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The Vocabulary of
Islam
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A B C D
E F G H I
J K L M N
O P Q R S
T U V W X
Y Z
Abu Bakr: The first Moslem
caliph (reigned 632-634 A.D.), according to Sunni Muslims. The
Shi’ite Muslims reject this and instead consider the fourth caliph,
’Ali, as the first true successor to Mohammad.
Adhan: Call for formal Islamic prayer
Allah: The name of the Islamic “supreme being,” derived form the
Arabic Al-Ilah. Allah is sometimes thought to be but another name for the one true
G-d, but do not be deceived—that is far from the truth. Allah is only one out of
the many thousands of jinni, or desert demons, that were worshipped by the
sons of Ishmael before Mohammed rose to power. Mohammad chose to make
Allah the “god” of his tribe. The Bible teaches that all false “gods” are actually demons;
therefore, Allah is a demon posing as a G-d, and Islam is therefore a religion of
demon worship. Allah is most definitely not the G-d of the Bible, the
G-d of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya'akov (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Allah may well
in fact be Satan himself.
Ahadith: Plural of
Hadith.
Ahzab: Parties; Ahzab is a description of
the various tribes that fought the Muslims in the Battle of the Ditch in 627 C.E., 5 A.H.
Al-Asharatu
Mubashshirun: Ten companions which were given the glad tidings of assurance of
entering Paradise. They included Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf,
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah, Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas,
and Sa'id ibn Zayd.
Alhamdulillah: Praise be to Allah
Alaihi Salam (as or
a.s.): Peace be on him
Alim: Scholors or Learned persons in Islam
Allaho Akbar: Allah
is the greatest (among the djinni)
Ameen: So be it (Amen)
Amir ul Mu'mineen: Leader of the
Faithful believers
Anbiya: (sg. nabi)
prophets
Arabic: Mother language of Saudi Arabia
and most of the Middle East
Al Asma'aullah Husna: the
names or attributes of Allah (swt)
Asr: 3rd prayer of five daily, offered in the
afternoon. Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are the 5 time daily prayers of Islam.
As-salaamo alaykum: Peace be
on you
Astughfarullah: a prayer for
forgiveness; I ask Allah's forgiveness
Aurah: ahe way a Muslim should dress
Ayah: 1. A verse in the Quran. 2. A
miracle or sign.

Badr: Battle of Badr; first “holy” battle
between Meccans and Muslims
Bin, ibn: son of
Bismillah: in the name of
Allah
Barakhallah: may
Allah’s blessings be upon you

Caliph: the title given to office of the spiritual and political
leadership which took over after Mohammad’s death.

Dai-ilallah: caller towards Allah
Dars-ul-Quran: a reading from the
Quran accompanied by its explanation
Dars-ul-Hadith: a reading from the
Hadith Books accompanied by its explanation
Djinn: jinn
Dua: prayer, supplication
Durood: invocation of blessings upon
Mohammad
Eid-ul-Adhia: Muslim Festival
commemorating the obedience to G-d, by Prophet Abhraham (as),
and his son, Prophet Ishmael (as).
Eid-ul-Fitr: Muslim festival
concluding the fasting after Ramadhan
Fajr: 1st of the five daily prayers. Offered
during dawn. Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are the 5 time daily prayers of Islam.
Farsi: Persian. Language of Iran and
neighboring countries.
Fatima: The daughter of
Mohammad and his first wife, Khadija; and
the wife of ’Ah, the fourth Caliph.
Fatwa: Religious verdict/ruling
Fardh: Obligatory to Muslims
Fiqh: A comprehension, interpretation or
understanding in the Islamic Sharia.
Firqa / Madhahib: Division, schism, or
sectism.
Fitna: war, strife or riots

Gabriel: the chief angel who appeared to
Mohammad in a cave; some Muslims believe
that Gabriel delivered the Qur’an to
Mohammad, others believe that
Allah delivered the
Qur’an to him.

Hadith: The “sacred”
sayings of Mohammad, handed down by oral tradition, for generations
after Mohammad’s death until finally transcribed.
Hadhrat or Hazrat: An honorific title
equivalent to “His Holiness.”
Hafiz: One who memorizes the entire
Qur'an.
Hajj: A pilgrimage to Mecca.
One of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.
Hajr-e-Aswad: Black Stone (a
meteorite) found in Mecca, which is kissed because of Sunnah, during
Hajj.
Halal: that which is allowed in Islam (see
also Tayyab and Halaal Food)
Haram: unlawful; prohibited in Islam
Hazrat: Hadhrat;
His Holiness.
Hegira: migration;
Mohammad’s flight (“migration”) from Mecca to present day Medina in
622 A.D.
Hijaab: The veil of the women, or Muslimah
to cover the head.
Hijirah: Hegira
Hijri: the Islamic calendar or era

Ibaadat: worship
Ibn, bin: son of
Iblees, iblis: synonym For Satan, or
Shaytaan
Ihram: clothing for hajj
Ihsan: moral actions
Ijtihad: the ability of one to
independently arrive at Allah's rulings in all areas of fiqh
Imam: 1. Muslim leader; 2. leader of
prayers; 3. A Moslem who is considered by Sunnis
to be an authority in Islamic law and theology or the man who leads the prayers. Also refers
to each of the founders of the four principal sects of Islam. The Shi’ites
accept 12 great Imams.
Iman: faith
Injeel: Bible; the Gospels
Insha Allah: Allah willing
Iqamaat / Iqama'ah: A shortened version
of the Adhan, said immediately before each prayer.
Isa Ibn Maryam: Jesus, son of Mary
Isha: 5th of the five daily prayers, offered
before midnight (during night-time). Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are the 5 time daily
prayers of Islam.
Islam: Literally,
“submission to the will of Allah.”
Itikaf: A continuous series of worship in
the last ten days of Ramadhan.

