The Life of Imam Al-mahdipeace Be Upon Him
Glossary of Islamic Terms
a.s. |
:An abbreviation of alaihis salaam, that is Peace be on him. |
a.t.f.s. |
:An abbreviation of ajjil allaahu taala farajahu shareef, that is May Allah hasten his reappearance. |
Aale Muhammad : |
Progeny of Muhammad |
Aamal : |
Rituals |
Ababeel |
:Little birds that destroyed the army of the People of Elephants by dropping on them pebbles of baked clay they had carried in their beaks and claws. |
Abjad |
:Numerical values of Arabic letters |
Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat |
: Majority Muslims who believe Abu Bakr to be the first caliph |
Ahlul Bayt |
:People of the house. They are the Holy Prophet (a.s), Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a.), Ali (a.s) and his eleven successors. |
Allamah |
:A learned scholar |
Amirul Momineen |
:Leader of the believers. Title of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s) |
Amr-e-Takveeni |
:Things beyond the control of man. Natural factors etc. |
Amr-e-Tashri |
:Things under the control of man. Voluntary deeds etc. |
Aqiqa Ceremony |
:Islamic ritual of sacrificing a goat |
a.s.
:An abbreviation of alaihis salaam, that is Peace be on him.
a.t.f.s.
:An abbreviation of ajjil allaahu taala farajahu shareef, that is May Allah hasten his reappearance.
Aale Muhammad :
Progeny of Muhammad
Aamal :
Rituals
Ababeel
:Little birds that destroyed the army of the People of Elephants by dropping on them pebbles of baked clay they had carried in their beaks and claws.
Abjad
:Numerical values of Arabic letters
Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat
: Majority Muslims who believe Abu Bakr to be the first caliph
Ahlul Bayt
:People of the house. They are the Holy Prophet (a.s), Janabe Fatima Zahra (s.a.), Ali (a.s) and his eleven successors.
Allamah
:A learned scholar
Amirul Momineen
:Leader of the believers. Title of Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s)
Amr-e-Takveeni
:Things beyond the control of man. Natural factors etc.
Amr-e-Tashri
:Things under the control of man. Voluntary deeds etc.
Aqiqa Ceremony
:Islamic ritual of sacrificing a goat
Arsh |
:Throne or heavens |
Ashura |
:10th of Mohurrum, day of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s) and the tragedy of Kerbala |
Asr |
:Afternoon (prayer) |
Ayat |
:Verse of the Holy Quran |
Azan |
:Call for prayer |
Bada |
:Change in divine will |
Baseer |
:All-seeing |
Bismillah |
:In the Name of Allah |
Dirham |
:Unit of currency |
Dua |
:Invocation |
Etekaaf |
:A recommended ritual consisting of a continuous stay of at least three days in the mosque during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. |
Fajr |
:Morning |
Faqih |
:Jurisprudent |
Firon |
:Pharaoh |
Ghusl |
:Ritual bath |
Hadith-e-Nabawi |
:A statement of the Holy Prophet (a.s) or a Masoom (a.s) |
Hadith-e-Qudsi |
:A saying of Allah apart from the verses of Quran |
Hafiz |
:One who knows the Quran by heart |
Hajj |
:Annual pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Zilqad |
Halaal |
:Permissible, legal |
Haraam |
:Prohibited, illegal |
Hasanah |
:Unit of heavenly rewards |
Hijrat/Hijrah |
:Flight of the Holy Prophet (a.s) from Mecca |
Arsh
:Throne or heavens
Ashura
:10th of Mohurrum, day of the martyrdom of Imam Husain (a.s) and the tragedy of Kerbala
Asr
:Afternoon (prayer)
Ayat
:Verse of the Holy Quran
Azan
:Call for prayer
Bada
:Change in divine will
Baseer
:All-seeing
Bismillah
:In the Name of Allah
Dirham
:Unit of currency
Dua
:Invocation
Etekaaf
:A recommended ritual consisting of a continuous stay of at least three days in the mosque during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.
