Terms to know

Question 1

What is Qadar - Mu’tazili vs. Sunni

Answer 1

Mu’tazili - your are in control of your own actions; you are responsible; anything good that happens is from God; everything bad is because you have sinned
Sunni - God is in control of your actions; all actions are predetermined - if they are and you are going to Hell what is the point of being good?

Question 2

Shari’a

Answer 2

Immense body of law interpreting the Qur’an and applying its teachings to daily life; regulates moral conduct, family life, business practice, government, and other aspects of the Muslim community

Question 3

Fiqh

Answer 3

Literally “understanding” - the fallible interpretation of Islamic law by Jurists

Question 4

Ijtihad

Answer 4

Exertion - a type of legal reasoning; how to interpret the law; a thorough examination of the legal sources

Question 5

Halal

Answer 5

Any act that is permissible under Islamic law, popularly used to describe food conforming to dietary requirements

Question 6

Haram

Answer 6

Prohibited - used in connection with acts and also the popularly used term to describe prohibited food and drink

Question 7

Mufti

Answer 7

Sunni legal expert who interprets the law; answers legal questions with a fatwa

Question 8

Mahdi

Answer 8

The return of the 12th Imam (who is in hiding) and the end of time

Question 9

Dhikr

Answer 9

Remembrance of God; recitation, devotional remembrance to Allah through reciting his 99 names

Question 10

Baraka

Answer 10

God’s grace/quality - something that is like being close to God; someone who has God’s grace, a special connection to the divine

Question 11

Nafs

Answer 11

Souls

Question 12

Islamism

Answer 12

Islam as a political ideology and that Islam should guide social and political, as well as with personal life