Jamaat, Jama'ah: religious
organization or community
Jannah: paradise or heaven
Jazakallah: May Allah reward you
Jehad / Jihad: holy war; a struggle for
Islam
Jehannam / Jahannam: Hell
Jihad: holy war; a struggle for Islam.
When any Muslim anywhere declares a jihad, all Muslims
everywhere are duty-bound to join the jihad. Since Osama bin Laden declared a jihad against
the United States, all Muslims everywhere, including all American citizens who are Muslims,
are duty bound to participate in the jihad against America.
Jinn: [alt. djinn, pl. djinni] A desert
demon. One of a class of spirit beings that according to Moslem
demonology inhabit the earth, assume various forms, and exercise supernatural powers. They
often take human form and serve their summoner (as in Aladdin's lamp). Allah
is only one of them. The plural form is jinni. The Bible teaches that all false
“gods” are actually demons; therefore, Allah is a demon posing as a G-d. Islam is
therefore a religion of demon worship.
Jum'ah: Friday; Muslim holy day

Ka'aba, Kaaba: first Islamic worship house;
the Grand Mosque; a small stone building located in the court of the great mosque at
Mecca containing the black stone (a meteorite) supposedly given to
Abraham by Gabriel.
Kafir / Kufr: one who rejects and are
disbelieves in Allah and his religion
Kalima, Kalima Tayyaba: pronouncement that
there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger; the first pillar
of Islam.
Khadija: Mohammed's first wife
Khalifa: (pl. Khulafa) Caliph; leader; Khalifa al Rashideen, successor to the Mohammed
Khataman Nabiyyan: Seal of
Prophets; entitled to Mohammed (33:41)
Khulafa: plural of khalifa.
Khutba: Friday sermon
Koran: Qur’an
Koraish:
Quraish
Kufr: Kafir

Lailat-ul-Qadr: blessed nights
among the odd last ten days of Ramadhan, when Qura'an began revelation.
La-illaha-illulahu; Muhammadur-rasullulah: there is no
G-d but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Maghrib: fourth
prayer offered in five daily prayers: after sunset. Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are the
5 time daily prayers of Islam.
Madhahib: see
Firqa
Mahdi: “The guided one.” A
leader who will cause righteousness to fill the earth. The Sunnites
are still awaiting his initial appearance while the Shi’ites hold that
the last Imam, who disappeared in 874 A.D. will someday reappear as the
Mahdi.
Mahram: unlawful for women to
marry because of blood relationship or otherwise
Marwah: a mound found near
the Ka'aba
Masih: messiah; chosen one
Masjid:
mosque
Mecca / Makkah: The
birthplace of Mohammad. This city, located in Saudi Arabia, is
considered the most holy city by the Moslems; location of the the Grand
Mosque (Kaaba)
Medina: A holy city of Islam
named for Mohammad. It was previously named Yathrib. It is the city to
which Mohammad fled in 622 A.D. Called the "the city of the prophet".
Mihrab: recess in the mosque
which indicates the direction to the Ka'aba
Minaret: a tower of a
mosque, usually where the Adhan is called
Mohajireen: those who
migrate from Makkah to Medina
Mohammad / Muhammad: The
“prophet” and founder of Islam. Born around 570 A.D., died 632 A.D.
Mo'min: one who accepts Allah
and his form of religion
Moslem (Muslim):
A follower of Mohammad. Literally, “one who submits.”
Mosque: Muslim temple; an
Islamic place of worship.
Mufti: learned scholar in
Islam; one who would give fatwa
Muezzin: a
Moslem cleric who calls Adhan (announces the hour of prayer)
Muhammad: Mohammed
Mujaddid: restorer
Mulla: A teacher of Islamic
laws and doctrines.
Mushaf: a copy of the
Qur’an
Muslim (m.), Muslimah
(f.): a follower of Mohammad. Literally, “one who submits”
Mut'akaif: one who performs
Itikaf

Na'uozho billah: (a prayer) “Allah
forbid this from happening”
Nabi: prophet
Nabiyullah: prophet of Allah
Niqaab: the face covering of women, used
in Hijaab
Omar: According to the Sunnites, the
second Moslem caliph and principal advisor to the first
caliph, Abu Bakr.
Omura /
Umrah: A pilgrimage to Mecca besides in the month of Hajj.

PBUH: Peace be unto him
Purday: A veil or covering used by Moslem women to ensure them
privacy against public observation, and to indicate their submission.

