Glossary


RA

See Radia'llahu 'Anhu.


Ra'd (Ar)

"The Thunder". Surah 13 of the Holy Qur' an.


Radia Allahu 'Anhu/'Anaha

May Allah be pleased with him or her. This term is most commonly used whenever the name of a Sahabi (a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace) is mentioned, Radia'ilahu Anhum, may Allah be pleased with them.


Rabb

Lord. Master. Owner. AHah Ta'ala is the "Rabb il'Alameen", the Lord of the Worlds.


Rabbak

Your Lord. Your Master. See Rabb.


Rabb il 'Alameen

Title of Allah Ta'ala. Lord of all creation. Literally means "Lord of the Worlds", both in the Seen and in the Unseen.


Rabbil Al_Awal

The third month of the Islamic calendar. See Hijri.


Rafi'ah Khafida

That which will raise the lowly, and humble the proud, on the Day of Judgement.


Raheem (Ar)

"Ar-Raheem". Most Merciful. One of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. . It is said that the Attribute of Ar-Raheern consists of the mercy of Allah that is only experienced by the Muslims, whereas the Attribute of Ar-Rahman consists of the mercy of Allah that is experienced by the whole creation. For example, all creatures are fed until they die, but only the Muslims experience the reward of breaking the fast at the end of each day of Ramadan, and the reward of meeting their Lord in the next world.


Rahib

A man who lives in a monastery, a Christian monk.


Rahim (Ar)

Blood relations. It is extremely important for Muslims to keep in contact with their blood relatives. In a Hadith Qudsi Allah Ta'ala vowed by His Might and Sublimity that He would cut off the person who cuts off his blood relative.


Rahaman (Ar)

"Ar-hahman". Most Gracious, Merciful. One of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. Surah 55 of the Holy Qur' an. This Surah is referred to as "The Bride of the Holy Qur an


Rahmat Alla

The Mercy of Allah. It comes from one of the Attributes of Allah Ta'ala - Ar-Rahman, The Merciful. See Raheem (ar).


Raihan

A sweet-smelling flower.


Rajab

The seventh month of the Islamic calendar. See Hijri.


Rajfa

Violent earthquake. See Holy Qur'an, Al-A'raf(7):155.


Rajm (Ar)

Stoning. In Islamic law the Hadd punishment for whoever is married and commits adultery is to be stoned to death.


Rak'a

A unit of the Salat (Prayer), a complete series of standing, bowing, two prostrations and sittings. Plural: Rak'at.


Rak'at

Plural of Rak'a. See Rak'a.


Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic clendar. It is a very important month in the Islamic world.

  1. It is the month of fasting, during which all adult Muslims who are in good health fast from the first light of dawn until sunset each day. During the first third of the fast you taste Allah's mercy; during the second third you taste Allah's forgiveness; and during the last third you taste freedom from the Fire. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Baqara (2):185.
  2. It is the month in which the revelation of the Holy Qur' an to our Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commenced.
  3. The Lailatul Qadr (see (Qadr, Lailatul) occurs in this month.
  4. The famous Battle of Badr was fought and won in this month.
  5. The Conquest of Makka by Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took place in this month.


Ramal

Hastening, walking briskly and moving the shoulders briskly; usually done by men (only) in the first three circuits of the Tawaf, but not in the remaining four.


Rami

The act of throwing seven pebbles at each of the three Jamras, representing Iblis (Satan), at Mina. See Jamrat al-'Aqaba.


Rasool

Messenger. A prophet of Allah Ta' ala who came with a pure revelation from Allah to mankind and the Jinn. For a complete list of the messengers and prophets referred to in the Qur' an: See Mursallen. Plural: Rusull. See Rusull.


Rasoolu'llah

Messenger of Allah. Throughout the history of the world Allah has sent messengers with a Book to explain Tawheed to man and Jinn, and to show them how to live at peace. The Muslims accept and believe in all the messengers, including the prophets Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawood (David), Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them all, and especially Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. See Mursallen.


Rawi

A narrator of Ahadeeth.


