Ayat
al-Kursi
Allah!
There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things In
the heavens and on earth. Who is there that can intercede
in his presence except As He permitteth? He knoweth What (appeareth
to His Creatures As) before or after Or behind them. Nor shall
they compass Aught of His knowledge Except as He willeth.
His Throne doth extend Over the heavens And the earth, and
He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them For
He is the Most High, The supreme (in Glory). Al-Baqara
(2):255
AALI
‘IMRAN: "The family of ‘Imran". ‘Imran was the
father of Mariam (Mary), the mother of the Prophet Isa (Jesus),
peace be upon them. Surah 3 of the Holy Qur’an.
ABAA
WASS STAKBARA MA’ AL-TASDEEQ (KUFR AL): A Major disbelief.
Refusing to bow to Allah due to pride, even though acknowledging
the Divine Truth. It is the type of Kufr that Iblis committed.
Those Muslims who do not pray are committing this same sin.
See Kufr.
ABADA:
Forever. See Khalideen.
‘ABASA:
"He frowned". The blind man that is referred
to in this surah is Abdallah ibn Umm Maktoum. Surah 80
of the Holy Qur’an.
‘ABD:
A male slave, a slave of Allah.
ABU
BAKR, MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM: Also spelled Abi
Bakr. He was one of the greatest companions of Muhammad, May
Allah bless him and grant him peace. His full name is Abu
Bakr as-Siddiq. The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, called him as-Siddiq because he always believed
in Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, without
any reservation. He was the first of the four rightly guided
Khalifaas (al-Khulafaa al-Rashideen) from 1113 AH. The other
three, may Allah bless them, were: 1). Umar ibn
al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him 13-23 AH.2).
Uthman ibn ‘Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, 24-36
AH. 3). Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased
with him, 36-40 AH. See Khalifaa.
ABU
LAHAB: Fiercest enemy of Islam and paternal uncle of Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Surah 111 of the
Holy Qur’an. Known as Suratul Masad.
ABU
AL-QASIM: It is the Kunya (see Kunya) of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. It is prohibited
to have the Kunya of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace. See Sahi Bukhari, Hadith 205, Vol,
8. Sahi Muslim, Kitab-ul Adab.
‘AD:
An Ancient tribe that lived after the Prophet Nooh (Noah),
peace be on him, in the village of Ahqaf in Yemen. It was
a very prosperous tribe, but was rebellious against Allah
Subhana Ta’ala and their Prophet Houd, peace be on him. So
Allah wa Ta’ala destroyed it with a fatal westerly windstorm
(Ad-Dabour). See Holy Qur’an, Houd (11):50-60.
ADAM,
PEACE BE ON HIM: The first man and a Prophet. He was created
neither in paradise nor on Earth, but in the realm of Allah’s
mercy. From there he was sent to Jannah (Paradise), from where
later he was sent down to Earth. He had many offsprings, the
most famous ones are Habil (Abel ) and Qaabil (Cain). See
Holy Qur’an, Al-Baqarah (2):30-39, al-Maidah (5) 30-34.
‘ADHAAB:
Punishment, especially the punishment for failing to obey
Allah Ta’ala. See Holy Qur’an, Ale ‘Imran (3):106.
ADHAN:
Islamic way for calling Muslims to prayer. The Adhan that
is announced today was formulated and formalized in 1AH. See
Sahi Bukhari, Hadith 583, Vol.1.
ADHKHAR:
A special type of good-scented grass found in the Hijaz
area of Saudi Arabia. Also known as Idhkhir.
ADIAT
(AL): "The coursers". "Coursers"
refer to war horses when they charge, stamp their hooves,
breathe heavily and snort in the course of the confusion of
battle. Surah 100 of the Holy Qur’an.
‘AFAREET:
Evil jinns who are large, powerful and very crafty. Singular:
Ifreet. See Holy Qur’an, An-Naml (27):39.
