Islamic Terms

Question 1

Adhan

Answer 1

Muslim call to prayer

Question 2

Alhamdolillah

Answer 2

A Muslim formula meaning: “All praise be to Allah”; it is the Islamic analogue for hallelujah

Question 3

Aqeeda

Answer 3

Deeply held Islamic beliefs

Question 4

Asbab-an-nuzul

Answer 4

A body of Islamic literature purporting to detail the circumstances of specific Quranic revelations

Question 5

Assalaamo alaikum was rahmutallah wa barakaathu

Answer 5

An extended Muslim greeting meaning, “The peace of Allah and His mercy and blessings be upon you”

Question 6

Bucailleism

Answer 6

The technique of referring to the Quran for miraculously advanced scientific truths in order to defend its divine origin

Question 7

Dawah

Answer 7

The practice of inviting people to Islam

Question 8

Doctrine of abrogation

Answer 8

The belief that teachings and verses of the Quran have been repealed, usually by later Quranic revelations

Question 9

Du’aa

Answer 9

Muslim prayers recited at specific occasions, as opposed to the ritual prayer called salaat; these may be memorized or improvised

Question 10

Eid al-Fitr

Answer 10

One of two major Muslim holidays; it marks the end of Ramadhan

Question 11

Fatwa

Answer 11

A decision or ruling by a Muslim authority

Question 12

Fiqh

Answer 12

Islamic jurisprudence

Question 13

Five Pillars of Islam

Answer 13

The fundamental practices required of all Muslims. Shahada, Salaat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj

Question 14

Hadith

Answer 14

Muhammad’s words and actions recorded in tradition

Question 15

Hafiz

Answer 15

A man who has memorized the entire Quran

Question 16

Hazrat

Answer 16

An honorific title meaning respected

Question 17

Iftar

Answer 17

The meal Muslims eat after fasting, often in large gatherings

Question 18

Imam

Answer 18

A leader of Muslims, usually referred to one who leads prayer at a Mosque

Question 19

Injil

Answer 19

The book Muslims believe Allah sent to Jesus, often to be considered the Gospels of the New Testament

Question 20

Inshallah

Answer 20

A very common Muslim formula meaning “if Allah wills it”

Question 21

Isa

Answer 21

The Arabic name for Jesus

Question 22

Isnad

Answer 22

The chain of transmission for a particular hadith

Question 23

Jamaat

Answer 23

The Arabic word for assembly, usually used to mean “group” or “denomination”

Question 24

Jinn

Answer 24

Spiritual beings often considered analogous to demons

Question 25

Jumaa

Answer 25

The name of the Muslim Sabbath day

Question 26

Kafir

Answer 26

Infidel, non-Muslim

Question 27

Khalifa

Answer 27

The position of supreme leader over Muslims; usually the title is used to refer to one of Muhammad's four successors

Question 28

Khutba

Answer 28

A sermon, usually the Muslim Sabbath sermons on Friday

Question 29

Masjid

Answer 29

A Muslim place of worship, often called a mosque

Question 30

Nafl

Answer 30

Optional prayers designed to invoke the help of Allah or draw the worshiper closer to Him

Question 31

Rakaat

Answer 31

Units of repetition in salaat, composed of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting postures

Question 32

Ramadhan

Answer 32

The Muslim holy month

Question 33

Sadqa

Answer 33

A voluntary offering, often to prevent misfortune

Question 34

Sahih Bukhari

Answer 34

A classical collection of Hadith, often considered by Sunnis as the most trustworthy accounts of Muhammad's life

Question 35

Sahih Sittah

Answer 35

The six books of hadith that Sunni Muslims consider the most authentic

Question 36

Shahada

Answer 36

The central proclamation of Islam: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger"

Question 37

Sharia

Answer 37

Islamic law

Question 38

Sheikh

Answer 38

A Muslim leader, usually with graduate-level education in Islamic theology

Question 39

Shia

Answer 39

Followers of Shi'ism, one of the two major branches of Islam

Question 40

Shirk

Answer 40

The unforgivable sin in Islam; it is roughly equivalent to idolatry, placing something or someone in the position due to Allah

Question 41

Sirah

Answer 41

Biographies of Muhammad's life

Question 42

Six Articles of Faith

Answer 42

The fundamental Muslim beliefs - Belief in Allah. - Belief in His angels. - Belief in His holy books. - Belief in His messengers. - Belief in the Last Day. - Belief in life after death.

Question 43

Surah

Answer 43

A chapter of the Quran

Question 44

Taraweeh

Answer 44

Voluntary prayers offered at night during Ramadhan

Question 45

Tauheed

Answer 45

The Islamic doctrine of Allah's absolute unity and self-reliance

Question 46

Ulema

Answer 46

Muslim religious scholars

Question 47

Urdu

Answer 47

The language of Pakistan

Question 48

Wudhu

Answer 48

Ceremonial washing before salaat

Question 49

Zakat

Answer 49

Obligatory alms