Islam Vocabulary

God of Islam

Allah

Successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims

Caliph

a ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a recognized authority, often erroneously defined as an edict against someone or something.

Fatwa

Islamic Jurisprudence

Fiqh

A pilgrimage to Mecca

Hajj

Traditional records of the deeds of Muhammad, and his quotations

Hadith

The Islamic practice of dressing modestly; specifically the requirement that women be covered or veiled

Hajib

In its original meaning, complete, trusting surrender to God.

Imam

A person seeking to establish Islamic states in which the rule of God is supreme.

Islamist

The Muslim's struggle against the inner forces that prevent God-realization and the outer barriers to establishment of the order.

Jihad

Traditional religious school teaching a narrow version of Islam

Madrasa

In Islam, one who calls the people to prayer from a high place.

Muezzin

The central Muslim expression of faith: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God."

Shahadah

The Divine law and ethics in Islam

Shari'ah

A branch of Islam, which says that Mohammed's legitimate successors were Ali and a series of Imams.

Shi'a

The mystical path in Islam

Sufism

The behavior of the Prophet Muhammad, used as a model in Islamic law

Sunnah

a follower of the majority branch of Islam, which feels that successors to Muhammad are to be chosen by the Muslim community

Sunni

A Chapter of the Qur'ran

Surah

Muslim community

Ummah

Spiritual Tithing

Zakat

The mystical plan in islam

Sufism