powerful tribes. The Prophet was from among the Quraysh. When he started to preach the True religion of Allah, the Quraysh violently persecuted him and his followers. They were badly defeated at the battle of Badr by the Muslims and their days of jahiliyyah were finally ended when the Muslims liberated Mecca and destroyed all the idols in the Ka'bah in the year 630 CE

Rahma

tenderness, deep sympathy, kindness and compassion God blesses people with.

Ra'kat

an individual unit of salat.

Ramadan

the holy month of prescribed fasting for the Muslims. It was during this month that the Quranic revelations began.

Rasulullah

the Messenger of Allah (God).

Ruku

the position in salat in which the person prostrates himself in a standing position with his body bent forward at the waist and his hands on his knees.

Rutb

ripe dates, opposite busr.



Sabirin

people who are patient and steadfast.

Sabr

patience, steadfastness.

Sadaq

same meaning as mahr.

Sadaqah

means charity.

Sa'em

the person who fasts.

Safa

a mound near the Ka'bah that is referred to in the Quran as one of the symbols of Allah. It is in conjuction with marwah.

Sahabah

companions of the Prophet.

Sahifah

a page or manuscript.

Salat

the five obligatory prayers that a Muslim must perform everyday.

Saqifah

a shelter with a roof. The companions of the Prophet met in a Saqifah in Madinah to pledge their loyalty to Abu Bakr after the death of the Prophet.

Satr

protection and guarding against being shameful and un honorable.

Sa'yee

the going back and forth seven times between safa and marwah that is done during the hajj or the umrah. It is done to symbolize Hajar's search for water for her son Ismael.

Sayyid

leader or chief.

Seerah

biography of the Prophet.

Shahadah

declaration of faith. A person must recite the shahadah to convert to Islam. The shahadah in Islam is:: "I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."

Shaheed

a martyr. Someone who dies in the way of Allah.

Shahid

means a witness or martyr.

Shariah

Islamic law.

Shirk

associating partners with Allah. Shirk can also encompase any object that a person may hold in regard higher than Allah. It is the most severe of sins and will not be forgiven.

Shroot

Plural of conditions

Shura

consultation.

Sirwal

long under garment worn by the Arabs.

Siwak

a piece of a branch or root of a tree that is used as a toothbrush. Also called a miswak.

Siyam

Fasting such that to stop eating, drinking or doing sexual activity from the rising of the sun and till its setting.

Subahan Allah

glory be to Allah. A sentence that has to be said by all Muslims, declaring the magnificent power of God for his creation.

Suffah

a raised platform that was used by the Prophet as a welcomming point for newcomers or destitute people. It was part of his masjid.

Suhuf

pages or manuscripts.

Sujud

the position in salat in which the person prostrates on the ground with his hands, knees, feet, and face touching the ground.

Sunnah

the examples of the Prophet's life what he said, did, implemented, how he implemented... Almost the same as the hadith.

Surah

a chapter in the Quran.


Ta'aa

Obedience and submission, compliance to God's orders without arguing.

Tabarag

women display their charms, to primp.

Tahajjud

the Tahajjud prayer is an optional prayer that is supposed to be performed in the middle of the night. It is required that a person sleep a little before he gets up for the Tahajjud prayer. It can be performed anytime between Isha and Fajr.

Tahara

The act of being clean, pure and performing the Wudu(Ablution)

Tamr

means dates.

Taqwa

the love and fear that a Muslim feels for Allah. A person with taqwa desires to be in the good pleasures of Allah and to stay away from those things that would displease Allah. He is careful not to go beyond the bouds and limits set by Allah.

Tashriah

legislation, law making. What God had permitted and what is forbidden.

Tauhid

confirming the Oneness of Allah. It is the basis of Islam.

Tawaf

the circumfering of the Ka'bah seven times. People usually do this during umrah or hajj.

Thawab

reward of blessing.

Torah

the Revelation that Allah sent down to Moses. It is the Jewish Holy Book



Ulama

the learned, knowledgeble people in Islam. Plural form of alim.

Umm al-Mu'mineen

means 'Mother of the Believers'. This was the title of the Prophet's wives; (sura 33 ayah 6 stipulated that they could not marry after the Prophet's death because all of the believers were their spiritual children.

Ummah

an ummah is a community or a people. It is used in reference to the community of Believers or Muslims.

Umrah

this is the lesser pilgrimage which is optional and can be performed at any time.

Urdu

the official language of Pakistan.

Uzzah

a chief goddess in the religion of the pre-Islamic Arabs during the days of jahiliyyah.



Wakil

a person who is an authorized repesentative or proxy.

Wali

legal guardian. A friend or protector. Someone who is supposed to look out for your interest.

Walimah

a feast after the wedding. The reception.

Wudu

a purification (abulution) that must be performed before someone does their salat or reads the Quran.


Yathrib

the area where the city of Madinah is situated.


Zakat

the obligatory tax that every Muslim must give. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. The zakat is used to provide for the poor and destitute.

Zeinah

ornament, decoration. To wear or put on something that makes women more beautiful, thus attracting men's attention.

Zuhr

the obligatory salat, prayer, that is performed in the afternoon right after the sun moves away from it's zenith.