Note: This list is influenced by our local South Asian population. Please compile definitions, that are inclusive of your own local communities. (The letters “v”, and “x” omitted intentionally)
General Words / People & Created Beings / Common Phrases
Jump to: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U W Y Z
| A | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Abu | Father of… | |
| Adab | ||
| Adhan | azan | A call to prayer in Arabic, made 5 times daily by a person known as Muezzin |
| Afiya | Health, freedom from illness | |
| Ahl al-Kitab | People of the book, a term in the Qur’an to represent early Jews and Christians | |
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| Akhirah | akhira | the afterlife |
| Al– | means “The”. When certain words (99 to be exact) are preceded by the hyphenated al- it is used to designate one of Allah’s names and adding “The” emphasizes his singular authority. | |
| al Lawh al Mahfuz | al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) the place where the decrees of Allah are kept. The only thing that can change these records are duaas that are accepted by Allah. | |
| Alim | aalim | A learned person in Islam, scholar |
| Amana | Trust, honesty, responsibility and integrity | |
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| Amir | Ameer | Leader or commander |
| Anbiya | Prophets | |
| Ansar | the resident people of Madina who aided the Meccan immigrants (muhajireen), embraced Islam, and provided the Prophet (saw) with a central location to establish a government | |
| Asr | 3rd of the five obligatory prayers held in the late afternoon | |
| Athan | Azan | the Muslim call to prayer |
| Attar | dulhan, ittar | oil based perfume |
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| Awliya | Meaning ‘protector’, or ‘friend’ | |
| Awrah | Parts of the body that are not to be exposed to people of the opposite gender that are “non-mahrem” | |
| Ayat | Ayah | An individual verse in the Quran |
| Ayat-ul-Kursi | Surah Baqara Ayat 256 of the Quran | |
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| B | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Baitul Mamur | “Frequented House” or a house, frequented by Angels, which is situated in the 7th heaven, directly above the Kaba on earth | |
| Banu | Children of… | |
| Baraqah | Barakah | A blessing that increases, or provides value beyond what is expected |
| Bay’ah | Bayat | An oath of allegiance. To make a pledge |
| Bid’ah | An innovation in the religion by way of adding, deleting, or changing the meanings | |
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| C | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Caliph | kalifa | the head of the Islamic country/state |
| Caliphate | kalifate | an Islamic empire |
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| D | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Daar ul Arqam | Al-Arqam | a house in Mecca used as a secret meeting place and learning for the early Muslims. The first ‘Madressa’ in Islam. |
| Da’wah | Inviting others to Islam | |
| Deen | knowledge of the religion of Islam with its proofs | |
| Dhikr | Zikr | Remembrance of Allah. All words of praise and glory to Allah |
| Dirham | Currency of pre-islamic Arabia | |
| Duaa | du’a | A informal, optional, prayer, that is performed at any time, and does not require the worshipper to be in a state of ablution. It is a personal dialogue with Allah, using your own words and in your own language, or by reciting known Arabic duaas found in Quran and Hadith. Communal duaa (usually performed behind an imam) is permissible, as long as it does not become a regular practice. |
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| Dulhan | attar, ittar | oil based perfume |
| Dunya | This world or life, as opposed to the Hereafter | |
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| E | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eid | celebration, holiday | |
| Eid al-Adha | informally known as “The Big Eid” it is a time of commemoration and deep self reflection of the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. | |
| Eid al-Fitr’ | informally known as “The Little Eid” it is a time of celebration which concludes the month of Ramadan’s fasting | |
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| F | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 1st of the five obligatory prayers held in the early morning before sunrise | |
| Fard | fardh, wajib | A formal, obligatory Arabic prayer, that is performed at a specified time, and requires the worshipper to be in a state of ablution |
| Fasiq | a big sinner | |
| Fatwa | fatwah | A legal opinion concerning Islamic Law |
| Fiqh | Islamic jurisprudence. Literally means “understanding”. | |
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| Fisabillilah | an action or charity that is done strictly for the pleasure of Allah without any expectation of return in this life and hoping for it’s reward in the afterlife | |
| Fitna | fitnah | Injustice, turning people away, persecution, falling into sin and hypocrisy, misguidance Literally means “trial” or “test” |
| Fitra | fitrah | State of purity and innocence in which Muslims believe all humans are born |
| Futoor | iftar | The evening meal that ends the daily Ramadan fast at sunset. |
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| G | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ghuraba | plural for “strangers”, “foreigners”. Usually used in the context that we are all travelers in this short life and that as practicing Muslims we are strangers to the sinful life of society | |
