Mihrab
Niche or alcove in a mosque wall, indicating the Qiblah – the direction
of Makkah, towards which all Muslims face to perform salah. The Imarn leads
the salah from the mihrab.
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Qadar
Allah’s complete and final control over the fulfilment of events or destiny.
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Sunnah
All the traditions and practices of Allah, observed and recorded by his
companions and followers.
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Mina
Place near Makkah, where pilgrims stay on the 10th, 11th and 12th of Dhul-Hijjah
and perform some of the activities of the Hajj.
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Qiblah
Direction which Muslims face when performing Salah – towards the Ka´bah
(see Mihrab).
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Surah
Chapter of the Qur’an.
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Minaret
Tower or turret, connected to a mosque from which the call to prayer is
made.
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Qur´an
That which is read or recited. The Divine Book revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Allah’s final revelation to humankind. Pronounced Qur’aan.
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Taqwa
An awareness of Allah that permeates every aspect of life. Piety.
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Minbar
Rostrum; platform; dais. The stand from which the Imam delivers the khutbah
or speech in the mosque or praying ground. Mu´adhin Caller to prayer (see
Adhan), also written as ‘muezzin’.
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Rak´ah
A unit of Salah, made up of recitation, standing, bowing and two prostrations.
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Tawhid
Belief in the Oneness of Allah – absolute monotheism as practised in Islam.
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Muhammad
Praiseworthy. Name of the final Prophet.
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Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which fasting is required
from just before dawn until sunset, as ordered by Allah.
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Wudu
Ablution before salah, a ritual washing of hands, face and feet.
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MusaMoses.
A Prophet of Allah to whom the Tawrah (Torah) was given.
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Sadaqah
Voluntary payment or good action for charitable purposes.
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Zakah
Purification of wealth by payment of annual welfare due. An obligatory act
of worship.
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Muslim
One who accepts Islam by professing the Shahadah and willfully commits/submits
to the will of Allah. Pronounced moosslim.
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Salah
Prescribed communication with, and worship of, Allah, performed under specific
conditions, in the manner taught by the Prophet Muhammad and recited in
the Arabic language. The five daily times of Salah are fixed by Allah.
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Zakat
Money given as Zakah.
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Muzdalifah
Place where pilgrims on Hajj stop for a time during the night of the day
they spend at Arafat.
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Sawm
An act of worship: fasting from just before dawn until sunset. Abstinence
is required from all food and drink (including water) as well as smoking
and conjugal relations during the fasting hours in Ramadan.
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Zakat-ul-Fitr
Welfare payment during Ramadan. |
Niyyah
Intention. A legally required statement of intent, made prior to all acts
of devotion such as Salah, Hajj, Sawm or ablutions.
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Shahadah
Declaration of faith, which consists of the statement, ‘There is no god
except Allah Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’.
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Pbuh
Peace be upon him, expression of respect made after mention of the Prophet
Muhammad and all other prophets of Allah. |
Shari´ah
Islamic law based upon the Qur´an and Sunnah. |
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