Qadah:
offering a missed prayer
Qari; Al Qari: one who learns and
teaches the Qur'an
Qasida: Arabic ode usually
involving praise of patron lyrics, prelude
Quraish / Koraish: Arab tribe to
which Mohammed belonged
Qur’an (Koran): Religious text or Law of Islam; said to be the
final and complete inspired word of G-d transmitted to the prophet
Mohammad by the angel Gabriel. — (lit.) that which is often read,
recited, or rehearsed
R.A. / RA: Radhiallau anho;
May Allah be pleased with him.
Ramadan / Ramadhan: The ninth month of the Moslem year, allegedly when
Mohammad received the Qur’an from heaven, and
now devoted to fasting.
Raka'a: a series of postures from standing
to prostration. (The Muslim prayers are made into Raka'as)
Rasul: messenger
Rasulullah: messenger of Allah
Radhiallau anho (R.A., RA): May
Allah be pleased with him.
S.A.W.:
Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (also
pbuh)
S.W.T.: Subhanahu
Wa Tha'ala — holy is he the glory, the highest
Sadaqah: charity given
voluntarily
Sa'ee: slow running or pilgrimage between
Mt. Safa and Marwa
Sahabah: companions of a Prophet
Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam:
(S.A.W. or saw) peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (also pbuh)
Salat: The Moslem daily prayer ritual. One of the five pillars
of Islamic faith. Formal Prayer offered according to prescribed procedure. Fajr, Zuhr, Asr,
Maghrib and Isha are the 5 time daily prayers of Islam.
Saum / Siyyamah: fasting
Shahada: To seek death for
Allah. Palestinian leaders are now brainwashing children as young as 12 or 13 years old to
actively seek to die as Shaheedin (martyrs) for Allah in
the jihad against Israel. They are taught that not only is Shahada their duty, it is something
sweet to be pursued. Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority actively praise these young
Shaheedin and hold them up as an example to be followed
by all Palestinian children. Click here for a video from Zola Levitt.
Shaheed: martyr; witness
Shari'a: The total sum of injunctions,
that address those who qualify for being obligated to regard the religious duties. It details
the way of life that the Creator intends for the created, who believe in him, to abide by and
to follow.
Shaitan: Satan; in Muslim mythology, Shaitan is a
jinn (demon), not a fallen angel; in Biblical theology,
demons are fallen angels
Shaytaan: Satan
Shi’ites: A Moslem sect which rejects the first three
caliphs, insisting that Mohammad’s son-in-law
’Ah was Mohammad's rightful initial successor.
Shirk: association of partners with G-d (against
Islam; sin)
Siha-e-Sitta:
Six most authentic Hadith Books: Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud,
Sunan Nasai, Ibn Mahja
Siyyamah / Saum:
fasting
Subhanahu Wa Tha'ala (swt):
Holy is he the Glory, the Highest
Sufis: Iranian (Persian) philosophical mystics who have largely
adapted and reinterpreted Islam for themselves.
Sunnah: a
practice of Mohammed
Sunnites: The largest Moslem sect which acknowledges the first four
caliphs as Mohammad’s rightful successors.
Surahs: (Sura, Sura-ul) what the
chapters of the Qur’an are called; ex. Sura-ul Fathiha = Chapter Fathiha
Tabligh: preaching,
propagation
Tafseer: interpretation and commentary
(of the Qur'an etc.)
Tahmeed: expressing thanks to Allah by
reciting Alhamdolillah
Talawat: recitation from the Qur'an
Talim / taleem: education
Takbeer: proclaiming the greatness of
Allah by reciting Allaho Akbar, Allah is the
greatest (among the djinni)
Taqwa: righteousness
Taraweeh: special prayer offered after
Isha prayer during the month of Ramadhan
Tarbiyyat: training
Tasbeeh: glorification of
Allah by reciting Subhan Allah (Holy is Allah) or other phrases
Tawaf: preforming seven circuits of
Ka'aba
Taweed: affirmation of the “oneness” of
Allah
Tawwuth: prayer recited silently seeking
the protection of Allah from Satan
Tayyab and Halaal food: lawful and pure
food for Muslims
Ummah: the followers and
people of Mohammed
Umrah, Omura: A
pilgrimage to Mecca besides in the month of Hajj.
Urdu: language of Pakistan
Uswa-e-Hasna: an excellent example
to follow - given to the Mohammed
Wahi: divine revelation
Wa'laykum Salaam: 1. And be with
you peace. 2.The reply to the greeting of As-slaamo Alaykum
Wudhu: ablution, cleaning of ones self
before Salat
Yarham kumullah:
may Allah bless You
Yathrib: former name for
Medina
Z
Zakat:
donations, charity
Zaamzam: a historical well close to the
Ka'aba
Zikr-e-Elahi: remembrance of Allah
Zuhr: second of five daily prayers offered.
Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha are the 5 time daily prayers of Islam.

For more Islamic terms, go to:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/reference/glossary.html
http://www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/quran/noble/glossary.htm
http://www.as-sidq.org/glossary.html

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