aal al-bayt

Literally, the people of the house. The term refers to the descendants of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), including his wives and children.

abd

Literally, slave or servant, part of some Muslim men's names to signify that they are servants of God.

Abraham, Ibrahim

Prophet who is seen as the patriarch of the three monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

abu, abi

Father or father of. Used as part of a name. Also used in compound male names to signify that one has a certain trait.

Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

Close friend and Companion of Muhammad; first caliph after Muhammad's death.

Abu Hurairah

Companion of Muhammad who narrated many hadiths.

Abyssinia

Kingdom in what is now Ethiopia, to which early Muslims immigrated to avoid persecution in Makkah.

Adhan

The call for prayers, called five times a day to announce the time for each ritual prayer; The Adhan - Listen to the Adhan

ahl al-bayt

See aal al-bayt

ahl adh-dhimmah

People of the covenant. This covers non-Muslims living under the protection of a Muslim state. An individual from the ahl adh-dhimmah is called a dhimmi.

Ahl Al-Kitab

The People of the Book. A designation for Jews and Christians because they received revelations from Allah (God) before the revelation of the Quran.

Aishah bint Abi Bakr

One of the wives of Muhammad. She was a scholar of Hadith and passed on the Prophet's traditions to two succeeding generations of Muslims.

Allah

The One God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The Arabic form of God's name is preferred by Muslims, although it must be made clear that God and Allah are merely translations and do not denote different Gods. Arabic speaking Muslims, Jews, and Christians refer to God as Allah, while non-Arabic speaking Muslims, Jews, and Christians refer to God in their respective language.

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad; fourth caliph after Muhammad's death.

Ansar, Al-Ansar

Literally, the Helpers or Supporters. The Muslims of Madinah at the time of Muhammad who supported him and the Muslims who emigrated from Makkah to Madinah.

Aqabah, First Pledge of

In the 12th year of the Prophet's mission, 12 people of Madinah attending the Hajj rituals met the Messenger of Allah in a valley near Aqabah and gave him their pledge that they would believe in Allah, abstain from theft, fornication, and killing children, and that they would obey him in what was right and proper.

Aqaba, Second Pledge of

In the 13th year of the Prphet's mission, 72 men and 2 women from Madinah met the Messenger of Allah in a valley near Aqabah where they pledged their allegiance. This opened the way for the persecuted Muslims of Makkah to immigrate to Madinah.

Arafah

A small mountain near Makkah. On Dhul-Hijjah 9, pilgrims gather at Mount Arafah and spend their day there in prayer and contemplation. See The Excellence of the Day of Arafah.

as-salamu alaykum, as-salamu alaikum

Literally, "Peace be upon you." Greeting said by Muslims to one another. The reply is "wa alaykum as-salam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh," meaning "may the peace, mercy, and blessing of Allah be upon you."

ayah

Verse of the Quran. The word can also mean "sign" (of Allah's power).

Badr, battle of

First battle between the Muslims and the polytheists of Makkah. The battle took place between the Muslims and the Quraish tribe of Makkah in the second year of Hijrah (624 CE). The Muslim army, though outnumbered three to one, was miraculously victorious.

bayah

Pledge of allegiance to a religious, spiritual, or political leader.

Bilal ibn Rabah

Companion of Muhammad, former Abyssinian slave who converted to Islam. He is well known for being the first Muslim to call the Adhan.

bint

Literally, girl. When used as part of a woman's name, it indicates that she is the aughter of so-and-so.

bismillah

Literally, "In the name of Allah." This formula is said by Muslims before eating, making ablution, and generally before any deed or act of worship.

burqa

A garment worn by some Muslim women, especially in South Asia (Afghanistan). It covers the entire body, including the face and hands and sometimes even the eyes.

Caliph

A successor of Prophet Muhammad as temporal and spiritual leader. The first four caliphs after Muhammad, known as the Right Guided Caliphs, were chosen by the people. Later the position became hereditary.

Companion

Generally, a Muslim who lived at the time of Muhammad. Some authorities include as Companions only those Muslims who actually met or knew Muhammad.