‘AFLAHA:
Third person singular of Falaah. See Falaah.
‘AFUW:
Al-’Afuwo": The forgiver or pardoner, in the sense
obliterating the memory of wrongdoings from one’s mind. One
of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah Ta’ala.
AH:
After Hijra. Hijra means emigration. The Islamic calendar
starts from the day Holy Prophet Muhammad, May Allah bless
him and grant him peace, emigrated from Makkah to Madinah,
in 622 A.D.
AHAD:
1). One. 2). The Incomparable. When referring to
Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala, this means: a. That He has
no comparison in His Essence or in any of His Attributes.
b. that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah.
AHADEETH:
Sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, Singular: Hadith.
AHKAM:
Literally means "orders". In Islam, orders
are subdivided into six distinct categories:
- 1).
Compulsory, (Fard) = severe punishment if disobeyed.
This takes two forms:
- a).
Fard'ain = Compulsory on every person, e.g. Salat.
- b).
Fard Kifaya = Compulsory on at least one person in
the community, e.g. Salat al-janaza.
- 2).
Necessary but not cumpulsory (Wajib), e,g. Salat
al-Juma'.
- 3).
Recommended but not compulsory (Mustahab), e.g. Sunnah
prayers, Sadaqa.
- 4).
Legal and allowed (Halal), e.g. eating good food,
marriage.
- 5).
Dissaproved of, but not forbidden (Makrouh), e.g.
smoking tobacco.
- 6).
Forbidden (Muharram, Haram), e.g. Zina (fornication
and adultery).
AHLUL
ABAIT: Literally means "the People of the House".
A polite way of addressing the wife and the members of the
household. Sometimes used to refer to the family of the Prophet
Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him
and on his family and on all his companions. The blessings
here are addressed to the entire household. See Holy Qur’an,
Houd (11):73.
AHLUL
KITAB: Literally means "the People of the Scripture".
It refers to Yahoud (Jews), Nasara (Christian) and Saabe-een
(Sabians). Those who believe in the trinity and that Jesus
is God and or the Son of God are considered as Kuffar (unbelievers),
even though they are Ahlul Kitab. See Maghdoub and Daaleen.
See Holy Qur’an, Yusuf Ali, Al-Maida (5):19, 75-76. See
Holy Qur’an, M. Pickhall, Al-Maida (5):17, 72-73.
AHLUL
KITAB WA SUNNAH: Literally means "The people of the
Book (the Holy Qur’an) and the sayings and traditions, (the
Sunnah of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace)."
This refers to the people who strive to follow exactly the
teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, without any deviations.
AHMAD:
Another name of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace. Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him, prophesied his
coming. See Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
See Holy Qur’an, As-Saff (61):6.
AHQAF
(AL): Name of Village in Yemen. Home of the people of
‘Ad. See "Ad. Surah 46 of the Holy Qur’an.
AHZAB:
"The Clans". A famous battle between the
early Muslims and the rejectors, in which the Muslims, under
the directions of Salman al-Farisi, dug a trench around the
city of al-Madinah al-Munawarha to thwart the advance of the
unbelievers in 5AH. The battle is also known as the Battle
of the Khandaq(Battle of the Trench). See Holy Qur’an,
An-Nur (24):55, Al-Ahzab (33):920.Surah 33 of the Holy Qur’an.
AISHA
(MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HER): Daughter of Abu Bakr
as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him ) and wife of Muhammad,
may Allah bless and grant him peace.
AJAL:
1). Yes. 2). Appointed time. In Islamic terminology
it refers to the (appointed) time of death. Allah Ta’ala says
in the Holy Qur’an that He will not, (and therefore no-one
else can), alter the time of someone’s death. Muslims reject
such statements as "the doctor saved his life",
or "he would have lived longer if..." Such statements
are made by those who do not believe in Allah or do not have
the understanding of the necessity to believe in Allah, thus
exposing themselves and saying that the power over life and
death is within human capability.
