A SELECT
GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS BASED ON THAT PUBLISHED BY
DARUSSALAM, RIYADH, SAUDI
ARABIA
NOTE THAT DARUSSALAM IS USING THE DIACRITICAL
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ALL OF THE DEFINITIONS APPEARING BELOW ARE
BASED ON THE 'GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS' PUBLISHED BY DARUSSALAM IN VOLUME 7 OF
SAHIH MUSLIM, 1ST EDITION AUGUST 2007.
THE GLOSSARY IS INVALUABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHOSE NATIVE TONGUE IS ENGLISH. A PDF OF VOLUME 7 OF SAHIH MUSLIM CAN BE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET ARCHIVE. THE LINK IS INTERNET ARCHIVE.
GLOSSARY
Ahadith: (sing. Hadith) Sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi
wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
Alayhis-Salam:Peace be upon him.
'Alim: (pl. 'Ulamâ') A Muslim religious
scholar who has attained a considerable amount of Islamic knowledge.
'AstaghflrulIah: This is an expression used by a Muslim when
he wants to ask Allah's forgiveness. The meaning of it is 'I ask Allah's
forgiveness'. A Muslim says this phrase many times, when he is talking
to another person, when he abstains from doing wrong, or even when
he wants to prove that he is innocent of an incident. After every prayer,
a Muslim says this statement three times.
'A'udhu BilIahi minash-Shaytanir-Rajim: This is
an expression and a statement that Muslims have to recite before reading the Qur'ân, before speaking, before doing any work, before a supplication,
before doing ablution, before entering the washroom, and before doing
many other daily activities. The meaning of this phrase is 'I seek refuge in
Allah from the outcast Satan'. Satan is the source of evil and he always
tries to misguide and mislead people, so Muslims recite this expression to
keep them safe from the whispering of Satan.
NOTE: The phrase 'A'udhu BilIahi minash-Shaytanir-Rajim is called Ta'awwuz. It is recited in the prayers immediately following the 'Thana' which means "praise," "commendation," or "glorification" of Allah. Thana refers to the introductory, supplicationary prayer (also known as Dua al-Istiftah) recited in the first rak'ah of Salah to honor and thank Allah.
Thana is often used as a female name in the Muslim world.
A transliteration of the Thana or Dua al-Istiftah is Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakas muka wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghayruk.
See also the entry in this Glossary for Salat. The latter word is commonly transliterated as Salah or Salat. For a detailed description about how to pray see my page headed HOW TO PRAY - A DETAILED DESCRIPTION.
Ayah: (pl. Ayât) Ayah means a proof, evidence, verse, lesson, sign,
miracle, revelation, etc. The term is used to designate a Verse in the
Qur'ân. There are over 6,600 Verses in the Qur'ân.
Dhikr: The Mention or Remembrance of
Allah through verbal or mental repetition of His Divine Attributes or various
religious formulas such as Subhân-Allâh (Glorified is Allah), Al-Hamdu Lillâh
(praise is due to Allah), Allâhu Akbar (Allah is the Most Great), or the
recitation of special invocations.
Du'a: Supplication, prayer, request, plea; invoking
Allah for whatever one desires. It is distinct from Salât (formal worship or
prayer). Personal Du'âs can be made in any language, whereas Salât (prayer) is
performed in Arabic. Muslims make Du'âs for many reasons and at various times,
such as after Salat, before eating a meal, before retiring to sleep, or to
commemorate an auspicious occasion such as the birth of a child.
Fatwa: (pl. Fatâwâ): A legal verdict given on a religious basis. The
sources on which a Fatwa is based are the Noble Qur'ân, and the Sunnah of the Prophet(sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).
Fitnah: It means civil strife, war
and riots. It also refers, firstly, to persecution, to a situation in which the
believers are harassed and intimidated because of their religious convictions.
Secondly, it refers to the state of affairs wherein the object of obedience is
other than the One True God.
Hadith: (Plural: Ahâdith): The word
Hadith literally means speech, narration or communication. In Islamic context
it refers to any of the sayings, deeds and approvals accurately narrated from
the Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him), through a chain of known intermediaries.
