Islam Midterm

Orientalism

A Western style of thought that constructs images of Muslims as the “other" and portrays them in stereotypes.

Islamophobia

A fear or prejudice against Islam and Muslims, often leading to discrimination and negative stereotypes.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, characterized by the belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of the Quran.

Muslim

A follower of Islam who believes in the teachings of the Quran and practices the faith.

Allah

The one God Muslims worship

Monotheism

The belief in the existence of only one God or supreme deity

Tawhid

Unity of God: Indivisible. Divine, unity/oneness.

Shirk

Direct association of someone or something else with God in a way that strips God of His unique divinity or rights. The exact opposite of Tawhid, is considered a major sin.

Insan

“Forgetful.” Human being: sometimes disobedient/rebellious, but still noblest of creation

‘Abd

“Serve, worship.” Servant: subservient to God’s will

Fitra

“Knead, originate.” Inner nature, innate disposition

Nafs

“Self,” soul

Angels

spiritual, celestial beings created by Allah from light

Jinn

Similar to Genie. Unseen, intelligent spiritual beings created by Allah from smokeless fire before the creation of humans

Shaytan

“Adversary or distant, astray.” Satan, The Devil. Any rebellious, malicious, or devious entity

Dunya

“Low.” This life, this world

Akhira

“End, Last.” Afterlife, hereafter

Signs of the Hour

The premonitory events and conditions foretold by Prophet Muhammad that indicate the approach of the Day of Judgment

Eschatology

“Account of the end.” Branch of Islamic belief that focuses on the ultimate destiny of humanity

Soteriology

“Account of salvation.”

Barzakh

The intermediate realm where souls reside after death until the Day of Resurrection

Nabi

“Warner,” prophet. An individual chosen and elevated by God to receive divine revelation, spiritual guidance, or insight, and share it with people

Rasul

“Messenger” of God

Muhammad

An Arab religious, military, and political leader, and the founder of Islam. He was the final prophet of God, who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm monotheistic teachings.

Wahy

Divine revelation or communication from Allah to His chosen prophets and messengers.

Al-Amin

“The Trustworthy” or “The Faithful”

First Revelation

Occurred in 610 CE, marking the beginning of the Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood and the descent of the Quran

Quraysh

The predominant Arab merchant tribe that controlled Mecca and the sacred shrine of the Kaaba in 7th-century Arabia before and during the rise of Islam

Qur’an

The central sacred scripture of Islam. Muslims believe it is the literal, direct speech of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a span of 23 years.

Hadith

A recorded account of the sayings, actions, and silent approvals of the Prophet Muhammad

Sunna

“Custom, behavior”

Aqiqa

The Islamic tradition of sacrificing livestock to thank Allah for the birth of a Child

Nikah

The formal, legally binding Islamic marriage contract that unites a man and a woman as husband and wife

Mahr

A mandatory gift, money, or property that a Muslim groom gives directly to his bride as an exclusive right and personal property under the Islamic marriage contract.

Walimah

The traditional Islamic wedding reception is hosted by the groom (or his family)

Talaq

The unilateral right of a husband to dissolve a marriage in Islamic law by verbally or in writing repudiating his wife

Content of Quran

It contains 114 chapters of varying lengths, organized largely from longest to shortest, and serves as a complete guide for faith, morality, and daily life.

Messages of Quran

Monotheism, the belief in one, unique and supreme God (Allah). It serves as a direct guidance for humanity, calling people to moral responsibility, social justice, compassion, and accountability in the afterlife

Experience of Quran

Deeply multi-sensory, spiritual, and varied, spanning oral recitation, rhythmic listening, and personal contemplation

Scriptures Delivered

Divine messages sent by Allah through prophets and messengers to guide humanity

Polytheism

The belief in, or the worship of, more than one god or deity

Mecca, Meccan Period

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam, located in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia, and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Meccan Period (roughly 610 CE to 622 CE) in the first 12-13 year chapter of the Prophet Muhammad’s mission before he migrated to Media. Focused heavily on establish foundational Islamic theology

Medina, Medinan Period

The second holiest city in Islam, located in Western Saudi Arabia, Prophet Muhammad migrated there in 622 CE and established the first independent Muslim community and state.

The Medinan period spans the final 10 years of the Prophet Muhammad’s life

Jihad

“Struggle” or “striving” in the path of God. The internal, personal effort to live a moral and pious life in accordance with Islamic teachings

Hijra

“Flight,” “migration,” “departure”

Umma

The global collective community of all Muslims

Sura

A chapter of the Quran, the Quran contains 114 surahs

Aya

“Verse” of the Quran

Hifz

The traditional Islamic practice of memorizing the entire Quran word-for-word in its original Classical Arabic

Tajwid

The set of rules that governs the correct pronunciation, articulation, and rhythm of reciting the Quran (mirroring how the Prophet Muhammad recited it)

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam (~ 85%-90%). Have the Six Pillars of Faith:

1. Belief in the oneness and unity of God (Allah)

2. Belief in His angels

3. Belief in revealed holy scriptures (including the Quran as the literal, unalterable word of God)

4. Belief in prophets and messengers (such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad)

5. Belief in the Day of Judgment and the afterlife

6. Belief in divine predestination (Qadar)

Shi’a/Shi’i

The second-largest branch of Islam (~ 10%-20%). Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad explicitly designated his cousin and son-in-law as his rightful political and spiritual successor

Ahl al-Bayt

The household of the Prophet Muhammad

Ahl al-Kitab

An Islamic classification for adherents of monotheistic religions that received a divine revelation and sacred scripture from God prior to the Qur’an

Fatima

The youngest daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She is one of the most revered and central female figures in Islamic history, cherished by both Sunni and Shia Muslims

‘Ali

“noble,” “high,” “elevated”

Husayn

“Good,” “handsome,” or “beautiful”

Caliph

The supreme political and religious leader of the Muslim community

Imam

“one who goes before,” “leader,” or “guide

Mawla

“Master,” “protecter,” “friend,” or “ally”

‘Ashura

“The tenth.” It refers to the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar

Karbala

A city in central Iraq and the site of the historic Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, where Husayn ibn ALi — the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad—was martyred

Ghayba

The occultation of the Hidden Imam in Shia Islam, or backbiting in general Islamic ethics

Raja

“Hope,” “expectation,” or “hopeful”

Imami/Twelver

The largest branch of Shia Islam. They believe that after the Prophet Muhammad, the spiritual and political leadership of the Muslim community passed lineage of twelve divinely appointed, infallible leaders known as the Twelve Imams

Isma’ili/Sevener

A major branch of the Shia Islam that split from the mainstream Twelver Shia in 765 AD. The division occurred after the death of hte sixth Shia Imam