IB World Religions Islam Vocab

To study for the IB test

Iman

“Faith”. Required alongside action to enter into Paradise.

Risalah

The concept of Prophethood. Allah’s primary method of revealing His word to humanity.

Ibadah

“Worship”. Can also refer to obedience, humility, or submission to Allah. Required of believers of Allah.

Akhlaq

“Good character”. The practice of virtue and good morality. Treating one’s companions and environment with kindness and respect.

Jihad

Literally means “holy war”. Can, but doesn’t necessarily, refer to physical violence. Represents a Muslim’s struggle against outside oppression. May also represent a Muslim’s ongoing battle to spread their religion.

Niyya

The intent behind an action. Good actions serve no purpose in one’s journey towards paradise without an underlying intent to honor Allah and fulfill His wishes.

Kufr

A lack of faith in Allah. Doubt or denial of the truth of Allah’s word.

Akhirah

“Afterlife”. Refers to the time period after one’s death when they will either live with Allah in Paradise or suffer for eternity. The “destination” of one’s journey.

Tawhid

“Monotheism”. Represents Islam’s emphasis on the uniqueness of Allah. One of Islam’s most essential characteristics.

Ulama

Refers to Islam’s scholarly community. Serves to protect and guide Muslims through their religious journey.

Sharia

Refers to Islam’s religious law; Allah’s commands for how humans should behave. In some Islamic states (Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) the legal law is based off the ___ law.

Hadith

Important holy text in Islam, secondary only to the Quran. Contains sayings and advice from Muhammad.

Ka’ba

The large stone structure in Mecca. “House of God”. The holiest site in Islam. Important within Hajj.

Shahadah

The Islamic declaration of faith, affirming the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad. The first pillar of Islam. When someone converts to Islam, affirming this declaration is one of the first things they do.

Salat

Formal worship of Allah (ritual prayer). Must be done with proper posture and while and faced towards Mecca. The second pillar of Islam. Often spelled with an “h” instead of a “t” (the answer for this quiz uses a “t”).

Zakat

Mandatory almsgiving of 2.5% of income. The third pillar of Islam. Wealth is given to the needy as charity.

Sawm

Ritual fasting. The fourth pillar of Islam. Done to bring Muslims together and increase charity by making people experience how the less fortunate live.

Hajj

Ritual pilgrimage. The fifth pillar of Islam. Requires Muslims to travel to Mecca at least once in their lives to perform a series of religiously significant activities.

Du’a

“Personal supplication”. A prayer made as a request to Allah for forgiveness, guidance, or assistance. Can be performed at any time.

Dhikr

Prayer recited repeatedly to honor Allah. Important within Sufism.

Eid al-Fitr

The first of Islam’s two most important holidays. Celebrates the breaking of the fast of Ramadan. Sometimes spelled without the “E” at the start.

Eid al-Adha

The second of Islam’s two most important holidays. Celebrates the beginning of the season of pilgrimage. Sometimes spelled without the “E” at the start.

Ashura

A holiday that occurs on the tenth day of the first month in the Islamic calendar.

Sunni Muslims honor it as a day of fasting to commemorate the deliverance of Moses and the Israelites from the Pharaoh.

Shia Muslims honor it as a day to of remembrance of the martyrdom of Muhammad’s grandson Husayn ibn Ali.

Yawm al-din

The Islamic term for Judgement Day, when all humans will be punished or rewarded for their actions.

Shirk

Belief in polytheism; going against a grave sin

Jinn

Supernatural beings that were created before humans and may still play a role in the modern world. May be benevolent or malevolent. Similar to “ghosts'“ or “genies”.

Caliph

The head of a Muslim community or state.

Umma

The global community of Muslims.

Qadi

A judge of Sharia court who interprets Sharia law.

Mufti

An Islamic scholar who is qualified to analyze and comment on the intricacies of Sharia law.

Jum’a

Communal Friday prayer. Attendance is required of all Muslim men.

Tafsir

Quranic commentary, interpreting and explaining the meaning of the Quran.

Hijab

Head covering worn by some Muslim women seeking to show modesty and devotion to their faith.

Niqab

A form of hijab that covers a woman’s entire head except for the eyes.

Khadija

Muhammad’s first wife. Played an important role in his life until her death.

Night Journey

The term for Muhammad’s miraculous journey form Mecca to Jerusalum and then ascended into heaven in one night.

Sunni

The branch of Islam that believes that Muhammad’s succession should be determined by the Islamic community. Represents the majority of Muslims and is common worldwide.

Shia

The branch of Islam that believes that Muhammad’s succession should be determined by his genealogy. Represents a minority of Muslims and is most common in Iran and a few other states.

Sunnah

The teachings and traditions left by Muhammad as guidance for Muslims. Found in Hadith.

Ghaflah

Becoming distracted and forgetting one’s spiritual duty.

Mushaf

A physical copy of the Quran.

Surah

A “chapter” of the Quran. There are 114 in total.

Adhan

Islamic call to prayer. A set of phrases that is recited to mark one’s mental transition from the material world into the spiritual world. Recited before each daily prayer.

Fiqh

Islamic jurisprudence. The term for the Islamic community’s interpretation of Sharia law.

Night of Power

The day when Allah began the process of revealing the Quran to Muhammad. Takes place towards the end of Ramadan, though the exact date is not well agreed upon. Worship done on this day is more valuable than any other.

Hijra

Refers to Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

Matn

Refers to the content of hadith.

Isnad

The chain of people who pass on knowledge or tradition.

Halal

Actions which are permissible and lawful. Also often refers to food that is permissible to be eaten.

Haram

Actions which are forbidden.

Maliki

One of the Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Considers the consensus of the people of Medina to be a valid source of law.

Shafi’i

One of the Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Puts especially high emphasis on the teaches of the Quran and Sunnah. Values the consensus on Islamic scholars.

Hanbali

One of the Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Puts emphasis on the literal word of the Quran and Hadith.

Hanafi

One of the Islamic schools of jurisprudence. Puts emphasis on reason and public interest. Known for its flexibility in regard to its interpretation of Islamic law.

Jafari

The Shia school of jurisprudence.

Nation of Islam

An African American Islamic group. Focuses on racial unity in belief.

Sheikh

A respected elder. A leader or teacher of Islamic knowledge.

Mawlid al-Nabi

The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims take the opportunity of this day to learn about Muhammad’s life and legacy.