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NAMB - Islamic terms Category: History and Culture > List of Islamic terms Date & country: 31/10/2017, UK Words: 40

Zakat
The alms or contributions to charity required as a duty to god. Zakat constitutes about 2.5 percent of one's annual wealth.

Umma
The whole community of Islam or the ideal society god creates from those who practice and submit to Islam.

Sura
Chapter of the Qur'an, of which there are 114.The plural of surah is suwar, which means chapters. Also spelled surah.

Shirk
The act (sin) of regarding anything as equal with god. This includes idolatry, polytheism, or attributing divinity to a person.

Sufi
A Muslim mystic who emphasizes strong denial of self for the purpose of communion with god.

Sunni
Ninety percent of Muslims are Sunni. This name is derived from sunna (tradition) for one who follows the tradition of Muhammad (who did not designate a successor). It is the belief that leadership should come from among the Quraish Arabs (Muhammad's tribe).The plural is Sunnites.

Shi'ite
Partisan or follower who believes that leadership should come from descendants of Muhammad's family.The plural is Shi'a.

Shari'ah
Shari'ah is Islamic law-the way or divine path of obedience to god. It comprises the writings of the Qur'an and hadith and serves as the guide for worship and ethical living.

Ramadan
Month of fasting which is observed in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe that it was during this month that the Quranic revelations began.

Salaam
A salutation, greeting, or blessing which means peace.

Salat
Worship in the form of ritual prayer that is repeated five times daily.

Sawm
Fasting, especially during Ramadan. Sawm means total abstinence from food, liquids, and sexual relationships from dawn to sunset, for one lunar month. Also called slyam.

Qur'an
The Arabic word for recitation. See Koran.

Qibla
Direction toward Mecca that is designated in a place of prayer.

Mosque
A place or house of prayer-literally, a place of prostration.

Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and a festival commemorating the martyrdom of the third Imam.

Mullah
A learned leader, especially in Iran.

Murtad
This term means an apostate or an Islamic person who is converted to another religion.

Muslim
A person who submits to Allah and practices the religion of Islam.

Masjid
Arabic word translated as mosque.

Mahdi
This term means the guided one.

Madinah
Originally this city was called Yathrib, and was located about 200 km north of Mecca. This was the first city-state that was established under the banner of Islam.

Koran
The anglicized form of Qur'an-holy book or sacred scripture. Muslims believe that it was revealed to Muhammad through angel Gabriel, or Jibril. The Koran was not fully composed at one time. Rather, it was revealed piecemeal over a period of 23 years. It is composed of 114 surahs.

Jinn
These are unseen or spiritual beings who are required to follow the orders of Allah and are accountable for their deeds. Like humans, they are given the power to choose between right and wrong.

Kafir
This is a person who refuses to submit to Allah. This term is generally used by Muslims to refer to those who do not believe in Muhammad and the Qur'an, and who do not believe in god.

Jihad
This is a struggle or effort in god's cause. The great jihad is the inward struggle against the passions. The lesser jihad is a defensive or legal war, to protect the interest of Islam. It is mistakenly called holy war. Jihad is the Muslim obligation to strive to teach, explain, spread, and protect the message of Islam.

Islam
The root words of Islam are silm and salam which mean submission.

Injil
It is the Gospel of Jesus and one of Islam's Holy Books.

Hijra
The flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622 because of increasing opposition. It is also called hegira or hejira.

Imam
A religious leader or head of a local community, or a spiritually qualified leader. He also leads in community political affairs.

Iman
This is a belief or faith in god (Allah).

Eid
Means a festivity, a celebration, a feast.

Fatwa
This is an Islamic legal ruling or edict.

Hadith
A collection of Muhammad's sayings and deeds, known as the Traditions, which is commonly taught as a part of Islamic theology. Hadiths are explanations and interpretations of Muhammad's living example.

Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca during the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. Muslims are required to perform hajj at least once in their lifetime, if means and health allow.

Ayatollah
A spiritual leader among the Shi'ites.

Barakah
Means blessing or divine grace.

Caliph
Successor of Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community.

Daa'i
A missionary in Islam.

Allah
The Islamic term for god. Allah is the creator of the universe. He is considered to be merciful, beneficent, protective, mighty, a provider, the exalted one, lord, all knowing, all hearing, all seeing, magnificent, wise, and eternal. The Qur'an states 99 characteristic names for Allah.