Islamic Terms Glossary

A

Allah Almighty - the word written in Quran. It is an Arabic word denoting the one to whom everyone surrender, who is meant to be worshiped and who creates all that exists.The Allah Almighty is a word which has been choosen by Almighty itself as its name and the rest of the names are its attributes or characteristics. It is the same word as in Hebrew, the Jews use for God (Eloh).

Allah Almighty u Akbar - In plain words it mean Allah Almighty is Great.But when we ponder on this word then we come accross with this reality that by only establishing the laws of Allah Almighty on every inch of land and on ourselves is a true essence of this term.

Amirul Mumineen - Commander of the believers. Title of the leader of the muslims after the death of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).

Al-Akhirah - Next world, hereafter - the day where results of every person action will be shown.

Ansar - Ansar means the 'Helpers - historical background of the word refers to the Muslims of Madina who helped the Muhajirin (immigrants) of Makka at the time of hijrat.

Al-A`rab - the bedouin - lives in the desert or the countryside of Arabia.

Arafat - Arafat is a pilgrimage site, about 26 kilometers east of Makkah al-Mukaramah.

Assalamu 'Alaikum - Assalamu 'Alaikum means 'i care for your well being.' Greeting of the Muslims. The response to this greeting is 'Wa 'Alaikum Assalam,' and i care for your well being too. These are not only words but pure inspiration reflected from one muslim brother to his other muslim brother.

Ayah - Ayaat: means sign, ayaat Allah Almighty means sign of Allah Almighty wether it is in cosmos, human biological life, mountains etc etc. Quran is full of these ayaats and asked believers that why they are'nt pondering on it.

A.H.(After Hijrah) - Hijrah means emigration. The Islamic calendar starts from the year Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) emigrated from the city of Makkah to Madinah, in 622 A.D.

Al-An'âm - Cattle.The name of chapter 6 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-A'râf - Hieght.The name of chapter 7 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Anfâl - Spoils of war, booty.The name of chapter 8 (surah ) of Holy Quran.

Al-Anbiyâ - Prophets.The name of chapter 21 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-'Ankabût - Spider.The name of chapter 29 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al*Ahzâb - coalition,combined forces,clans.The name of chapter 33 (surah ) of Holy Quran.

Al-Ahqâf - wind, curved sandhills,dunes.The name of chapter 46 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-'Adiyât - Courser, chargers. The name of chapter 100 (surah ) of Holy Quran.

Al-'Alaq - Clot, read.The name of chapter 96 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-'Asr - Declining day, Epoch.The name of chapter 103 (surah ) of Holy Quran.

B

Badr - Site of the first great battle between Messenger Muhammad (S.A.W.) and the non believers of the Quraish in 2 A.H. Badr is located about 150 kilometers south of Madinah (Saudi Arabia). The army of muslims consisted of 313 men and the Quraish had a total of about 1,000 soldiers, archers and horsemen.This battle has fought in the month of ramadan and the maumineens [believers] were fasting.

Baitul Mal - An Islamic state exchequer. Where all the collections and earnings of the state has been deposited and from their that were spent on the well being of humanity.

Bakka - Other name for Makkah. See Holy Quran, chapter 3 verse 96.

Bismillah Hir Rehman Nir Rahim - In the name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Mericful." This saying is usually made by every Muslim who is about to embark on something lawful.

Al-Baqi' - A cemetry in Madinah. Many of the Sahabiyeen (companions) and family members of the Prophet (S.A.W.) are buried here .

Buhtan - Blamed some one false, A false accusation .

Al-Baqarah - Cow, it is also a second chapter of Quran.

Al-Balad - City, Countryside. It is a chapter 90 of Quran.

Al-Baiyinah : means clear proof,evidence.The name of chapter 98 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Burûj - mansions of the stars 'constellation'.The name of chapter 85 (surah) of Holy Quran.

C-D

Ad-Dukhân - Smoke. The name of chapter 44 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ad-Duha - Morning hours, morning bright. The name of chapter 93 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Dar al-Kufr - Dar al-Kufr (centre of Unbelief), the territory under the hegemony of the unbelievers.

Dawah - Spreading Islam through word and action, calling the people to follow the decree of Allah Almighty and Messenger Muhammad peace be upon him.

Din - Deen - system for humans, mankind mentioned in Quran.According to Quran, true din is total submission to God Almighty and live a life according to Quran way.

Du'a - Calling. According to arabic lexicon the word refer to develop extreme desire of doing something which transform into words and actions.

Dhu'l Qa'da - The 11 th month of the Islamic calendar.

E-F

Al-Falaq - one thing which creat from another, creation. The name of chapter 113 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Fîl - Elephant. The name of chapter 105 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Fajr -Daybreak, Dawn.The name of chapter 89 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Fussilat - Explained in detail.The name of chapter 41 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Fâtir - Orginator.The name of chapter 35 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Furqân - Criterion, Standard .The name of chapter 25 (surah) of Holy Quran.

G-H

Ghazwa - A battle fought in the path of Allah Almighty in which Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, himself took part.

Al-Ghâshiyah - Overwhelming.The name of chapter 88 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Hajar Al-Aswad - The 'Black Stone', a stone which some say fell from heaven, set into one corner of the Ka'bah in Makkah by Messenger Ibrahim peace be upon him.

Al-Humazah - Gossipmongerl.The name of chapter 104 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Hâqqah - Reality.The name of chapter 69 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Hadîd - Iron .The name of chapter 57 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Hujurât - Private apartments.The name of chapter 49 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Hajj - Pilgrimage.The name of chapter 22 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Hijr - Stone land, rock city.The name of chapter 15 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Hûd - Name of Prophet and messenger of Allah Almighty .The name of chapter 11 (surah) of Holy Quran.

I-J

Jahanam - According to arabic lexicon this word stands for some one whose efforts has gone in vain. According to historical background it was refered to a place near yemen where human scarifices has been made by throwing them into a well of fire that place was known as
Jih Naum.

Jaheem - According to arabic lexicon this word stands for any thing which stops proceeding or developing or growing. In humans it relates to those who will be barred to proceed into jannah and due to that there life will be in jahanam.To understand this term more clearly "when any one will not reach to the apex of completion of its life cycle ' in this world & after ' that stage or feeling is known as jaheem.

Jihad - put in extreme efforts inorder to reach the destination which Allah Almighty has defined in Quran, extreme toiling.

Al-Jâthiya - Crouching.The name of chapter 45 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Jumu'ah - Congregation.The name of chapter 62 (surah) of Holy Quran.

AL-F'atiha - Opening.The name of chapter 1 (surah) of Holy Quran.

K-L

Al-Kahf - Cave.The name of chapter 18 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ka'aba - Centre point for entire muslim ummah. The house of Allah Almighty in Mecca Saudia Arabia.It was first built by Adam and then rebuilt by messenger Ibrahim and his son messenger Ismael ( peace be on them ).

Khalifah - Successor. The first successor of Messenger Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) was caliph Abu Bakar and since then it goes on.

Al-Kauthar - Abundance, plenty.The name of chapter 108 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Kâfirûn - Non Believers.The name of chapter 109 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Kufr - Hiding, conceal. According to arabic lexicon kafir means farmer who hide seeds in earth. In Quran this term has also been used for all those who hide things thou they are knowing its truthfulness. Any one who will not act according to the laws of Allah Almighty they commits kufr.

Luqmân - Luqman was a name of righteous person and believer. God Almighty has discussed about that person in a praising words.The name of chapter 31 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Lahab - Palm fibre, flame.The name of chapter 111 (surah) of Holy Quran.

M

Al-Mâ'ûn - Alms giving, kindness.The name of chapter 107 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Muddaththir - Man wearing cloak.The name of chapter 74 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Muzzammil - Bundled up.The name of chapter 73 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mursalât - Emmisaries.The name of chapter 77 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mutaffifîn - Cheating,defrauding.The name of chapter 83 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Ma'ârij - Ascending stairways .The name of chapter 70 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mulk - Sovereignty, control.The name of chapter 67 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Munafiqûn - Hypocrates.The name of chapter 63 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mumtahinah - Examining her.The name of chapter 60 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Muhammad - Name of the last messenger and prophet of God Almighty .The name of chapter 47 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mu'minûn - Believers.The name of chapter 23 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Maryam - The name of a righteous woman and a mother of Prophet and messenger Essa ( jesus) peace be upon him.The name of chapter 19 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Mâ'idah - Table spread.The name of chapter 5 (surah) of Holy Quran.

N-O-P-Q

An-Nisâ' - Women.The name of chapter 4 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Nahl - Bee.The name of chapter 16 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Nûr -Light.The name of chapter 24 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Naml - Ant.The name of chapter 27 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Najm - Star.The name of chapter 53 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Nûh - Noah: name of a messenger and prophet of God Almighty .The name of chapter 71 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Naba' - Tidings, announcementl.The name of chapter 78 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Nazi'ât - Soul snatcher.The name of chapter 79 (surah) of Holy Quran.

