These letters are abbreviations for the words "Salla Allahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam", which means : may the blessing and the peace of Allah be upon him. When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned, a Muslim is to respect him and invoke this statement of peace upon him. See also SAW
See Sallallahu 'Alaihe wa Sallam.
Chief of the Aus tribe, who later came to be known as the Ansar. He died a Shaheed (martyr) as a result of a wound he received in the Battle of Khandaq (also known as the Battle of Al-Ahzab).
The going back and forth seven times betweenSafa and Marwa that is done during the Hajj or the Umra. It is done to symbolize Hajar's search for water for her son Ismael.
Blessed in the sight of Allah, as opposed to Shaqi, which means wretched. See Holy Qur'an, Houd (11):105.
The third level of Hellfire. It is reserved for the worshippers of fire. See Jahanam.
Worshippers of the stars, moons and other heavenly bodies.Originally the people of Sabaa, the Queen of Sheeba.
"Saad". Surah 38 of the Holy Qur' an.
Another name for Surat al-Fariha. Literally means "The Seven Often Recited Verses". Every Muslim recites Surat al-Fatiha at least seventeen times every day, and some a good deal more.
The first seven long Suwar of the Holy Qur'an.
An easterly wind.
"Sabaa". City of Sheeba in Yemen. A city of the King and Prophet Sulaiman, peace he on him, and the Queen of Sheeba,Bilqis. Surah 34 of the Holy Qur'an. See Holy Qur'an, An-Naml (27):15-44.
'Those who outstrip the rest', in the race to draw near to the mercy and blessings and love of Allah. See Muqarraboon.
Patience and perseverance. Allah Ta'ala has promised "Falaah"(success) in this world and in the Hereafter to those Muslims who have Sabr, especially during times of hardship. See Holy Qur'an, Aali 'Jmran (3):200.
People who are patient and steadfast.
Same meaning as Mahr
A small hill in Makka to the east of AI-Masjid al-Haram. The Hujjaj must walk seven times between the two small hills of Safa and Marwa. This is called Sa'i.
Two small hills in Makkah, in Al-Haram as-Shareef (The Grand Masjid) to the east. It is an essential part of an Umra and the Hajj to walk seven times between the two places, quickening one's step briefly between two points between them. This is called Sa'i. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Baqara (2):
"He forgave". Forgiving in the sense of overlooking, ignoring or turning away from misdeeds. See Maghfira.
"The Battle Ranks". Surah 61 of the Holy Qur'an
"Those Ranged in Ranks". Surah 37 of the Holy Qur'an.
A raised platform. A verandah attached to the Prophet's Mosque in Madina where poor Muslims, including some of his most exalted companions, used to sleep, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them.
Minor sins committed by Ins wal-Jinn (mankind and Jinn) against Allah Ta'ala.
The Companions of the Prophet. same asSahabiyeen Plural ofSahabi
Companion, particularly any companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Plural: Sahabiyeen.
The companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah he on him and his family and his companions. Singular: Sahabi.
A page or manuscript.
Healthy and sound with no defects. Authentic, as regards Ahadeeth, such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
A book of authentic Ahadeeth compiled by Imam Bukhari.
A book of authentic Ahadeeth compiled by Imam Muslim.
Literally means forgetting. If one adds to or subtracts from what is required during the Salat (Prayer), out of forgetfulness or lack of attention, then one must perform two extra prostrations at the end of the Salat. This is called Sajda Sahu.
Master. It is a title given to the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and his family.
Our Master. This usually refers to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, but may also be used when mentioning the name of any prophet of Allah Ta'ala.
"The Master of all Prophets and Apostles". This is the title of
See Sahu.
The 'drunkenness' of death. There are three signs which indicate that the person who is suffering the pangs of death is a believer:
Calm, peaceful tranquillity, perfect calmness, serenity, due to the Presence of Allah being made clear and apparent. See Holy Qur'an, At-Taubah (9):26, 40, Al-Fath (48):4, 18, 26.
A price paid for goods to be delivered later.
Literally, "the early years". Salafi is used generally to describe the early generations of the Muslims, particularly the companions of the Messenger of Allah and those who followed them, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them. In the present age the term is sometimes used to describe a Muslim who closely follows the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and As-Salafiyeen as-Saliheen, the righteous companions of Muhammad.
