🌙 An A–Z Glossary of Islamic Terms
A
Akhirah (الآخرة)
The Hereafter — the eternal life after death.
Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله)
“All praise is for Allah.” Said in gratitude and contentment.
Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر)
“Allah is the Greatest.” Declared in prayer and moments of awe.
Ameen (آمين)
“O Allah, answer.” Said after du’a.
Astaghfirullah (أستغفر الله)
“I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
B
Barakah (بركة)
Blessing — divine increase in goodness.
Bismillah (بسم الله)
“In the name of Allah.” Said before beginning anything.
Bid’ah (بدعة)
Innovation in religious matters not rooted in authentic teachings.
D
Du’a (دعاء)
Personal supplication made directly to Allah.
Dunya (الدنيا)
This temporary worldly life.
E
Eid (عيد)
Islamic celebration. There are two major Eids:
- Eid al-Fitr (after Ramadan)
- Eid al-Adha (during Hajj)
F
Fajr (الفجر)
The dawn prayer; the first of the five daily prayers.
Fard (فرض)
An obligatory act in Islam.
Fiqh (فقه)
Islamic jurisprudence (understanding of Islamic law).
G
Ghusl (غسل)
Full ritual purification bath required in certain circumstances.
H
Hadith (حديث)
Recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Hajj (حج)
The annual pilgrimage to Makkah, obligatory once in a lifetime if able.
Halal (حلال)
Permissible according to Islamic law.
Haraam (حرام)
Forbidden in Islam.
Haram (الحرم)
sacred, protected area, often around a mosque
Hijab (حجاب)
Modest covering; commonly referring to a Muslim woman’s headscarf.
I
Ibadah (عبادة)
Worship — any act done sincerely for Allah.
Iman (إيمان)
Faith and belief in Allah and His teachings.
InshaAllah (إن شاء الله)
“If Allah wills.”
Istighfar (استغفار)
Seeking forgiveness from Allah.
J
Jannah (جنة)
Paradise.
Jahannam (جهنم)
Hellfire.
JazakAllah Khair (جزاك الله خيرًا)
“May Allah reward you with goodness.”
Jumu’ah (جمعة)
The Friday congregational prayer.
K
Ka’bah (الكعبة)
The sacred cube-shaped structure in Makkah toward which Muslims pray.
Khatam (ختم)
Completion — often referring to completing the Qur’an.
L
La ilaha illa Allah (لا إله إلا الله)
“There is no god but Allah.” The declaration of faith.
Laylatul Qadr (ليلة القدر)
The Night of Decree — a sacred night in Ramadan worth more than a thousand months.
M
MashaAllah (ما شاء الله)
“What Allah has willed.” Said when admiring something.
Masjid (مسجد)
Mosque; place of prayer.
Mu’min (مؤمن)
A believer.
N
Niyyah (نية)
Intention. A core principle in all acts of worship.
Q
Qadr (قدر)
Divine decree.
Qiblah (قبلة)
The direction of prayer — toward the Ka’bah in Makkah.
Qur’an (القرآن)
The holy book of Islam revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Qabr (قبر)
Grave.
R
Rahmah (رحمة)
Mercy.
Ramadan (رمضان)
The holy month of fasting.
Rizq (رزق)
Provision — sustenance given by Allah.
S
Sabr (صبر)
Patience and perseverance.
Sadaqah (صدقة)
Voluntary charity.
Salah (صلاة)
The five daily obligatory prayers.
Shahadah (الشهادة)
The testimony of faith.
Shukr (شكر)
Gratitude.
SubhanAllah (سبحان الله)
“Glory be to Allah.”
Sunnah (سنة)
The teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
T
Taqwa (تقوى)
God-consciousness.
Tawakkul (توكل)
Trust and reliance upon Allah.
Tawbah (توبة)
Repentance.
U
Ummah (أمة)
The global Muslim community.
Umrah (عمرة)
The minor pilgrimage to Makkah.
W
Wudu (وضوء)
Ritual ablution before prayer.
Z
Zakah (زكاة)
Obligatory charity (one of the Five Pillars).
Zikr / Dhikr (ذكر)
Remembrance of Allah.