Key Concepts in Islam and Yoruba Religion

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

Founder of Islam, regarded as the final prophet.

Mecca

Holy city of Islam, Muhammad's birthplace.

Hijira

Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina.

Battle of Badr

Early Muslim victory that strengthened Muhammad's leadership.

Caliph

Successor to Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community.

Emir

Muslim military leader or governor.

Imam

Islamic leadership position; often leads prayers.

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad; important in Shi'a Islam.

Abu Bakr

First Caliph after Muhammad's death.

Umayyad Caliphate

First major Islamic dynasty.

Abbasid Caliphate

Dynasty known for Islamic Golden Age.

Ife and Oyo

Important historical Yoruba kingdoms.

Ile-Ife

Spiritual center of Yoruba religion.

Santería

A syncretic religion blending Yoruba traditions and Catholicism.

Candomblé

Afro-Brazilian religious tradition based on Yoruba beliefs.

Umbanda

A Brazilian spiritual practice mixing Yoruba, Catholic, and Indigenous beliefs.

Dine

Navajo people ('The People').

Dine Bikeyah

Homeland of the Navajo people.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason over tradition.

New Atheism

Movement advocating criticism of religion and promotion of science and secularism.

Qur'an

Holy book of Islam.

Hadith

Collected sayings and traditions of Muhammad.

Sunna

Example of Muhammad's life and teachings.

Shirk

Idolatry or associating partners with God (a grave sin in Islam).

Inshallah

"God willing" — expression of faith in divine will.

Jinn

Supernatural beings made of smokeless fire.

Al-Fatihah

Opening chapter of the Qur'an.

Mahdi

A messianic figure expected by some Muslims.

Fard

Religious obligations.

Haram

Forbidden actions or items in Islam.

Halal

Permissible actions or items in Islam.

Shari'a Law

Islamic legal framework derived from Qur'an and Hadith.

Five Pillars of Islam

Shahada (faith), Salat (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage).

Shahada

Declaration of faith.

Salat

Obligatory prayer five times a day.

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan.

Zakat

Charitable giving.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Jihad

Struggle for personal spiritual growth or defense of the Muslim community.

Mujahedeen

Those engaged in jihad.

Olodumare

Supreme God in Yoruba belief.

Obatala (Oxala)

Creator deity of humanity.

Oduduwa

Progenitor of the Yoruba people.

Ogun (Ogum)

God of iron, war, and labor.

Orunmila

Deity of wisdom and divination.

Oshun (Oxum)

Orisha of rivers, love, and fertility.

Shango (Xango)

Orisha of thunder and lightning.

Eshu (Elegua)

Messenger orisha, god of crossroads.

Yemoja (Yemanja)

Mother of all orishas; associated with oceans.

Emi

The soul or breath of life.

Ashe (Axé)

Spiritual energy or power.

Iwà Pelé

The goal of cultivating good character.

Ayanmo

Individual destiny.

Asiento

The ritual initiation into Santería.

Ori

Personal spiritual essence.

Orisha

Deity or spirit that reflects one of Olodumare's manifestations.

Changing Woman

Mother goddess in Navajo tradition.

Coyote

Trickster figure in Navajo mythology.

Earth Surface People

Term for humans in Navajo belief.

Father Sky

Male creative force in Navajo cosmology.

Mother Earth

Female nurturing force in Navajo belief.

First Man and First Woman

Mythological figures in Navajo creation stories.

First Man and First Woman

First beings created in Navajo cosmology.

Hocho

Evil or disorder in Navajo belief.

Holy People (Diyin Dine'e)

Supernatural beings central to Navajo religion.

Holy Wind (Nilchi)

Spiritual force that animates life.

Hózhǫ́

Harmony, beauty, and balance in Navajo culture.

Inner Form (Bił Náhalt'i'í)

The spiritual aspect of a being.

Sa'a Naghai Bik'e Hozho

Concept of living a long life in beauty and balance.

Chindi

Ghost left behind after death in Navajo belief.

Agnosticism

Belief that the existence of God is unknown or unknowable.

Anti-theism

Opposition to theism and organized religion.

Theism

Belief in the existence of a god or gods.

Deism

Belief in a creator who does not intervene in the universe.

Freethought

Forming opinions based on reason rather than authority.

Rationalism

Emphasis on reason as the source of knowledge.

Empiricism

Knowledge based on sensory experience.

Scientific Skepticism

Questioning beliefs based on scientific evidence.

Humanism

Focus on human values and concerns.

Materialism

Belief that only physical matter exists.

Naturalism

Belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes.

Negative Atheist

Someone who lacks belief in gods but makes no claims.

Positive Atheist

Someone who asserts that no gods exist.

Secular Humanism

Human-centered philosophy promoting ethics without religion.

Secularism

Separation of religion from public affairs.

Secularization Theory

Idea that modernization leads to decline of religion.

Spiritual but Not Religious

Personal spirituality without organized religion.

Strong Agnosticism

Belief that the existence of gods is unknowable.

Weak Agnosticism

Suspension of belief due to lack of evidence.

Political Secularism

Separation of religion and government.

Philosophical Secularism

View that life should be governed by reason, not religion.

Umma

Global community of Muslims.

Ka'aba

Sacred shrine in Mecca.

Madrasas

Islamic religious schools.

Hijab, Niqab, and Burqa

Types of Muslim women's coverings.

Odu Ifá

Corpus of Yoruba divination texts.

Babalawo

Priest of Ifá, interpreter of divination.

Egungun Masquerades

Ancestor veneration ceremonies in Yoruba religion.

Gelede Festival

Celebration honoring women and mothers in Yoruba culture.

Iyalawo

Female priestess in Yoruba religion.