According to some scholars, the word Hadith also covers reports about the
sayings and deeds etc. of the Companions of the Prophet (sall-Allahu
alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) that
were performed in the presence of the Prophet (sall-Allahu alayhi
wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). There is
also a subcategory of oral statements made by the Companions of the
Prophet (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) in addition to the Prophet himself. Khabar
(report), 'Athar (track, trace, sign, impression, tradition) and Sunnah
(practice, usage, etc.) are the terms also to denote a Hadith. The word Hadith
is generally translated as a Narration or Tradition. The main text of a Hadith
is called Matn (main text), which is preceded by Sanad (chain
of narrators).
Halal: That which is lawful or permissible in Islam.
Hara'm: Unlawful, forbidden and punishable
from the viewpoint of Islam.
Iman: Literally means faith or belief. Here it refers to believing
in Allah (as the One and only God) and believing that Muhammad
is His Messenger (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and also having belief in other articles of faith.
NOTE: THE WORD 'IMAN', WHICH MEANS FAITH, SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE WORD 'IMAM', WHICH REFERS TO THE PERSON WHO LEADS CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER.
Imam: Generally, the term Imâm refers to one who leads
congregational worship. More broadly, the term also applies to religious
leaders within the Muslim community, it is also used with reference to
the founders of the different systems of theology and law in Islam, and in
its highest form, refers to the head of the Islamic state.
Istikharah: A prayer consisting of two Rak'ât in which
the praying person appeals to Allah to guide one to the right decision,
regarding a certain deed, or a particular problem, or a situation with which
one is confronted. (See Hadith No. 263, Vol. 2; Hadith No.391, Vol. 8; Hadith
No. 487, Vol. 9; Sahih Al-Bukhâri.
Kalimah: Refers to the basic tenet of
Islam, i.e., bearing witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah
and that Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and
peace of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.
Khutbah: Sermon or religious talk. The weekly community
address given by an Imâm immediately prior to the Friday congregational prayer. The address serves as a venue for leaders to share with
members of the congregation religious insights, to discuss Islamic view
points on important contemporary issues, and to reinforce teachings of
Islam. The greatest sermon in the history of mankind is called Khutba
tul-Wadâ' (the Farewell address), given by the Prophet Muhammad ,
during his last Hajj in 10 AH. There are various types of sermons:
1. Khutbatul-Jumu'ah (the Friday sermon). This is given immediately be
fore the Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer.
2. Khutbatul-'Eid (the 'Eid sermon).
This is given immediately after the prayer of the two 'Eids.
3. Khutbatun
Nikâh (the marriage sermon). This is given during the marriage ceremony.
Kunyah: Surname. Calling a man, O 'Father of so-and-so!' Or calling a woman, O 'mother of so-and-so!' This is a custom of the Arabs.
Madhhab: A term used in reference to a particular
'school of thought' in Islam. As Islam spread to new regions outside the
Arabian peninsula and new social, economic and religious issues arose, many
scholars studied the sources of Islam to find permissible and practical
solutions that believers could employ to address these issues. Over time, the
teachings and thoughts of five respected scholars gained prominence, and
Muslims tend to adhere to any one or the other school of thought of these
scholars. Each school's opinions, while differing to some degree with the
others, are considered equally valid as a source of practical guidance for the
'lay' Muslim.
Masjid: (pl. Masâjid): Mosque. A term
meaning 'place of prostration,' Masjid designates a building
where Muslims congregate for communal worship. The term comes from the same
Arabic root as the word Sujad (prostrations), designating the
important worship position in which Muslims touch their forehead to the ground.
Often, the French word mosque is used interchangeably with Masjid,
though the latter term is preferred by Muslims. The Masjid also
serves various social, educational, and religious purposes. There are three
sacred Masâjid in the world, which Muslims hope to visit and
pray within.
Mawla: Literally means protector, and a person of slave
origin who does not have tribal protection. Allah describes Himself as the
Mawlâ or the Lord (Allah) of the believers. Mawlâ is a word with dual meaning
and can mean either master or slave. It may also be considered as friend,
relative, cousin, son of paternal uncle, ally, supporter, etc. It is also the
term used to describe a freed slave who remains as part of the family.
Mufti: One who issues verdicts.
Muhammad: The one who is much praised, the last Messenger
Muhammad (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) The Prophet and righteous person believed by Muslims to
be the final Messenger of God, whose predecessors are believed to include
the Prophets Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and others.
Born in 570 CE, Muhammad (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) grew up to become a well-respected
member of Makkan society. In 610 C.E., he received the first of many revelations that would eventually form the content of the Qur'ân. Soon after
this initial event, he was conferred prophethood and began calling people
to righteousness and belief in One God. Muhammad (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) died in 632 CE,
after successfully (re)establishing the religion known as Islam and providing Muslims with a model for ideal human behavior.
NOTE: SEE ALSO PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) IN THIS GLOSSARY.
Mustahabb: An act in Islam that is Desirable,
preferable or recommended, ordered without obligation. Mustahabb is something
that is recommended and performed in desire for (Divine) love. Refers to those
acts done by the Prophet (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the
blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or the Companions very
occasionally. The acts whose neglect is not punished, but whose performance is
rewarded, e.g., the call for prayers (Adhân).
Salât: Prayers. Salât is a spiritual relationship and
communication between the creature and his Creator. Salât refers to
the prescribed form of worship in Islam, and is one of the 'five pillars'
of Islam. Muslims perform the prayers five times throughout each day
as a means of maintaining God-consciousness, to thank Him for His
blessings and bounty, and to seek His help and support in one's daily
life. These prayers and their time zones are: 1. Fajr (dawn or morning
prayer), after dawn but before sunrise; 2. Zuhr (noon prayer), early
afternoon till late afternoon; 3. Asr (afternoon prayer) late afternoon
prayer till sunset; 4. Mairib (sunset prayer); just after sunset; 5. 'Ishâ'
(night prayer); late evening till late at night. Consult a prayer manual
for full details. Each prayer consists of a fixed set of standings, bow
ings, prostrations and sittings in worship to Allah. Prayers are to be
performed with mental concentration, verbal communication, vocal re
citation, and physical movements to attain the spiritual uplift, peace,
harmony, and concord. To perform Salât, a Muslim has to have ablu
tion (Wudi'). He/she should make sure that cleanliness of body, clothing, and place are attained before performing Salât.
Shaykh: A title or a nickname for an elderly person
or a religious leader in a community. This title is also given to a wise
person. The meaning of the word Shaykh has been distorted,
misused, and abused by some mass media to reflect the wrong meanings. In
the Sufi tradition, the term has a more specific application,
referring to leaders with in various Tariqahs (spiritual
orders or groups).
Prophet Muhammad: (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him); (Khatam an-Nabiyin - the Seal of the Prophets – the Last of the Prophets).
Shi'ah: Literally, 'party' or 'partisans.' This term
designates those Muslims who believe that the rightful successor to Prophet
Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) should have been 'Ali bin Abu Tâlib, rather than
the first caliph Abu Bakr Siddiq. Moreover, Shi'ahs believe that 'Ali was
granted a unique spiritual authority, which was passed on to certain of his
descendants given the title of Imâm (leader). The largest group in Shi'ism
believes that 'Ali was the first of twelve Imâms, and that the last one
continues to exist, albeit miraculously and in a state of occultation
(concealment from human view). The teachings of these spiritual leaders are an
additional source of Shari'ah (Islamic law), used by Shi'i religious scholars
to derive legislation and issue religious opinions. So, a Shi'ah is a follower
of the twelve Imâms. Shi'ah Muslims may be found in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan,
Lebanon, Syria, Pakistan, India, and some Gulf States. A branch of Islam comprising
about 10% of the total Muslim population.
Shirk: Polytheism and it is to worship others along with
Allah. This term commonly used to mean association of something other than God
with God. For Muslims, Allah is Absolute, Complete, and Self-Sufficient. To set
anything alongside or in place of God as reality is to commit the sin of
association, which is the only sin that Allah does not forgive, according to
the Qur'ân. Thus, paganism, or even atheism, is viewed as expression of Shirk.
