Islam

Al Qaeda

"The Base", is a global militant Islamist organization, stateless army, wants global war to spread Islam and stop America

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

Zakat

(Charity/Almsgiving) - 2.5% of one's wealth is annually given to help those in need

Sawm

(Fasting) Muslims must fast between dawn and sunset during the month of Ramadan.

Salat

(prayer) - five times a day in the direction of the Ka 'abah in Mecca.

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

Eid al-Adha

A feast celebrated at the end of the Hajj, both in Mecca and around the world; lasts for four days; a lamb or other animal is sacrificed and distributed to the poor; commemorates Abraham nearly sacrificing his beloved son

Islamism

A fundamentalist Islamic revivalist movement generally characterized by moral conservatism and the literal interpretation of the Quran and the attempt to implement Islamic values in all aspects of life.

Arab

A member of a Semitic people, originally from the Arabian peninsula and neighboring territories, inhabiting much of the Middle East and North Africa.

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.

Hamas

A radical Palestinian organization founded in 1987 in opposition to the moderate policies of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The name means "zeal" in Arabic, and is a militant Islamic fundamentalist political movement.

Nation of Islam

A religious group, popularly known as the Black Muslims, founded by Elijah Muhammad to promote black separatism and the Islamic religion.

Hagar

Abraham's second wife/concubine; mother of Ishmael and the Muslim people

Elijah Muhammad

African american religious leader who founded the Nation of Islam.

halal

An Arabic word meaning "permissible" usually refers to permissible foods under Islamic law.

Eid al-Fitr

An Islamic festival that ends the period of fasting during the month of Ramadan

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.

Sunni Islam

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. "people of the tradition of Muhammad"

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.

Ashoura

Day commemorating the suffering and martydom of Hussein (Ali's grandson) at the Battle of Karbala. Some people whip and cut themselves during this day.

Muslim Brotherhood

Egyptian religious and nationalist movement founded by Hasan al-Banna in 1928; became an example for later fundamentalist movements in the Islamic world.

Khadijah

First wife of the prophet Muhammad.

Five Pillars

Main teachings of Islam: Shahadah, Zakat, Hajj, Salat, Sawm.

dervish

Member of Sufi Muslim group; known for their practices of very energetic dancing, whirling, chanting, or singing.

islam

Monotheistic religion that developed in Arabia in 7th century, means "submission to the will of Allah"

Muezzin

Muslim official of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret five times a day

umma

Muslim religious community

seal of the prophets

Name recognizing Muhammad as the last and greatest prophet.

Arabic

Official language of several countries of North Africa and the Middle East, as well as the religion of Islam.

Sura

One of the chapters in the Qur'an.

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

Shari'a

The code of law derived from the Koran and from the teachings and example of Mohammed

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.

niqab

Veil that covers a woman's hair and face, leaving only the eyes clearly visible.

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)

hijab

a headscarf worn by Muslim women

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

Wahabi

followers of Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792), who stringently opposed all practices not sanctioned by the Koran. The Wahhabis, founded in the 18th century, are the most conservative Muslim group and are today found mainly in Saudi Arabia

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.

Basmala

opening to most of the Surahs (chapters) "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful"

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

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

hijra

the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution 622 CE; regarded as the beginning of the Muslim Era/calendar.

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