An-Nâs - Mankind.The name of chapter 114 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Nikah - Matrimonial relation between man and woman.In islam that occassion meant for binding in a relationship of
husband and wife.Nikah ceremony has occured in front of witnesses.

Al-Qasas - Story, stories.The name of chapter 28 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Qâf - Letter Qaf is a silent word in Quran.The name of chapter 50 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Qamar - Moon.The name of chapter 54 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Qiyâmah - Resurrection, rising of the dead.The name of chapter 75 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Al-Qadr - Power,fate,measurement.The name of chapter 97 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Quraish - A clan / tribe of Arab.The messenger Muhammad peace be upon him was from the sub tribe of this clan (banu hashim).The name of chapter 106 (surah) of Holy Quran.

R-S-T

Rabb - In arabic lexicon the word rabb means the one who fulfill the nourishment of others. Allah Almighty is a rabb of entire mankind and universe. Other arab linguistic said that raab also mean the one who creat, nourish & develop the thing and take care of it from day one to its final destination.

Rahim - It is a name and attribute of Allah Almighty . It means the one who provide continous resources of nourishment to all of its creation.

Rajab - The seventh month of the Islamic calendar .

Rahman - Rahman an attribute of Allah Almighty which according to scholars the one who provides the nourishment resources on emergency basis according to its need.

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting is obligatory during this month for all Muslims .

Riba - Usury. The thing which has been forbidden by Allah Almighty in Quran.

Ar-Rahmân - Beneficent,mercy giving.The name of chapter 55 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ar-Ra'd - Thunder.The name of chapter 13 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ar*Rûm - Romans,Byzanites.The name of chapter 30 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Sabbath - Sabbath, which means Saturday, was declared for the Israelites as the holy day of the week.

Sabr - According to arbic dictionary the word means persistent in every situation.

Salah - In arabic dictionary this word means the one who follows the one who is in lead, in Quran it has been said to muslims that follow the laws of Allah Almighty that there will be no gap between you and those laws. When muslim follow Salah it means to implement the system of Quran in thier lives.

Salih - A person who follows the laws of Allah Almighty with out a mixing of personal liking and disliking.

Shaitan - A negative force which defy Allah Almighty decree. In arabic dictionary this word means the negative force which instigate a person to defy the laws of God Almighty .

Shawal - The tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

Shirk - Any one who put any thing on the position of Allah Almighty wether that will be in a form of worshipping or abiding anyone beside God is shirk.

Surah - chapter of the Qur'an. Literally means "a form". There are 114 Surahs in the Holy Quran.

Ash-Sharh - Solace, relief.The name of chapter 94 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ash-Shams - Sun.The name of chapter 91 (surah) of Holy Quran.

As-Saff - Ranks, battle array.The name of chapter 61 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ash-Shûra - Council,consulation.The name of chapter 42 (surah) of Holy Quran.

As-Sâffât - Drawn up in ranks.The name of chapter 37 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Saba - A land or country at a time of messenger Solomon peace be upon him.The name of chapter 34 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Ash-Shu'arâ' - Poets.The name of chapter 26 (surah) of Holy Quran.

At-Taubah - Repentance.The name of chapter 9 (surah) of Holy Quran.

At-Taghâbun - Haggling,disillusion.The name of chapter 64 (surah) of Holy Quran.

At-Tahrîm - Prohibition,banning.The name of chapter 66 (surah) of Holy Quran.

At-Takwîr - Overthrowing.The name of chapter 81 (surah) of Holy Quran.

At-Takâthur -Rivalry for worldly increase,competition for wealth.The name of chapter 102 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Taqwa - The one who follows the laws of Quran. Who protect the laws of Allah Almighty .

U-W-Y-Z

Ummah - Ummah, community, or nation, is a special name given to Muslim brotherhood and unity. The entire mankind has also been addressed with this name; that "entire mankind is one ummah or unit" in Quran.

Al-Wâqi'ah - Event, inevitable.The name of chapter 56 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Yûnus - Name of a Prohphet & messenger Jonah.The name of chapter 10 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Yûsuf - Name of a Prohphet & messenger Joseph.The name of chapter 12 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Yâ*Sîn - Messenger and Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him name.The name of chapter 36 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Zakah - Islamic economy system.

Az-Zalzalah - Earthquake.The name of chapter 99 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Az-Zukhruf - Ornaments of gold , luxury.The name of chapter 43 (surah) of Holy Quran.

Az-Zumar - Troops. The name of chapter 39 (surah) of Holy Quran.