Glossary


Da'iy

Muslim missionary involved in Da'wah. It can also have a general meaning reffering to someone who calls others to a certain belief.


Da'wa

Propagation of Islam through word and action, calling the people to follow the commandments of Allah Ta'ala.


Dhaleen

"Those that have gone astray" (Surah 1:7). Refers to the Nasara (Christians), because they have forgotten much of Allah Ta'ala's message and started to worship a human (the Prophet Isa 'Jesus,Son of Mary'), peace be on him, mistaking him for a divine being, and thus placing themselves in the same category as those who worship created objects, such as stars, fire, idols, various animals, etc. See Holy Qur'an, al-Maida (5):15.


Dabaah

  1. The Beast. The beast that will come out of the earth and will speak to man. His appearance will be one of the major signs of the coming of the Last Day.
  2. In general, every living creature that moves on this earth. See Holy Qur'an, an-Nami (27):82-83.


Dabour (Ad)

A great westerly windstorm. Type of storm that destroyed the people of 'Ad.


Dahr (Ad)

"The Time". Another name for Suratul Insan. Surah 76 of the Holy Qur'an. Ad-Dahr indicates the space/time continuum.


Dajjal(Ad)

Anti-Christ. Also known as Maseeh ad-Dajjal. See Ahadeeth regarding "the Final Hour" in both Sahih books. Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 649, 650, Vol.4. Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Fitan wa Isharat as-Say'ah.


Dawood , (Peace be upon him)

David. A prophet of Islam. The prophet to whom the Zabour was revealed, and who fought Jalut (Goliath) and killed him. See Holy Qur'an, Saad (38):17-26. See Mursaleen.


Deen

  1. Usually translated as 'religion', but in fact meaning 'life-transaction', the transaction being between Allah and each of his created beings. The life-transaction, or religion, of Allah Ta'ala is universal. It is the way of Islam (submisson of will to Allah Ta'ala). He sent the same message to Nooh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus) and all the other prophets, peace be on all of them, but mankind, through ignorance or intentional misguidance by others, has altered the religion of Allah again and again. Allah Ta'ala sent the Holy Qur'an as the final revelation and guidance for mankind and the Jinn who will all be judged on the Day of Resurrection.
  2. Also indicates the judgement itself, i.e. "Yaum al-Deen" (Judgement Day).


Dhareyat (Al)

"The Wind that Scatters". Surah 51 of the Holy Qur'an.


Dhahir (Ad)

"Ad-Dhahir", The Outwardly Manifest. One of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah Ta'ala. It means the One Who is above everything and nothing is above Him.


Dhahir

The seen or the visible. The thing or feeling that is made known or visible. Antonym: Baatin. See Baatin.


Dhawi al-Arhaam

Blood relative, especially parents, brothers and sisters, uncles,sons and daughters, and grandparents.


Dhihar

A type of divorce which was common in pre-Islamic Arabia,but was made Haram (unlawful) by Islam. It was a way when the husband wanted to divorce his wife he would selfishly say to her,"You are like my mother". This way she would have not conjugal rights, but at the same time she would still be bound to him like a slave. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33):4, Mujadilah(58)1-5.


Dhi'l-Khalasa

Also known as Ka'ba al-Yamaniyah. A place where a pagan idol called Daus used to be worshipped in Yemen in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.


Dhikr

[Other Commonly Used Spellings: ZIKR]
Remembrance for the sake of Allah.


Dhikrul-llah

Remembrance of Allah Ta'ala. Refers to every deed or action, intended or carried out, that is aimed at gaining Allah Ta'ala's pleasure. The five pillars of lslam are its foundation. Recitation of Qur'an is its heart, and invocation of single Name of Allah, is its end.


Dhimmi

A non-Muslim living under the protection of Islamic rule.


Dirham

A silver coin.


Du'at

plural of da'iy.


Dhu'l-Kifel , (Peace be upon him)

Ezekiel. A prophet of Islam. See Holy Qur' an: Al-A nbiyaa (21):85, Sad (38):48. See Mursaleen


Dhu'l-Noon, (Peace be upon him)

The Companion of the Fish. This is a title of the Prophet Yunus (Jonah),peace he on him. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Qalam (68):48-50. See Yunus.


Dhu-n nurayn

[Other Commonly Used Spellings: ZHU-N NURAYN]
It means 'Possessor of the Two Lights'. It is used to refer to Uthman ibn Affan because he married two of the Prophet's daughters. Roqayyah and Ummukuluthoom, radiyallahu anhuma.


Dhu'l-Hijjah

The 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The month in which the great pilgrimage to Makkah takes place. See Hijri.


Dhu'l-Qa'da

The 11th month of the Islamic calendar.See Hijri.


Dhu'l Qarnain

One of the greatest rulers of ancient history. He was a true believer in Allah Ta'ala. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Kahf(18):83.


Dhulm

Usually wrongly spelled as Zulm. It means injustice, harm, wrongdoing or transgression either against oneself or someone else.

  1. Against oneself. Doing deeds or saying words which will bring the displeasure of Allah Ta'ala. These deeds may be physical or spiritual that will ultimately harm the soul.
  2. Against others. In any form whatsoever, whether they he physical or mental. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2)35. Its opposite is Nur, light. See Nur.


Dhulumaat

Darkness. In the sense of lurking danger. See Holy Qur' an, Al- An'aam (6):63. This is where the word Dhulm (injustice) is derived, for injustice in whatever form is an evil darkness.


Diya

Blood money, paid as compensation for killing, wounding, etc. Plural: Diyaat.


Du'a

Supplication: Invoking Allah for whatever one desires.


Du'a (Shirk Al)

Invoking or supplicating to a false deity other than Allah Ta'ala, is a major Shirk. See Shirk.


Duha (Ad)

"Forenoon": The mid-morning hours. Surah 93 of the Holy Qur'an.


Duhr

Noon. The second obligatory Salat (Prayer) of the day. It can he prayed at any time between noon and mid-afternoon.


Dukhan

"The Smoke". Surah 44 of the Holy Qur'an. One of the signs of the proximity of the Last Day.


Dunk

Raising of the Kafir in the state of blindness on the Yaum al-Qiama (Day of Resurrection).


Dunya

World. It refers to this existing world. In English it may imply both worlds, i.e. "this world" or "the next world", referring to the Hereafter. Islam preaches that the real success is not in the Dunya (this world), but in the Akhira (Hereafter). The true value of this world does not lie in worldly success, but in how much success one has achieved in gaining the pleasure of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala.

O you who believe! Let not your wealth nor your children distract you from remembrance of Allah. Those who do so, they are the losers. And spend from what we have provided you before death comes unto one of you and he will say: My Lord! If only You would reprieve me for a little while, then I would give alms and be amongst the righteous. But Allah reprieves no soul when its term comes. And Allah is aware of what you do. Al-Munafiqoon (63):9-11.