"The Tidings". Surah 78 of the Holy Qur'an.

Prophet. There have been many prophets since the world was first created. Their exact number is not mentioned either in the Holy Qur'an or in any of the authenticated Ahadith (sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace). Only twenty-five of them are actually named in the Holy Qur'an, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on all of them. See Mursaleen for the complete list. Plural: Anbiyaa.

A small group of people, usually between three and ten in number.

Optional Salat. They are of two types:

1. Sunnah - the optional Salat that one does before and after the Fard Salat. These voluntary Salat fall into two categories:
   • Muakkad - confirmed. These types of Salat were always regularly done by Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
   • Ghair-Muakkad - not confirmed. These types of Salat were often, but not always, practised by the Prophet Muhammad.
2. Others - any other Salat that one may wish to perform;for example, doing two Rak'at before making a Du'a. With the exception of the Witr prayer, NafiIah prayers always consist of two Rak'at at a time. See Witr. Plural: Nawafil.

A gift. From the same root as Anfal, meaning booty taken in war. It means a voluntary act of Ibadah. See Nafilah

1. The 12th or 13th of Dhu'l-Hijjah when the Hujjaj (pilgrims) leave Mina.
2. To go forth and be ready to strive and suffer in the way of Allah Ta' ala. See Holy Qur' an, At-Taubah (9):39.

Sharing travelling expenses by putting the money or food into a kitty and distributing them equally among the travellers.

Forbidding the evil. The full phrase is "Amr bil Ma'roof wa Nahi 'anil Munkar" (enjoining the good and forbidding the evil).

"The Bee". Surah 16 of the Holy Qur'an.

"We". The plurality of respect and honour. Allah Ta'ala uses "We" to express His honour and greatness. It is not the plurality of numbers, for Allah is One and Unique. There is nothing like Him and there is none comparable to Him. Allah did not beget nor was He begotten.

1. Slaughtering camels.
2. The Day of Nahr takes place on the 10th of Dhu'l-Hijjah, when the Hujjaj sacrifice camels, goats, sheep, etc., as one of the rites of the Hajj. See Eid al-Adha, Haji.

"The Star". Surah 53 of the Holy Qur'an.

1. A private talk between Allah the Almighty and one of His slaves on the Day of Resurrection. See Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 621, Book 43, Vol.3.
2. A secretive talk amongst the Kuffar plotting against the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his followers, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them. See Surah al-Mujadalah (58):8.

One of the two angels who will question us in our graves. See Munkar wa Nakir.

"The Ants". Surab 27 of the Holy Qur' an.

1. Leader of a small group of men going on an expedition.
2. Tribal chief.

world, including all seven levels of Hellfire as a whole. See Jahanam.

"Mankind". Surah 114 of the Holy Qur' an. three different levels of mankind:

1. Mutaqoon - people who fear Allah Ta'ala and do not comit Kabair (major sins).
2. Mukhalatoon - people who commit Kabair (major sins),inspite of their belief in Allah.
3. Kuffar - unbelievers, who do not believe in Allah. Not only do they commit Kabair, but also they commit the greatest wrong action of all, Shirk.

It means lineage or geneology.

A type of interest. Taking interest on loaned money. This is completly Haram. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):275-280 Aali'imran(3):13O.

It means lineage or geneology.

It means sincere good advice.

A style of curved writing often used for early hand-written the Holy Qur'an.

Surah 11O of the Holy Qur' an.

Plural of Nafilah. See Nafilah.

"Those who Tear out". Surah 79 of the Holy Qur'an.

A sale whereby a deal is finalized by the seller throwing the sold object towards the buyer, thus giving him no opportunity of seeing, touching or checking it before the sale is concluded.

Hypocrisy. One of the greatest sins in the sight of Allah Ta'ala. The punishment for Nifaq is the lowest pit of an-Nar (Hellfire), the Hutama. See Jahanam.

A major Kufr. Disbelief through hypocrisy. See Kufr.

Marriage according to the law of Allah Ta'ala. The courtesies and requirements regarding Nikah are extensive and cannot be fully explained in this book. For more information on Nikah please see Kitabul Nikah (Book ofNikah) in Sahih Bukitari and Sahih Muslim. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):221, An-Nisa (4):3, 20-25, 35, 128-129, Al-Ma'idah (5):6, An-Nur (24):3,32-33, Al-Ahzab (33):28-29, 49-52.

A type of Hijab (veil) that covers the entire face, as opposed to the Khimar, which leaves the eyes exposed.

"Women". Surah 4 of the Holy Qur' an.

The intention of the heart. It is by their Niyyah that Allah Ta'ala judges the actions of Ins wa'l-Jinn (mankind and the Jinn).

A major Shirk. Having the intention and determination to deliberately do any type of act of worship to a deity other than Allah Ta' ala. See Shirk.

"Noah". A messenger as well as aprophet. Surah 71 of the Holy Qur'an. See Mursaleen.

Fish. See Dhu'l-Noon.

"An-Nur". The Light. One of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah. This is such a complex Attribute that it is impossible to explain it in one volume. Its full spiritual meaning is only understood by Allah Ta'ala Himself, for "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth". See Ayat an-Nur at the start of"R" (An-Nur (24):35-36).

An act of worship. Singular of Nusuk. See Nusuk.

A general sacrifice in the path of Allah. All the deeds and actions of Hajj are regarded as Nusuk, for they are indeed regarded as sacrifices in the path of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. Plural: Manasik.

The revelation of the Holy Qur'an. The revelation of the Holy Qur'an was revealed in three stages:

1. It was first written on the Lauh al-Mahfudh, i.e. on the guarded tablet in the Seventh Heaven.
2. On the Lailatul Qadr Allah Ta' ala sent the entire Qur' an down to the Baitul 'Izza in the First Heaven.
3. During the month of Ramadan Allah Ta'ala ordered the Holy Spirit, the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on him, to start to reveal the Qur'an to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, but not all at once. The entire revelation of the Holy Qur'an took twenty-three years.