| Ghusl | a full body ablution before prayer | |
| Ghusl Mayyit | washing the body of the deceased | |
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| H | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hadith | a written record of the sayings or customs of Prophet Muhammad and his companions | |
| Hadith Qudsi | a written record from the perspective of its meaning, is from Allah, and from the perspective of its wording, from the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) | |
| Hafiz | a Muslim who has memorized the entire Quran with complete understanding of it’s meaning. | |
| Hajaj | Hajj Pilgrims | |
| Hijr-Ismail | low, semi-circular wall originally part of the Kaba | |
| Hajj | pilgrimage made to Mecca at least once in a lifetime for those that can afford it | |
| Halal | permissible | |
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| Halaqah | a religious gathering in a circle to study Islam | |
| Hanafi (school of thought) | One of the four “schools of thought” on the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence. | |
| Hanbali (school of thought) | One of the four “schools of thought” on the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence. | |
| Haqq | truth | |
| Haram | forbidden | |
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| Hijab | typically means Muslim woman’s headscarf but it’s broader definition is modesty of the whole body and good behavior | |
| Hisaab | bringing to account or reckoning | |
| Hizb | means “one fourth, quarter”. the Quran, which is divided into 60 Hizb (30 Juz) | |
| Hijrah | the immigration of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) from Mecca to Medina. Also the start of the Hijri Islamic calendar | |
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| I | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ibadah | our worship of Allah through acts of servitude, obedience, and remembrance | |
| Iddah | iddat | period of time that a woman must observe after the death of her husband or after a divorce, during which she may not marry another man |
| Iftar | futoor | evening meal after a fast from food and water, often held as a community gathering |
| Ijtihad | the independent or original interpretation by an expert in Islamic law of problems not precisely covered by the Qurʾān or Hadith | |
| Ilm | Islamic knowledge | |
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| Imam | one who leads Muslims in prayer. The head of the local Muslim community | |
| Iman | your Muslim faith, belief. The opposite of iman is kufr. | |
| Injil | Injeel | the original, unaltered, Gospel of Jesus (Isa) |
| Iqamah | the second, and shorter, call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before prayer begins | |
| Isha | One of the five obligatory prayers held in the evening a few hours after the sun has set | |
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| Islam | literally means “surrender,” “submission”. The universal, and truly monotheistic religion for all of mankind, revealed to the final Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him) between 610 and 632 of the Common Era. People who practice Islam are called Muslims. | |
| Isnad | “chains of narration” | |
| Isra’ and Mi’raj | a night journey that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went on in body and in soul to al Aqsa mosque (Isra) and to the Heavens (Miraj) | |
| Istawoo | straighten up (the rows for prayer). Usually said by the imam before starting the congregational prayer if the rows are misaligned | |
| Istighfar | is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah, usually by saying “astagfirullah” (I seek forgiveness from Allah) | |
| Ittar | attar, dulhan | oil based perfume |
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| J | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jahannam | the lowest part of Hellfire | |
| Jahiliyyah | pre-Islamic ignorance | |
| Jannah | Paradise | |
| Janazah | funeral prayer and burial | |
| Jihad | involves two parts 1.) a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline 2.) a military engagement led by an Islamic government as a defensive, or offensive strategy, such as after a treaty has been broken, or to retaliate against an oppression | |
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| Jilbab | Jalbab | a flowing gown worn by Muslim women as an act of modesty and to fulfil the requirements of hijab |
| Jinn | a supernatural being with “free will”, Created before humans, but made from a smokeless flame. Some are good and some are evil. They will be brought to account on Judgement Day | |
| Jizyah | a “tax” of about 1% of a person’s wealth for those living under the protection of a Muslim Caliphate | |
| Jummah | jumma | a Friday congregational prayer that is obligatory for Muslim men |
| Juz | para(Asian) | the Quran is divided into 30 parts or Juz which provides an easier way to read the Quran in equal parts because the 114 chapters (surahs) are not equal in size |
| Juz Amma | Juz’ Amma is the 30th Juz of the Qur’an, and is comprised of its final 36 chapters (surahs) | |
