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Islamic glossary

A modest set of reviewed terms. Definitions are short and point to tools on this site rather than offering unreviewed religious rulings.

A

  • Ayah

    آية

    A verse of the Quran. The word can also mean a sign.

D

  • Dhikr

    ذكر

    Remembrance of Allah through words of praise, glorification, and other transmitted phrases.

  • Dua

    دعاء

    Supplication — asking Allah for help, forgiveness, guidance, or any need.

H

  • Hadith

    حديث

    A reported statement, action, or tacit approval of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, transmitted with a chain of narrators.

  • Hajj

    حج

    The pilgrimage to Makkah required once in a lifetime for those who are able.

J

  • Juz

    جزء

    One of thirty roughly equal portions of the Quran, used to pace reading.

Q

  • Qibla

    قبلة

    The direction of the Kaaba in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer.

S

  • Salah

    صلاة

    The formal prayer prescribed in Islam. Muslims pray five daily prayers at times determined by the sun’s position.

  • Sawm

    صوم

    Fasting, especially the daily fast of Ramadan from dawn to sunset.

  • Sunnah

    سنة

    The teachings, practice, and example of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, preserved alongside the Quran.

  • Surah

    سورة

    A chapter of the Quran. The Quran contains 114 surahs.

T

  • Tafsir

    تفسير

    Explanation or commentary on the Quran. This preview does not include a tafsir corpus.

  • Tasbeeh

    تسبيح

    Saying Subhan Allah, “Glory be to Allah,” and, more loosely, using a counter for repeated phrases of remembrance.

U

  • Umrah

    عمرة

    The lesser pilgrimage to Makkah, which may be performed throughout the year.

Z

  • Zakat

    زكاة

    An obligatory alms on qualifying wealth, traditionally calculated at 2.5% for many forms of wealth after a lunar year, subject to scholarly detail.