Islam Key Terms

Akirha

Islamic term for life after death. This afterlife is everlasting and Earth is a test for the afterlife.

Al Qadr

Predestination of the will of Allah. It is the belief that Allah knows what will happen at all times and he has written and willed it.

Burkha

A garment that covers the entire body except the eyes. It is worn in public by some women and is compulsory for women in some Islamic countries.

Hijab

A headscarf worn by Muslim women. It is worn in public by some women and is compulsory for women in some Islamic countries.

Id-ul-Fitr

The festival celebrated ay the end of Ramadan. It means ‘festival of breaking the fast’.

Isa

Arabic name for the prophet Jesus. Muslims do not believe he is divine but instead that he is a messenger of God and is called a messiah.

Lesser jihad

The outward struggle to defend one’s faith, family and country from threat. Lesser jihad is about defending Islam from threat.

Greater jihad

The personal, inner struggle to be a good Muslim and to improve spiritually. It is a constant duty and is seen as an act of worship.

Makkah

It is a city in Saudi Arabia. It is considered holy as it is the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad and also as it contains the Kaaba.

Muhammad

He is the founder of Islam and seal of the prophets. He is the proclaimer of the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture.

Prophet

A person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God. There are 25 prophets in Islam with Muhammad being the most important.

Ummah

The worldwide Muslim community of believers. The ummah is meant to transcend national, racial, and class divisions to unite all Muslims.