Islam Flashcards
Dar al-Islam
“abode of Islam”; territories of the ummah under Muslim control, whereas the rest of the world is the Dar al-Harb, “abode of warfare”
Five Pillars
required Muslim rituals of serving God: Shahadah (confession), Salat (prayer), Zakat (alms-giving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage)
Hadith
a saying or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad transmitted through a trustworthy chain of reporters; the collection of hadiths
Eid
“feast” or festival in Islam; the two major festivals are ‘Id al-adha (Feast of Sacrifice) during the Hajj month and ‘Id al-fitr (Feast of Breaking the Ramadan Fast)
imam
Islamic scholar and leader, especially in ritual prayer
iman
“faith;’ complete certitude about the truth of Islam
jihad
“striving” for religious perfection and for God’s
cause including bearing arms in defense of Islam if
necessary
Judgment Day
the day on which God will judge all
according to their deeds
mihrab
niche in the mosque wall indicating the direction
to Mecca
mosque
place of communal worship in Islam
Muslim
one who has surrendered to God in accepting the
authority of the Quran
prophets
messengers through whom God has given revelation to all peoples, culminating with Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets
Quran
“recitation,” primarily the revelation sent down by God upon the Prophet Muhammad; the Holy Book
Ramadan
sacred month in which Muslims perform the
Fast
Salat
required Muslim ritual of prayer five times daily
