Islamic Terms

Front 1

caliph

Back 1

Is the head of state in a Caliphate and is the title for the leader of an Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by Shari’a. Translated from Arabic “khalifah” which means successor or representative. Early leaders of Islam were considered successors of Muhammad to some. This term hasn’t been used in a long time though.

Front 2

Fatihah

Back 2

The short opening surah of the Qur’an, recited at least 17 times every day, stresses the guidance and mercy of God.

Front 3

Hadith

Back 3

The body of texts based on Muhammad’s words and example, taken by Muslims as a foundation for conduct and doctrine, the basis for a Muslim way of life; a hadith is an individual unit of the literature.

Front 4

hajj

Back 4

The annual pilgrimage to Mecca. 5th pillar of Islam, should be done once in every Muslims life. Demonstrates their solidarity and submission to God. Different time each year because based on the lunar calendar. 2 million pilgrims, walk seven times around the kaaba.

Front 5

haram

Back 5

‘Forbidden’, used especially of actions; similar in its connotations to ‘taboo’

Front 6

hijrah

Back 6

The Prophet’s migration from Mecca to establish a community in Madina in 622 CE. In dates, the abbreviation AH stands for ‘year of the hijrah’ (the starting point of the Islamic dating system). Similar to exile of Hebrews from Israel.

Front 7

imam (Imam)

Back 7

The person who leads the prayer when two or more Muslims pray together; Shi’ite also use the term to refer to the legitimate leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad. In small communities the Imam is usually highly revered and acts like a chief or mayor

Front 8

isnad

Back 8

The lineage or chain of transmission of a hadith, with which each one begins.

Front 9

jihad

Back 9

Struggle in defense of faith; some jihads are military, waged in response to threats to the community’s security or welfare; others are spiritual, waged to improve moral conduct in society.

Front 10

kufr

Back 10

Rejecting belief of God’s grace or the prophethood of Muhammad. Culturally seen as derogatory used to describe a non-believer or non-Muslim. Translated to “infidel” or “non-believer”

Front 11

dhikr

Back 11

‘Remembering’ God’s name; repeated the names of Allah, chanted in Sufi devotional exercises, sometimes while devotees dance in a circle.

Front 12

qiblah

Back 12

The direction of prayers, marked in mosques by a niche inside the wall nearest Mecca. Animals are killed facing the Qiblah (under Halal) and humans are buried head pointing to the Qiblah.

Front 13

Ramadan

Back 13

The month throughout which Muslims fast during daylight hours. 9th month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar, the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.

Front 14

shari’ah

Back 14

Islamic religious law. Regulates public and private aspects of day-to-day life. No exact set of laws, rather a framework. Also based on the fiqh (principles underpinning Sharia law)

Front 15

shaykh

Back 15

The Arabic term for a senior master, especially in the context of Sufism.

Front 16

surah

Back 16

A chapter in the Qur’an; there are 114 in all, arranged mainly in decreasing order of length except for the first (the Fatihah).

Front 17

ummah

Back 17

The Muslim community. Often meant to describe the Muslim diaspora.

Front 18

zakat

Back 18

The prescribed welfare tax; 2.5% of each Muslim’s accumulated wealth, collected by central treasuries in earlier times but now donated to charities independently. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Front 19

dhimmis

Back 19

‘Protected people’; non-Muslim religious minorities (specifically Jews and Christians, as ‘People of the Book’) accorded tolerated status in Islamic society.