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| K | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kaba | ka’ba, ka’aba | Located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, it is the holiest site in Islam and is the direction of prayer for every Muslim around the world. Kaaba, meaning cube in Arabic, is a structure built by the Prophet Ibrahim and his son. The Black Stone was said to have been given to Ibrahim by the angel Jibreel. The stone was broken and the remaining fragments are embedded in the eastern corner. |
| Kafir | a person that is “disbeliever”, and “non-Muslim”. The opposite of a kafir is a mumin | |
| Khalifa | califa, calipha | the head of the Islamic country/state |
| Khalifate | caliphate | an Islamic empire |
| Khatib | khateeb | is a person who delivers a religious talk (khuṭbah) (literally “narration”), during the Friday prayer and Eid prayers |
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| Khutbah | a religious talk during the Friday and Eid prayers. It is divided into two parts with a brief pause inbetween. It is started and ended with a a duaa (informal prayer). | |
| Kitab | book | |
| Khuffain | khuff | leather socks |
| Kufr | Kufr means an action or mindset of disbelief. A non-Muslim. The opposite term of kufr is iman (faith) | |
| Kursi | Qursi | chair |
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| L | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Lailatu ‘l-Qadr | the “Night of Power”. The precise date is unknown but it is said to be one of the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is better than 1,000 months and is a time for increasing good deeds by making supplication, deep reflection, and acts of charity | |
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| M | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Madhhab | A “school of thought” on the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). Through history there were multiple schools however the four widely known schools of thought endured and became widely known: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. Madhabs should not be confused with “sects”. | |
| Makruh | makrooh | disliked or offensive act (literally “detestable” or “abominable” |
| Maliki (School of thought) | One of the four “schools of thought” on the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence. | |
| Masjid Al-Aqsa | the third Holiest mosque in Islam, located in Jerusalem. It is a compound that includes the Dome of the Rock (as-Sakhra) | |
| Masjid al-Haram | the Holiest of 3 mosques in Islam, located in Mecca. It contains the Kaba. Because the Kaba is the direction of our prayer, Muslims line up in circles around it. | |
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| Masjid an-Nabawi | the second Holiest mosque in Islam, located in Medina. The Prophet (saw) established it shortly after the hijrah (immigration from Mecca to Median, to avoid the persecution of early Muslims) | |
| Medina | Madinah, Medinah | a city in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Ansar (the Medina residents) and the Muhajireen (Medina immigrants) established the first Islamic government that promoted fairness and cooperation |
| Madrasa | a school or college for Islamic education | |
| Maghrib | Maghreb | One of the five obligatory prayers held shortly before sunset |
| Mahdi | the title of a person that will come before the end of the world and rule for seven years during which he restores justice and unites the Muslims | |
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| Mahr | the obligation, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, to the bride at the time of Islamic marriage | |
| Masjid | mosque | the place of worship for Muslims |
| Minbar | Mimbar | the pulpit from which religous talks (khutbah) are delivered. In its simplest form the minbar is a platform with three steps |
| Miswak | Siwak | a twig cut from a Salvadora persica tree. When moistened in the mouth it’s fibers separate, creating a natural, hygienic, and effective toothbrush |
| Mosque | masjid | the place of worship for Muslims |
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| Mujahid | someone who strives or engages in jihad | |
| Mu’min | mumin | a Muslim that is a strong believer. The opposite of a mumin is a kafr. |
| Muezzin | Muadh-dhin | the person who calls the adan, the call to prayer |
| Muhaddith | one who relays important talks/a scholar of hadith | |
| Muhajireen | the Meccan people who immigrated from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution by the Quraish, during the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) time, and were wholeheartedly accepted by the Ansar (the residents of Medina) | |
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| Munafiq | a hypocrite, that acts like a Muslim in public but secretly hates Islam | |
| Mushaf | literally means “collection of pages.” “Quran” refers to the specific revelation that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad whereas the term “mushaf” denotes the written form of that revelation. | |
| Mushrik | A person who rejects tawhid; an idolater, a polytheist. | |
| Muslim | people who adhere to Islam | |
| Muslimah | a female Muslim | |
| Mustahabb | is a Islamic Jurisprudence term which means it is highly recommended and desirable for the believers to follow; but if one does not do it, there is no sin upon the person. It means a deed which the Prophet recommended the believers to do, but did not make it fard (obligatory) | |
| Muttaqin | a person who is already Mu’min, practicing the rituals as a Muslim and trying to be even better. | |
