Islamic Terms

Question 1

Adhan

Answer 1

the Muslim call to prayer

Question 2

Hadith

Answer 2

Muhammad’s words/actions recorded in tradition

Question 3

Urdu

Answer 3

the language of Pakistan

Question 4

Khalifa

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Jamaat

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Aqeedah

Answer 6

deeply held Islamic beliefs

Question 7

Du’aa

Answer 7

Muslim prayers recited at specific occasions

Question 8

Surah

Answer 8

a chapter of the Quran

Question 9

Ramadhan

Answer 9

the Muslim holy month

Question 10

Masjid

Answer 10

a Muslim place of worship; mosque

Question 11

Sirah

Answer 11

biographies of Muhammad’s life

Question 12

Jinn

Answer 12

spiritual beings often considered analogous to demons

Question 13

Shia

Answer 13

followers of Shi’ism, one of the two major branches of Islam

Question 14

Hazrat

Answer 14

an honorific title meaning “respected”

Question 15

Isa

Answer 15

the Arabic name for Jesus

Question 16

Salaat

Answer 16

the Muslim ritual prayers, offered 5 times daily by all Muslims

Question 17

Rakaat

Answer 17

units of repetition in Salaat, composed of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting postures

Question 18

Wudhu

Answer 18

ceremonial washing before Salaat

Question 19

Imam

Answer 19

a leader of Muslims, usually referring to one who leads prayer at a mosque

Question 20

Jumaa

Answer 20

the name for the Muslim Sabbath day (Friday)

Question 21

Shahada

Answer 21

the central proclamation of Islam: “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”

Question 22

Zakat

Answer 22

obligatory alms

Question 23

Hajj

Answer 23

the pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 24

Kafir

Answer 24

infidel; non-Muslim

Question 25

Inshallah

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Sharia

Answer 26

Islamic law

Question 27

Assalaamo alaikum wa rahmutallah wa barakaathu

Answer 27

a greeting meaning “The peace of Allah and his mercy and blessing be upon you”

Question 28

Fiqh

Answer 28

Islamic jurisprudence

Question 29

Ulema

Answer 29

Muslim religious scholars

Question 30

Mufti

Answer 30

a Muslim legal expert

Question 31

Fatwa

Answer 31

a decision or ruling by a Muslim authority

Question 32

Sadqa

Answer 32

a voluntary offering, often to prevent misfortune

Question 33

Alhamdolillah

Answer 33

a Muslim formula meaning “All praise be to Allah”

Question 34

Eid al-Fitr

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Hafiz

Answer 35

a man who has memorized the entire Quran

Question 36

The Five Pillars of Islam

Answer 36

1. the Shahada
2. praying the Salaat
3. paying Zakat to the poor
4. fasting during the month of Ramadhan
5. the Hajj
   (6. Jihad)

Question 37

The Six Articles of Faith

Answer 37

1. monotheism; on god
2. unseen spiritual beings
3. Allah has sent prophets, w/ Muhammad as the final one
4. Allah has sent the sacred scriptures (including the Torah and the Injil)
5. there will be a future day of judgement
6. Allah is sovereign over all the universe