Islamic Terms Dictionary (معجم المصطلحات الإسلامية)
Quickly look up definitions of common Islamic terms arranged alphabetically. Increase your knowledge of Arabic terminology used in daily Islamic practice.
Islamic Terms Dictionary (معجم المصطلحات الإسلامية)
- Adhan (أذان)
- The call to prayer, announced from the mosque five times daily.
- Akhirah (آخرة)
- The Hereafter — life after death, the eternal abode.
- Allah (الله)
- The One and Only God, the Creator and Sustainer of all existence.
- As-Salamu Alaykum (السلام عليكم)
- The Islamic greeting meaning 'Peace be upon you.'
- Ayah (آية)
- A verse of the Quran. Literally means 'sign' or 'miracle.'
- Barakah (بركة)
- Divine blessing, increase, and abundance from Allah.
- Bismillah (بسم الله)
- 'In the name of Allah' — said before beginning any action.
- Da'wah (دعوة)
- Inviting others to Islam through wisdom and good example.
- Deen (دين)
- Religion or way of life — the complete code of life in Islam.
- Dua (دعاء)
- Supplication or personal prayer to Allah.
- Fajr (فجر)
- The dawn prayer — the first of the five daily prayers.
- Fatwa (فتوى)
- A scholarly legal opinion or ruling on a matter of Islamic law.
- Hadith (حديث)
- The recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Halal (حلال)
- Permissible or lawful according to Islamic law.
- Haram (حرام)
- Forbidden or unlawful according to Islamic law.
- Hijrah (هجرة)
- Migration — specifically the Prophet's migration from Makkah to Madinah.
- Ibadah (عبادة)
- Worship — all acts of obedience and devotion to Allah.
- Ihsan (إحسان)
- Excellence in worship — to worship Allah as if you see Him.
- Iman (إيمان)
- Faith — belief in Allah, His angels, books, messengers, and the Hereafter.
- Insha'Allah (إن شاء الله)
- 'If Allah wills' — expressing reliance on Allah's will for future events.
- Jannah (جنة)
- Paradise — the eternal garden of bliss for the righteous.
- Jahannam (جهنم)
- Hellfire — the place of punishment for the disbelievers and sinners.
- Jumu'ah (جمعة)
- Friday — the day of congregational prayer and weekly gathering.
- Ka'bah (كعبة)
- The sacred house of Allah in Makkah — the direction of prayer.
- Khutbah (خطبة)
- Sermon — delivered during Friday prayers and Eid.
- Masha'Allah (ما شاء الله)
- 'What Allah has willed' — expressing appreciation and protection from envy.
- Qadr (قدر)
- Divine decree and predestination — one of the articles of faith.
- Qibla (قبلة)
- The direction of prayer — facing the Ka'bah in Makkah.
- Ruku' (ركوع)
- Bowing position during prayer.
- Sadaqah (صدقة)
- Voluntary charity — given for the sake of Allah.
- Sahaba (صحابة)
- The companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Sajdah (سجدة)
- Prostration — the act of placing the forehead on the ground in worship.
- Shahada (شهادة)
- The declaration of faith — bearing witness to the oneness of Allah and prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ.
- Sunnah (سنة)
- The way of the Prophet ﷺ — his teachings, actions, and approvals.
- Taqwa (تقوى)
- God-consciousness — awareness of Allah in all actions.
- Tawakkul (توكل)
- Trust in Allah — relying on Him while taking the means.
- Tawbah (توبة)
- Repentance — turning back to Allah after sinning.
- Tawheed (توحيد)
- The oneness of Allah — the most fundamental concept in Islam.
- Ummah (أمة)
- The global community of Muslims.
- Wudu (وضوء)
- Ablution — ritual purification before prayer.