Fajr
:Morning
Faqih
:Jurisprudent
Firon
:Pharaoh
Ghusl
:Ritual bath
Hadith-e-Nabawi
:A statement of the Holy Prophet (a.s) or a Masoom (a.s)
Hadith-e-Qudsi
:A saying of Allah apart from the verses of Quran
Hafiz
:One who knows the Quran by heart
Hajj
:Annual pilgrimage to Mecca during the month of Zilqad
Halaal
:Permissible, legal
Haraam
:Prohibited, illegal
Hasanah
:Unit of heavenly rewards
Hijrat/Hijrah
:Flight of the Holy Prophet (a.s) from Mecca
to Medina. Beginning of the Islamic calendar. |
|
Hourul Eein |
:Black-eyed Houries of Paradise |
Hujjat |
:Proof |
Iblis |
:Satan |
Iddah |
:Waiting period for women before they could remarry |
Ihram |
:Pilgrim dress |
Ijma |
:Consensus |
Imam-e-Zaman |
:Imam of the time |
Insha-Allah |
:If Allah wills |
Iqamah |
:Shorter call for Prayer |
Isha |
:Late evening |
Istekhara |
:Seeking the advice of Allah |
Janabat |
:A state of ritual impurity that can be removed by performing Ghusl (Bath) |
Jannatul Maawa |
:Paradise, Lit. Garden of perpetuity |
Juz |
:Arabic word for part. 30th part of Quran |
Kaba |
:The Holy House of Allah, the directions that Muslims face during prayers. |
Kaffarah |
:Fine, penalty |
Khariji |
:A group which arose against Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s) after the battle of Siffin. A heretic sect. |
Khilqat |
:Creation |
Liaan |
: Sworn allegation of adultery committed by either husband or wife |
Maghrebain |
:The two prayers of Maghrib (early evening) and Isha (late evening) |
Maghrib |
:Evening prayer, time of sunset |
Mahram (pl. Mahrams) |
:Relatives between whom marriage is |
to Medina. Beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Hourul Eein
:Black-eyed Houries of Paradise
Hujjat
:Proof
Iblis
:Satan
Iddah
:Waiting period for women before they could remarry
Ihram
:Pilgrim dress
Ijma
:Consensus
Imam-e-Zaman
:Imam of the time
Insha-Allah
:If Allah wills
Iqamah
:Shorter call for Prayer
Isha
:Late evening
Istekhara
:Seeking the advice of Allah
Janabat
:A state of ritual impurity that can be removed by performing Ghusl (Bath)
Jannatul Maawa
:Paradise, Lit. Garden of perpetuity
Juz
:Arabic word for part. 30th part of Quran
Kaba
:The Holy House of Allah, the directions that Muslims face during prayers.
Kaffarah
:Fine, penalty
Khariji
:A group which arose against Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s) after the battle of Siffin. A heretic sect.
Khilqat
:Creation
Liaan
: Sworn allegation of adultery committed by either husband or wife
Maghrebain
:The two prayers of Maghrib (early evening) and Isha (late evening)
Maghrib
:Evening prayer, time of sunset
Mahram (pl. Mahrams)
:Relatives between whom marriage is
prohibited |
|
Makrooh |
:Detestable, in the Islamic terminology it denotes an action performing which does not incur sin but refraining from which earns divine rewards |
Makruh |
:variant spelling of above term |
Maliki |
:Followers of the Sunnite Imam. Imam Malik |
Maraja Taqleed |
:The Mujtahid whom people follow in matters of practical law |
Masjidul Haram |
:The sacred mosque in Mecca |
Masoomeen |
:(Singular- Masoom): Infallible |
Mehr |
:Dower |
Mithqal |
:A measure of weight of about 4.6 gms. |
Momin |
:Believer |
Mubah |
:Permitted. It denotes an action performing which earns no rewards and refraining from it is not punishable. |
Muhrim |
:One dressed in Ihram (pilgrim dress) |
Mullahs |
:Muslim scholars/leaders |
Mureed |
: The Restorer |
Mushaf |
:Scroll |
Mustahab |
:Recommended. It is an action performing which earns rewards and refraining from it is not punishable. |
Mutawatir |
:A tradition related through so many narrators that it is considered absolutely authentic |
Najis |
:Unclean |
Nasibi |
:A person who harbors malice against any one of the members of Holy Ahle Bayt (a.s). |
Nawafil |
:Recommended prayers |
prohibited
Makrooh
:Detestable, in the Islamic terminology it denotes an action performing which does not incur sin but refraining from which earns divine rewards
Makruh
:variant spelling of above term
Maliki
:Followers of the Sunnite Imam. Imam Malik
Maraja Taqleed
:The Mujtahid whom people follow in matters of practical law
Masjidul Haram
:The sacred mosque in Mecca
Masoomeen
:(Singular- Masoom): Infallible
Mehr
:Dower
Mithqal
:A measure of weight of about 4.6 gms.
Momin
:Believer
Mubah
:Permitted. It denotes an action performing which earns no rewards and refraining from it is not punishable.
Muhrim
:One dressed in Ihram (pilgrim dress)
Mullahs
:Muslim scholars/leaders
Mureed
: The Restorer
Mushaf
:Scroll
Mustahab
:Recommended. It is an action performing which earns rewards and refraining from it is not punishable.