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| N | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Nafl | A formal, optional, Arabic prayer, that is performed at any time, and requires the worshipper to be in a state of ablution | |
| Nafs | self, psyche, ego, desires | |
| Naima | blessings | |
| Namaz | salat, salah | the Muslim formal prayer |
| Naseeha | sincere good advice | |
| Nazr | a promise to Allah that, if a wish is granted, in exchange the person will perform a certain (non-obligatory) good deed | |
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| Nikah | Asian word meaning a day of celebrating the signing of the legal marriage document | |
| Niqab | a face covering worn by some Muslim women | |
| Niyyah | niyat | intention before a prayer |
| Noor | in humans noor is the light of Islamic guidance, good deeds, firm belief. Angels are made from noor. Allah swt says He is the Light of the heavens and the earth | |
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| O | (alt) | Meaning |
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| P | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Para | Juz | the Quran is divided into 30 parts or Para(Asian word for Juz) which provides an easier way to read the Quran in equal parts because the 114 chapters (surahs) are not equal in size |
| Q | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Qari | a person who recites the Quran with the proper rules of recitation (tajwid). | |
| Qiblah | the direction of formal prayers for Muslims around the world | |
| Qiyam | the standing position of the formal prayer | |
| Qiyamah | Yawm al-Qiyamah | Day of Resurrection. Literally means the “rising up at the resurrection” |
| Quran | Qur’an | “Quran” refers to the specific revelation that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad whereas the term “mushaf” denotes the written form of that revelation. |
| Quraysh | Quraish | The resident Pagan tribes of Mecca |
| Qursi | Kursi | chair |
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| R | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rakat | a cycle of prayer. Prayers are either 2,3, or 4 rakats | |
| Ramadan | a Holy month of the Hijri calendar spent in fast and deep reflection | |
| Rihal | Rehal | Folding Quran stand made from carved wood. Made in Asian countries |
| Rubb | Rabb | one of the 99 names of Allah meaning, “The Lord and Nurturer” |
| Rukhsati | Asian word meaning “sending off”. Refers to the third day of celebration of a wedding | |
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| Ruku | a bow while keeping the back as straight as possible | |
| Ruqya | healing from sickness and other problems through the recitation of the Quran | |
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| S | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sabr | patience. Literally means ‘endurance’, ‘perseverance’, ‘persistence’ | |
| Sadaqa | sadaqah | a voluntary charitable action which can be a kind deed towards others or monetary gift. |
| Sahaba | sahabah | |
| Sahih | used as part of a “grading” system on the authenticity of hadith. Sahih hadith are accurate and reliable. The chain of narrators is sound and unbroken. | |
| Salaf | literally means “the pious predecessors” and refer to the first three generations of Muslims | |
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| Salah | salat, namaz | the Muslim formal prayer |
| Salam | Salaam | literally means “peace” |
| Sawm | any religious, Islamic fast from food and water during daylight hours | |
| Seerah | sira, sirah | “prophetic biographies”. Both a hadith and a Seerah include isnads (chains of narration). Hadith, is used as an authentic source of Islamic law. While a Seerah’s primary goal is to relay information about historical account. |
| Shaadi | Asian word for “wedding” | |
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| Shafi (School of thought) | One of the four “schools of thought” on the interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence. | |
| Shahadah | shahada | Islamic testimony of faith |
| Shaheed | martyr | |
| Shariah | literally means “the path”. It is the Islamic legal system based on the Quran and the Hadith. Historically these laws were the same for “The People of the Book” (Jews and Christians) before they omitted them. | |
| Shirk | associating “partners” with Allah, an unforgiveable sin | |
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| Shaytan | a Jinn that is evil. A devil. But not all Jinn are bad. | |
| Shura | means, any “mutual consultation”. It can be the consultative council or assembly of a government, or it can be family working together through problems, or to make decisions. | |
| Sirat | means “a way or a road”. It is stated to be a bridge thinner than a hair, and sharper than a sword. On Judgement Day, believers will pass over it (some quickly and some with difficulty) and others will fall from it into Hellfire. | |
| Siwak | miswak | a twig cut from a Salvadora persica tree. When moistened in the mouth it’s fibers separate, creating a natural, hygienic, and effective toothbrush |
| Suhoor | suhr | predawn meal before a fast from food and water |
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| Sujud | Sujood, sajdah | prostration during the formal prayer. When in sujud, you are the closest to Allah in your prayer. You can also make sujud while making duaa, outside of the formal prayer. |
| Sujood Sahw | prostration of forgetfulness. If we omit, or add to the formal prayer by an honest mistake, usually caused by distracted mind, sujood sahw is performed near the end of the prayer by performing two prostrations | |
