Islam: An Introduction Recap

A collection of vocabulary flashcards to assist in reviewing key concepts related to Islam, its history, and practices.

Hagar

A woman who was offered as a surrogate by Sarah and became the mother of Ishmael.

Ishmael

The son of Hagar, promised by God to be the ancestor of a great nation.

Al-Safa and Al-Marwah

Hills between which Hagar ran seven times searching for water.

Zamzam Well

A well in Mecca that is significant in Islam, associated with Hagar's quest for water.

Quraysh

The most powerful clan in Mecca, into which Muhammad was born.

Kabah

A pagan shrine in Mecca that attracted pilgrims and generated revenue.

Muhammad

Regarded as the 'Seal of the Prophets', he established Islam and received revelations.

Kadijah

Muhammad's wife, a wealthy widow who supported him in his business and spirituality.

Angel Gabriel (Jibril)

The angel who revealed to Muhammad that he was chosen as a prophet.

Hijrah

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E.

Al-Medina

City where Muhammad settled after the Hijrah, known as 'The City'.

Battle of Badr

A significant battle where Muhammad’s small army defeated Mecca's forces.

Battle of Uhud

A battle where the Meccans defeated Muhammad’s followers.

Battle of the Trench

A conflict where Muhammad’s followers defended Medina by digging a trench.

Conquest of Mecca

The peaceful entry of Muhammad and 10,000 followers into Mecca in 630 C.E.

Caliphate

The Islamic state led by a caliph as a successor to Muhammad.

Abu Bakr

Close friend and supporter of Muhammad, selected as the first caliph.

Ali

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, whose leadership was disputed after Muhammad's death.

Sunni

The largest sect of Islam, believing in elected leadership.

Shi’ah (Shiite)

A sect that emphasizes leadership through Ali and his descendants.

Sufism

A mystical Islamic tradition focusing on spiritual growth and union with God.

Qur’an

The holy book of Islam, containing the revelations made to Muhammad.

The Five Pillars of Islam

The core beliefs and practices of Islam including faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.

Shahadah

The declaration of faith in Islam stating there is no god but God and Muhammad is His messenger.

Salat

Mandatory prayers performed five times daily in Islam.

Zakat

Mandatory charity in Islam, typically 2.5% of one’s surplus wealth.

Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn to dusk.

Hajj

Mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims who are able.

Adhan

The Islamic call to prayer, performed shortly after birth.

Iqamah

A command to rise and worship, recited shortly after the adhan.

Aqiqah

The name-giving ceremony performed 7 days after birth in Islam.

Khitan

Male circumcision often done shortly after birth in Islam.

Dowry

Money or property given by the groom to the bride in an Islamic marriage.

Polygyny

A form of marriage where a man has multiple wives under certain conditions.

Divorce in Islam

Permitted as a last resort, with required arbitration before seeking divorce.

Burial in Islam

The practice of burying a deceased person as soon as possible, facing the Ka’bah.

Haram

Actions or things that are forbidden in Islam.

Halal

Permissible foods or actions in Islam.

Awra

The concept of modest dress in Islam.

Ramadan

The month of fasting in Islam, observed as the 9th month of the lunar calendar.

Sura

A chapter of the Qur’an, of which there are 114.

Al-Fatihah

The opening surah of the Qur’an, considered a central prayer.

Piety

God-consciousness, which determines a person's worth in Islam.

No Compulsion in Religion

A principle in Islam stating that belief must be a personal choice.

Mihrab

A niche in the mosque indicating the direction of the Ka’bah.

Minbar

The pulpit in a mosque where the imam delivers sermons.

Minaret

A tower from which the call to prayer is announced.

Wudu

The ritual cleansing performed before prayer.

Eid al-Fitr

The festival marking the end of Ramadan.

Dietary Restrictions in Islam

Regulations concerning what foods are halal or haram.

Ritual Animal Slaughter (Zabiha)

The prescribed method of slaughtering animals for food in Islam.

Alcohol in Islam

Considered haram and forbidden according to the Qur'an.

Idolatry

The worship of idols, considered a grave sin in Islam.

Tawhid

The oneness of God, central to Islamic belief.

Sunnah

The practices and traditions of Muhammad that guide the behavior of Muslims.

Hadith

Reports of the sayings or actions of Muhammad.

Imam

The prayer leader in a mosque, not a priest.

Call to Prayer (Adhan)

The announcement for the congregational prayer in Islam.

Arafat

A mountain near Mecca where Muhammad gave his Farewell Sermon.

Farewell Sermon

Muhammad's last sermon emphasizing core Islamic values.

Muslim Brotherhood

A concept emphasizing equality and community among Muslims.

Sahih

Authentic or reliable, referring to hadith collections.

Islamic Law (Sharia)

The legal framework derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Tafsir

Exegesis or commentary on the Qur'an.

Dar al-Islam

The term for countries where Muslims can practice their faith freely.

Dar al-Harb

The term for lands where Islam is not established.

Islamophobia

Prejudice or discrimination against Islam and Muslims.

Salah

An alternative name for Salat, the Islamic ritual prayer.

Imamate

Leadership in Islam, especially in Shiite belief tied to the Imams.

Khadijah

Muhammad's first wife, a key supporter of his early revelations.

Islamic Calendar

A lunar calendar used to determine religious observances in Islam.

Conquests of Islam

The spread of Islam through various military and cultural strategies.

Zakat al-Fitr

A form of zakat given before Eid al-Fitr, ensuring all Muslims can celebrate.

Jihad

Struggle or striving in the way of God.

Almsgiving

The act of giving to the poor, often required in Islam through Zakat.

Fitrah

Natural disposition towards goodness, guiding moral development.

Jurassic Faith

A term illustrating how beliefs and practices have evolved in Islam.

Salah al-Janazah

The funeral prayer in Islam.

Uthman

The third caliph who oversaw the compilation of the Qur'an.

Abdullah ibn Abbas

A companion and cousin of Muhammad known for his knowledge.

Islamic Revivalism

Movements aimed at returning to the foundational principles of Islam.

Crescent Moon and Star

Symbols often associated with Islam but not officially recognized.

Sufi Orders (Tariqas)

Different groups practicing Sufism with unique rituals.

Nafs

The self or ego in Islamic thought, significant in Sufi mysticism.