GLOSSARY
Abu Bakr - He was one of the greatest companions of Muhammad (pbuh). His full name is Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. Muhammad (pbuh) called him as-Siddiq because he always believed in him (pbuh), without any reservation. He was the first of the four rightly guided Khalifaas (Caliphs). He was Caliph from 11 to 13 AH (633 to 635 CE). Also spelled Abi Bakr.
Abu Dawood - One of the compilers of hadith. See Bukhari.
A.H. - These initials stand for "after Hijra" and are in reference to the Islamic calendar. They are used as A.D. is used in the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic calendar commenced in 622 A.D.
Ali - The fourth of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad (pbuh). He was raised by Muhammad (pbuh) and was the second to embrace Islam after Khadeejah (Muhammad's first wife).
Al-Khulafaa
ar-Rashideen - The Rightly Guided Caliphs.
These four Caliphs were the first successors after the death of
Muhammad (pbuh). They ruled according to the Sunnah and the Quran.
The four Caliphs are as follows: 1). Abu Barkr as-Siddiq 2). Umar
ibn al-Khattab 3).Uthman ibn Affan. 4). Ali Abi Talib.
Allah
- The name of God. The
same God as the Jews and Christians believe in. Allah cannot be
in the plural and has no gender. In the Quran there is mentioned
99 names for Allah which are attributes of Allah, such as:
Creator, All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Hearing, Judge, Provider,
and All-Merciful to name a few. Allah is an Arabic word and is
used by Christian Arabs as well as by the Muslims.
Amir
- King, ruler, leader. Also
spelled Emir.
Ansar
- Literally means "Helpers".
The inhabitants of Medina, who embraced Islam and supported the
Muslim immigrants against the Quraish and other tribes that made
war on Muhammad (pbuh).
Arafat
- A pilgrimage site, about 16 miles
east of Makkah. Standing on Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (the
twelfth Islamic month) and staying there from mid-day to sunset
is the essence of the Hajj (the Pilgrimage). Also spelled as:
Arafah.
Assalamu
Alaikum
- This means "Peace
be on you". It is the greeting of the Muslims. The response
to this greetings is "Wa Alaikum Assalam, and "On you
be peace". Also spelled as: Assalaamu Alaykum and
Asalamu Alekum.
Athan -The call to prayer before each of the five daily
prayers. It is said aloud to make the call reach as many people
as possible. In olden times the caller would call from the
minaret to be heard from a distance. Today, however, the caller
would be inside the Mosque and use a microphone to send the call
over loud speakers. The following is a translation of the prayer
call, which is said in Arabic: "God is Great (4 times), I
bear witness that there is no god but Allah (twice), I bear
witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God (twice), Come to
prayer (twice), Come to success (twice), God is Great (twice);
There is no god but Allah." Also spelled Adhan.
B
Battle of Al-Yamamah - This battle took place in 11 AH (633 CE), during
the caliphate of Abu Bakr, a number of Muslims, who had memorized
the Qur'an were killed. Hence, a written copy of the Qur'an was
prepared because it was feared that a large part of the
revelation might be lost. Also spelled Yamama.
Battle of
Badr - Site of the first
battle between the early Muslims and the Quraish in the year 2 AH
(624 CE). Badr is located about 100 miles south of Medina. The
Muslim army consisted of 313 men and the Quraish had a total of 1,000
soldiers, archers and horsemen.
Battle of
Uhud - A mountain just
outside Medina at the foot of which Muslims fought their second
major battle against the Quraish of Makkah in 3 AH (625 CE). The
Quraish army of 3,000 men attacked the Muslim army of about 700-1000
men. Many great companions, including the uncle of Muhammad (pbuh),
Hamza, nicknamed "the lion of Allah, " were killed in
this battle.