Rea' (Shirk Ar)

A minor Shirk. Carrying out a religious act for worldly gains and not for the pleasure of Allah, e.g. giving Zakat for the sake of fame or praise. See Shirk.


Riba

Usury. Usury is of two kinds:

  1. Riba Nasi'a - taking interest on loaned money.
  2. Riba F'adal - taking something of superior quality in exchange for giving less of the same kind of thing of poorer quality.Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala has strictly forbidden any kind of Riba and has warned of severe punishment to those who have any association with it. This is because all Riba involves getting something for nothing at someone else's expense, and is destructive. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Ba qara (2):275-280, Aali imran (3):130.


Rida

A cloth that is worn on the upper part of the body.


Ridwan, peace be upon him

Name of the angel who is Keeper of the Gate of Jannah (Paradise). Literally means "Allah's Good Pleasure".


Risalah

Letter. Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sent many messengers with letters to various leaders of the world inviting them to Islam. For examples of such letters.


Riwayaat

Narrations of Ahadeeth.


Rizq

Provision. Sustenance. Derives from the word "AI-Razaq" The Provider or Sustainer, one of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah Ta' ala.


Rooh

Spirit. See Holy Qur' an, Al-Hijr (15):29, Al-isra (17):85-86, Al-Mujadilah (58):22, Al-Ma' arif (70):4, An-Naba' (78):38, Al- Qadr (97):4.


Rooh AL Qudus

The Holy Spirit. Another name for the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on him. His duty was to communicate between Mlah and His prophets. Alah Ta'ala strengthened the Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him, with the Holy Spirit (Al-Baqara (2):87, 253). This is one of the reasons why the Nasara (Christians) believe that the Prophet Jesus was divine. If Jesus was Allah, then why did he need strengthening? They also believed that the Holy Spirit was divine. If the Holy Spirit was Allah, then how was He sent and by whom? Who has the power to command Allah to go anywhere? Do they not know that Allah is "AI-Wahid", "The Unique"? Glory be to Allah, the Most High. Surely they disbelieve who say that Allah has associates.


Roohu'llah

According to the Ulamaa mm as-Sahaba (the people of knowledge from among the companions of the Prophet, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them, and their students), the Roohu'IIah can be considered in two distinct and different ways:

  1. The created - what belongs to Allah: e.g. Allah's slave, Allah's House, Allah's soul (i.e. a soul created by Allah).Consider the creation of Adam and the Prophet Isa (Jesus, Son of Mary), peace be on them. Allah said "Be" and they were created.
  2. The Creator - Who is neither a person nor a thing: e.g.Allah's statements (Kalimatu'llah), Allah's knowledge ('Ilmu'llah). Allah says in the Qur'an: "Say: 'The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and you have only been given a little knowledge."' (Holy Qur'an, Alisra (]7):85.)


Room (Al)

"The Romans". Surah 30 of the Holy Qur' an.


Rububiyah (Tawheed Al)

Unity of Lordship. To believe that there is only one Lord, the Master and Creator of the Universe, Who oversees and orders it in every moment, and that is He Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. See Tawheed.


Rukn

Pillar. Singular of Arkan. See Arkan.


Ruku

The bowing position during Salat (Prayer).


Ruqba

A gift of a house given to somebody to live in as long as they live, after which it is returned.


Ruqya

Divine words, usually from the Holy Qur' an, used as a recitafion to cure an illness or a disease.


Rushd

Right conduct and correct behaviour.


Rusull

Messengers. All messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers. The Holy Qur'an mentions twenty-five prophets, amongst whom are six messengers:

  1. Nooh (Noah).
  2. Ibrahim (Abraham).
  3. Musa (Moses).
  4. Dawood (David).
  5. Isa ibn Mariam (Jesus, Son of Mary).
  6. Muhammad.
May the blessings and peace of Allah be on all the prophets and messengers, on those who are known and those who are not known, and on all their sincere followers in every age.Singular: Rasool. For a complete list of the twenty-five prophets and messengers: See Mursaleen.


Rutb

Ripe dates, opposite Busr