Glossary: Islamic Terms
- al-Ansar
- followers of the Prophet who welcomed and supported Him in Medina
- al-mihna
- the inquisition (The inquisition instituted by the 'abbasid khalif, al-ma'mun, which required all important people to publicly state that they believed that the qur'an was created, even if they did not.(Source:Taha Publication) )
- al-Muharajun
- followers of the Prophet who migrated with Him from Mecca to Medina
- alim
- An Islamic scholar
- amal
- Actions or deeds (in the name of Islam).
- aman
- Temporary safe conduct for non-Muslims in Muslim lands.
- aqida
- Matters of belief.
- bay`a
- Traditional oath of allegiance to a leader.
- darura
- Overriding necessity.(Source:Taha Publication)
- dhimma
- A Non-Muslim living under the protection of Islamic rule.
- falta
- fortuitous coincident
- fiqh
- Islamic jurisprudence
- hadd
- Singular of Hudood. Boundary limit between the Halal (Lawful) and Haram (unlawful), set by Allah Ta’ala.
- halal
- That which is permitted in Islam.
- haram
- That which is prohibited in Islam.
- ibadat
- Worship practices.
- ijma`
- Consensus. What all the Ulamaa (the people of knowledge) from among the Muslims are agreed upon.
- ijma’
- Consensus. What all the Ulamaa (the people of knowledge) from among the Muslims are agreed upon.
- ijtihad
- Juridical reasoning. To exercise personal judgment based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
- iman
- Belief (in Islam).
- Islam
- The monotheistic religion that the Prophet Muhammad propagated between 610 and 632 CE, when he delivered the Qur’an and expounded its meaning and application through what came to be known as Sunna of the Prophet.
- jihad
- A Holy war in the cause of Allah and His command. Jihad takes many forms, amongst which are: a). Jihad an-Nafs - Fighting against one’s own evil traits and trying one’s utmost to be a better person in the sight of Allah. b). Jihad Akbar - Physically fighting against the enemies of Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala.
- kufr
- Unbelief (in Islam).
- madhahib
- Muslims scholars and schools of thought
- madhhab
- a particular school
- Maqasid al-Shari`a
- mu'awada
- Islamic principle of reciprocity
- murtad
- An apostate or person who "turns back".
- qadis
- judges
- qawama
- male guardianship of women
- qawama
- Men's guardianship over women.
- qiyas
- A type of judgement reached by making analogy. When a judgement cannot be found in the Holy Qur’an or in the Sunnah, or from the ‘Ijma (universal agreement) of the ‘Ulamaa (the people of knowledge from amongst the Muslims), then a Qiyaas is made by comparing the matter being considered to a similar case judged by the Holy Prophet, and thereby arriving at a similar decision, which does not contradict the Qur’an or the Sunnah in any way.
- riba
- Usury. Usury is of two kinds. (1.) Riba Nasi’a - taking interest on loaned money. (2.) Riba Fadal - taking something of superior quality in exchange for giving less of the same kind of thing of poorer quality.
- riddah
- Commonly translated as apostasy, literally means to “turn back”.
- sabb
- blasphemy
- sabb al-rasul
- Foul language or insults towards the Prophet.
- Sahaba
- Companions of the Prophet
- Shari'a
- Body of Islamic law. The term means "way" or "path"; it is the legal framework within which the public and some private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Muslim principles of jurisprudence.
- Shari`a
- The body of Islamic law. The term means "way" or "path"; it is the legal framework within which the public and some private aspects of life are regulated for those living in a legal system based on Muslim principles of jurisprudence.
- shawirhum
- The act of consulting (in matters of governance and leadership most often).
- Shi'at Ali
- Partisans of Ali, later to become Shi'a Muslims
- shura
- Principle of consultation in public affairs.
- Sunna of the Prophet
- Traditions and lessons of the Prophet
- tawhid
- Realizing the liberating power of a living and proactive confession of faith in an infinitely singular, omnipotent, omnipresent God
- ulama
- (plural of alim) Islamic scholars
- umma
- Global community of Muslim believers.
- usul al-fiqh
- The structure and methodology through which Muslims can comprehend and implement Islamic precepts as conveyed in the Qur’an and Sunna
- zakat
- Islamic tithing or alms, and one of the five pillars of Islam
- zandaqah
- heresy
- zina
- adultery
- zinah
- Adultery, or sexual intercourse between non-married partners.
- zindiq
- one who is guilty of zandaqah (heretic)
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The Future of Shari'a