| Sujood ash-Shukr | a prostration which is performed for Allah, in order to show gratitude for a specific blessing. It can be done at any time, and in whatever state he is in (ablution is not mandatory) | |
| Sunnah | literally means “habitual practice”. The traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad that are a model for Muslims to follow | |
| Sunnah mu’akkadah | refers to any voluntary act of worship which the Prophet (peace be upon him) continuously performed and almost never abandoned | |
| Sunnat | A formal, optional, Arabic prayer, that is performed at a specified time, and requires the worshipper to be in a state of ablution | |
| Surah | a chapter in the Quran. There are 114 surahs (subdivided into 30 juz) and 6236 ayats(verses) | |
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| T | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tafsir | an in depth explanation, interpretation of the Quran providing additional context or commentary | |
| Tahajjud | a voluntary (sunnat) prayer(s) performed at night between Isha and Fajr | |
| Tajweed | a set of linguistic and pronunciation rules used in perfecting and beautifying the recitation of the Quran | |
| Takbir | the name for the Arabic phrase Allahu Akbar meaning “Allah is Greater” | |
| Takbeerat | repeated proclamation that Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greater) and added words of gratitude and worship before the Eid prayers | |
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| Talak | talaq | the words that initiates a Muslim divorce process |
| Taqwa | God-consciousness or God-fearing piety | |
| Taraweeh | It is an optional prayer at night during Ramadan after breaking the fast. The Prophet (saw) would sometimes offer the prayer at the mosque and sometimes at home, for fear that people would make it obligatory. It is a modern mistake when people become preoccupied with trying to “finish the Quran” by Eid, without pondering any of it’s meanings. Taraweeh literally means “rest” and “relaxation” because righteous people before our time used to rest after every four rak`at | |
| Tasbih | a string of prayer beads used by Muslims to count the glorifications of Allah (zikr). This can also be accomplished using the 3 joints of each finger | |
| Tauhid | Islamic monotheism. The acknowledgement of the Oneness of Allah’s 1. Names and Attributes, 2. Lordship 3. Worship | |
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| Taurat | torah | the original, unaltered Holy texts of the Hebrews/Jews |
| Tawaf | The ritual of circumambulating the Kaaba seven times during Hajj or Umrah | |
| Tawidh | taweez, ta’wiz, tawiz | an amulet or locket worn for good luck and protection. This is strictly forbidden because your only source of protection is from Allah |
| Tayammum | an ablution using clean soil in the absence of water that temporarily suffices for prayer. The prayer is repeated once a water source is available for wudu. | |
| Thobe | Thawab | a traditional ankle-length garment, commonly worn in the Arabian Peninsula، and some African nations |
| Topi | Asian word for a “pillbox” style hat usually adorned with elaborate embroidery | |
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| U | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ulama | ulema | scholars of Islam |
| Ulu’l-Azm | The Arch-Prophets: Prophet Muhammad, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them) | |
| Umm | mother of… | |
| Ummah | the Muslim nation or the community of believers | |
| Umrah | a voluntary pilgrimage to Mecca | |
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| W | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wahy | wahi | literally means “revelation”. It refers to messages and guidance that Allah sent to his Prophets. Wahy is of 7 types: Dreams, what the Angel throws in the heart, an Angel in human form, the Prophet is taken to another dimension, an Angel in his true form, the Night of Miraj, the Prophet is addressed directly |
| Wajib | fard | an obligatory act |
| Wali | legal guardian of a female Muslim | |
| Walimah | Asian word for wedding | |
| Waswas | tempting whispers from the shaytans (the evil ones among the jinn) | |
| Wudu | wuzu(Asian) | ablution using clean water before a prayer |
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| Y | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Yathrib | pre-Islamic name for the town of Medina | |
| Yaqeen | a perfect level of belief where you don’t have a single doubt | |
| Yawm | the day of… | |
| Yawm al-Deen | Day of Judgement | |
| Yawm al-Hisab | Day of Reckoning. The day of standing. | |
| Yawm al-Qiyamah | Day of Resurrection. Literally means the “rising up at the resurrection” | |
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| Z | (alt) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Zakat | a mandatory charity on 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth. Needy Muslims are the recipient of these funds and this requirement is waived for them | |
| Zamzam | Tayyiba, Barra, Madnuna | a renewable groundwater source in Mecca that was the answer to Hajar’s duaa (the wife of Prophet Ibrahim), and source of purification for Hajj/Umrah pilgrims |
| Zina | any act of illicit sexual intercourse between an unmarried man and woman | |
| Zuhr | One of the five obligatory prayers held in the early afternoon | |
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