ISLAM | Common terms

ISLAM
Common terms
Islamic terms are primarily derived from Arabic, the official language of Islam, although some have Persian or Hebrew origins. Given the widespread use of these terms among peoples of many different nations and regions of the world, spellings are phonetic, and few are standard. Common alternate spellings are included in parentheses.
Al-Akhirah -- The afterlife. The term embraces the idea that people must answer to God and that those who are good will go to paradise, while those who do evil will go to hell. According to Islamic beliefs, there are eight doors leading into paradise and seven levels of hell. Each door to paradise is designated for Muslims who have abided by Islamic law to various degrees. Similarly, each level of hell is designated for those who failed to abide by Islamic law to various degrees.
Allah -- God.
Eid Al-Adha (Eedul-Adha, 'Id al Adha) -- Annual holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his only son to God. It is observed on the last day of Hajj.
Eid Al-Fitr (Eedul-Fitr, 'Id al Fitr) -- Annual holiday at the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It marks the end of a month of fasting.
Fatwa -- An interpretation of religious law issued by an authoritative scholar.
Fiqh -- Islamic jurisprudence.
Hajj (Hadj) -- The annual pilgrimage to Mecca; every Muslim who is able is required to make the pilgrimage at least once in his or her life.
Hijri -- The Islamic lunar calendar. According to this calendar, the year consists of 354 days and 12 months. The months of the Islamic calendar are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawal, Dhul Qi'da, and Dhul Hijjah. Although Muslims are required to pray at five designated times every day, Friday is the Sabbath.
Iftar -- Breaking of the daily fast immediately after sunset during Ramadan.
Ihram -- The state of consecration required for performing Hajj, and the pilgrim's dress, which, for men, consists of two sheets of seamless white cotton cloth. In the state of ihram, the pilgrim is forbidden from committing certain actions such as slaying animals, having relations with women and wearing perfumes.
Imam -- A religious leader who, much like a priest, rabbi or minister, leads prayers and performs religious ceremonies. In the United States, Imams need not attend a seminary, though some are formally trained.
Injil -- The inspired orations of Jesus. The Injil should not be identified by the four Gospels, which contain material in addition to the inspired statements of Jesus.
Islam -- Literally means "submission to the will of God."
Jahanam -- One of the levels of hell. There are seven levels of hell:
1. Jaheem -- The shallowest level of hell, reserved for those who believe in God and His prophet, Mohammed, but disregard His commands.
2. Jahanam -- A deeper level reserved for idol worshippers.
3. Sa'ir -- Reserved for fire worshippers.
4. Saqar -- Reserved for those who do not believe in God.
5. Ladha -- Reserved for Jews.
6. Hawiyah -- Reserved for Christians.
7. Hutama -- The deepest level of hell, reserved for religious hypocrites who outwardly appear to accept, but inwardly reject God.
Jihad -- The struggle to do what is right in the way of God, including armed struggle aimed at making the word of God prevail; the greater jihad refers to the struggle within oneself.
Kabair -- Major sins, such as murder, robbery, fornication and adultery.
Koran (Qur'an, Quran) -- The holy book of Islam.
Malak (Mal'ak) -- Angel. Angels are created of light and are endowed with life, speech and reason. They intercede for humans, asking for forgiveness from God and serving as guardians.
Mujahid (Mujahed) -- One who takes an active part in a Jihad. Plural: Mujahideen (Mujahidin).
Muslim -- A person who accepts Islam as his or her way of life.
Ramadan (Ramazan) -- The ninth month of the lunar calendar. Ramadan is a month of fasting that begins with the sighting of the ninth new moon of the year and ends with the sighting of the new moon of the 10th month. During Ramadan, most adult Muslims are required to abstain from food, water and sex during daylight hours.
Sadaqa (Sadaqah) -- Anything given away in charity for the pleasure of God; alms.
Sawm -- Fasting from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.
Salah (Salat) -- Prayers. There are five daily obligatory prayers: Fajr (morning), Duh (noon), Asr (late afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (late evening). Each prayer consists of a fixed set of movements that include bowing and prostration.
Shaitan (Shaytan) -- Satan; demon. Plural: Shayateen.
Shi'ism -- Second largest branch of Islam. Shias believe that only a blood relative of Mohammed, the founder of Islam, could be his legitimate successor as leader of the religion. Most Shia are from Iran, Iraq and a province in Afghanistan.
Sunnism -- The largest of two primary branches of Islam. Sunni believe that whoever Mohammed, the founder of Islam, thought was most capable should assume leadership of the religion. An estimated 85 percent of Muslims are Sunni and trace their roots to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, most of Afghanistan and Indonesia.
Taliban (Taleban) -- An Iranian militia that calls itself Islamic and has imposed a strict fundamentalist regime on Afghanistan.
Wudu' (Wuzu)-- Ritual washing before prayer.
Zakat -- Alms payment.
Sources: "A Dictionary of Islam," Thomas Patrick Hughes, B.D., M.R.A.S.; "A Concise Dictionary of Islamic Terms" by M.A. Qazi; "A Glossary of Islamic Terminology" by Bassam Sulaiman Abughosh & amp; Waffa Zaki Shaqra;
"Symbols of Islam" by Malek Chebel; "Islam in America" by Jane I. Smith; "Islam: Opposing Viewpoints," edited by Jennifer A. Hurley.