Islam Advanced Vocab

Allah

The one and only God in Islam.

Muhammad

The Prophet, considered the final messenger of Allah.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam; the literal word of Allah revealed to Muhammad.

Shi'a

The minority branch that acknowledges leadership through Ali.

Sufi

A tradition emphasizing mystical devotion to and spiritual love of Allah.

Sunni

The majority branch that chooses leaders by community consensus.

akhirah

The afterlife or life after death.

akhlaq

Ethical and moral conduct or behavior.

dhikr

Remembrance of Allah through prayer or recitation.

hadith

Saying and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

hajj

A pilgrimage to Mecca to be undertaken at least once in life.

halal

Actions or items that are permissible under Islamic law.

haram

Actions or items that are forbidden under Islamic law.

hijab

A head covering worn by some women to maintain modesty.

'ibadah

Worship or acts of devotion to Allah.

imam

A religious leader or leader of prayer.

iman

Faith or belief in Allah and the teachings of Islam.

islam

Submission to the will of Allah.

jahannam

Hell, or punishment in the afterlife.

jannah

Paradise, or reward in the afterlife.

jihad

The struggle to live a righteous life and defend Islam.

kufr

Disbelief or rejection of Allah.

masjid

A mosque or place of prayer and worship.

niyyah

The intention behind an action.

risalah

The message or teachings of Islam, Allah's divine guidance to humanity.

salah

The five daily prayers.

sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.

shahadah

The declaration of faith in Allah and Muhammad.

shari'ah

The system of Islamic law based on the Qur'an and hadith.

shirk

Associating partners with Allah, considered the greatest sin in Islam.

sunnah

The way or example set by the Prophet Muhammad in daily life.

tafsir

Interpretation or explanation of the Qur'an.

tawhid

The absolute oneness and uniqueness of Allah.

ummah

The global community of Muslims.

yawm al-din

The Day of Judgment when all are held accountable for their deeds.

zakah

A form of charity or almsgiving intended to support the needy.