Glossary


Za'ama

Allegation.


Zaboor

Holy Book revealed to the Prophet Dawood (David), peace be on him.


Zaid

Zaid ibn Haritha was one of the first people to accept Islam. He was a freedman of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who treated him like his own son. In the eighth year before Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, gave to Zaid in marriage his own cousin Zainab bint Jahsh. The marriage ended in divorce. It was Allah Ta'ala's will that the Holy Prophet himself should marry her. The Prophet Muhammad's marriage to her, in 5AH, made it clear that an adopted son is not to be legally regarded as a natural son as regards re-marriage and inheritance. If Zaid had been the Prophet's natural son, then the Prophet would not have been allowed to marry Zainab, since a man is not permitted to marry the ex-wife of his natural son. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33):37-38.


Zainab (Bint Jahsh)

Wife of Zaid ibn Haritha. She later married the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. For further information See Zaid ibn Haritha. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33):28, 37-38, 50.


Zakariah, Peace be on him

The Prophet Zacchariah. A prophet of Islam. He looked after Maryam, the mother of Jesus, in the Temple of Solomon, when she was a child. He was the father of the Prophet Yahya, peace be on them all.


Zakat

The Muslims' wealth tax: One must pay 2.5% of one's yearly savings above a certain amount to the poor and needy Muslims. The Zakat is compulsory on all Muslims who have saved (at least) the equivalent of 85g of 24 carat gold at the time when the annual Zakat payment is due. Zakat is also due on other things such as silver, animals, crops, etc. For a full explanation on Zakat refer to the relevant books written on the subject. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):43,110,177,2 77, An-Nisa (4):162, Al-Ma'idah (5):58. See Bukhari. See Muslim Book of Zakat. Zakat is one of the Arkan of Islam.See Arkan.


Zakat Al-Fitr

A small obligatory head-tax imposed on every responsible Muslim who has the means for himself and his dependants. It is paid once yearly at the end of Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr. See Kitabuz Zakatul Fitr, Bukhari. See Muslim


Zallah

A major error, e.g. unintentional backbiting. Generally speaking, a person seeks Allah's forgiveness immediately after realizing that he or she has committed a Zallah.


Zazalah

"The Earthquake". One of the names of the Yaum al-Qiama. See Surah 99 of the Holy Qur'an.


Zamzam

The sacred well inside Al-Haram ash-Shareef in Makkah.


Zanaadiqa

Complete and utter unbelievers in Allah and the Last Day. Atheists.


Zanjabil

A special mixture that will be in one of the drinks of the people of the Jannah (Paradise). See Holy Qur'an, Al-Insan (76):17.


Zaqqum

An extremely bitter and thorny tree that grows at the bottom of Hellfire. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Isra (17):60, As-Saffat (37):62- 66, Ad-Dukhan (44):43-46, Al-Waqi'ah (56):52.


Zarnab

A kind of good-smelling grass.


Zeena

  1. Allurements of the world. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Kahf(18):46
  2. Beauty and ornaments of women. See Holy Qur'an, An-Nur (24):31.


Zinaa

Fornication and adultery, i.e. sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other. One of the Kabair (major sins) in Islam. Allah Ta'ala has prescribed flogging (100 lashes) and a year's exile for either a man or a woman who commits Zinah and is not married. Although it is not expressly stated in the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, made it clear that a married man or woman who commits Zinah is to be stoned to death. Similarly, homosexuals and lesbians in a Muslim community are put to death. These measures protect the cohesion of the family, and accordingly of the community as a whole. See Holy Qur'an, An-Nur (24):2-10.


Zindeeq

Hypocrite or unbeliever. Anyone who does not believe in Allah and who rejects His Messengers, may Allah bless them and grant them peace.


Zoor

Giving false evidence. The act of committing perjury.


Zukhruff (Al)

"The Gold Ornaments". Surah 43 of the Holy Qur'an.


Zummar (Al)

"The Troops". Surah 39 of the Holy Qur'an.