All the righteous companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad who followed the Holy Prophet in all that he did and said, without any deviation or misinterpretation, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them.
A Nafl Salat that is prayed after sunrise and before noon.
Funeral prayer. It is permitted to do Salatul Janaza only over the dead bodies of Muslims. This prayer is done in the standing position only, and usually immediately before the burial. It contains four Takbirs:
A Nafl Salat of two or four Rak'at that is prayed a short while after sunrise.
A special Nafl Salat of four Rak'at. This Salat involves praising Allah Ta'ala by including "Subhanallah, wal hamdulilah, wa la il laha illallah, wallahu akbar" ("Glory to Allah, and Praise to Allah, and there is no god except Allah and Allah is Greatest") seventy-five times in each Rak'a.
The belongings of a person killed in battle; e.g. his weapons,horse, motorbike, etc.
A prophet of Islam. He was sent to the people of Thamud who lived in the north-western part of the Arabian Peninsula. They were destroyed for rejecting him. The remains of their stone dwellings still exist today. See Holy Qur'an, AI-'Araf(7):73-79, At-Tawbah (11):61 -68, Ash-Shu'ara (26):141 -159,An-Naml (27):45-53.
Righteous and goodly person, someone who is in the right place at the right time. It may also mean healthy and sound in body and soul.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This is said whenever the name or title of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is mentioned or read.
A famous Persian Muslim who helped to defend Madina from the pagan Quraish tribe in the months of Shawal and Dhu'l-Qa'da in 5AH by suggesting that the Muslims dig a trench around the unprotected parts. This battle came to be known as the Battle of the Khandaq (Trench), or the Battle of AI-Ahzab (the Clans). See Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33):9-22. Prior to his accepting Islam, Salman al-Farisi had first embraced Judaism and then Christianity. He spent his life in the search for knowledge and found it with the Prophet whose coming he had learned about from the Jews and the Christians of that time,Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him.
A fountain in Jannah. Literally means "seek the way". See Holy Qur'an, Al-insan (76)18.
Name of the special angel who takes the souls of the Mu'minoon(the believers) wrapped in silk through the Seven Heavens and presents them to Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala before returning them to their bodies before they are placed in their graves.
Heaven. In the sense of 'sky'. "Sab'a Samawat" - Seven Heavens. Plural: Samawat.
Does not have an exact meaning in English. The closest word or words that indicate the meaning are:
Heavens. "Sab'a Samawat" - Seven Heavens. Singular:Samaa.
The fourth level of the Nar (Hellfire). This is where the atheists will be sent on the Day of Judgement.
A shelter with a roof. The companions of the Prophet met in a Saqifah in Madinah to pledge their loyalty to Abu Bakr after the death of the Prophet.
A small army sent by the prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for a Jihad in which he did not personally take part.
Sawm or Siyam is to mean total abstinence of food and liquid fro dawn to sunset for one whole lunar month. For those who are married, they are to abstain from sexual relations during that time too. Sawm (Fasting) takes place during the ninth month of the lunar calendar called Ramadhan. Sawm is one of the five pillars of Islam. Total fasting is also a training process to attain self-restraint, self-control, self-discipline, self-obedience, self-education, and self-evaluation. Few people are excused from fasting during Ramadhan. Some are required to make up later for the days they did not fast such as the travelers (over 50 miles by any means), sick, pregnant women, women nursing babies, and women during their periods. Other excused people are required to feed a poor person one meal for each day they do not fast if they can afford it, such as the elderly people and the ones who have permanent diseases like ulcers. see alsoSeeaam
Leader or chief.
Hunting for game. In Islam it is permitted to hunt game,provided that the hunting and killing of the game is done within the Shari'ah law. Saydd is prohibited within the sacred precincts of the Haramain. See Holy Qur'an, AJ-Maida (5):97-99.
Fasting, from food and drink - and from sexual intercourse if you are married during daylight, from the first light of dawn until sunset. Also spelled as Saum. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Arkan (five pillars) of Islam. Allah Ta' ala has made it obligatory on every Muslim whether man or woman, with the exception of:
The eighth of Islamic calender. SeeHijri
The territory north of Arabia which is now divided into Syria,Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan.