AJTANIBOU:
"Leave it!" Gambling and intoxicants were prohibited
by Allah in the strongest terms possible, "Ajtanibou!".
It is the highest level of forbidding what is haram. Haram
= not only haram, but also a direct prohibition ordered by
Allah Ta’ala. "Ajtanibou!" = not only haram,
but also a direct command not to approach or be near it for
any reason whatsoever. See Holy Qur’an, Al-Baqarah (2):219,
Al-Maida (5):93.
AJZA:
Parts. the Holy Qur’an is divided into thirty parts. Singular:
Juz.
AJWAH:
A kind of Dates.
AKALA:
Literally means "ate". In Islamic theology,
it usually means: 1). devouring what is forbidden,
whether it be mental, moral, social, physical or spiritual.
See Holy Qur’an, Al-Maida (5):69. 2). Spiritual
"eating" of the good things in the hereafter in
Jannah (Paradise). See Holy Qur’an, Ar-Ra’d (13):35.
AKBAR
(SHIRK AL): Major Shirk. This is divided into four categories:
1). Shirk Ad-Du’a. 2). Shirk al-Niyyah
wal Iraada wal Qasd. 3). Shirk-al-Ta’a.
4). Shirk al-Muhabbah. For full explanation
see Shirk.
AKHIRA:
The Hereafter. Not the life in the Barzakh (the
life of the grave), but the life in Jannah (Paradise)
or the Nar (Hellfire).
‘AALA
(AL): "The Most High". Surah 87 of the Holy
Qur’an.
ALAIKA
SALAAM: Peace be on him. This is said whenever the name
of a malak (an Angel), a nabi (a Prophet) or a rasool (a Messenger)
of Allah is mentioned, except for the name or title of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallahu ‘aliehe wa sallam).
See Sallahu ‘alaihe wa sallam.
ALAM:
World. Singular of ‘Alameen. See 'Alameen.
ALAMEEN:
Takes its root word from "Alam", meaning world.
The Qur’anic meaning of ‘Alameen varies from verse to verse,
depending on the context in which it is placed. 1).
In Surah 1:2, it means "of all the worlds".
2). In Surah 3:42, it means "of all nations"
3). In Surah 3:97, it means "of all created
beings". "Wa ma arsalna illa rahmatan lil
‘Alameen." (We have not sent you [O Muhammad] but as
a mercy to all creation.) Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107.
‘ALAQ:
"The clot of blood". Also called Surat Iqraa.
Ayat (verse) 1-5 of this Surah were the first five verses
revealed to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
They were revealed to him through the Holy Spirit, the Angel
Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on him, in the Ghar Hiraa (cave
of Hiraa) in Jabal an-Nur. See Surah 96 of the holy Qur’an.
AL-AQIQ:
A valley 7km west of al-Madinah al-Munawarah.
AL-’ARSH:
Throne of Allah al-Malik al-Qudus, al-Aziz al-Hakeem.
See Surah Taha (20):5
AL-GHURRU
AL-MUHAJJALUN: A name that will be given to those Muslims
who, on the Day of Resurrection, will have parts of their
bodies shining due to their perfect ablution practices. Read
Bukhari, Hadith 138, Vol. 1.
AL-HAMD:
1). All praise (is to Allah). 2). Another name
for Suratul-Fatiha. Surah 1 of the Holy Qur’an.
AL-HAMDU
LILLLAH: Praise be to Allah. Should be said on all occasions
and especially after sneezing. Abu Huraira related that the
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
said: ‘When any one of you sneezes, then he should say "Al-Hamdulillah",
and his brother or friend (who listens) should respond by
saying "Yarhamuk Allah", (Allah have mercy
upon you). and then the person sneezing should reciprocate
by saying "Yahdikumullah wa yuslahu balakum"
( may Allah guide you and improve your condition). Sahi
Bukhari.
