Islamic Terms Flashcards
Adhan
Muslim call to prayer
Alhamdolillah
A Muslim formula meaning: “All praise be to Allah”; it is the Islamic analogue for hallelujah
Aqeeda
Deeply held Islamic beliefs
Asbab-an-nuzul
A body of Islamic literature purporting to detail the circumstances of specific Quranic revelations
Assalaamo alaikum was rahmutallah wa barakaathu
An extended Muslim greeting meaning, “The peace of Allah and His mercy and blessings be upon you”
Bucailleism
The technique of referring to the Quran for miraculously advanced scientific truths in order to defend its divine origin
Dawah
The practice of inviting people to Islam
Doctrine of abrogation
The belief that teachings and verses of the Quran have been repealed, usually by later Quranic revelations
Du’aa
Muslim prayers recited at specific occasions, as opposed to the ritual prayer called salaat; these may be memorized or improvised
Eid al-Fitr
One of two major Muslim holidays; it marks the end of Ramadhan
Fatwa
A decision or ruling by a Muslim authority
Fiqh
Islamic jurisprudence
Five Pillars of Islam
The fundamental practices required of all Muslims. Shahada, Salaat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj
Hadith
Muhammad’s words and actions recorded in tradition
Hafiz
A man who has memorized the entire Quran
Hazrat
An honorific title meaning respected
Iftar
The meal Muslims eat after fasting, often in large gatherings
Imam
A leader of Muslims, usually referred to one who leads prayer at a Mosque
Injil
The book Muslims believe Allah sent to Jesus, often to be considered the Gospels of the New Testament
Inshallah
A very common Muslim formula meaning “if Allah wills it”
Isa
The Arabic name for Jesus
Isnad
The chain of transmission for a particular hadith
Jamaat
The Arabic word for assembly, usually used to mean “group” or “denomination”
Jinn
Spiritual beings often considered analogous to demons
Jumaa
The name of the Muslim Sabbath day
Kafir
Infidel, non-Muslim
Khalifa
The position of supreme leader over Muslims; usually the title is used to refer to one of Muhammad’s four successors
Khutba
A sermon, usually the Muslim Sabbath sermons on Friday
Masjid
A Muslim place of worship, often called a mosque
Nafl
Optional prayers designed to invoke the help of Allah or draw the worshiper closer to Him
Rakaat
Units of repetition in salaat, composed of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting postures
Ramadhan
The Muslim holy month
Sadqa
A voluntary offering, often to prevent misfortune
Sahih Bukhari
A classical collection of Hadith, often considered by Sunnis as the most trustworthy accounts of Muhammad’s life
Sahih Sittah
The six books of hadith that Sunni Muslims consider the most authentic
Shahada
The central proclamation of Islam: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger”
Sharia
Islamic law
Sheikh
A Muslim leader, usually with graduate-level education in Islamic theology
Shia
Followers of Shi’ism, one of the two major branches of Islam
Shirk
The unforgivable sin in Islam; it is roughly equivalent to idolatry, placing something or someone in the position due to Allah
Sirah
Biographies of Muhammad’s life
Six Articles of Faith
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.
Surah
A chapter of the Quran
Taraweeh
Voluntary prayers offered at night during Ramadhan
Tauheed
The Islamic doctrine of Allah’s absolute unity and self-reliance
Ulema
Muslim religious scholars
Urdu
The language of Pakistan
Wudhu
Ceremonial washing before salaat
Zakat
Obligatory alms