Intercession. On the Day of Judgement Allah Ta'ala, through His Grace and Mercy, will permit the Prophet Muhammad may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to intercede on behalf of the Muslim Ummah. Three other groups may also be given leave to intercede:
Bearing witness. In order to become a Muslim one must utter and believe in two Shahadas (Shahadatian): First Shahada:Ashhadu an la illaha iII'allah. (I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.) Second Shahada:Ashhadu anna Muhammadar rasoolullah. (I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.) The Shahadatain is the gateway to Islam and the gateway to the Garden. It is easy to say, but to act on it is a vast undertaking which has far-reaching consequences, in both inward awareness and outward action, in this world and in the next world. Continual affirmation of the Shahadatain is one of the Arkan of Islam. See Arkan.
Desires and passions.
It means a witness or martyr.
[Other Commonly Used Spellings: SHEIKH]
The word Shaikh is a title or a nickname for an elderly person or a religious leader in a community. This title is also given to a wise person.
The meaning of the word Shaikh has been distorted, misused, and abused by some mass media to reflect the wrong meanings.
Martyr in the cause of Allah Ta'ala. There have been many Shuhadaa in Islamic history, amongst whom are the following:
Satan. An evil Jinn who prompts mankind and Jinn to rebel against Allah. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil that He has created . Plural: Shayateen. See Iblis. See Holy Qur'an, An-Nisaa (4):117-120.
A famous place near Madinah on the way to Makkah.
A major disbelief. Doubting any or all of the six articles of faith (see 'Aqaaid). See Kufr.
"The Sun". Surah 91 of the Holy Qur'an.
Wretched in the sight of Allah Ta'ala, as opposed to Sai'd, which means blessed in the sight of Allah. See Holy Qur'an, Houd (11):105.
Islamic law as ordained by Allah Ta'ala. Literally it means 'a road'. The Shari'a is the legal and social modality of a people based on the revelation of their prophet. The last Shari'a in history is that of Islam. It abrogates all previous Shari'as. It is being the last, therefore the easiest to follow, for it is applicable to the whole human race wherever they are.
Tenth month of the Islamic calendar. See Hijri.
Devils. Plural of Shaitan.
A type of marriage which is forbidden where persons exchange daughters or sisters in marriage without giving Mahr (dowry).
Opposite of Tawheed. To associate anyone or anything with Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala. Shirk is idol-worship. Idol-worship means attributing form to Allah, encasing Him in an object, a concept, a ritual or a myth - when Allah has no form, is not like anything and cannot be conceived of or perceived. Allah the Most Merciful is prepared to forgive any sin a man or Jinn may commit, except for dying in a state of Shirk. There are three types of Shirk:
A prophet of Islam. He was sent to the people of Madyan (Midian), but they rejected him, so Allah Ta'ala destroyed them with an earthquake. See Mursaleen. See Holy Qur'an,Al-A'raf(7):85-93, Houd (11):84-95.
"The Poets". Surah 26 of the Holy Qur'an.
Persons who die Fee Sabeeli'IIah (in the path of Allah). Allah has designated eight things for the Shuhadaa alone:
"The Consultation". Surah 42 of the Holy Qur'an.
The sincere and truthful. The first and foremost followers of the prophets of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on them. See Holy Qur'an, An-Nisaa (4):69.
Lotus tree.
"The lote-tree of the furthest limit." A tree over the Seventh Heaven near Paradise, the place where form ends and beyond which no created being may pass. See Holy Qur'an, An-Najm (53):14-18.
Comes from the root word 'Sijn', which means 'prison'. Its exact nature is known to Allah Ta'ala alone. All that is revealed to us is that it is where the record of the evil doer is recorded; in contrast, the record of the righteous is kept in Illyoun. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Mutafifeen (83):7-9.
This is the age of maturity and puberty. It is the age at which the Muslims are considered an adult and becomes accountable for his/her duties in Islam. There is no fixed age for that in terms of years and it is decided by three signs: having a menstruation, period or pregnancy for girls, and being physically mature or having a wet dream for boys, growing pubic hair, or reaching the age of fifteen, whichever comes first.
This is the age of distinguishing. This age is used in FiqhFiqh to decide the age before which the mother has the right to keep the child after divorce. It varies from one person to another. The age is reached when the child can take care of himself or herself and no longer needs an adult to help him eat, get dressed, and clean himself or herself. In the school of thought of Abu Hanifah, it is seven years for the boy and nine years for the girl. The girl is given longer time so that she can learn more of the habits of women.
