Muslim Vocab

Prophet Muhammad

The founder of Islam, regarded by Muslims as the last prophet of God.

Makkah/Mecca

The birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the site of the Kaaba, a sacred structure in Islam.

Kaba

A sacred structure located in the center of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, considered the most sacred site in Islam.

Jahiliya

The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam.

Khadija

The first wife of Prophet Muhammad, a successful businesswoman who supported him during the early days of his prophethood.

Allah

The Arabic word for God in Islam.

Quran

The holy book of Islam.

Miraj or Night Journey

A miraculous night journey of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem and then to the heavens.

Jerusalem

A significant city in Islam, known as the location of important events in the life of Prophet Muhammad, including the Night Journey.

Dome of the Rock

Marks the place which Muhammad was taken bodily into heaven.

Prophets

(Adam, Musa, Ibrahim

Seal of the prophets

Title given to Prophet Muhammad, indicating that he is the final prophet in Islam.

Umma

The collective community of Muslims around the world, bound together by their faith.

Hijrah

The migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

Madinah/Medina

City in Saudi Arabia where Prophet Muhammad established a Muslim community after the Hijrah.

Sunni

Chose to follow Abu Bakr using Arab traditional method

Ali

Muhammad’s kin

Shia

Branch of Islam that believes leadership should have stayed within Muhammad's family.

People of the book

Term used in Islam to refer to Jews, Christians, and sometimes others who follow earlier scriptures.

Jihad

An Arabic term meaning "struggle" or "striving," often referring to the spiritual struggle against sin or the effort to promote a good cause.

shahada

The Islamic declaration of faith, stating that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.

Salat/Namaz

The Islamic practice of ritual prayer performed five times daily, facing the Kaaba in Mecca. It involves specific physical movements and recitations.

Almsgiving + Zakat

The practice of charitable giving in Islam, typically calculated as a percentage of one's wealth to support the less fortunate and help the community.

fasting

The Islamic practice of abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

The Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca.

tawhid

“unity“ of allah

Arabic

The language of the Quran and the official language of many Arab countries.

hadith

Records that complement the Quran.

ayat

“signs“ of Allah in the world

Islam

Means “surrender“ and implies one’s abandonment of the self to Allah

mosque

A place of worship for Muslims, where they gather for prayers and community activities.

Ramadan

The month of the Islamic lunar calendar where Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset.

Sufi

Men and women whose community identifies them as such because of virtues, and or miracles ascribed to them.

Muharram

The first month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed with mourning and remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.

Husain

Grandson of Muhammad