Dawah

The act of inviting people to Islam.

deen

Religion; way of life. Often used to mean the Islamic religion, but the word is general in meaning.

dhimmi

A non-Muslim living under the protection of an Islamic state.

dua

Supplication, invocation.

Eid Al-Fitr

Eid of Breaking the Fast; the Islamic public celebration of the end of Ramadan.

Eid Al-Adha

Eid of the Sacrifice; the Islamic public celebration held on Dhul-Hijjah 10. It commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

Eid Prayer

A congregational prayer, usually held outside the mosque, on either of the two eids.

Fath

Opening of a country to Islam; Often translated as "conquest," it is most often used in reference to the early expansion of Islam. The word comes from the root meaning "to open." In addition, the Islamic "conquests" weren't always violent; many countries were "opened" by the Muslims without any fighting or killing.

Al-Fatihah

Literally, the opener; the name of the first surah in the Quran.

Fatimah bint Muhammad

One of the daughters of the Muhammad.

ghazwah

Military expedition or battle.

Hadith, hadith

1. (collective noun) The collection of the sayings, actions, and tacit approvals of Prophet Muhammad. It is the source of the Sunnah, which serves as the second source of Islamic Law after the Quran. 2. (countable noun) A single report of something Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, did, or tacitly approved of; What Is the Hadith?

hadith qudsi

A hadith that reports something that was revealed to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by Allah but is expressed in Muhammad's own words; see What Is a Hadith Qudsi?, Differences between Hadith Qudsi, Hadith Nabawi & the Quran,

Hafsah bint Umar ibn Al-Khattab

One of the wives of Muhammad.

hajj

Pilgrimage to Makkah performed during the month of Dhul-Hijjah. It is the fourth pillar of Islam, required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who is physically and financially able to make the journey; see Introduction to Hajj - Hajj: Ethics & Significance.

halal

Lawful by Islamic Law; permitted by Allah; also refers to meat or poultry that has been slaughtered according to Islamic ritual.

haram

Unlawful according to Islamic Law; prohibited or forbidden by Allah.

Al-Haram

The Sacred Area. It refers to either the Kabah and the surrounding mosque, or the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

Al-Haramayn

The two sacred places, namely the Kabah and its surrounding mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

hijab

Islamic dress code for women; sometimes the word is used for only the headscarf or head-covering. The style of hijab varies from country to country and from one individual to another, but is essentially loose fitting, covering arms, legs, hair, and neck.

Hijrah

Emigration of Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah; the Islamic calendar begins from the year of the Hijrah in 622 CE.

Hijri calendar

The Islamic calendar set during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab. The Hijrah was the central event, the start of the first Islamic state, and was therefore chosen as the starting point of the Muslim calendar.

ibadah

An act of worship.

ibn, bin

Literally, boy. As part of a man's name it means son of so-and-so.

Iqamah

Second call to prayer or the actual start of the prayer. The first call, known as the Adhan, is to give the worshipers time to wash or to walk to the mosque.

Jesus (Isa) ibn Maryam

Jesus son of Mary. Prophet recognized by both Christianity and Islam, except that in Islam, Jesus is not believed to be God or the Son of God, although Muslims believe that his mother Mary did give birth to him when she was still a virgin.

Isaac (Ishaq)

Prophet recognized by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Islam

Literally, "submission;" Islam.

Ishmael (Ismail)

Prophet recognized by both Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He was the first son of Abraham, born of Hajar.

Al-Israa

Night journey of Muhammad from Makkah to Jerusalem. See A Miraculous Journey.

jihad

Literally, striving (for a better way of life). It can also be translated as endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, fighting in defense of one's life, land, and religion.

The usual dictionary definition of "holy war" is incorrect.

At all times, Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking when carried out against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished by the Muslim state. Islamic laws related to war are strict, and prohibit Muslim soldiers from harming civilians, women, children, the elderly, and monks, nuns, clergy, etc. Islamic Law also prohibits the cutting down of trees and the destruction of civilian buildings.

For further explanations, see: Jihad and Shariah in the Life of the Average Muslim; Jihad: Its True Meaning and Purpose

Juwayriah bint Al-Harith

One of the wives of Muhammad.