Literally means "road". It is the bridge over the Nar (Hellfire) which must be crossed to enter the Garden on the Day of Judgement. It is described in Ahadeeth as being narrower than the blade of a sword, thinner than a hair and as having hooks over it to snatch wrongdoers and throw them into Jahanam.Some will cross the Siraat into the Garden like lightning or like the wind, some with ease, some with difficulty, some with great difficulty and some will fall into the waiting Fire below. See Holy Qur' an, Mariam (19):71.
[Other Commonly Used Spellings: SEERAH] The writings of the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) about him, his personality, his life story. and his ways of handling different situations is called Sirah. The famous collections of the Sirah are At-Tabari, Ibn Ishaq, and Ibn Hisham. The Sirah is a source of reference that Muslims rely on in their daily life situations and problems.
Literally means "the straight path". The path that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,demonstrated to mankind and the Jinn by way of the Holy Qur'an and Ahadeeth. The path that leads to the Garden.
Theft. One of the Kabair (major sins) in Islam. Allah Ta'ala has ordained that the hand that steals be severed, under certain circumstances.
Quiet recitation of the Holy Qur'an during Salat, as in the Duhr and 'Asr Salat (prayers).
Long under garment worn by the Arabs.
A piece of branch or root of a tree called al-Arak used as a toothbrush.
Ill-gotten property or money. Forcing someone to part with their goods or money through theft, coercion, embezzlement,usury or by any other means that will incur the wrath of Allah.
"Morning". Another name for the first obligatory Salat (Prayer) which is performed at dawn. See Fajr.
Glory be to Allah. Far removed is He from anything imperfect associated with Him and far removed is He from anything unsuitable ascribed to Him!
"Glory be to my Lord, the Greatest." This is said three times when one is in Ruku' during Salat (prayers). SeeRak'a.
"Glory be to my Lord, the Most High." This is said three times when one is in Sujud during Salat (prayers). See Sajda.
"May He be Glorified and Exalted." One of the many ways of glorifying Allah the Almighty. It means "Glory be to Allah on High. Far removed is He from any imperfection". The shortened form of this glorification is "Allah Ta'ala".
A shaded place in Masjid al-Rasool, may Allah bless him and grant him in peace, in Madinah where poor people used to take shelter.
Pages or manuscripts. Plural of Sahifah
A meal taken before Fajr in the month of Ramadan by the people who intend to fast that day.
See Sajda.
Solomon. A prophet of Islam and a wise king. He was the son of the Prophet (and King) Dawood (David), peace be on both of them. He ruled the north-western Arabian Peninsula for about forty years. Allah Ta'ala gifted him with many powers,which included having power over the winds, being able to converse with the birds and ants and other animals, and having power over the evil Jinn. See Holy Qur'an, Al-Anbiya (21): 79-82, An-Naml (27):15-44, Saba (34):12-14, Saad (38):30-40.See Mursaleen.
All the traditions and practices of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that are recorded not only in such books as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, but also in living people to whom these traditions and practices have been transmitted, from person to person, from then until now.Although the Sunnah has come to refer almost exclusively to the practice of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, it also comprises the customs of the first generation of Muslims in Madina. They learned their Islam directly from the Prophet, not from books, and transmitted what they had learned to the next generation. Thus they have become models whom all Muslims should follow. The Sunnah is a complete behaviourial science that has been systematically kept outside the learning framework of this society. It cannot be learned from books, although books can be helpful. It can only be learned from real Muslims who are true teachers. Plural: Sunnan.
Plural of Sunnah. See Sunnah.
A chapter of the Holy Qur'an. Literally means "a form". There are 114 Suwar in the Holy Qur'an. Plural: Suwar.
An object like a pillar, wall, stick or anything that is placed in front of a praying person so that people will pass beyond it and not 'break' his or her Qiblah and concentration.
Chapters. There are 114 Suwar in the Holy Qur'an. Singular:Surah.
These letters are abbreviations for the words of "Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala". When the name of Almighty Allah is pronounced, a Muslim is to show his respect to Him. The meaning of this statement is that Allah is purified of having partners or a son.