Islamic Terms

Question 1

Adhan

Answer 1

the muslim call to prayer

Question 2

Hadith

Answer 2

Muhammad’s words or actions recorded in tradition

Question 3

Urdu

Answer 3

The language of Pakistan

Question 4

Khalifa

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Jamaat

Answer 5

the Arabic word for assembly, usually used tome ‘group’ or ‘denomination’

Question 6

Aqeedah

Answer 6

deeply held Islamic beliefs

Question 7

Du’aa

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Surah

Answer 8

a chapter of the Quran

Question 9

Masjid

Answer 9

a Muslim place of worship, often called a mosque

Question 10

Sirah

Answer 10

biographies of Muhammad’s life

Question 11

Jinn

Answer 11

spiritual beings often considered analogous to demons

Question 12

Shia

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Hazrat

Answer 13

an honorific title meaning ‘respected’

Question 14

Isa

Answer 14

the Arabic name for Jesus

Question 15

Salaat

Answer 15

the Muslim ritual prayers

Question 16

Rakaat

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Imam

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Jumaa

Answer 18

the name for the Muslim Sabbath day

Question 19

Shahada

Answer 19

the central proclamation of Islam: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad’s–mad is His messenger”

Question 20

Five Pillars of Islam

Answer 20

the fundamental practices required of all muslims

Question 21

Zakat

Answer 21

obligatory alms

Question 22

Hajj

Answer 22

the annual pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 23

Six Articles of Faith

Answer 23

the fundamental Muslim beliefs

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

and extended Muslim greeting meaning, “The peace of Allah and His mercy and blessings 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”; it is the Islamic analogue of hallelujah

Question 34

Eid al-Fitr

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Sehri

Answer 35

the meal Muslims eat before fasting

Question 36

Iftar

Answer 36

the meal Muslims eat after fasting, often in large gatherings

Question 37

Taraweeh

Answer 37

voluntary prayers offered at night during Ramadhan

Question 38

Hafiz

Answer 38

a man who has memorized the entire Quran

Question 39

Doctrine of abrogation

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Sahih Bukhari

Answer 40

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

Question 41

Isnad

Answer 41

the chain of transmission for a particular hadith

Question 42

Sahih Sittah

Answer 42

the six books of hadith that Sunni Muslims consider most authentic