(the) Kabah

The first and the most ancient house of worship ever built for all mankind. It was dedicated to the worship of one God. Muslims turn their faces towards the Kabah when performing their prayers. It was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael.

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

The first wife of Muhammad. She bore him two sons (who died as young children) and four daughters.

Khosrow, Khusrau, Khusraw

Arabic form of Chosroes, the Emperor of Persia. In Arabic texts the name is often used as a title for any emperor.

Laylatu Al-Qadr

See Night of Power

Madinah, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

City in Arabia to which Muhammad immigrated after leaving Makkah. It was the center of the first Islamic state. The Prophet is buried in Madinah.

Makkah

Makkah, city in Arabia that is the birthplace of Muhammad.

masjid

mosque; place of worship for Muslims.

Maymunah bint Al-Harith

One of the wives of Muhammad.

Al-Miraj

Ascension of Muhammad from Jerusalem to heaven. See A Miraculous Journey.

Moses (Musa)

Prophet recognized by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He led his people out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved by the Pharaoh.

Mother of the Believers

A term of respect given to the wives of Muhammad.

An-Najashi

The Negus of Abyssinia.

Negus

Title of the king of Abyssinia. Often appears in biographies in its Arabic form, An-Najashi.

Night of Power, Laylat Al-Qadr

One of the odd numbered nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan. The Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of Ramadan on this night. Each Ramadan, Muslims pray more than usual on the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan, in the hope that they will receive the rewards of the special night. See The Night of Power for further explanation. Also called Night of Destiny.

niqab

Face veil worn by some Muslim women.

Noah (Nuh)

Prophet recognized by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Quran 11:41-48).

PBUH, pbuh

Peace be upon him; abbreviation used after mention of a prophet.

qiblah

Direction of the Kabah towards which Muslims pray.

Quran (also Koran)

The Quran, the Muslim scripture, which was revealed to Muhammad through Angel Gabriel. See Quran.

Quraish

The tribe of Muhammad. The Quraish was the biggest and wealthiest tribe in Makkah during the time of Muhammad. The majority of the tribe members did not convert to Islam until after much negotiation and finally the conquering of Makkah by Muhammad in AH 8/622 CE.

rakah

One complete cycle in prayer which includes one bowing and two consecutive prostrations. See How to Perform Salah.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Hijri calendar, which is observed as a strict fast from dawn to sunset of each day. It was during this month that the Quran began to be revealed to Muhammad.

Ar-Rasul

The Messenger, refers to Muhammad.

Rasul Allah

Messenger of Allah.

Ruqayyah bint Muhammad

One of the daughters of Muhammad.

salam

Peace.

SAW, s.a.w.

Abbreviation for "Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam," literally "Peace and blessings be upon him." A phrase said after mention of Muhammad.

Sawdah bint Zamah

One of the wives of Muhammad.

seerah

Biography; often refers to the biography of Muhammad and Companions.

Shahadah

Testimony of Faith proclaimed by Muslims. The words mean "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of Allah."

Shariah

Islamic Law.

shaytan

Devil.

Ash-Shaytan

The Devil, Satan.

surah

Chapter of the Quran.

SWT

"Subhanhu wa tala," literally, "the Exalted and High," phrase often said after mentioning Allah.

Umar ibn Al-Khattab

Companion of Muhammad; second caliph after death of the Prophet.

Umm

Mother or mother of. As part of a name it can indicate a person who has a certain trait.

Umm Habibah

One of the wives of Muhammad. Her name is Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan.

Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad

One of the daughters of Muhammad.

Umm Salama

One of the wives of Muhammad. Her name is Hind bint Umayah.

Uthman ibn Affan

Companion of Muhammad; third caliph after death of the Prophet.

wudu

Ritual ablution performed by Muslims before performing prayers and after coming into contact with any impurity.

Yathrib

The old name of the city of Madinah, before Muhammad immigrated to it.

zakah

Obligatory alms that must be paid every year by all Muslims who possess a certain minimum beyond their needs.

Zaynab bint Jahsh

One of the wives of Muhammad.

Zaynab bint Khuzaymah

One of the wives of Muhammad. She died during his lifetime.

Zaynab bint Muhammad

One of the daughters of Muhammad.