Intro to Islam

hijra: immigration to Medina

Muslim pilgrimage made by Muhammad to Medina with his followers. After facing persecution in mecca Muhammad met with leaders who promised to protect them.

Mi’raj

ladder/stairway that references Muhammads accession to heaven

seal of the prophets

designates Muhammad as the final messenger of God

mawlid

yearly observance to celebrate the prophets birthday

Al-Insan al-Kamil (The Perfect

Human)

Perfect human that is commited to their faith and duty from God in all attributes

Qasida al-Burda

160 poems dedicated to praising Muhammad

doctrine of isma (Infallibility)

being sinless or incorruptible and divine immunity to sin

Dalail al-Khayrat

daily devotional book used to give continuous prayers and blessings to the Prophet

Shamail genre

compiled hadith’s that detail mannerism, appearances, and belongings of Muhammad

The first Immigration to abyssinia

1615 CE - small group of muslims fleeing persecution and sought refuge under christian king who allowed them to still practice their religion (think of movie)

Waraqa bin Nawfal

paternal cousin of khadeja (prophets first wife) and autheticated Muhammads first revelation

The first revelation

The angel Gabriel appears to Muhammad and commands him to read (despite him being illiterate). After telling him three times he finally does and gets revealed the command to read in the name of God.

alliance of virtues (Hilf al-Fudul)

pre-Islamic pact established to protect the oppressed and implement justice

hajar al-aswad

sacred stone in the eastern side of the Kabba, that is a relic from paradise. Came down white but turned black by absorbing human sin

al-Amin

“honesty” title given to muhammad before his prophethood because of his truthfulness

hanif

term for monotheists who reject polythiesm and follow Abrahams religion

tajwid

science of pronunciation, articulation, and characteristics of reciting the Quran

ijaza

certification that allows people to recite, teach, and transmit Islamic religious materials

isnad

chain of narrators for islamic narrators

mushaf

physical copy of the Quran

tawhid

core principle of oneness of God - he is the ultimate creator, who we should pray to, and is single

ayah

sign or miracle that points back to God

sura

chapter of the Quran

sunna

islamic customs, legal principles, and practices based on the Quran and Muhammads word that model the proper way of life (ex: cleaning your teeth with a pick)

hadith

recorded words, approvals, and actions of the prophet - transmitted and checked through a line of people and coming from people who knew him

jahiliyya

age of ignorance - period before the revelation of the Quran (being polytheistic, having idols, femicide of baby girls)