Islam
Submission (to Allah)
Tawhid
Oneness of Allah
Adalat
Divine justice
Shirk
Worst sin -putting anything above Allah
Imamate
Authority of Imams
Hanif
Someone who strives to be like Ibrahim -following a monotheistic religion
Kaaba
The building at the centre of Islam’s most important mosque in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The most sacred site in Islam
Day of Judgment
End of time when Allah display justice and send people to hell or heaven
Seal of the prophets
Muhammad’s name
Risalah
Message; referring to the communication between Allah and humans
Kutub
Six books containing collections of hadith compiled by six Sunni Muslims scholars
Al-Qadr
Predestination
Sifat
Character
Barzakh
Period of waiting time between a person's death and the day of Judgment
Al-Jannah
Heaven
Jahannam
Hell
Shahadah
Declaration of faith
Salat/Salah
Five daily prayers
Zakat/Zakah
Giving wealth as a tax to the poor
Sawm
Fasting during the month of Ramadan
Hajj
Pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia
Khums
Annual taxation of 20% of savings. Paid to religious leaders and used to help the poor and needy
Jihad
Striving -important to all Muslims and is one of the 10 obligatory acts of Shi’a
Greater Jihad
Individual’s effort to follow the straight path and follow Allah. Control their own desires and temptations. Wanting to lead a disciplined life
Lesser Jihad
Outward striving -to great a good and fair Muslim society. If it is in the form of war it should be just and fair. It has very strict guidelines
Amr-bil-Maroof
Commanding what is just
Nahi Anil Munkar
Forbidding what is evil
Tawalla
Expressing love towards good
Tabarra
Expressing hatred towards evil
Khutbah
Name of the sermon on Friday mosques
Jummah prayers
Friday prayers where the khutbah is read
Wudu
Symbolic washing and purification of the mind before salah
Niyya
Believer's intention to worship with a pure heart. Linked to Wudu
Qibla
The direction of Mecca
Rak’ah
A sequence of prayers containing actions and recitations
Du’a
Prayer
Ihram
White robes used during Hajj. Men's garments are two white sheets
Nisab
Minimum amount of wealthy a Muslim must possess before they are eligible to pay Zakat
Sadaqah
Voluntary charity
Ramadan
Month of fasting for all Muslims. Sawm
Ummah
Community
Eid-Ul-Adha
Festival of sacrifice -Ibrahim sacrificing his son
Id-Ul-Fitr
The festival of breaking fast -end of Ramadan
Id-Ul-Ghadeer
Shia’s festival -sermon delivered by Muhammad shortly before his death. He announced Ali as his successor
Ashura
Means tenth. Celebrated on the tenth day of Muharram -first month of the Islamic calendar. Warfare is forbidden. Shi’a mourn Imam Hussein, grandson of Muhammad being martyred. Sunni fast to commemorate Noah leaving the arc and Moses being saved from the Egyptians by God
Malaikah
Belief in Angels
Sunna
Actions of Muhammad
Hadith
Sayings of Muhammad
Sira
Biographies of Muhammad
Quran
The holy book revealed to Muhammad by the Angel Jibril; God’s final revelation to humankind
Shari’a
‘The way to water’; the Islamic legal system
Sunni
Muslims who believe in the successorship to Muhammad of Abu Bakr
Shi’a
Muslims who believe in the Imamate , the successorship of Ali
Six articles of faith
The key beliefs of Sunni Muslims
Usul ad-din
Principles of faith; they key beliefs of Shi’a Muslim
Al wahid
The one who is unique and nothing can compare to him
Khalifah
Successor after Muhammad; representative of Allah on earth
Al-Nubuwwah
Prophethood
Prophet
A person chosen by Allah to teach humans what is right and wrong
Adam
The first prophet and human. He was made with the ground’s dust mixed with water to create clay which then turned into life. He lived in Jannah with Hawwa and was tempted by Iblis to eat from the tree. Allah then forgave them and sent them to live on earth where Allah is merciful. represents repentence
Nabi
Prophet
Rasul
Messenger
Musa
He released the Israeli people from slavery from the Phaoroh. When the Phaoroh didn't want to release the people, Allah sent the 10 plagues upon the Egyptians. Allah separated the Nile so everyone can cross safely and drowned the Egyptians. He received the Torah from Allah. Represents justice
Isma’il
Ibrahim's first son. When he kicked the ground water sprang out. He rebuilt the Kaaba with Ibrahim
Ibrahim
‘Father of prohphets’; his faith was tested and he was willing to sacrifice his son for Allah. Allah rewarded his faith by sacrificing a ram instead. Represents obedience
Isa
He was born to virgin Mary. Known for performing many miracles such as healing people. Represents compassion
Dawud
A great warrior who killed the giant Goliath. He became king and was given the Zabur. Represents bravery
Iblis
Satan
Laylat-al-Qadr
Night of power
Imam
A person who leads a communal prayer; in Shi'a the title given to Muhammad's successors, appointed by God.
Torah (Tawrat)
Scripture revealed to Musa
Psalms (Zabur)
Scripture revealed to Dawud
Scrolls of Ibrahim (Sahifa)
Scripture revealed to Ibrahim and Musa
Gospel (Injil)
Scripture revealed to Isa
Mika’il
Guardian of heaven. Muhammad said that he also sends rain, thunder and lightning to earth commanded by Allah
Jibril
Chief angel; revealed Qur’an to Muhammad. He takes shape of a man but his true form has 600 wings which covers the sky
Izra’il
Angel of death. Takes people's last breath. Seen as pleasant because he is taking them to Paradise
Israfil
Angel of the Day of Judgment. He will blow the trumpet to announce the day. The trumpet is kept by his mouth readied for Allah’s command
Akhirah
Everlasting life after death
Tawf
Circling the Kaaba 7 times
Zamzam
Well provided by God to Hajjra
Jamarat
Three pillars representing the devil
Sa’y
Walking between al-safa and al-marwa 7 times
Tarawih
Voluntary night prayer during Ramadan
I’tikaf
Retreat
Bada
Shi’a belief that Allah can change a persons destiny
Mu’tazilite
Group that believed everyone has free will and is responsible for their actions
Al-Ashari
Group that believes Allah is the cause and controller of everything
Hijrah
Emigration from Mecca to Medinah
Al-Ma’ad
The day of Resurrection