ALI
IBN ABI TALIB, MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM: One of the
greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace. The last of the four rightly guided
Khalifs (al-Khulafaa al-Rashideen), may Allah bless with him,
he ruled from 36AH to 40AH. He was martyred while praying
in the Masjid (mosque). See Khalifaa
ALIF
LAM MIM: Abbreviated letters, called al-Muqtta’at, revealed
at the start of certain Suwar of the Holy Qur’an.
‘ALIM:
An Islamic religious scholar. Plural: Ulamaa.
AL-INFITAR:
"The Cleaving". Surah 82 of the Holy Qur’an.
AL-JUHFA:
Miqat of the people of Shaam. See Miqat.
AL-KURSI:
The seat of Allah, Al-Hayyu al-Qayoum. The size
of His seat extends over all the heavens and earth. Even though
it is such a huge creation, it is still much smaller than
the ‘Arsh (the Throne) of Allah Ta’ala. Surah 2:225
is called Ayatul Kursi. See Surah al-Baqara (2):255 see ‘Arsh.
ALLAH:
The name of the Creator of the universe and all that it
contains.It is derived from the word "Ilah"
which means "the One deserving all worship", the
One to whom all hearts submit in love, fear, reverence, desire,
trust and sincerity, and to whom all limbs submit in all forms
of worship such as prayers, supplications, sacrifices, invocations,
etc. Allah has decreed that His Holy name is "Allah"
and has ordained that all His creation call upon Him by the
name of "Allah". In the original Bible and
Taurat (in the Hebrew text), the name "Allah"
is used.
In
Islam, the name God is not used for fear of misunderstanding.
To the Christians, it will give them a mental image of a human
being (the Prophet Jesus, son of Mary, Peace be on him), to
some Hindus it creates a mental picture of an animal (a cow).
To the Zoroastrians it creates a picture of a fire. Allah,
there is none but He, King of universe, the Creator and Originator
of all that there is, He has no beginning nor end. He was
not begotten nor did He beget. He is not like anything.
ALLAH
HUMMA: "O Allah". This is said when invoking
Allah Ta’ala. For example, "Allah humma atina fid
dunya hasana wa fil akhirati hasana wa qin a ‘adhab an-nar".
"O Allah, give us the good of this world and the good
of the Hereafter and preserve us from the Hellfire."
ALLAH
TA’ALA: Allah the Exalted. See Subhana wa Ta’ala.
ALLAH
AKBAR: Allah is the Greatest.
AL-’UZZA:
A famous goddess in the Hijaz used to be worshipped
by the pagan Arabs in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.
See Holy Qur’an, An-Najm (53):19.
AL-YAS,
PEACE BE ON HIM: Elisha. A Prophet of Islam. See Holy
Qur’an, Al-An’aam (6):36 Saad (38):48.
‘AMAH:
A female slave.
AL-AMANAH:
The trust or the moral reponsibility or honesty, and all
the duties which Allah has ordained.
AMIN:
O Allah, accept our invocation.
AMMA
BA'DU: An expression used for separating an introductory
main topic in a speech; the introductory topic is usually
concerned with Allah's Praises and glorification. Literally
it means, "whatever comes after." It is generally
translated as "then after" or "to proceed."
AMIRUL
MUMINEEN: Commander of the Faithful. Title of the leader
in the Islamic nation after the death of the Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The first four faithful
commanders of the new Islamic nation were called Al-Khulafaa
al-Rashideen, "the rightly-guided Khulafas"
(see Khalifaa). They were given this title because they carried
out their duties perfectly according to the Holy Qur’an and
the practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace.
AMR
BILL MA’ROOF: Enjoining the good. The full version is
"Amr bill Ma’roof wa nahi ‘anil Munkar". (enjoining
the good and forbidding the evil).
AN’AAM:
The Cattle". Surah 6 of the Holy Qur’an.
‘ANAZA:
A stick with a spearhead. Read Sahi Bukhari, Hadith
583, Vol.1.
