Topic 3 - Islam Definitions

Question 1

Prophet

Answer 1

One who is appointed by God to convey a divine message.

Question 2

Qur’an (Koran)

Answer 2

The sacred book of Islam; the word of God revealed to the prophet. Also the Arabic word for ‘revelation’ or ‘reading’.

Question 3

Revelation

Answer 3

God’s disclosure of himself and his will to his people.

Question 4

Allah

Answer 4

The Arabic word for the one and only God.

Question 5

Bedouin

Answer 5

Arab desert nomad.

Question 6

Ka’ba

Answer 6

Cube-shaped religious shrine believed to have been erected by Adam and then rebuilt by Abraham. The central shrine of Islam.

Question 7

Oligarchy

Answer 7

A form of government in which the power is investigated in a few, or in a dominant class or clique.

Question 8

Polytheism

Answer 8

The belief in many gods or more than one God.

Question 9

Infallible

Answer 9

Absolutely trustworthy; inerrant (free from error).

Question 10

Umma

Answer 10

Islamic community; refers to the worldwide Muslim community.

Question 11

Usury

Answer 11

Leading money for interest.

Question 12

Caliph

Answer 12

Refers to the successor of Muhammed as leader of the Islamic community.the caliph performs three functions - political administration, tax collecting and ensuring the security of the Muslim nation.

Question 13

Hajj

Answer 13

Annual pilgrimage to Mecca in the month of Dhu’l-Hijja and required of all Muslims at least once in their lifetime, if possible. Hajj is also the title of one who has made this pilgrimage.

Question 14

Al-Hijra

Answer 14

Migration of Muhammed and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622CE, where he established an independent Muslim community state.

Question 15

Qibla

Answer 15

Direction of the Ka’ba at Mecca to which Muslims must face when performing their daily ritual prayers.

Question 16

Hadith

Answer 16

The traditional reports of what the Prophet Muhammed did and/or said. They are second only to the Qur’an in religious importance.

Question 17

Sunna

Answer 17

All the traditions and practices of Muhammed that have become models to be followed by Muslims.

Question 18

Caliphate

Answer 18

The succession to the sovereignty of the Islamic community.

Question 19

Dynasty

Answer 19

The seq of rulers from the same family or stock.

Question 20

Imam

Answer 20

It’s primary meaning is prayer leader. In early Islamic history, the title imam was associated with the Khalifa. The Shi’i acknowledge twelve principal imams after the death of the Prophet, one of whom disappeared and whose return is awaited.

Question 21

Shi’i

Answer 21

Those Muslims who believe that Muhammed designated ‘Ali and all his rightful descendants the true leaders of the Muslim community’ party.

Question 22

Sunni

Answer 22

Those Muslims who follow the tradition (Sunna) of the prophet and his companions without acknowledging any innate political privilege to the descendants of ‘Ali or any other companion.

Question 23

Dar-al-Islam

Answer 23

‘Abode of peace’, Islamic territory; where Muslims are free to practice Islam.

Question 24

Hierarchy

Answer 24

A vertically structured system of organisation.

Question 25

Mosque

Answer 25

Muslim place of worship.

Question 26

Shari’a

Answer 26

Islamic law based on the Qur’an and the Sunna of the prophet.

Question 27

‘Ulama’

Answer 27

Religious scholars; specialists in Islamic sciences, particularly jurisprudence, or law.

Question 28

‘Aqida ul-Islam

Answer 28

The beliefs of the creed of Islam.

Question 29

Shirk

Answer 29

The opposite of tawhid, shirk means to believe and worship another God or gods alongside the one ‘true’ God Allah.

Question 30

Tawhid

Answer 30

The declaration of the unity of God. Allah is the one true God, the sole creator and Lord of the universe. All divine attributes belong to Allah and all human worship is to be directed to Allah.

Question 31

Linguistics

Answer 31

E study of the principles of language.

Question 32

Sahih

Answer 32

An Arabic word that means ‘valid’ and is applied to the Hadith reports that have been critically analysed and authenticated.

Question 33

Syntax

Answer 33

The structural components of sentences and phrases in a language.

Question 34

Ethics

Answer 34

The system of explicit, philosophical and/or religious reflection on moral beliefs and practises to clarify what is right and wrong, and what humans should freely do or refrain from doing.

Question 35

Halal

Answer 35

That which is permitted or lawful.

Question 36

Haram

Answer 36

That which is forbidden, unlawful and sinful.

Question 37

Ijma’

Answer 37

The consensus of Muslin religious scholars (ulama) in a particular generation.

Question 38

‘ilm usul al-fiqh

Answer 38

Jurisprudence - the science of law or science of interpretation.

Question 39

Qiyas

Answer 39

Comparative analogy - a source of law or a legal tool where existing rulings are extended to cover new situations when there is no specific mention in the Qur’an or Hadith.

Question 40

Shari’a

Answer 40

Islamic law based on the Qur’an and the Sunna of the prophet.

Question 41

rak’a

Answer 41

Literally means bowing. The rak’a is a ‘unit of prayer’ in which the worshipper recites a number of ritual prayers and invocations while standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. The number of performances varies from time periods.

Question 42

Monotheistic

Answer 42

Characterised by the belief that there is only one God.