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Glossary
Adha: The call to prayer performed by the muezzin before each of the
five daily times of prayer (salat).
A.H.:
(anno hegirae, "After Hijira"). Islamic dating
of years, beginning with Muhammad's flight to Medina in 622 AD.
Allah:
("God"). The one true God.
basmala:
The Bismi'llah saying, "in the Name of Allah,"
that invokes a blessing upon an action or undertaking of a Muslim.
The full form is bismillahi (ar-)rahmani (ar-)rahim,
"in the Name of Allah the merciful the compassionate."
caliph:
See " khalif" below.
Five
Pillars: (Arabic Arkan al-Islam, "pillars of
Islam" or Arkan ud-Din, "pillars of the
faith"). The five primary duties of every Muslim: profession
of faith (shahada), ritual prayer (salat), fasting
during Ramadan (sawm), pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj)
and charity (zakat). Fulfillment of these duties brings
rewards on earth and in the afterlife.
hajj:
("pilgrimage"). Pilgrimage to Mecca required of every
able Muslim at least once during his or her life. One of the Five
Pillars of Islam.
Hijira:
The Prophet's flight to Medina in 622 AD, marking the beginning
of the Muslim calendar..
'id:
(from Aramaic/Syriac, "festival"). Holiday or
festival, of which there are two major ones: 'Id al-Adha and 'Id
al-Fitr.
'Id
al-Adha: ("Feast of the Sacrifice"). Holiday
marking the end of the hajj.
'Id
al-Fitr: ("Feast of the Breaking of the Fast").
Holiday celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan.
ihram:
White cloth wound around the body during the hajj.
Ishmael:
Son of Jewish patriarch Abraham and the maidservant Hagar
(Genesis 16). According to both Jewish and Islamic tradition, he
is the ancestor of the Arabs.
Islam:
("to surrender"). To surrender to the will of God; the
name of the religion founded by Muhammad.
jihad:
("striving"). Holy war; the defense of Islam against
its enemies. Sufism focuses on the "greater" jihad
against sin in oneself. The term is more commonly used in
reference to war unto total destruction of against all non
Moslems.
jinn:
(from junna, "to be mad, furious, possessed";
singular jinni or genie). Imaginary shape-shifting
fiery spirits, especially associated with the desert. Belief in jinn
predates Islam, where they were widely believed to be the
inspiration of poets and seers. In Islam, they are spiritual
beings inferior to angels and devils who will face salvation or
damnation along with humans.
jizya:
Tax imposed on "People of the Book" living under
Muslim rule.
Ka'ba:
Cube-shaped monument in Mecca containing a sacred black stone.
All Muslim prayer faces the direction (qibla) of the Ka'ba.
khalif:
("deputy, successor"). A political leader of the
Muslim community. The most important of these were the four
"Rightly-Guided Caliphs" who ruled after the death of
Muhammad.
khatib: One who gives the khutbah.
The position is appointed by the government in most countries.
khutbah:
Sermon delivered on Fridays and special occasions.
kiswa:
Cloth that covers the Ka'ba shrine in Mecca.
Muharram:
First month in the Islamic calendar. Also the name for al-Hijra,
the Islamic new year.
People
of the Book: In referring to the Old and New Testaments,
Muhammad's designation for Jews and Christians, and sometimes
Zoroastrians and Hindus. Because their religions featured
scriptures and some aspect of divine revelation, they were not
required to convert. However, they were required to pay a special
tax (the jiza) for the privilege.
qibla:
("direction"). Direction of the Ka'ba in Mecca,
towards which all prayer must face.
Qur'an:
("recitation). The sacred text of Islam, revealed to
Muhammad over a 20-year period by the Angel Gabriel.
qurra':
("reciters"). Professional reciters of the Qur'an,
who usually have memorized the text. In early Islamic history, qurra'
were called upon to elucidate unclear passages in the written
text, often resulting in various schools of interpretation among
qurra.
Ramadan:
The ninth month in the Islamic calendar, for the duration of
which Muslims fast during the daylight hours to commemorate the
giving of the Qur'an.
salat:
("prayer") Ritual prayer performed five times per day
facing the direction (gibla) of Mecca. One of the Five Pillars of
Islam.
sawm:
("fasting," also spelled siyam). Religious
fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan, which is one of
the Five Pillars of Islam.
sa'y:
Ritual of running seven times between two low hills in Mecca
during the hajj, representing Hagar's search for water.
shahada:
("testimony" or "witness"). The profession
of faith that "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the
prophet of God," which is the only requirement for joining
the Muslim community. As one of the Five Pillars of Mecca, it must
be spoken aloud with full understanding and faith at least once in
one's lifetime. It is also included in the call to prayer, most
ritual prayers, and is recited at death..
Shari'a:
Islamic law, both political and religious.
Sunnah:
("Tradition"). Record of the words and deeds of the
Prophet. While not the Word of God on a level with the Qur'an, the
Sunnah is regarded as inspired and authoritative..
Sunnis:
("Traditionalists")
surah:
A chapter of the Qur'an.
tafsir:
Branch of Islamic learning devoted to Qur'anic exegesis
(interpretation).
zakat:
Almsgiving (one of the Five Pillars of Islam).
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