ANBIYAA
(AL): "The Prophets". Surah 21 of the Holy
Qur’an.
ANFAAL
(AL): "The Spoils of War." Surah 8 of the
Holy Qur’an.
‘ANKABOOT
(AL): "The Spider". The Spider who made its
web over the Ghar Thaur (Cave of Thaur) where Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and Abu Bakr, may
Allah be pleased with him, hid from the Quraish on his way
to Madinah. Surah 29 of the Holy Qur’an.
ANSAAB:
Idols. See Holy Qur’an, Al-baqara (2):219.
ANSAR:
Literally means "Helpers". 1). The Inhabitants
of Madinah, the Aus and the Khazraj tribes, who embraced Islam
and supported the Muslim emigrants against the pagan Quraish
and other tribes who made war on the Prophet Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace. See Ansari. 2).
Helpers of the Prophet Isa (the Prophet Jesus, son of Mary),
peace be on him. See Holy Qur’an, As-Saff (61):14 Singular:
Ansari
ANSARI:
An inhabitant of Madina who embraced Islam and supported
the Muslim emigrants who had fled from persecution in Makkah
and other places during the time of greater repression against
the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them
all. See Holy Qur’an, Suwar Al-Hashr (59):9, Al-Munafiqun
(63):7.
‘AQEEEDA:
Literally means belief. In Islamic terminology, it means
articles of faith. There are six articles of faith. They are:
1.
Belief in Allah. We Believe that:
1).
He is the Lord and Creator of all that there is. 2).
He is the True God and All other deities are false. 3).
He is One,and has no associates (son or otherwise). 4).
He alone has the knowledge of the Unseen and of the Hour.
5). In His Names and Attribute. 6). He never
came down to earth in any shape or form. 7). He is
Everlasting, He did not beget nor was He begotten and He is
not like anything.
2.
His Mala’ika (angels). We believe:
1).
They are His honored servants. 2). They act only by
His command. 3). They are made out of light. 4).
They obey all of Allah’s commands. 5). All angels are
good and incapable of wrong doing (We do not believe in the
notion of a "Fallen angel".)6). They may
be seen by some men only by Allah’s consent. See Malaikah.
3.
His Revealed books.
We
believe He has sent down books with every messenger
.The original books of Allah that were sent to the Prophets
Abraham, Moses and Jesus no longer exist in their original
form. We believe only in the original Taurat (Torah),
Zaboor (Psalms) and Ingeel (Gospel). The Holy
Qur’an that was revealed to the Seal of the Prophets,
Mohammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the
only perfect book of Allah that is free from corruption and
is a true source of light for all mankind.
4.
His Rusull ( Messengers). We believe.
The
Messengers of Allah Ta’ala include Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, Abraham, Noah, Jesus , Moses, peace
be upon them all. Allah's Messengers are human beings. Muhammad’s
message encompasses and abrogates all the messages of all
the other messengers, since Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, is the last Messenger and the Holy Qur’an
is the Last Message from Allah before the end of the world.
5.
Belief in the Day of Judgment. We believe.
1).
In the Final Day, which is the day of Judgment. 2).
There will be no intercessors except by Allah’s leave. 3).
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant Him peace,will be
given permission to intercede on behalf of all those who believed
in Allah and the Last Day and who submitted their will to
Him, that is, those who are "Muslims" (Muslim
= One who submits his or her will to Almighty Allah). 4).
Heaven is for the believers and Hell is for the rejecters.
5). In the fount (Kawthar) of Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace. 6). Our book of deeds will
be given to us in our right or left hand (to the believers
and unbelievers respectively).
6.
Belief in Fate and the Divine Decree. We believe:
1).
In fate, whether good or bad, which Allah has measured and
ordained for all his creatures. 2). His decree cannot
be changed except by his leave. 3). Allah has granted
man the free will to choose between good and evil. Thus, there
is no excuse for wrong action in the sight of Allah Ta’ala.4).