Mutawatir
:A tradition related through so many narrators that it is considered absolutely authentic
Najis
:Unclean
Nasibi
:A person who harbors malice against any one of the members of Holy Ahle Bayt (a.s).
Nawafil
:Recommended prayers
Para
:30th part of Quran
q.s.
:An abbreviation of Quddasa Sirruhu, which literally means: May his resting place remain pure.
Qaim
:One would rise. A title of Imam Mahdi (a.s)
Qibla
:Prayer direction
Qunut
:Supplication recited in ritual prayers, usually in the second unit (rakat)
Quraish
:the tribe of the Messenger of Allah (a.s)
Rajm
:Stoning, punishment for adultery
Rakat
:A unit of ritual prayer
Rizq
:Sustenance
Ruhul Quds
:An angel
Ruku
:Bowing down or genuflection in the ritual prayers
(a.s)
:An abbreviation of sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, that is Blessings be on him and peace.
Sadat
:Sayyid, descendants of Imam Ali (a.s) through Imam Husain (a.s).
Sadaqah
:Voluntary charity, alms
Safar
:Second month of the Islamic calendar
Salaam
:Salute, Islamic greeting
Salaat
:Ritual prayers
Salawat
:Allaahumma Salle alaa Muhaammadinw wa aali Muhammad
Samee
:All-hearing
Saqifah
:The place where Abu Bakr took caliphate
Sayyid
:Lit. chief. A term for descendants of Lady Fatima through Imam Husain (a.s)
Sayyidush Shohada
:Chief of the Martyrs, a title of Imam Husain
Para
:30th part of Quran
q.s.
:An abbreviation of Quddasa Sirruhu, which literally means: May his resting place remain pure.
Qaim
:One would rise. A title of Imam Mahdi (a.s)
Qibla
:Prayer direction
Qunut
:Supplication recited in ritual prayers, usually in the second unit (rakat)
Quraish
:the tribe of the Messenger of Allah (a.s)
Rajm
:Stoning, punishment for adultery
Rakat
:A unit of ritual prayer
Rizq
:Sustenance
Ruhul Quds
:An angel
Ruku
:Bowing down or genuflection in the ritual prayers
(a.s)
:An abbreviation of sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, that is Blessings be on him and peace.
Sadat
:Sayyid, descendants of Imam Ali (a.s) through Imam Husain (a.s).
Sadaqah
:Voluntary charity, alms
Safar
:Second month of the Islamic calendar
Salaam
:Salute, Islamic greeting
Salaat
:Ritual prayers
Salawat
:Allaahumma Salle alaa Muhaammadinw wa aali Muhammad
Samee
:All-hearing
Saqifah
:The place where Abu Bakr took caliphate
Sayyid
:Lit. chief. A term for descendants of Lady Fatima through Imam Husain (a.s)
Sayyidush Shohada
:Chief of the Martyrs, a title of Imam Husain
(a.s) |
|
Shabaan |
:The eighth month of the Muslim (Lunar) calendar |
Shab-e-Qadr |
:The Night of Power or 19th, 21st and 23rd nights of the month of Ramadan |
Shaf |
: Lit: Middle. It is a Two Unit prayer and a part of Salaat of Shab (Midnight Prayer) |
Shahadatain |
:the two testimonies of Islamic faith. |
Shariat/Shariah |
:Islamic law |
Shaykh |
:Lit. elder. A genealogical division among Muslims |
Sheb-e-Abi Talib |
:Valley in Mecca where the Messenger of Allah (a.s) and the early Muslims took refuge for sometime |
Shura |
:Consultation committee formed by Umar for selecting Uthman as the next caliph |
Siraat |
:Path |
Sujud |
:Plural of Sajdah, prostration |
Sunnah |
:Practice (esp. of the Messenger of Allah) |
Surah |
:Chapter of Quran |
t.s. |
:Abbreviation of Taaba Saraa. See the meaning of q.s. |
Tabiin |
:Followers of the companions of the Prophet |
Tahlilaat |
:Saying: Laa Ilaaha illallaah |
Takbir |
:Allaho Akbar, God is the Greatest |
Takbiratul Ihram |
:Saying Allaho Akbar at the beginning of the ritual prayer |
Taqayyah |
:Dissimulation |
Taqleed |
:Emulation of a scholar in Islamic practical law |
Taqwa |
:Piety |
(a.s)
Shabaan
:The eighth month of the Muslim (Lunar) calendar
Shab-e-Qadr
:The Night of Power or 19th, 21st and 23rd nights of the month of Ramadan
Shaf
: Lit: Middle. It is a Two Unit prayer and a part of Salaat of Shab (Midnight Prayer)
Shahadatain
:the two testimonies of Islamic faith.
