Glossary

The call to prayer, given aloud before each of the five daily prayers.

"The people of the house": the household and close family of the Prophet ﷺ.

A trust: anything placed in someone's care, from money to a secret to a position of responsibility, which must be returned or fulfilled faithfully.

"The Helpers": the Muslims of Madinah, from the Aws and Khazraj tribes, who welcomed and sheltered the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants from Makkah.

A pass near Mina where people of Madinah pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ before the Hijrah, in two pledges a year apart.

The plain outside Makkah where pilgrims stand on the 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah; also the name of that day, on which those not on Hajj are encouraged to fast.

The 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. Fasting on it is a Sunnah.

The first major battle between the Muslims and Quraysh, in 2 AH. Those who fought there hold a special rank among the Companions.

Remembrance of Allah, especially by repeating short phrases of praise and glorification.

Supplication: calling on Allah and asking Him, in any language and at any time.

The voluntary forenoon prayer, prayed after the sun has risen well above the horizon and before midday, usually two or more rak'ahs.

The dawn prayer, prayed between first light and sunrise. It is preceded by two short voluntary rak'ahs.

A full ritual bath, washing the whole body, required in certain states and recommended before Friday prayer.

A report of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did or approved, passed down through a chain of narrators.

The pilgrimage to Makkah in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, required once in a lifetime of every adult Muslim who is able.

What is permitted (halal) and what is forbidden (haram) in Islamic law.

Modesty and a sense of shame that holds a person back from what is wrong; the Prophet ﷺ called it a branch of faith.

The migration of the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, the starting point of the Islamic calendar.

The sacred state a pilgrim enters for Hajj or Umrah, with its own dress and restrictions.

The second, shorter call given just as the congregational prayer begins.

The night prayer, the last of the five daily prayers, prayed after twilight has gone.

Seeking what is best from Allah: two voluntary rak'ahs followed by a specific du'a before a decision.

A retreat in the mosque for worship, especially in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Paradise, the Garden promised to the believers.

Friday, and the congregational midday prayer with its sermon held on that day.

The cube-shaped House of Allah at the centre of the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer.

A sermon, especially the one given before the Friday prayer and after the Eid prayers.

An honorific name beginning "Abu" (father of) or "Umm" (mother of), such as Abu Bakr or Umm Salamah.

"There is no power and no strength except with Allah": words the Prophet ﷺ called a treasure of Paradise.

The Night of Decree, in the last ten nights of Ramadan, described in the Quran as better than a thousand months.

The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.

The city of the Ka'bah, where the Prophet ﷺ was born and revelation began.

A freed slave or client attached to a tribe or family; also used for a patron or protector.

The title the Quran gives to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ.

The person who gives the adhan. Bilal ibn Rabah was the first.

"The emigrants": the Muslims who left Makkah for Madinah for the sake of Allah.

An open area between Arafah and Mina where pilgrims spend the night after the day of Arafah.

The direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer.

The leading tribe of Makkah, to which the Prophet ﷺ belonged, and which opposed him for most of his mission.

One unit of the prayer: standing and reciting, bowing, and two prostrations.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.

Usury or unjust gain in an exchange, including interest on loans; it is forbidden.

Reciting the Quran or approved du'as over someone who is ill or afflicted, as a means of healing.

Voluntary charity, of any size, given for the sake of Allah.

The Companions: those who met the Prophet ﷺ as believers and died as Muslims. The singular is sahabi (male) or sahabiyyah (female).

The greeting of peace, "as-salamu alaykum", and its reply.

Sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, as in the words "sallallahu alayhi wa sallam".

The declaration of faith: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

The month after Ramadan. Fasting six of its days is a Sunnah.

A cleaning stick, usually from the arak tree, used to clean the teeth.

The meal eaten before dawn by someone who is going to fast.

The way of the Prophet ﷺ: his words, actions and approvals. Also used for a recommended act.

A chapter of the Quran. There are 114.

An object placed in front of someone praying to mark the edge of their prayer space.

Explanation and commentary on the meaning of the Quran.

Voluntary prayer at night after waking from sleep, especially in the last third of the night.

Saying "Allahu akbar", Allah is the greatest.

The night prayer of Ramadan, prayed in congregation after Isha.

Glorifying Allah by saying "SubhanAllah" (glory be to Allah); also used for counted dhikr.

Walking seven times around the Ka'bah as an act of worship.

The oneness of Allah: worshipping Him alone, with no partner.

Purification with clean earth or dust when water is unavailable or harmful to use.

The mountain outside Madinah where the Muslims fought Quraysh in 3 AH, and where Hamzah and many others were martyred.

The worldwide community of Muslims.

The lesser pilgrimage to Makkah, which can be performed at any time of year.

The 13th, 14th and 15th of each lunar month, when the moon is full; fasting them is a Sunnah.

The odd-numbered prayer that closes the night's prayers, prayed after Isha and before dawn.

The ritual washing of the face, arms, head and feet before prayer.

The obligatory annual alms on wealth above a threshold, one of the five pillars of Islam.

A small obligatory charity of food given at the end of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer.

A pre-Islamic oath in which a man likened his wife to his mother to make her unlawful to him; the Quran abolished it and set an expiation.