Islamic Terms

Allah The Supreme Being. The name of God.

Hadith The sacred sayings of Muhammad, handed down by oral tradition and finally written down.

Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca. One of the five pillars of the Islamic faith.

Hijrah Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D.

Islam "submission to the will of Allah"

Koran (Qur'an) The inspired word of God given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.

Makkah The birthplace of Muhammad, and the holy city of Islam.

Medina Holy city named for Muhammad after he fled there in 622 A.D.

Muhammad Prophet and founder of Islam. Born around 570 A.D., died 632 A.D.

Muslim Followers of Muhammad. It literally means one who submits to the will of Allah.

Mosque Islamic place of worship.

Muezzlin Muslim caller who announces the hour of prayer.

Peace Be Upon Him An expression used by Muslims to show respect and reverence to all prophets of Allah. Muslims usually say it just after mentioning the name of Prophets.

Ramadan The ninth and one of the most sacred month of the Muslim year. It is the month in which Holy Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad. It is now considered as a month of fasting.

Salat Muslim daily prayer ritual. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Shi'ites Muslim sect which insists that Muhammad's son-in-law 'Ali was Muhammad's rightful successor.

Sufi A Muslim mystic and/or ascetic.

Sunnites Largest Muslim sect which acknowledges all of Muhammad's successors.

Surahs What the chapters of the Qur'an are called.