Key Concepts in Islam and the Life of Muhammad

Islam

Surrendering to the will of God.

Muslim

Practitioner of Islam who submits to God.

Abraham

Ancestor of Muslims; surrendered to God before Judaism.

Muhammed

Prophet born in 570 CE in Mecca.

Khadija

Muhammed's wife and first convert to Islam.

Ramadan

Month of fasting and spiritual reflection.

Quran

God's holy book revealed to Muhammed.

Night Journey

Muhammed's spiritual journey meeting past prophets.

Migration to Madina

Occurred in 622 CE; starts Muslim calendar.

Abu Bakr

First Muslim leader or Caliph after Muhammed.

Kabba

Sacred site where Muhammed destroyed idols.

Monotheism

Belief in one God; key Islamic principle.

Muezzin

Crier who calls Muslims to prayer.

Mihrab

Niche indicating direction of Mecca in mosques.

Wudu

Ritual washing before Muslim prayers.

Musallah

Prayer hall where Muslims gather for worship.

Battle of Badr

Muhammed's victory despite being outnumbered.

Jihad

Struggle for the sake of God.

Shi'ite Muslims

Believe leadership must be blood-related to Muhammed.

Sunni Muslims

Focus on authority of religious leaders, not blood.

Ayats

Verses of the Quran; total of 6,666.

Adhan

Call to prayer; first sound for a newborn.

Shahadah

Declaration of faith; last words for dying Muslims.