Surah: A distinct chapter of the Qur'ân, designated by a
title such as Abraham, The Pilgrimage, or The Table-Spread. An individual Verse
within a Surah is called an Ayah. The Qur'ân is comprised of 114 Surahs of
varying lengths. Each Surah in the Qur'ân is named from some subject or word
that is particularly striking in that chapter.
Tafsir (or Tafseer): Any kind of explanation, but especially a
commentary on the Qur'ân. Translations of the Qur'ân from Arabic into other
languages such as Spanish, Urdu, or English are considered interpretations of
the Qur'ân, since only the original Arabic text actually constitutes the
content of the Qur'ân.
Taqwâ: Condition of piety and God-consciousness that all
Muslims aspire to achieve or maintain. It can be said that one's Taqwâ is a
measure of one's faith and commitment to God. It means fearing Allah as He
should be feared, and loving Allah as He should be loved. A person with Taqwâ
desires to be in the good pleasures of Allah and to stay away from those things
that would displease Allah. He remains careful not to go beyond the bounds and
limits set by Allâh. See Qur'ân, Al 'Imrân (3:102-103), Al-Hashr (59:18-19).
Tawhid:It has three aspects; A, B and C:
(A) Oneness of the Lordship of Allah; Tawhidur-Rububiyyah:
To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe, its Creator,
Organizer, Planner, Sustainer and the Giver of Security, etc. and that is
Allah.
(B) Oneness of the worship of Allah; Tawhidul-Uluhiyyah:
To believe that none has the right to be worshipped [e.g. praying, invoking,
asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving
charity, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.], but Allah.
(C) Oneness of the Names and the Qualities of
Allah; Tawhidul-Asmâ' was-Sifât: To believe that:
(i) We must not name or qualify Allah except
with what He or His Messenger (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the
blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) has named or qualified Him;
(ii) None can be named or qualified with the
Names or Qualifications of Allah; e.g. Al-Karim;
(iii) We must confirm all Allah's
qualifications which Allah has stated in His Book (the Qur'ân) or mentioned
through His Messenger Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the
blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) without changing them or
ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any
of the created things:
· For
example, Allah is present over His Throne as mentioned in the Qur'ân. (V.
20:5): "The Most Beneficent (i.e., Allah) Istawâ (rose
over) the (Mighty) Throne" over the seventh heaven; and He only comes down
over the first (nearest) heaven (to us) during the day of 'Arafat (Hajj,
i.e., 9th Dhul-Hijjah) and also during the last third part of the night, as
mentioned by the Prophet (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the
blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), but He is with us by His
Knowledge only, not by His Personal Self (Bi-Dhâtihi),
· "There
is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (The Qur'ân,
V. 42:11). This noble Verse confirms the quality of hearing and the quality of
sight for Allah without resemblance to others; and likewise, He also said:
"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands," (V. 38:75); and He
also said: "The Hand of Allah is over their hands.": (V. 48:10). This
confirms two Hands for Allah, but there is no similarity for them.
· This
is the Faith of all true believers and was the Faith of all the Prophets of
Allah from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Christ till the last of the Prophets,
Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him). It is not like as some people think that Allah is
present everywhere, here, there and even inside the breasts of men. These three
aspects of Tawhid are included in the meanings of La ilâha illallâh (none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah). It is also essential to follow Allah's
Messenger Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him): Wujubul-Ittibâ' and it is
a part of Tawhidul-Uluhiyyah. This is included in the meaning:
"I testify that Muhammad (sall-Allahu alayhi wa-sallam - may the
blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of
Allah" and this means, "None has the right to be followed after
Allah's Book (the Qur'ân), but Allah's Messenger (sall-Allahu
alayhi wa-sallam - may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). [See
the Qur'ân (V. 59:7) and (V. 3:31)].
'UIamâ': See 'Alim.
Wahy: It refers to Revelation that consists of
communicating God's Messages to a Prophet or Messenger of God. The highest form
of revelation is the Qur'ân of which even the words are from God.
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