An accessible reference for the most common Arabic and Islamic terms you'll encounter in learning about Islam.
This glossary covers the essential vocabulary — terms a newcomer will meet within their first few weeks of reading or study. Each entry has the original Arabic, a pronunciation hint, and a clear definition.
The call to prayer, recited from the mosque before each of the five daily prayers.
The Hereafter — the eternal life that begins after death and the Day of Judgment.
The Arabic word for God — the One, Eternal, Absolute Creator. Used by Arabic-speaking Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
The mid-afternoon prayer, the third of the five daily ṣalāhs.
A verse of the Quran. Literally means "sign". Plural: āyāt.
An innovation in religious matters — adding to the religion something the Prophet ﷺ did not teach. Generally discouraged when it concerns acts of worship.
"In the name of Allah" — said before beginning any task, eating, drinking, or starting any good action.
The remembrance of Allah — through phrases like Subḥān Allāh, Alḥamdulillāh, and Allāhu Akbar, recited silently or aloud.
Personal supplication — speaking directly to Allah, asking for help, forgiveness, guidance, or anything else. Distinct from formal ṣalāh.
Festival or celebration. The two main Islamic festivals are Eid al-Fiṭr (after Ramadan) and Eid al-Aḍḥā (during Hajj).
The dawn prayer, the first of the five daily ṣalāhs, performed before sunrise.
An obligatory religious duty. Failing to do something farḍ is sinful. Examples: the five daily prayers, Ramadan fasting.
Islamic jurisprudence — the human understanding and interpretation of Sharīʿah (divine law) by qualified scholars.
The full ritual bath required before prayer in certain situations, such as after sexual activity or at the end of menstruation.
A recorded saying, action, or approval of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The collected ḥadīth form the second source of Islamic law after the Quran.
The pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam — obligatory once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.
Permissible according to Islamic law. The opposite of ḥarām.
One of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, founded by Imam Abu Ḥanīfah (d. 767 CE). Followed by most South Asian, Turkish, and Central Asian Muslims.
Forbidden according to Islamic law. The opposite of ḥalāl.
The migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE — the event that begins the Islamic calendar.
A leader. Most commonly used for the person who leads congregational prayer, but also for the founders of the schools of jurisprudence.
Faith — specifically belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree.
The night prayer, the fifth and last of the five daily ṣalāhs.
Literally "submission" — submission to the will of Allah. The name of the religion taught by all the prophets, completed in the message of Muhammad ﷺ.
Paradise — the eternal garden promised to the believers in the Hereafter.
Friday — and specifically the Friday congregational prayer that replaces Ẓuhr, attended by all able Muslim men in the mosque.
The cube-shaped building at the centre of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca — the direction Muslims face in prayer. Built by the Prophet Ibrāhīm ﷺ and his son Ismāʿīl.
The sunset prayer, the fourth of the five daily ṣalāhs.
A mosque — the Muslim place of worship. Literally "place of prostration".
Voluntary — referring to extra acts of worship beyond what is obligatory, performed to draw closer to Allah.
Islamic marriage — the lawful covenant between a man and a woman, witnessed and contracted according to Sharīʿah.
Intention — the conscious decision in the heart to perform an act for the sake of Allah. Without nīyyah, no act of worship is valid.
The direction of prayer — toward the Kaʿbah in Mecca.
The holy book of Islam — the literal word of Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years through the angel Gabriel.
A unit of prayer consisting of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. Each ṣalāh has a fixed number of rakʿahs.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar — the month of fasting from dawn to sunset, in which the Quran was first revealed.
The formal prayer performed five times a day — the second pillar of Islam. Also called namāz in Persian and South Asian languages.
Fasting — abstaining from food, drink, and intimacy from dawn to sunset, especially during the month of Ramadan. The fourth pillar of Islam.
The declaration of faith: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." The first pillar of Islam.
Islamic divine law derived from the Quran and Sunnah. The complete way of life prescribed by Allah.
A chapter of the Quran. The Quran has 114 sūrahs of varying lengths.
The way and example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — his sayings, actions, and approvals. The second source of Islamic guidance after the Quran.
Exegesis or explanation of the Quran — the work of scholars who interpret the meaning of verses using context, language, and other sources.
The absolute oneness of Allah — the foundational doctrine of Islam. Allah is one, has no partners, no equals, and no offspring.
The global community of Muslims — bound together by faith regardless of nationality, race, or language.
The "lesser pilgrimage" to Mecca — similar to Ḥajj but shorter, and can be performed at any time of the year. Not obligatory.
The ritual ablution before prayer — washing the face, arms, head, and feet in a specific order.
Obligatory charity — 2.5% of accumulated wealth, paid annually to specified categories of recipients. The third pillar of Islam.
The midday prayer, the second of the five daily ṣalāhs, performed just after the sun reaches its zenith.