Black
Stone - Known in Arabic as
Al-Hajr al-Aswad of the Ka'bah . When raised to a certain height,
the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) ordered his son, Ishmail (Ismael)
to choose a piece of stone to mark the main cornerpoint. As
Ishmail was searching for it, the Archangel Jibreel (Gabriel)
appeared with the Black Stone from Heaven. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said: "The Black Stone descended from heaven, when it was
whiter than milk, but people's sins have blackened it."
Ibrahim took it up and fitted it in, and there it sits to this
day.
Bukhari - Muhammad Ibn Ishmail Al-Bukhari, 194-250 A.H. (816-872
C.E) collected together hadith and had it verified for its
authenticity. Also spelled Al-Bukhari.
C
Cave of Hira - A famous cave in the Jabal an-Nur (Mountain of
Light) in Makkah where Muhammad (pbuh) first received the divine
message through the Holy Spirit, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel).
E
Eid al Adha - A four-day festival that completes the rites of
pilgrimage and takes place on the 10th-13th of Dhul Hijja (the
twelfth and last month of the Muslim lunar calendar). It
literally means "the Feast of the Sacrifice". Every
Muslim or family that can afford it is to slaughter an animal,
sheep, goat or cow. This feast commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's
(Abraham) obedience to Allah by being prepared to sacrifice his
only son Ishmail, (Ismael).
Eid
al Fitr
- This is the "Feast
of Breaking the Fast" of Ramadan. It signals the end of
Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar) and the
entrance of the month of Shawwaal. It is a day of happiness, and
celebration as well as a remembrance of those Muslims who are
poor and needy. A special prayer is performed on the morning of
Eid Day. Just before the prayer, every able Muslim gives charity
(Zakatul-Fitr) that is given to the poor of the Muslim community
to buy food and clothing, so that all of the Muslim community can
partake in the festivities and joy of that day. Fasting is
forbidden on that day.
F
Five Pillars - They are: the shahadah (profession of faith),
salah (prayer), zakah (the religious tax), sawm (fasting), and
the hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
H
Hadith - A saying or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
It is an explanation, interpretation, and the living example of
Muhammad (pbuh) for teachings of the Qur'an. His sayings are
found in books called the Hadith.
Hagar - The second wife of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham)
and the mother of Ishmael (Ismail). Also spelled Hajar.
Hajj
- An Arabic word which
means the performance of pilgrimage to Makkah in Arabia. It is
one of the five pillars of Islam. A Muslim is to perform Hajj at
least once in his/her life, if means and health allow. There are
rules and regulations and specific dress to be followed. It is to
take place during the last month of the lunar calendar called the
month of Zul-Hijjah.
Haram - A sanctuary, a sacred territory.
Mecca has been considered a Haram since the time of Prophet
Ibrahim (Abraham). All things within the limit of the Haram are
protected and considered inviolable Madinah was also declared a
Haram by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Hijab
- Covering one's body
excluding the hands and face. This pertains to the Muslim woman.
Covering of the face is also acceptable.
Hijra
- Migration. The Hijrah
refers to the Muhammad's migration from Mekkah to Madinah. This
journey took place in the twelfth year of his mission (622 C.E.).
This is the beginning of the Muslim calendar. The word hijrah
means to leave a place to seek sancturary or freedom from
persecution or freedom of religion or any other purpose. Hijrah
can also mean to leave a bad way of life for a good or more
righteous way. means migration. Also spelled hijrah.
Ijma - Consensus. What all the Ulamaa (the
people of knowledge) from among the Muslims are agreed upon.
Imam - A religious leader. Any person
who leads a congregational prayer is called an Imam. A religious
leader who also leads his community in the political affairs may
be called an Imam, an Amir, or a Caliph. However, an Imam is not
infallible. He is responsible for his mistakes to all the members
of the community and above all he is responsible to Allah.
Islam - Literally means "Submission to the will of Allah." Islam is an Arabic word the root of which is Silm and Salam. It means among others: peace, greeting, salutation, obedience, loyalty, allegiance, and submission to the will of God. The religion of Islam is not to be confused with Mohammedanism. The latter is misnomer to Islam. Muslims do not accept this name as it gives the wrong connotation about Islam and Muslims
J
Jihad
- Struggle, strive.
"Jihad" does not mean "holy war." Literally,
jihad means to strive, struggle and exert effort. It is a central
and broad Islamic concept that includes struggle against evil
inclinations within oneself, struggle to improve the quality of
life in society, struggle in the battlefield for self-defense (e.g.
- having a standing army for national defense), or fighting
against tyranny or oppression.
Kabah - The first house of worship built for mankind. It was originally built by Adam and later on reconstructed by Ibraham (Abraham) and Ismail (Ishmael). It is a cubed shaped structure based in the city of Makkah to which all Muslims turn to in their five daily prayers.
Khalifah - Successor of Muhammad (pbuh).
This person acts as the head of state for the Muslim Ummah (nation).
Another title for the Khalifah (Caliph) is Amir Al-Mu'mineen
which means 'the leaders of the believers'.
The immediate Caliphs were Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Omar Ibn Al-Khattab,
Othman Ibn 'Affan, and 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib. These were given the
nickname of Al-Khulafa'Ar-Rashidun (The Guided Caliphs). Another
use for this word is used for humanity in general. The human
being is considered the Khalifah (representative) of Allah on
earth according to Allah.
Koran - See Quran.
Lunar calendar - In their religious duties, Muslims depend on the solar and lunar calendars. The latter is shorter than the solar by twelve days. Fasting the month of Ramadhan, celebrating the two major feasts (Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha), performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, and other religious activities depend upon the lunar months.The timing of the daily prayers depend on the solar system.
Madinah
- The first
city-state that came under the banner of Islam. It is where the
Prophet Muhammad's masjid and grave are situated. It is the
second most sacred site on earth to Muslims. Also spelled
Madina and Medina.
Makkah
- A city in
southwest Saudi Arabia. It houses the kabah and is the birthplace
of Muhammad (pbuh). It is the place where Muslims make a
pilgrimage to and is considered the most sacred site on earth to
Muslims. Also spelled Mecca.
Masjid - Place of worship and salah (prayer). The life of the early Muslims used to revolve around the masjid. Meetings and discussions would be held there. It is called a 'mosque' in English.
Muhammad - The last and final prophet of God starting with Adam through Esa (Jesus) and finally Muhammad (pbuh). He received his first revelation at the age of 40. Also spelled Mohammed.
Muslim - 1. A person who submits to the will of God and accepts Islam and all its tenets. One becomes Muslim by saying the shahada (testimony). Incorrectly spelled Moslem. 2. Imam Muslim bin Al-Hajjaj bin Muslim Al-Qushayri, 204-261 A.H. (826-883 C.E.) was one of the compilers of hadith. One of the verifiers of the authenticity of the hadith.
P.B.U.H. - These letters are
abbreviations for the words Peace Be Upon Him which is an
expression that is said when the name of a prophet is mentioned.
This expression is widely used by English speaking Muslims. In
Arabic it is "Salla Allahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam,"
Q
Quraysh - The most powerful and prominent tribe in
all of Arabia during Muhammad's time. The Quraysh were the
keepers of the Kabah and, therefore, one of the wealthiest and
most powerful tribes. Muhammad (pbuh) was from among the Quraysh.
When he started to preach, the Quraysh violently persecuted him
and his followers.
Qiblah
- It is the
direction that Muslims face when they do their salah (prayer). It
is in the direction of the Kabah in Mecca.
Qiyas - The application of human
reasoning to extend the principles found in the two primary
sources - the Quran and the Sunnah - to cases involving matters
unknown in the early years of Islam.
Quran
- The holy
book of Islam is called the Quran. It was revealed unto Muhammad
(pbuh) from God through the angel Jibril (Gabriel) for a period
of 23 years. There is only one Quran in the whole world, and it
is in the Arabic language. The Quran has one text, one language,
and one dialect. It has been memorized by millions of Muslims in
different parts of the world. Incorrectly spelled Koran.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Muslim year. Ordained in the Quran, the fast is an exacting act of deeply personal worship in which Muslims seek a richer perception of God. It begins with the sighting of the new moon, after which abstention from eating and drinking, as well as abstaining from sexual intercourse, is obligatory every day between dawn and sunset. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Arabic word for fasting is "sawm'. Also spelled Ramadhan.
Sadaqa - Charity - Voluntary contributions to the needy. Also spelled sadaqah.
Salah
- Prayer, requires Muslims to pray five times a day -
the dawn prayer, the noon prayer, the afternoon prayer, the
sunset prayer, and the evening prayer - while facing toward the
Kabah, the House of God, in Makkah. Like all Islamic ceremonies,
prayer is simple and personal, yet also communal, and the wording
of the prayers, the ablutions which are required before prayers,
the number of bows, and other parts of the ritual are set out in
detail.
Sawm - Fasting. A mandatory
fast is required during the month of Ramadan. Voluntary fasts are
various days during each month. Sawm is one of the five pillars
of Islam.
Shahadah
-
Declaration of faith. A person must recite the shahadah to
convert to Islam. It is recited in Arabic as follows: "La
ilaha illa Allah, wa Muhammadun rasul Allah", when
translated means "I testify that there is no god but Allah,
and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." The
Shahadah is one of the five pillars of Islam. Also spelled
shahada.
Shariah
-
The sacred law of Islam, which covers all aspects of public and
private, social and economic, religious and political lives of
all Muslims. In addition to the Quran, the shariah has three
sources: the sunnah, the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh);
ijma, the consensus of opinion; and qiyas, reasoning by analogy.
Also spelled sharia.
Sunnah
- Muhammad's
sayings, practices, and living habits. The Hadith are reports on
the Sunnah. The two major legal sources of jurisprudence in Islam
are the Quran and the Sunnah. The Sunnah may confirm what is
mentioned in Qur'an, interpret and explain it, specify what is
meant by some general verses, limit and restrict the meaning of
some verse in it, or may explain something that has been revealed
in Quran. The Sunnah has a high authority in Islam; and Allah in
many places in the Quran orders the Muslims to follow the
teachings of Muhammad (pbuh).
Umrah - This is the lesser
pilgrimage which is optional and can be performed at any time.
Umar
ibn al-Khattab - The second of the four Al-Khulafaa ar-Rashideen,
(Rightly Guided Khalifas). Umar was renowned for his fairness and
strength, and for his refusal to compromise the teachings of
Islam in any way. He was the Khalifaa (Caliph) from 13AH to 23AH
(635 - 645 CE).
Uthman
Ibn Affan - One of the greatest companions of Muhammad (pbuh).
He was the third of the four Al-Khulafaa ar-Rashideen (Rightly
Guided Caliphs). He ruled from 24AH to 36AH (636 - 648 CE).
Wudu - A purification (ablution) that must be performed before someone does their salaah (prayer) or reads the Quran.
Yathrib - The area where the city of Madinah is situated.
Zakah - One of the five pillars of Islam is Zakah, which means purification and increment of one's wealth. A Muslim who has money beyond a certain quantity is to pay the Zakah. It is also called the alms due or poor due. It is to be used in eight categories for welfare of the society that are mentioned in the Qur'an, namely: the poor, the needy, the sympathizers, the captives, the deptors, the cause of Allah, the wayfarers, and for those who are to collect it. The amount to be collected is 2.5%, 5%, or 10%, depending on the assets and the method used to produce it. For example, it is 2.5% of the assets that have been owned over a year, 5% of the wheat when irrigated by the farmer, and 10% of the wheat that is irrigated by the rain.
Zakat
al-Fitr - Charity. Just before
the Eid al-Fitr prayer, every able Muslim gives charity that is
given to the poor of the Muslim community to buy food and
clothing.