| Alim |
(plural: ulama). One who knows, a scholar, a scientist. Commonly used for someone who has a thorough knowledge of Islam and its sources, the Quran and Sunnah. An important characteristic of an 'alim, according to the Quran, is that he is deeply conscious of God and stands in awe of Him. |
| Al khalifah |
(plural: khulafa). Steward, vicegerent, successor. Man is referred to as khalifah or steward of God on earth, denoting the individual's direct responsibility to God to glorify God not only by intent but by good deeds carrying out His Mission. |
| Al qawaid |
The legal principles derived from the Quran and Sunnah that should be upheld when forming legal opinions. |
| Awqaf |
(singular: waqf). Charitable endowment or trust set up in perpetuity. |
| Diwan |
Record book, court of justice or royal court. |
| Fatwa |
(plural: fatawa). Juridical verdict, legal opinion. |
| Fiqh |
Literally, understanding. The legal science founded mainly on rules and principles developed by human reasoning (ijtihad) and the body of knowledge so derived. Fiqh may, therefore, vary from one jurist or school of thought to another. The term 'fiqh' is sometimes used synonymously with Shariah (q.v.). However, while fiqh is to a large extent the product of human endeavor, the Shariah is closely related to divine revelation and knowledge which is only obtained from the Quran and the Sunnah. |
| Hadith |
(plural: Ahadith). The verbalized form of a tradition of the Prophet, peace be upon him, constitutive of his Sunnah. A hadith narrative is divided into two parts: the isnad (chain of transmission) and the matn (content of the narrative). |
| Hisbah |
Institution of public morality in Islam based on the Quranic principle of "enjoining what is good, and forbidding that which is evil" in society (Surat Al-Tawbah v. 71). |
| Ifta' |
To give a legal opinion. |
| Ijtihad |
Considering that the accepted juridical sources of Islam are valid for all time and space, ijtihad may be described as a creative but disciplined intellectual effort to derive legal rulings from those sources while taking into consideration the variables imposed by the fluctuating circumstances of the Muslim society.
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| 'ilm al aqeedah |
(plural: 'ilm al aqaa'id). Literally, "knowledge of faith." Core beliefs in Islam that include belief in Allah, Angels and the unseen world, the prophets and their revelations, and Judgment Day.
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| Imam |
(plural: a'immah). One whose leadership or example is to be followed. The leader of a group of Muslims in ritual prayer. The leader of any system of theology or law. The imam or khalifah, of the Muslim people. The Shiahs apply the term Imam to the twelve leaders of their sect and do not use the term khalifah for this office as Sunnis do.
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| Imran |
Civilization built upon a foundation of faith and values.
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| Islamization |
To infuse knowledge and learning with Islamic principles and values, especially knowledge from secular or non-Islamic sources.
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| Jihad |
Literally, striving. Any earnest striving in the way of God, involving personal effort, material resources, or arms for righteousness against evil, wrongdoing, and oppression. If it involves armed struggle, it must be for the defense of the Muslim community or a just war to protect even non-Muslims from evil, oppression, and tyranny.
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| Juzain |
(singular: juz, plural: ajza). The dual form referring to two sections of the Quran that has been divided into 30 parts.
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| Kalam |
Literally, "words" or "speech," referring to oration. The name applied to the disciplines of philosophy and theology concerned specifically with the nature of the divine attributes. Ilm Alkalam means the science of study of theology.
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| Maqasid |
The ultimate aims, objectives and intents of the Shariah.
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| Niyyah |
Intention. While doing anything it is important to have the proper intention in achieving the best action and result.
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| Prophethood |
The role of a person whom Allah has chosen to be a messenger, reminder, and an example of the values Allah has enjoined on humankind.
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| Riba |
Interest or usury.
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| Ribats |
Shelters for women and children in need.
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| Salah |
(plural: salawat). Prayer, one of the five pillars is to worship Allah.
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| Sawm |
Feasting, one of the five pillars is to fast during the month of Ramadan.
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| Seerah |
Bibliography of the Prophet Muhammad, and his internal and external actions as a messenger of God and as a statesman.
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| Shariah |
The revealed commandments of God, which are embodied in the Quran and the Sunnah.
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| Sunnah |
Literally, a clear path or beaten track. Refers to whatever the Prophet said, did, agreed to or condemned. The Sunnah is a source of Shariah and a legal proof next to the Quran. Secondly, the Sunnah may consist of an explanation or clarification of the Quran. Thirdly, the Sunnah may also consist of rulings on which the Quran is silent.
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| Sunnan |
God's universal laws of nature.
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| Surah |
(plural: suwar). Chapter.
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| Tafsir |
Commentary, exegesis of the Quran.
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| Taharah |
Literally "purification," a general term that covers all kinds of ritual washing before prayers.
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| Taqwa |
Consciousness or fear of God.
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| Tasawwuf |
"Sufism," the mystical path of worship in Islam.
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| Tawhid |
Unicity. The principle of unity in Islam, that Allah is one, indivisible, unique, eternal, constant being.
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| Tazkiya |
"Purification," through actions that repair a past wrong, donation to charity, fasting, etc.
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| Ulama |
(singular: 'alim). One who knows, a scholar, a scientist. Commonly used for someone who has a thorough knowledge of Islam and its sources, the Quran and Sunnah. An important characteristic of an 'alim, according to the Quran, is that he is deeply conscious of God and stands in awe of Him.
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| 'Ulum al shariah |
The Shariah sciences.
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| 'Ulum al maqasid |
The science of the purpose of the Shariah.
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| Ummah |
(plural: umam). Literally a community, or a nation. Specifically, the universal Muslim community.
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| Unicity |
Synonymous with tawhid, or the absolute unity of Allah.
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| Usul al Fiqh |
Principles of Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy of the law; the methodology of deriving laws from the sources of Islam and establishing their juristic and constitutional validity.
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| Waqf |
(plural: awqaf). Charitable endowment or trust set up in perpetuity.
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| Zakat |
(singular: zakah). The compulsory "purifying" tax on wealth that is one of the five pillars of Islam. The word zakah is derived from the word meaning purification, growth, and sweetening.
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