Whether you're personally grappling with the problems of
being a Muslim in Britain or are an interested outsider, you're
likely to hear some, if not all, of these words in any discussion of
the issues
Assalamu alaikum
Peace be upon you. This is how Muslims greet each other. The reply
is: Walaikum
as-salaam
(And upon you be peace).
Da’wah
Invitation, inviting others to Islam.
Din
Way of life or religion.
Fard
Obligatory, something which must be done.
Fatwa
A legal ruling based on religious reasoning. It is the opinion
of one individual and can only be overturned by a higher authority.
Fiqh
Methodology used by scholars to derive Islamic rulings (jurisprudence).
Hadith
The traditions of the Prophet Muhammed – sayings, actions
and approvals.
Halal
Permitted.
Hijab
The veil or women's clothing which fulfils the Islamic
law that women must protect their modesty by covering their bodies. How
much of the body is covered by the hijab depends on local custom rather
than religious ruling.
There is also a hijab for men who are also required to dress modestly.
Ijma
Consensus
amongst scholars on legal opinions.
Imam
Man who is qualified in Islamic tradition; a teacher, mentor and
often the leader of a congregation.
Iman
Literally 'belief'. Primarily refers to belief in Allah.
Jihad
Literally means 'to struggle' or 'strive'. Muslims
use the word jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle:
a believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible;
the struggle to build a good Muslim society; and the struggle to defend Islam,
with force if necessary.
Often mistranslated as 'Holy War'.
Madhhab
Schools of thought that have evolved over a long period of
time.
Mubah
Action that is left to individual conscience.
Mujahideen
Those who struggle. Although commonly associated with physical
battles, mujahideen are also those engaged in personal struggles. Those who
engage in jihad are known as mujahideen.
Qiyas
Analogy.
Qur'an
Divine scripture: the holy book of Islam.
Riba
Usury. In the modern context it refers to interest paid on borrowed
money and interest charged on loans, which are seen as inherently exploitative.
Shahadah
Witness or declaration. Declaration of faith recited by a person
who converts to Islam, which states: ‘I testify that there is no god
but Allah and I testify that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah.’
Shariah
Divinely inspired parameters that form the basis of how Muslims
live their lives. Literally 'the path to a watering hole'.
Taharah
Purity.
Talaq
Divorce.
Ummah
The Muslim community worldwide.
Wudu
Ritual washing with water which must be performed before prayer.
Zakat, Zakah
The obligation to donate a proportion of one's income as
instructed by Shariah.
Zina
Adultery, fornication, illicit sexual intimacy.