Key Terms in Islam: Beliefs and Teachings

Muslim

One who has submitted to the will of God and has accepted Islam.

Islam

The name of the religion followed by Muslims; to surrender to the will of God; peace.

Allah

The Arabic name for God.

Tawhid

The Oneness and unity of God.

Monotheistic

A religion that believes there is only one God.

Supremacy

Supreme power or authority; a quality of God.

Qur'an

The holy book revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH by the angel Jibril; God's final revelation to humankind.

Sunnah

The teachings and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Sunni

Muslims who believe in the successorship to Muhammad of Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.

Shi'a

Muslims who believe in the Imamate, the successorship of Ali.

Immanent

The idea that Allah is present in & involved with life on earth and in the universe; a quality of Allah.

Transcendent

The idea that Allah is beyond and outside life on earth and the universe; a quality of Allah.

Omnipotent

Almighty, having unlimited power; a quality of Allah.

Beneficent

Benevolent, all-loving, all-good; a quality of Allah.

Merciful

The quality of Allah that shows compassion or forgiveness to humans, even though he has the power to punish them.

Fairness

The idea that Allah treats people fairly and impartially without favour or discrimination.

Justice (Adalat in Shi'a Islam)

The idea that Allah is just and fair and judges human actions, rewarding the good and punishing the bad.

Angels

Spiritual beings believed to act as Messengers of God.

Day of Judgement

A time when the world will end and every soul will be judged by God, and either rewarded or punished.

Jibril

The Arabic name for Gabriel, the archangel who brought God's message to the prophets, particularly to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

Mika'il

The Arabic name for Michael, the archangel of mercy who rewards good deeds and provides nourishment to people.

Predestination

The idea that God knows or determines everything that will happen in the universe.

Akhirah

Everlasting life after death.

Heaven

The state of eternal happiness in the presence of God; also called paradise.

Hell

The state of total separation from God.

Immortality

Endless life or existence after death.

Soul

The spiritual rather than physical part of humans.

Resurrection

Rising from the dead or returning to life (applied to souls after death).

Prophet

A person who proclaims the message of God.

Risalah

The belief that prophets are an important channel of communication between God and humans.

Prophethood

When God makes someone a prophet to communicate his message to people.

Iblis (Satan)

A spiritual being created from fire, who was thrown out of paradise for refusing to bow to Adam.

Kaaba

The black, cube-shaped building in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah; the holiest place in Islam.

Id-ul-Adha

A Muslim festival that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

Hajj

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah that every Muslim should try to make at least once in their life.

Caliph

A person considered to be a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad, and the leader of the Sunni Muslim community.

Imam

1. A person who leads communal prayer; 2. (Imam) in Shi'a Islam, the title given to Ali and his successors.

Imamate

The divine appointment of the Imams.

The Torah

The five books revealed by God to Moses.

Psalms

A holy book revealed by God to David.

Gospel

A holy book revealed by God to Jesus.

Scrolls of Abraham

A holy book revealed by God to Abraham.