All that is to happen until the Day of Judgment is already
written down on the Lauh al-Mahfudh.
O
Allah! Let me not die except in Islam, and raise me on the
Day of Judgment only as a Muslim. Ameen! Singular: ‘Aqaaid.
AQIQ
(AL): A valley in Al-Madina about seven kilometers
west of it
AQIQAH:
It is the Sacrificing of one or two sheeps on the occasion
of the birth of a child, as a token of gratitude to Allah.
See Sahi Al-Bukhari, The Book of 'Aqiqah, Vol. 7, Page
No. 272.
AQRA
HALQA: It is just an exclamatory expression, the literal
meaning of which is not meant always. It expresses disapproval.
ARAAK
(AL): A tree from Siwak is made. See Siwak.
ARAF
(AL): " The Heights". Surah 7 of the Holy
Qur’an.
‘ARAFAT:
A pilgrimage site, about 25km east of Makkah al-Mukarramah.
Standing on ‘Arafah on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and staying
there from mid-day to sunset is the essence of the Hajj (the
Pilgrimage).
AL-ARBA'AH:
The four compilers of - Abu Da'ud, Nasa'i, Tirmidhi,
Ibn Majah.
AREEM:
May be translated as dams or embankment. The ‘Areme
(dam) that is referred to in Surah 34:16 is the Maarib
Dam whose traces still exist in Yemen.
ARKAN:
Pillars. This refers to the indispensable pillars of Islam.
There are five Arkan of Islam:
1.
Shahadatain, bearing witness. All Muslims must believe
in and utter the Shahadatain.
1).
The first Shahada is: Ashhadu an la illaha illal ‘lah.
(I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship
except Allah.)
2).
The Second Shahada: Ashhadu anna Muhammadar Rasoolullah.
( I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.)
Singular: Shahada = bearing witness, Dual: shahadatain =
Bearing witness.
3.
Seeam, fasting. Also spelled as Saum. To fast in
the month of Ramadan.
4.
Zakat, wealth dues. To pay 2.5% of one’s yearly savings
to the poor and needy Muslims. The Zakat is compulsory
on all Muslims who have saved (at least) the equivalent of
85g of 24 carat gold at the time when the annual Zakat payment
is due. Zakat is also due on other things such as silver,
animals, crops, etc. For full explanation on Zakat
refer to the relevant books written on the subject.
5.
Hajj, pilgrimage. To perform the pilgrimage to the Holy
City of Makkah at least once in one’s lifetime (if one is
able to afford it).
‘ARSH:
The throne of Allah. The ‘Arsh is the immense starless heaven
that encompasses the visible Universe, which is referred to
as the Kursi. Sayyidina ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him,
said that the relation of the Kursi to the ‘Arsh
is like that of a small ring lying in the middle of a vast
desert. This is why ‘Arsh is correctly translated as
‘Throne’ and Kursi as ‘Seat’ or Footstool’,.
although sometimes those who are unaware of the existence
and nature of the ‘Arsh translated Kursi as
‘Throne’.
AS:
See ‘Alaihe as-Salam.
ASBAB
AN-NAZUL: The specific reason and circumstances for the
revelation of various verses of the Holy Qur’an. For example:
Surat at-Tauba, Ayat 79-80 (the story of Abu ‘Aqeel).
In 9AH Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
asked for contributions to finance his Tabuk expedition. Being
very poor, but still yearning to contribute, Abu ‘Aqeel decided
to offer his services, which lasted from dusk till dawn. He
received only two handfuls of barley in payment. He took the
entire payment and presented it to Muhammad, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace. A group of Munafiqeen (Hyprocrites)
saw this and started to deride Abu ‘Aqeel by saying. "Look
at Abu ‘Aqeel, does he think that Allah is in need of such
a pathetic donation?" Allah Ta’ala become so angry with
them that He immediately sent down the Holy Spirit Jibreel
(The Angel Gabriel), peace be on him, to reveal Surah 9:79:80
to Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
ASABAH:
All male relatives of a deceased person from the father's
side.
