A.H.

After Hijrah (see Hijrah).

`Aad

Rebellious people of Irum. Community to which Hood was sent.

Ahzaab

Parties; Battle of Al-Ahzaab.

`Alem

Religious scholar. Scientist. Knowledgeable person. Plural is `Ulama.

Al-Hamdu Lillah

Praise be to God.

Allah

God, The God, The only God.

Allahu Akbar

God is Great.

Allat

Idol of Idolatrous Arabia before Muhammad; claimed to be “daughter of God!”

Arafat

Knoll near Mecca where pilgrims spend a day of commemorating God during Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage.

Ansaar

The helpers or allies. Inhabitants of Medina who were the first to embrace Islam. They offered help to the immigrants who fled Mecca (see Muhajireen).

Ayah

Sign. Miracle. Verse.

Ayaat

Plural of Ayah.

Ayyoub

Job, a messenger of God.

Azan

The call to Salat prayer.

B.H.

Before Hijrah (see Hijrah)

Badr

Name of a place near Mecca. The first battle between Muhammad’s followers and the idolators.

Basmalah

First verse. Opening statement for every sura, except Sura 9.

Bismillah

In the name of God.

Gabriel

Angel responsible for carrying God’s messages and revelations to planet Earth.

Gematria

The numerical values of the letters of the alphabet prior to the invention of numerals.

Hadith

Narrations or utterances falsely attributed to Muhammad. Appeared 250 years after Muhammad’s death. 45:6 enjoins believers from upholding any Hadith besides the Quran.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca during the Sacred Months (see Sacred Months)

Halal

Lawful; permitted.

Haraam

Unlawful; prohibited.

Haram

Sacred. “Al-Masjid Al-Haram” is the Sacred Mosque of Mecca.

Hawwa

Eve.

Hijrah

Immigration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina. Islamic Calendar began that year.

Hijrah Calendar

Lunar Calendar. Names and numbers of the months are:

1. Muharram.

7. Rajab.

2. Safar.

8. Sha`ban.

3. Rabi` I.

9. Ramadan.

4. Rabi` II.

10. Shawwal.

5. Jumada I.

11. Zul Qi`dah.

6. Jumada II.

12. Zul Hijjah.

Hood

Messenger of God. Sent to `Aad.

Hunayn

Battle of Hunain; a place.

Iblis

Satan.

Imam

Religious leader. Leader.

In Shaa Allah

God willing.

Injeel

Gospel. Jesus’ scripture.

Irum

City where the community of `Aad lived, and to which Hood was sent.

Islam

Submission and devotion to God alone. The only religion acceptable to God (3:19).

Israa’

27th night of Ramadan, 13 B.H. Night journey of Muhammad to the highest Heaven where the Quran was placed in his soul. See “Night of Power.”

Jannah

Paradise. Heaven.

Jahannaum

Gehenna; Hell.

Jinns

Descendants of Satan. Invisible, constant companions of every human being from birth to death. When freed upon death of the human being, they become Jinns.

Jum`ah

Friday. The Friday Congregational Prayer. Mandatory for all Muslim men and women every Friday noon.

Ka`bah

A building in form of a cube. The cube-shaped shrine built by Abraham in Mecca. The point towards which Muslims face during their contact prayers (Salat).

Kaafer

Disbeliever. Heathen. Atheist.

Kitab

Book. Scripture.

La Elaha Ella Allah.

Islam’s creed: “There is no other god besides God.” The First Commandment in all scriptures.

Laylat Al-Qadr

(see Night of Power)

Maa Shaa Allah

This is God’s will.

Manaat

Iol of idolatrous Arabia before Muhammad; claimed to be “daughter of God.”

Midyan

Ancient community north of Sinai. Community of Shu’aib.

Mu’azzin

One who chants the Azan. Caller to the Salat prayer. Announcer.

Muhajireen

Plural of Muhajir; immigrants who fled Mecca to Medina because of persecution.

Mullas

Religious teachers.

Mu’men

Believers who got rid of all doubt; higher rank than “Muslim.”

Munafeq

Hypocrite.

Mushrik

Idol worshiper. Idolater. (See Shirk.)

Muslim

One who decided to submit to God and uphold His commandments,

but he may still has doubts.

Nabi

Prophet; a messenger of God who delivers a new scripture. Muhammad was the final Nabi, because he deliverd the final scripture.

Night of Power

Night of Destiny or Laylat Al-Qadr. 27th night of Ramadan, 13 B.H. Night during which the Quran was revealed. Muhammad was taken to the highest Heaven to receive the Quran.

Qaaroon

Wealthy slave driver. A Hebrew traitor who served Pharaoh by enslaving his own people.

Qiblah

Direction Muslims face during their contact prayers (Salat).

Rak`ah

One unit of contact prayer (Salat).

Rasoul

Messenger of God, or prophet, who may or may not deliver a new scripture (see Nabi). Every Nabi was a Rasoul, but not every Rasoul is a Nabi. See definitions in 3:81.

Saaleh

Messenger of God.

Sacred Months

The 12th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd months of the Islamic Calendar. Months during which Muslims observe Hajj.

Sacred Mosque

Al-Masjid Al-Haraam. The great mosque in Mecca, where the Ka’bah is located.

Salam

Peace. Greeting.

Salamun `Alaikum

Peace be unto you; greeting.

Salat

Daily contact prayers – dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, & night prayers.

Seyam

Fasting; usually during the month of Ramadan. Abstaining from food, drink, and sex from dawn to sunset. Also silence vows.

Shaikh

Old man, or religious teacher, or head of the tribe.

Shirk

Idolatry. Idol worship. Associating any other name with God’s name. Believing that any creatures possess any kind of power to benefit or harm.

Subhan Allah

God be glorified.

Subhanahu Wa Ta`aala

Glory be to the Most High.

Sunna

Practices attributed falsely to the prophet Muhammad; practiced by those who idolize Muhammad against his will. In Quran, God forbids all Sunnas, except His Sunna.

Shu`aib

of Midyan. Messenger of God.

Sura

Chapter in the Quran.

Talut

Saul.

Tayammum

Dry, waterless, ablution.

Thamoud

Rebellious people of Saaleh.

Uhud

Mountain near Medina. Battle of.

Ulama

Religious scholars; plural of “`Alem.”

Umrah

Pilgrimage to Mecca any time of the year, including the Sacred Months (see Hajj & Sacred Months).

Uzzah

Idol of idolatrous Arabia before Muhammad; claimed to be “daughter of God.”

Wudu’

Ablution.

Yahya

John

Yathrib

Ancient name of Medina.

Yousuf

Joseph

Zakat

Obligatory charity; 2.5% of one’s net income that must be given upon receiving such income to needy people according to a specific distribution system.

Zul Qarnain

The one with two horns. Messenger of God who helped confine Gog & Magog. Most probably Buddha.