Glossary Flashcards
Islam
Arabic word - submission, monotheistic faith.
Muslim
Arabic word - a person who makes submission to Allah.
Umma
Islamic community; the worldwide Muslim community.
Mosque
Islamic place of worship.
Muhammad
Founder and chief prophet of Islam. Qur’an was revealed to him.
Jibril
The angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared to Muhammad and told him to the recite/read.
Revelation
Gods disclosure of himself and his will to his people.
Allah
The Supreme, Creator, God.
Caliph
Successor of Muhammad as leader of the Islamic community, contemporaries of Muhammad. Three functions -Political administration, Tax collection and religious leadership.
Mecca
Sacred city of Islam and location of the Kaba.
Sunni
Majority of Muslims (90%) - Believe the head of the Muslim community must be the best qualified Arab Muslim. Claim to follow the ‘right path’ of Islam, which for them is the Sunna of the prophet, based on the Qur’an. For Sunni’s all revelation from Allah was complete with Muhammad’s death and is represented by the Qur’an.
Shi’a
Remaining 10% of Muslims - Believe that only descendants of the prophet should be leader, and they keep an official list of those who should have governed the Muslim word. Shi’a hold that divine guidance is still available through these descendants of Muhammad, known as an Imam. Important difference for Shi’a - Allowed to pray three distinct times, not five.
Taqwa
Awareness or consciousness of Allah.
Qur’an
The sacred book of Islam: the word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (the collected revelations he received). The Arabic word for ‘recitation’ or ‘reading’.
Hadith
The traditional reports of what the Prophet Muhammad did and/or said. They are second only to the Qur’an in religious importance.
Sunna
All the traditions and practices of Muhammad that have become models to be followed by Muslims; the normal lifestyle of the Prophet that became a unifying bond for all parts of the Islamic Umma.
Ayat
A verse of the Qur’an
Surah
A chapter of the Qur’an
Ethics
The religious reflection on moral beliefs and practices, to clarify what is right and wrong and what humans should or shouldn’t do.