Intro to World Religions Islam

Ulama

A body of Muslim scholars recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology.

Ka'bah

A building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram. It is the most sacred site in Islam.

Sura

A chapter or section of the Qur'an (114)

Hadiths

A collection of traditions containing sayings of the prophet Muhammad that, with accounts of his daily practice (the Sunna), constitute the major source of guidance for Muslims apart from the Qur'an.

Muezzin

A man who calls Muslims to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

Caliph

A spiritual leader of Islam, claiming succession from Muhammad. Not seen as prophets but as representatives of God, religious and political authority.

Jihad

A struggle or fight against the enemies of Islam, and the spiritual struggle within oneself against sin.

Gabriel

An angel in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim systems of belief. Revealed the sacred laws of the Qur'an to Muhammad.

Allah

Arabic word for "God", monotheistic, same God that is worshipped by Jews and Christians.

Angels

Creation of God, no body or gender, messengers to assist God.

Sawm

Fasting from dawn until dusk during Ramadan, one of the Five Pillars of Islam

Khadijah

First wife of Muhammad

5 Pillars of Islam

Five basic acts in Islam, considered mandatory by believers and are the foundation of Muslim life. They are summarized in the famous hadith of Gabriel.

Shari'a

Islamic law based on the teachings of the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet (Hadith and Sunna). Both religious and secular duties and sometimes penalties for lawbreaking.

Mecca

Located in Saudi Arabia, is Islam's holiest city, as it's the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the faith itself.

Sunni

Majority, belief that Muhammed did not leave a successor following his death.

Islam

Means to submit or surrender to God.

Shia

Minority worldwide, belief that Ali was chosen to lead after Muhammed's death. Found mostly in Iran and Iraq. Believes that only Muhammed's family should lead.

Zakat

Obligatory payment made annually under Islamic law on certain kinds of property and used for charitable and religious purposes, pillar of islam.

Qur'an

Sacred Islamic text, believed to be the direct word of God.

Hijrah

Start of the islamic calendar, lunar, marks Muhammed's migration from Mecca to Medina.

Jinn

Supernatural beings, said to be created from fire, can be good or evil, takes various forms. The word "Genie" is derived from this word.

Hajj

The Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca that takes place in the last month of the year, and that all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime.

The Prophet Muhammad

The final prophet that received messages from God.

Imam

The person who leads prayers in a mosque. A title of various Muslim leaders, especially of one succeeding Muhammad as leader of Shiite Islam.

Salat

The ritual prayer of Muslims, performed five times daily in a set form.

Shahada

the Muslim profession of faith ("there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah")