Religious Beliefs and Practices

Allah

Arabic word for God in Islam.

Quran

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad. It serves as a guide for ethical and moral conduct, laws, and spiritual guidance for Muslims.

The Five Pillars

• Belief (Shahada): Declaration of faith – “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger.”

• Prayer: Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca.

• Charity/Alms (Zakat): Giving to the poor; obligatory act of worship.

• Fasting: Abstaining from food, drink, and other acts during daylight in Ramadan.

• Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca required once in a lifetime if able.

Ramadan

The holy month of fasting, commemorating the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.

Islamic law derived from the Quran, Hadith, and scholars' interpretations.

Legal system; Islamic law derived from the Quran, Hadith, and scholars' interpretations.

Kaaba

A cube-shaped structure in Mecca; Islam’s holiest site and direction of prayer. It is considered the House of Allah and is the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage.

Caliph/Caliphate

Successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslim community, overseeing both spiritual and temporal affairs of the Muslim community.

The Right Guided Caliphs

The first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali), seen as rightly guided by Sunni Muslims.

Jihad

Struggle or effort in the path of God; can mean personal spiritual struggle or, controversially, armed struggle.

Night of power and excellence

The night Muhammad received the first revelation from the Angel Gabriel during Ramadan.

Ashura

Day of mourning for Shia Muslims commemorating Husseins martyrdom at Karbala.