RELS 100 - Ch 12: Islam

Arabic

Sacred language of Islam

Star and Crescent

Symbol of Islam

Islam

“submission” or “surrender” to God; religion of Muslims

Muslim

“Submitters,” followers of Islam. Indonesia has the highest concentration. 1.5 billion worldwide. Sunni & Shi’ite

Sunni

“People of the tradition.” 90% of Muslims. Believe Muhammad did not choose a successor. 

Shi’ites

“Party” or ”followers” of Ali. Muhammad’s link with Allah continued through his family. Stricter interpretation of law

Islamist

recent term for Muslim radicals

Qur’an

Recitation; to recite. The sacred text of Islam. 114 Sura. Gods words as revealed to and recited by Muhammad

Muhammad

Core story. “Peace be upon him.” Angel Gabriel appeared to him to recite the word of Allah and he spread the word of Allah. Born in Mecca, buried in Medina

Hanifs

“Pious ones.” pre-Islamic Arabian monotheists

Ramadan

month of fasting and commemoration of the giving of the Qur’an. Fast from sunrise to sunset.

Eid al-Fitr

End of Ramadan, a big feast/celebration

Allah

“the God” in Arabic. The monotheistic God in Islam.

Hijra

“Flight” of Muslims to Mecca to Medina in 622. Migration to Medina

Umma

organized Muslim community

Caliph

“representative” or “successor” of Muhammad; ruler of the Muslim community

Rightly Guided Caliphs

first four caliphs with special divine guidance

Madrasas

Muslim religious schools

Crusades

Christian military expeditions to take control of Palestine

Arab Spring

uprisings in Arab nations from 2010 to 2012 demanding an end to autocratic rule and a measure of democracy

Ashura

tenth of Muharram, day of Husain’s death, observed by Shi’ites as a day of mourning

Imam

Muslim leader of prayer in a Sunni mosque, or the religious political leader of a Shi’ite community

Mahdi

“The one guided” by God, hidden Shi’ite imam who will return to establish worldwide Shi’a rule

Sufis

followers of Islamic mystical movement in Sufism

Wahhabi

modern Sunni radical movement begun by Muhammad al-Wahhab

Salafi

Sunni movement promoting strict practice of Islam

Muslim Brotherhood

Conservative religious and political movement founded in 1929

Taliban

“Students” of the Qur’an, a radical Sunni group in Afghanistan

Jinn

spirits, both good and evil

Surah

the chapters of the Qur’an (117 of them)

al-Fatihah

“The Opening” the first chapter of the Qur’an, used as a prayer in Islam

People of the Book

Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, whose scriptures are related to the Qur’an

Hadith

“Traditions” a traditional report recording a saying or action of Muhammad

Shari’a

“Way” or “Path” 
Formal system of tradition

Fatwa

ruling by an imam urging a particular action by Muslims

Halah

“permitted” foods and actions

Haram

“forbidden” foods and acitons

Jihad

“struggle” both personal and inner struggle and armed struggle for Islam

Five Pillars of Islam

Sunni practice of confession of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage to Mecca

Shahadah

fundamental confession of faith: There is no god but God, and Muhammad is God’s prophet

Salat

ritual Muslim prayers recited five times a day

Mosque

building for formal Muslim worship

Minaret

tower on a mosque from which the call to prayer is made

Qiblah

direction that Muslims face during prayer; toward Mecca and the Kabah

Sawm

ritual fasting done during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan

Zakat

“Almsgiving” mandatory contribution of one fortieth of ones income to support Islam

Hajj

pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajji

“pilgrim” additional personal name given to a man who has taken the Hajj

al-Qaeda

“the base” of jihad. Contemporary terrorist movement begun by Osama bin Laden

Medina

first mosque; Hijra; Muhammad buried here. second holiest city in Islam.