Shariat/Shariah
:Islamic law
Shaykh
:Lit. elder. A genealogical division among Muslims
Sheb-e-Abi Talib
:Valley in Mecca where the Messenger of Allah (a.s) and the early Muslims took refuge for sometime
Shura
:Consultation committee formed by Umar for selecting Uthman as the next caliph
Siraat
:Path
Sujud
:Plural of Sajdah, prostration
Sunnah
:Practice (esp. of the Messenger of Allah)
Surah
:Chapter of Quran
t.s.
:Abbreviation of Taaba Saraa. See the meaning of q.s.
Tabiin
:Followers of the companions of the Prophet
Tahlilaat
:Saying: Laa Ilaaha illallaah
Takbir
:Allaho Akbar, God is the Greatest
Takbiratul Ihram
:Saying Allaho Akbar at the beginning of the ritual prayer
Taqayyah
:Dissimulation
Taqleed
:Emulation of a scholar in Islamic practical law
Taqwa
:Piety
Tasbeehaat |
:Plural of Tasbih, glorification of Allah (esp. in bowing and prostrations in the ritual prayers) |
Tasbeehaat-e-Arba |
:Glory be to Allah and Praise be to Allah and There is no god except Allah and Allah is the Greatest. |
Tasbih |
:Rosary |
Tashahud |
:Recitation in the sitting position in the second and the last unit of the ritual prayer |
Tawakkul |
:Reliance |
Tawfeeq (pl. Tawfeeqaat) |
:Divine inspiration |
Tawheed |
:Belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah |
Tayammum |
:Substitute of ablution/ritual bath when use of water is not possible or advisable |
Taziyah |
:A replica of the tomb of Imam Husain (a.s) |
Thawr, cave of |
:The cave where the Messenger of Allah (a.s) hid on way to Medina |
Torah |
:The Old Testament |
Two Shaykhs |
:Abu Bakr and Umar |
Umrah |
:Optional pilgrimage to Mecca |
Umratul Qaza |
:Lapsed Umrah |
Wajib |
:Obligatory |
Wali |
:Guardian |
Watr |
:Single Unit Prayer. A part of Midnight Prayer |
Wilayat |
:Guardianship, belief in the guardianship of Ahle Bayt (a.s) and love towards them |
Wudhu |
:Ritual ablution |
Zakat |
:Obligatory Islamic wealth tax |
Ziyarat |
:Visitation/ or recitation of salutation while facing the tomb of religious personalities |
Tasbeehaat
:Plural of Tasbih, glorification of Allah (esp. in bowing and prostrations in the ritual prayers)
Tasbeehaat-e-Arba
:Glory be to Allah and Praise be to Allah and There is no god except Allah and Allah is the Greatest.
Tasbih
:Rosary
Tashahud
:Recitation in the sitting position in the second and the last unit of the ritual prayer
Tawakkul
:Reliance
Tawfeeq (pl. Tawfeeqaat)
:Divine inspiration
Tawheed
:Belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah
Tayammum
:Substitute of ablution/ritual bath when use of water is not possible or advisable
Taziyah
:A replica of the tomb of Imam Husain (a.s)
Thawr, cave of
:The cave where the Messenger of Allah (a.s) hid on way to Medina
Torah
:The Old Testament
Two Shaykhs
:Abu Bakr and Umar
Umrah
:Optional pilgrimage to Mecca
Umratul Qaza
:Lapsed Umrah
Wajib
:Obligatory
Wali
:Guardian
Watr
:Single Unit Prayer. A part of Midnight Prayer
Wilayat
:Guardianship, belief in the guardianship of Ahle Bayt (a.s) and love towards them
Wudhu
:Ritual ablution
Zakat
:Obligatory Islamic wealth tax
Ziyarat
:Visitation/ or recitation of salutation while facing the tomb of religious personalities
Zihar |
: Pre-Islamic form of divorce, consisting in the words of repudiation: You are to me like my mothers back. (anti alayyah ka-zahri ummi). |
Zinnoorain |
:Master of two lights. Uthman, the third caliph |
Zuhoor |
:Reappearance (of Imam Mahdi [a.t.f.s.]). |
Zuhr |
: Noon prayers |
Zuhrain |
:The two ritual prayers of Zuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) |
Zihar
: Pre-Islamic form of divorce, consisting in the words of repudiation: You are to me like my mothers back. (anti alayyah ka-zahri ummi).
Zinnoorain
:Master of two lights. Uthman, the third caliph
Zuhoor
:Reappearance (of Imam Mahdi [a.t.f.s.]).
Zuhr
: Noon prayers
Zuhrain
:The two ritual prayers of Zuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon)