Important Islamic words
the unity and oneness of Allah.
Iman:
Faith in Allah.
Khalifah: Custodian or steward of the world for Allah.
Al-Qadar: Allah's control of future events.
Risalah: Muslim belief about the Prophets of Allah.
Hadith: Sayings and actions of the Prophets Muhammad as recorded by his family and friends.
Sunnah: The sayings and deeds of the Prophet.
Bismillah: The words that begin every surah and in the name of Allah.
Qadi: A judge in Islamic Law.
Shari'ah: Islamic law based on the Qur'an and Sunnah
Ulema: Scholars of Islamic law and jurisprudence (the study of law)
Ummah: The worldwide Muslim community.
Masjid: Place of prostration
Imam: A person who leads salah prayers (5 compulsory daily prayers).
Sunni: Muslims who believe that the first 4 caliphs were rightly guided.
Shi'ah: Muslims who believe that the first 4 caliphs were rightly guided.
Shahadah: The declaration of faith in Allah and His Prophet.
Salah: The 5 daily prayers.
Wudu: The washing that must take place before salah.
Zakah: A tax which Muslims must pray for poor.
Ramadan: The 9th month when the Qur'an says all Muslims must fast.
Sawm: Fasting by going without food and drink during daylight hours.
Id-ul-Fitr: The festival of breaking the fast.
Hajj: The annual pilgrimage to Makkah.
Qiblah: The direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah.
Tawaf: Going round the Ka'bah 7 times in worship of Allah.
Arafat: A plain near Makkah where pilgrims confess their sins.
Id-ul-Adha: The festival of the sacrifice.
Halal: That which is permitted and lawful.
Haram: That which is forbidden or unlawful. (e.g. charging interest on a loan, Pre-marital sex and alcohol.
Greater jihad: Struggle to overcome evil in one's own life.
Lesser jihad: Struggle in the cause of Islam to overcome injustice in society.
Aqiqa: The birth ceremony for Muslim children
Madrasah: Qur'anic school attached to the mosque.
Janazah prayers: The special salah used at funerals.
Hijab: The headscarf worn by Muslim Women.
Riba: Any form of borrowing or lending money at interest.(This is haram)
Sadaqah: Voluntary payment of charity or good acts of charity.