ASGHAR
(KUFR AL): A minor disbelief. Being unappreciative of
what Allah Ta’ala has provided. See Kufr:
ASGHAR
(SHIRK AL): A Minor Shirk:
1.
Shirk ar-Rea’. It is carrying out a religious act for
worldly gains and not for the pleasure of Allah. For example,
giving Zakat (charity) for the sake of fame or praise. 2.
Shirk At-Tasmee’: a). Swearing by other than Allah.
b). To say: "I depend on Allah and you."
c). To depend on any man. d). To say: "Oh
Allah, by the honour of Muhammad do such and such for me."
e). Any belief, saying or action that might lead to
Al-Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk). See Shirk.
ASHAB
AS-SUNNA: The Compilers of the Prophetic Ahadith
on Islamic Jurisprudence.
ASHAB
AL-MAIMANA: Literally means "companions of the
Right", the righteous people. On the Day of Resurrection,
Allah Ta’ala will sort out the good and evil. They will be
divided into three groups: Muqarraboon - the exalted
class, those who are nearest to Allah Ta’ala. Ashab al-Maimana
- the righteous people, those who are destined to enter Jannah
(Paradise). Ashab al-Ma-Mash’ama - literally means
"companions of the left"; these people will be the
inheritors of the Nar (Hellfire). For full explanations of;
Muqarraboon, see Surah Al-Waqi’ah (56): 11-26; Ashab al-Maimana,
see Surah 56:27-40. Ashab al-Mash’ama see Surah Al-Waqi’ah
(56):41-56.
ASHAB
AL-MASH’AMA: Literally means "companions of the left",
the evil-doers. These people will be the companions of the
Nar (Hellfire) on the Day of Resurrection. For full
explanation: See Ashab al-Maimana. See Holy Qur’an, Al-Waqi’a
(56):41-56.
ASHABUL
AIKA: Dwellers of the wood. Another name for the Midianites.
See Madyan. See Holy Qur’an, Al-Hijr (15):78, Al-Shu’ara
(26):176-191.
ASHARAFUL
MURSALEEN: The Most Honoured of all the Prophets. One
of the titles of the Holy Muhammad, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace.
ASH-SHAJARA:
A famous place between Madinah and Makkah.
‘ASHURA:
The 10th day of Muharram (the first month of the lunar
Islamic calendar). It is a Sunnah to fast on the 9th and 10th
of Muharram to commemorate the freeing of the people of Prophet
Musa (Moses), peace be on him, from the Fir’aun (Pharoah)
of Egypt. Read Sahi Bukhari, Hadith 222, Vol. 3.
ASIYA:
The wife of Fir’aun (Pharoah). She is one of the four
greatest created females, the other three being;
1).
Mariam (Mary), may Allah be pleased with her, the mother
of the Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him. 2). Khadija,
may Allah be pleased with her, the first wife of Muhammad,
may Allah bless and grant him peace. 3). Fatima,
may Allah be pleased with her, the daughter of Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace.
ASLAHA:
Reformed, mended, corrected, improved ways of behavior. See
Holy Qur’an, Al-Anbiyaa 921):90.
ASMA
WA SIFAAT (TAWHEED AL): Unity of Names and Attributes
of Allah Ta’ala. To believe that: 1). None can qualify
or name Allah except as He or Muhammad, may Allah bless him
and grant him peace, named or qualified Him. 2). None
can be named or qualified with Names of the Attributes that
belong only to Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala. For example, none
may be called ‘Al-Muhyee" (the Giver of Life)
except for Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala himself. 3). We
must believe in all the Ayat and Ahadeth (sahih) regarding
the attributes of Allah without altering their meaning in
any way whatsoever.For full list of the attributes of Allah
Ta’ala: See Tawheed.
