Islamic Glossary

A comprehensive glossary of commonly used Islamic terms and their meanings.

A

Adhan (أذان)

The Islamic call to prayer, announced five times daily from the mosque.

Ahl us-Sunnah (أهل السنة)

The People of the Sunnah. The mainstream body of Muslims who follow the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet, and the consensus of the Companions.

Akhirah (آخرة)

The Hereafter. The afterlife including the Day of Judgment, Paradise, and Hellfire.

Aqeedah (عقيدة)

Islamic creed or theology. The fundamental beliefs of a Muslim.

B

Barzakh (برزخ)

The barrier between the worldly life and the Hereafter. The period between death and resurrection.

Bid'ah (بدعة)

Innovation in religious matters. Something introduced into the religion that has no basis in the Quran or Sunnah.

Bismillah (بسم الله)

"In the name of Allah." Said before beginning any action.

D-Z

Da'wah (دعوة)

Invitation to Islam.

Dhikr (ذكر)

Remembrance of Allah through words of praise.

Fatwa (فتوى)

A religious ruling issued by a qualified scholar.

Fiqh (فقه)

Islamic jurisprudence.

Hadith (حديث)

A narration reporting the words, actions, or approvals of the Prophet Muhammad.

Halal (حلال)

Permissible according to Islamic law.

Haram (حرام)

Forbidden according to Islamic law.

Ihsan (إحسان)

Excellence in worship.

Iman (إيمان)

Faith.

Jannah (جنة)

Paradise.

Madhab (مذهب)

School of Islamic jurisprudence.

Qadr (قدر)

Divine decree.

Sahih (صحيح)

Authentic (hadith classification).

Sunnah (سنة)

The way of the Prophet Muhammad.

Tawhid (توحيد)

The Oneness of Allah.

Ummah (أمة)

The global Muslim community.

Zakat (زكاة)

Obligatory charity.