Words play a colossal role in determining good from bad, right from wrong. How we see the world is greatly dependent on the words we’re fed, and the connotation behind those terms. I am not here to convince anyone, but it is my official responsibility to share what little I know about my faith. And if anything, I am confident that words will not fail me, while the rest of the world continues to disappoint. Although, I’m not exceptional, I have to admit that Allah has supplied me with the faculty of written communication. So here I am trying my utmost to utilize this potential and unearth what I see as the simplest and purest form of living: Islam.
Below is a list of words that may help, enhance, or motivate you to learn more. Even build upon your existing knowledge or just replenish your belief in good.
A
Allah: the God
Alhamdulillah: the prayer that translates to: Praise be to God
Assalamu Alaykum: the Islamic greeting that means, peace and blessings be upon you
B
Bismillah: a prayer stated prior to any activity; translates to: In the name of Allah
C
Caliph: A person or government ruling a certain population
D
E
F
G
H
Hadith: evidence based teachings, practices, sayings of the last Prophet Muhammad SAWS
Hajj: the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.
Halal: an practice or item that is in accordance with Islamic guidelines, especially consumable items
Hijab: a garment used to cover the head & hair of a person (i.e. scarf, dupatta, cap)
I
Islam: the act and belief of submitting to the Will of the One & Only God; a set of commitments that ensure peace in society and purity within individual lives
Iman: belief; faith
J
Jazaka Allahu Khair: A prayer that translates to, may Allah bestow goodness and well-being upon you; an expression of appreciation in lieu of thanking a person.
Jihad: the act of struggling for the sake of pleasing God; internal struggle to overcome desires; physical struggle to empower a community to live by the guidelines of Islam
K
L
La Illaha Il Allah Muhammadur Rasul Allah: Translates to, There is no god but God, Muhammad is the final messenger of Allah; the definitive statement of belief; The core standard by which a Muslim lives
M
Madrasa: a place of study; any institution of learning
Muslim: A person who submits to the Will of God
N
Q
Qur’an: Recitation of the Words decreed by God; a collection of guiding principles and practices for Muslims from God
R
Ramadan: the Islamic month throughout which daily fasting occurs.
S
Salah: acknowledging the existence and belief in God through physical and meditative worship; 5 daily prayers
Shahada: The statement of belief that states there is no other god but God and Muhammad is the last messenger of God
Sharia: The root meaning stems from shara – a path or way that leads to water (purification); Any and all rights, beliefs, acts of worship, mannerisms, ethics that lead to purification encompass this path; a set of guidelines that ensure social and economic justice, prosperity, and peace
T
U
W
Y
Z
Zakat: the obligatory charity given by Muslims who have acquired assets; 2.5% of assets given as charity to those in need.
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