ASMAUL
HUSNA (AL): The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names (Attributes)
of Allah Ta’ala. It is haram to add or to delete from the
list of Attributes of Allah. It is also haram to give such
attributes to anyone else. For the full list of Al-Asmaul
Husna:See appendix 1
‘ASR
(AL): "Afternoon". The third compulsory Salat
(prayer) of the day. It can be prayed at any time between
mid-afternoon and a little before sunset. Surah 103 of
the Holy Qur’an.
ASSALAMU
‘ALAYKUM: "Peace be on you". Greeting of the
Muslims. The response to this greetings is "Wa ‘Alaikum
Assalam wa Rahmatul-lahi wa Barakatuh", And on you
be the Peace and Mercy of Allah and His Blessing.
AS-SIDDIQ:
"The Truthful". This title was given to Abu
Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, by the Holy Prophet Muhammad,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When Muhammad, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, related his experience
of Al-Isra (his night journey to Masjidil Al-Aqsa
in Jerusalem) Wal Mi’raj (and his ascension through
the seven heavens) to Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with
him, he immediately and without any reservation replied "Sadaqt":
"You have spoken the truth". From that on Abu Bakr,
may Allah be pleased with him, came to be known as Abu Bakr
as-Siddiq.
ASTAGHFIRUL’LLAH:
I seek forgiveness from Allah:
ATHAR:
Sayings of the Sahabah, the companions of the Prophet
Muhammad, may the peace and blessing of Allah be on him and
them.
‘AURA:
The part of the body that must always be concealed, except
in front of spouses. 1).Man: from his navel down to
just below his knees. 2). Woman: her whole body, except
for her face, hands and her voice.
‘AWAAMIR
(AL): Snakes living in house.
AWLIYAA:
Protectors, friends, supporters, helpers. Comes from the same
root word as Maula. Singular: Walee.
AYAH:
A verse of the Holy Qur’an. Literally means "a sign".
Plural: Ayat.
AYAT:
Literally means signs (of Allah Ta’ala). 1). Verses
of the Holy Qur’an are called Ayat because each one is a sign
from Allah Ta’ala for those who understand. 2). Within
the Ayat (verse) themselves Allah gives us numerous Ayat (signs),
amongst which are: a) His power b) His creation
(earth, heavens, universe, etc..) c) What is in store
for those who reject Allah and His messengers and what is
in store for the righteous who accepted Allah and His messengers.
AYAT
AL-KURSI: The 255th verse of Surah al-baqarah (2)
in the Holy Qur’an. See the beginning of Section (A) of this
book.
AYOUB,
PEACE BE ON HIM: Job. A Prophet of Islam. He was renowned
for his patience, hence the idiom "Sabr Ayoub"
(the patience of Job), which means complete patience and constancy.
AYYAM
AT-TASRIQ: It is a term used for eleventh, twelfth and
thirteen of Dhul-Hijjah.
AYYIM:
A woman who already has had a sexual experience, who maybe
widowed or divorced.
'AZIZ:
1). "Al-’Aziz". The Almighty. One
of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah Ta’ala. See Holy
Qur’an, Al-Hajj (22):40. 2). Title of Egyptian
nobleman during the time of the Pharaohs. Sulaikha was the
wife of Aziz who tried, but failed, to tempt the Prophet Yusuf
(Joseph), peace be on him, into seduction. See Holy Qur’an,
Yusuf (12):23-24.
AZLAAM:
Literally means "arrows". It was used in
divination to seek good fortune in any decision taken by the
pre-Islamic pagan Arabs. See Holy Qur’an, al-Maida (5):90.
'AZL:
Coitus interruptus, i.e. pulling out the penis from the
vagina at the time of ejaculation of semen for the purpose
of birth control,otherwise known as withrawal.
AZWAJA:
Pairs, as in Husband and wife.
