Islam Vocabulary

Allah: The One and only God of Islam, He is considered to be the same God that is worshipped by the Jews and the Christians. Believed by Muslims to be the supreme Creator of the universe who was neither born nor can give birth. He is the one who will judge the actions of a person and send the to either Heaven or Hell to spend the afterlife.

Almsgiving: Also known as zakat. One of the Five Pillars of Islam. One way how the Islamic community strives to be economically just. It is a mandatory “tax” of practitioners that give a portion of their income to either directly to the poor members of their society or to a distribution center that will then take the money and use it to help strengthen the community. The purpose of almsgiving is to remind the members of the Islamic community to not take what they have for granted.

Fasting: Sawm in Arabic. One of the Five Pillars of Islam. Mainly observed during the month of Ramadan. Practicing Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, and other bodily pleasures from sunrise to sunset. Those partaking are not allowed to alter their schedule and must go through the day as they normally would.

Five Pillars: Main practices and values in Islam. What each Muslim must do in order to gain favor in the eyes of Allah. Five Pillars are Shahadah (confession of faith), Zakat (almsgiving), Salat (prayer), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Hadith: Collection of stories and sayings of Muhammad. Provides examples of proper method to live and gives Muhammad’s understanding as his role as God’s messenger. 

Hajj: One of the Five Pillars of Islam. Explains what one must do during the pilgrimage to Mecca. Says one must worship at the Ka’ba and rededicate themselves to Allah. Must be performed at least once in a person’s life if they are able to go. Makes all believers realize that they are part of a larger community.

Jihad: “Struggle” in Arabic. Does not mean “holy war” as interpreted by modern society. Two different types of jihad: lesser and greater. Lesser jihad is the expectation that Muslims will defend their faith and homeland from attack. Greater jihad is the inner battle that each person has inside of themselves to continue to follow Allah and live up to his expectations.

Koran: Holy text of Islam. To Islam as the Bible is to Christianity and the Torah to Judaism. Given to Muhammad by God through the angel Gabriel. Gives God’s final divine revelation since it is His direct words, not like the Bible and Torah which are divinely inspired. Was originally solely an oral tradition until it was written down under the reign of the third Caliph. 

Muhammad: The prophet of Islam. Chosen by God to reveal His message to the people of world. Given the Quran though revelations by God over a number of years. Is considered to be the last of a long line of prophets that include Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Given the title “the Seal of the Prophets” to symbolize that he is the last credible prophet and that everyone after him that claims to have received revelations from God are speaking false statements

Prayer: Salat in Arabic. One of the Five Pillars of Islam. Must be said five times a day everyday with a mandatory community prayer at a mosque every Friday. Individual prayer must be done facing Mecca and be the only thing one thinks about when performing the act.