Islam terms - KOK
PBUH
"peace be upon him"- said after reference to Muhammad in order to bless and honor him
Circumambulation
7 times which Hajjis circle around the Kaa'ba
Allahu Akbar
"Allah is most great" or "God is greater than"/ a part of the daily call to prayer sounded from minarets around the world
Ka'ba
A pre-islamic cubed building in mecca believed by muslims to have been built by Abraham. It is the center of the Muslim Pilgrimage.
halal
An Arabic word meaning "permissible" usually refers to permissible foods under Islamic law.
haram
Arabic word literally meaning "forbidden" - typically refers to foods that are prohibited for Muslims to eat; includes non-Halal meat, pork products, gelatin products, and alcohol.
Abu Bakr
Companion of 1st muslim leader after Muhammad. Regarded by Sunni's as the 1st caliph and rightful succesor. The Shi'ah regard him as a traitor of Muhammad. Known as best interpretter of dreams following Muhammad's death.
Imam
For Shi'i Islam, an early successor to Muhammad and leader of Islam (most Shi'i's acknowledge twelve Imams); believed to have special spiritual insight
zakat
Islam's fourth pillar, wealth sharing. Muslims are required to contribute 2.5% of their liquid assets annually
saum (or sawm)
Islam's third pillar calls for fasting and reflection. Ramadan is an important component of this for Muslims.
ISIS
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (aka Islamic State of Iraq and Levant); it is a jihadist, extremist militant group and self-proclaimed Islamic state and caliphate
dervish
Member of Sufi Muslim group; known for their practices of very energetic dancing, whirling, chanting, or singing.
umma
Muslim religious community
seal of the prophets
Name recognizing Muhammad as the last and greatest prophet.
Sura
One of the chapters in the Koran.
Mosque
Place of worship for followers of Islam which literally means a place of prostration
jihad
Religous duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates into English as struggle
Allah
The Arabic word for God; primarily used in Islam
Shahada
The confession of faith, the first of the Five Pillars and central creedal statement of Islam: "There is no god except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God."
imam
The man who leads prayers in a mosque
burqa
Traditional long full garment worn by some Muslim women. Covers all of body except eyes. Taliban required it be worn.
Taliban
a group of fundamentalist Muslims who took control of Afghanistan's government in 1996 requiring strict adherence to so-called sharia law (like making women wear burquas)
shaykh
a teacher and master in Islam
Sunna
an Islamic model for living, based on the life and teachings of Muhammad, an Islamic model for living, based on the life and teachings of Muhammad
Sufi
an adherent of Sufism, the form of Islam characterized by a mystical approach to Allah, who is experienced inwardly
Mina
during the hajj, a place where they camp & cast 7 stones at each of the three pillars to show muhammad rejecting the devil
Shi'a
literally "party or faction" of Ali this is the branch of Islam believing that God vests leadership of the community in a descendant of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali. Mainly found in Iran and a small part of Iraq. It is the state religion of Iran. A member of this group is called a Shi'ite.
wudu
ritual cleansing of oneself before prayer by Muslims
ihram
robe which the undertakers of the Hajj wear on Hajj, also state of ritual purity
Sunni Islam
the branch of Islam that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad, the largest branch of Islam, comprising ~ 85% of the total Muslim population of the world. Sunni Muslims "people of the tradition of Muhammad")
caliph
the civil and religious leader of a Muslim state considered to be a representative of Allah on earth
Hajj
the fifth pillar of Islam is a pilgrimage to Mecca once during a believer's lifetime
Ali
the fourth caliph of Islam who is considered to be the first caliph by Shiites (NOT Muhammad Ali - as pictured)
Mecca
the holiest city of Islam; Muhammad's birthplace
hadith
the literal translation means "story"; traditional teachings based on Muhammad's words and actions; these traditions are traced to eyewitness accounts
Ramadan
the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; month during which Sawm (fasting) happens
Qur'an
the sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina