Some Definitions Mostly fromthe Shorter Encyclopaedia of Islam, 4th Impression, E.J. Brill, 1995

Allah – the proper name for God in Islam – Allah is also the name for God among

   Arabic speaking people, including Arabic speaking Christians

‘arif – one who knows Allah by experience/vision

Aya/ayat – verse/verses in the Qur’an – also means sign/miracle

Dar al-Salam, “the abode of bliss/peace”, or Paradise

Dar al-Islam:   “the abode of Islam” – parts of world where Islamic law (sharia) rules

Dar al-Harb:    “the abode of war” – the parts of the world ruled by unbelievers

Dar al-Sulh –  territory not under Islamic rule, but which exists via a treaty, or

    agreement-- This status is, at most, a temporary status (truce).

Djinn, or Jinn – We get the word “genie” from this word. In the order of created beings

   (humans, jinn, and angels). They are created from air and fire. Angels from light, and

   humans from the earth.

Fatiha –  The Opening, or, The Opener – first Surah of the Quran

“In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, Praise be to God, The Lord of the Worlds, The Merciful One, the Compassionate One, The Master of the Day of Doom. You alone we worship, to You alone we call for help. Guide us in the straight path, The Path of those You have blessed, Not of those with whom You are angry, Nor of those who go astray.”

“The Fatiha, the opening sura of the Qur’an, the Sura of Praise, is recited every time Muslims begin their prayer and when any new thing is to be undertaken.” (from the beginning of John Alden Williams, The Word of Islam, U. of Texas Press)

fikh (fiqh) – law (as in jurisprudence);  – see also Sharia – “Fikh (along with its auxiliary sciences) is the science of the sharia’a and can sometimes be used as synonymous with it.” (Shorter Encyclopedia of Islam, 524)

Hadith – traditions/sayings (sunna) of the prophet and his companions

Hadjdj (or Hajj) – pilgrimage to Mecca, Arafat and Mina – one of the 5 pillars of Islam –

    to be performed, if at all possible, once in a lifetime – One who makes the pilgrimage

    is entitled to included Haj in his/her name.

Ibadat – rules or ordinances of divine worship

Iblis – proper name for Shaitan (Satan) – the one angel who refused to bow down to

   Man, after Allah had created him out of the earth. He was, therefore, banished from

    heaven.

Idjtihad – the right to form an opinion – mudjtahid (those who have the right to form an

   opinion/judgment)

Imam – several meanings – generally, leader of prayers in the mosque/masjid; for

   Sunnis, the term applies to the Caliphs (leaders of the community); honorific title for

   doctors of the faith; in Shiite Islam the term has many meanings – generally it can only

   apply to a leader who is a descendant of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law.

Indjil – the gospel, the “book” which Jesus brought from God

Isa – the name for Jesus in the Qur’an – one of the prophets of Islam – Son of Maryam –

   never called Son of God – “a Word from Allah” (3:45) “A Spirit from Allah” (4:171) –

   a rasul (apostle) and a nabi (prophet) from Allah – He is a “sign” and a “reminder” of

   The Hour. Isa al Masih – Jesus the Messiah (3:45; 4:171)

Kafir – unbelievers, infidels, those who “conceal” or hide the blessings of God, those

   who are ungrateful

kalam – theology, scholastic theology

al-Kur’an/Koran/Qur’an – the book (kitab) of Allah’s words, the recitation, the

   recitation of God’s words sent down with the prophets – generally, the book of

   warnings brought down from God/Allah through Muhammad. Islamic lore has it that

   Muhammad was illiterate, and yet he was told to read and then recite what he read from

    the already existing Qur’an (the Umm al-Kitab, or asl al-Kitab).

Madrassa – institution where Islam is studied

Salat – Prayer – 2^nd pillar – prescribed – 5 times per day

Sawm – fasting – 4^th pillar (required during Ramadan)

Shahada – first pillar -- fundamental confession of faith for all Muslims: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Apostle/Prophet.”

Sharia -- “The name for the divine Law is shar’, the “prescribed” (By God and His messenger). Another name used is shari’a, with its connotation of “the right way to the water.”

Sunna – custom, customary use, statute/s

Sura – chapters of the Qur’an

Ulama – pl. of alim (one who knows) – The Ulama are those who guard and pass on the

    Traditions (similar to canon lawyers and recognized church theologians). Their rule is

    by idjma (consensus), because Muhammad said that his people or his true followers

    would never agree upon an error.

Umma – word for the people, but not just any people – those who are in the divine plan

Zakat – pillar of Islam, meaning alms tax – percentage of wealth given for educational

   and charitable purposes – requirement, not an option