Glossary :
FUT's (Frequently Used Terms)
The following is a list of Islamic terms that are often used in articles, along with their meaning (spellings may vary slightly from
those given here):
Alhamdu lillah Praise be to Allah
Allah God
Allahu Akbar Allah is Most Great
Amanah Trust
Assalamu Alaikum Peace be upon you--the "official" Islamic greeting.
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh : "Peace and the Mercy and Blessings of God be
upon you" (Extended form of the above.)
Astaghfir Allah I seek forgiveness from Allah (used when mentioning something that goes against the
standards of Islam)
Ayah/Ayat Qur'anic verse
Bid`ah Innovation, addition to the religion's essentials
Bukhari One of the most noted compilers of hadith. His
collection is known as Sahih Bukhari
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious,
Most Merciful
Da'wa Invitation (for humankind to Islam)
Du`aa Supplication
Eid Islamic holiday
Fatwa Islamic legal ruling
Fiqh Islamic law as interpreted by scholars
Fitnah Corruption and disorder, also temptation
Hadith A report of a saying or deed of the Prophet
Haj Pilgrimage
Halal Allowed (per Islamic law)
Haram Forbidden (per Islamic law)
Hazrat/Hadrat Honorable
Hijab Modest way of behavior and dress (including head scarf for women)
Imam Leader
Iman Faith
In Shaa Allah If God wills. (Used when talking about a future event)
Injeel The scripture sent down to Prophet Issa (Jesus)
Isnad Chain of transmitters, the list of people who successively narrated a given hadith
Jannah Paradise
Jazakallah Khair May God grant you what is good. (Often used instead of "Thank you")
Jihad Striving for Islam, whether by peaceful or violent means
(NOT holy war!)
Jinn Unseen beings, who, like humans, are given the power to choose between right and wrong
Kafir One who denies the truth. Literally, one who "covers" the truth (sometimes applied to non-Muslims).
Khalifah Caliph: Leader of Muslim nation
Khilafah Caliphate
Khutba Sermon
Kufr Denial of the Truth, rebellion against God
La Ilaha Illa Allah There is no deity but God
Ma Shaa Allah What God has willed! (Usually used to express wonder at Allah's creation)
Madhhab School of jurisprudential thought
Makruh Detested, but not forbidden (per Islamic law)
Mandoub Recommended, but not required (per Islamic law)
Mubah Neither forbidden nor commended. Neutral (per Islamic law)
Mushrik One who commits Shirk
Muslim One who submits to Allah and is a follower of
Islam; also, name of one of the most notable hadith scholars. His collection is known as Sahih Muslim
Nabi Prophet
Qur'an The Words of Allah conveyed to us by the Prophet PBUH Peace Be Upon Him. Same as SAW
RAA (Radia Allahu Anhu/Anha.) May Allah be please with him/her
Rasool Messenger (Prophet to whom a scripture is revealed)
Rasool Allah Messenger of God (used to refer to Prophet Muhammad)
Sahaba Companions of Prophet. Singular is "Sahabi"
Sahih "Sound in isnad." A technical attribute applied to the "isnad" of a hadith
Salaam Peace. An abbreviated version of the Islamic greeting
Salaat Prayer
SAW (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.) Peace Be Upon Him
Sawm/Siyam Fasting
Seerah/Sirah History of the Prophet's life
Shahadah Bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger.
Shari'ah Divine Law
Sheikh Scholar (or any elder and/or respected man)
Shirk Associating partners (e.g. helpers, other gods) with Allah
Shura Consultation among Muslims
Subhan Allah "Glory be to God"
Sunna/Sunnah Tradition of the Prophet
Surah/Sura A Chapter in the Qur'an
SWT (SubHanahu Wa Ta`ala.) Glory be to Him. Used only in reference to Allah
Tafsir Interpretation
Tawraat The scripture sent down to Prophet Musa (Moses).
Ulama Religious scholars
Umma Nation, community.
Ustadh Teacher
Wassalaam And peace. It means "goodbye"
Zakat Required charity