Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council
on Religious Education
Glossary - Islam

Hillingdon SACRE


Islam



 

Adhan
Call to prayer. From the same root, MuŽaddhin. (One who makes the call to prayer).

Hadith
Saying; report; account. The sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, as recounted by his household, progeny and companions. These are a major source of Islamic law.

Ihram
The state or condition of strict discipline entered into to perform Hajj and Umrah. During this period, many normally permitted actions are placed out of bounds to pilgrims. Also, the name of the two plain white unsewn cloths worn by male pilgrims to indicate the brotherhood, equality and purity of the pilgrim. For women, the dress of ihram consists of their normal modest clothing.


Allah
The Islamic name for God in the Arabic language. Used in preference to the word God, this Arabic term is singular, has no plural, nor is it associated with masculine, feminine or neuter characteristics. (See Qur’an 2:255, 112:1-4) Pronounced Al-laah.

Hajj
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah, which each Muslim must undertake at least once in a lifetime if he or she has the means. A Muslim male who has completed Hajj is called Hajji or Al-Hajj, and a female, Hajjah.

Imam
Leader. A person who leads the communal prayer; a founder of an Islamic schools of jurisprudence. In ShiŽah Islam, Imam is also the title of Ali and his successors.

Allahu Akbar
Allah is the greatest.

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Halal
Any action or thing which is permitted or lawful.

Isa
Jesus. A Prophet of Allah, born of the virgin Mary.

Arafat
A plain, a few kilometres from Makkah, where pilgrims gather to worship pray and ask for forgiveness. This takes place on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Dhul–Hijjah, the day before Id-ul-Adha.

Haram
Anything unlawful or forbidden.

Islam
Peace attained through willing obedience to Allah’s divine guidance. Pronounced Isslaam.

Bilal
The first MuŽadhin of Islam (see Adhan), a companion of Prophet Muhammad, formerly an Abyssinian slave.

Hijab
Veil. Often used to describe the headscarf or modest dress worn by women, who are required to cover everything except face, hands and feet in the sight of anyone other than immediate family.

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Jibril
Gabriel. The archangel who delivered Allah’s messages to His Prophets.

Bismillah
In the name of Allah – phrase spoken prior to every action/deed.

Hijrah
Departure; flight; migration. The migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. The Islamic calendar commences from this event.

Jihad
Personal individual struggle against evil in the way of Allah. It can also be collective defence of the Muslim community.

Dawud
David. A prophet of Allah to whom the Zabur (Book of Psalms) was given.

Ibrahim
Abraham. A Prophet of Allah to whom the ‘Scrolls’ were given.

Jinn
Being created by Allah from fire.

Din
‘Life transaction’ or ‘religion’ of Allah – transaction between every being and Allah. Pronounced deen.

Id
Happy occasion shared by all the community

KaŽbah
A cube-shaped structure in the centre of the grand mosque in Makkah. The first house built for the worship of the One True God.

DuŽa
Varying forms of personal prayer and supplication.

Id ul Adha
Celebration of the sacrifice, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah and his willingness to sacrifice his son IsmaŽil.

Makkah (Mecca)
City where the Prophet Muhammad pbuh was born, and where the KaŽbah is located.

Fard
Obligatory duty according to divine law, e.g. offering Salah five times a day.

Id ul Fitr
Celebration of the completion of the fast of Ramadan, which is also the first day of Shawal, the tenth Islamic month
Masjid
Place of prostration. Mosque.
Ghusl
Greater ablution. Formal washing of the whole body prior to worship (see wudu)
   
     
     
     


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