Introduction to Islam: Midterm Study Guide

A set of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and concepts for the Midterm Exam in Introduction to Islam.

Iman

The faith or belief in the fundamental tenets of Islam.

Islam

The religion founded on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, meaning submission to the will of God.

Kufr

Disbelief or rejection of God and His commandments.

Shukr

Gratitude or thankfulness, particularly towards God.

Taqwa

Consciousness or fear of God, leading to piety and righteousness.

Jahanam

Hell in Islamic theology, a place of punishment for the wicked.

Janna

Paradise or heaven in Islam, a reward for the righteous.

al-Dunyya

The temporal world or earthly life.

al-Akhira

The afterlife or the world to come.

Tawhid

The concept of monotheism in Islam, the oneness of God.

Salāt

The Islamic practice of ritual prayer performed five times daily.

Ayah

A verse of the Quran.

Wahy

Divine revelation or inspiration.

Umma

The collective community of Muslims around the world.

Theism

Belief in a personal God who is active in the universe.

Pantheism

Belief that God is immanent in the universe and synonymous with it.

Pillars of Islam

The five fundamental acts of worship in Islam: Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Pillars of Belief

The six essential beliefs in Islam: belief in God, angels, books, prophets, the Last Day, and divine predestination.

Jahiliyyah

The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam.

Virtues of Jahili Arabs

Notable traits such as bravery, loyalty, hospitality, honor, and protection of the weak that characterized pre-Islamic Arab culture.

Loyalty (Wafa) in the Qur’an

The loyalty towards God and fellow humans, which can manifest in different forms.

Veracity in Qur’anic language

The adherence to truth in speech and action, maintaining honesty before God and mankind.

Ka’aba

The sacred shrine in Mecca, central to Islamic worship and pilgrimage.

Qur’anic Cosmology

The structure of the universe as depicted in the Qur'an, involving al-Dunya (this world), al-Akhira (the hereafter), and the intermediary existence.

Towhid

The Islamic principle of monotheism, affirming the oneness and uniqueness of God.

Hijra

The migration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Hadith

The recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a source of guidance in Islam.