Allah
is the light of Heavens and the Earth. The likeness of His
light is as if there were a niche and in the niche is a lamp
and in the lamp is a glass and the glass as it were a shining
star, from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the East nor
of the West, whose oil is well nigh luminous though fire has
scarcely touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides the one
He wants to His light. And Allah strikes metaphors for mankind,
and Allah is the Knower of all things. (This lamp is found)
in houses which Allah has allowed to be exalted so that His
Name shall be remembered therein. Therein He is glorified
in the morning and in the evening. An-Nur (24):35-36.
RA:
See Radia’llahu ‘Anhu.
RA’D
(AR): "The
thunder". Surah 13 of the Holy Qur’an.
RADIA’LLAH
‘ANHU/‘ANHA: May Allah
be pleased with him or her. This term is most commonly used
whenever the name of a Sahabi (a companion of the Prophet
Muhammad, amy Allah bless him and grant him peace) is mentioned,
Radia’llahu Anhum, may Allah be pleased with them.
RAAB:
Lord, Master, Owner. Allah Ta’ala is the "Rabbil ‘Alameen",
the Lord of the Worlds.
RABBIL-’ALAMEEN:
Title of Allah Ta’ala. Lord of all creation. Literally
means "Lord of the Worlds", both in the Seen
and in the Unseen.
RABBAK:
Your Lord. Your Master. See Rabb.
RABI’
AL-AWAL: The third month of the Islamic Calendar.
See Hijri.
RAFI’AH
KHAFIDA: That which
will raise the lowly, and humble the proud, on the Day of
Judgement.
RAHEEM
(AR): "Ar-Raheem". Most Merciful. One
of the ninety-nine Attributes of Allah Ta’ala. It is said
that the Attributes of Ar-Raheem consists of the mercy of
Allah that is only experienced by the Muslims, whereas the
Attributes of Ar-Rahman consist of the mercy of Allah that
is experienced by the whole creation. For example, all creatures
are fed until they die, but only the Muslims experience the
reward of breaking the fast at the end of each day of Ramadan,
and the reward of meeting the Lord in the next world. See
Rahman (ar).
RAHIB:
A man who lives in a monastery, a Christian monk.
RAHIM:
Blood relations. It is extremely important for Muslims to
keep in contact with their blood relatives. In a Hadith Qudsi
Allah Ta’ala vowed by His Might and sublimity that He would
cut off the person who cuts off his blood relative.
RAHMAN
(AR): "Ar-Rahman".
Most Gracious, Merciful. One of the ninety-nine Attributes
of Allah Ta’ala. Surah 55 of the Holy Qur’an. This is Surah
is referred to as "The Bride of the Holy Qur’an".
RAHMAT
ALLAH: The Mercy of Allah. It comes from one of
the Attributes of Allah Ta’ala - Ar-Rahman, The Merciful.
See Raheem (ar).
RAIHAN:
A sweet-smelling flower.
RAJAB:
The seventh month of the Islamic calendar. See Hijri
RAJFA:
Violent earthquake. See Holy Qur’an, Al-A’raf (7):155.
RAJM
(AR): Stoning. In Islamic law the Hadd punishment
for whoever is married and commits adultery is to be stoned
to death.
RAK’AT:
A unit of the Salat (Prayer), a complete series of
standing, bowing, two prostatrations and sittings. Plural:
Rak’at.
RAMADAN:
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is very important
month in the Islamic world. (1.) It is month of fasting,
during which all adults Muslims who are in good helath fast
from the first light of dawn until sunset each day. During
the first third of the fast you taste Allah’s mercy; during
the second third you taste Allah’s forgiveness; and during
the last third you taste freedom from the Fire. See Holy
Qur’an, Al-Baqara (2):185. (2.) It is the month
in which the revelation of the Holy Qur’an to our Holy Prophet
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commenced.
(3.) The Lailatul Qadr (see Qadr, Lailatul) occurs
in this month. (4.) The famous Battle of Badr was fought
and won in this month. (5.) The Conquest of Makka by
Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, took place
in this month.
RAMAL:
Hastening, walking brisky and moving the shoulders
brisky; usually done by men (only) in the first three circuits
of the Tawaf, but not in the remaining four.
RAMI:
The act of throwing seven pebbles at each of the three
Jamras, representing Iblis (Satan), at Mina. See Jamrat al-’Aqaba.
RASOOL:
Messnger. A prophet of Allah Ta’ala who came with a pure revelation
from Allah to mankind and the Jinn. For a complete list of
the messengers and prophets referred to in the Qur’an: See
Rusull.
RAWI:
A narrator of Ahadeeth.
REA’
(SHIRK AL): A minor Shirk. Carrying out a religious
act of worldly gains and not for the pleasure of Allah, e.g.
giving Zakat for the sake of fame or praise. See Shirk.
RIBA:
Usury. Usury is of two kinds. (1.) Riba Nasi’a
- taking interest on loaned money. (2.) Riba Fadal
- taking something of superior quality in exchange for giving
less of the same kind of thing of poorer quality. Allah Subhana
wa Ta’ala has strictly forbidden any kind of Riba and has
warned of severe punishment to those who have any association
with it. This is because all Riba involves getting something
for nothing at someone else’s expense, and is destructive.
See Holy Qur’an, Al-Baqara (2):275-280, Aali ‘Imran (3):130.
RIDA:
A cloth that is worn on the upper part of the body.
RIDWAN,
PEACE BE ON HIM: Name of the angel who is keeper
of the Gate of Jannah (Paradise). Literally means "Allah’s
Good Pleasure".
RISALLAH:
Letter. Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him
peace, sent many messengers with letters to various leaders
of the world inviting them to Islam. For example of such letters:
RIWAYAAT:
Narrations of Ahadeeth.
RIZQ:
Provision. Sustenance. Is derived from the word "Al-Razaq".
The Provider or Sustainer, one of the ninety-nine Attributes
of Allah Ta’ala.
ROOH:
Spirit. See Holy Qur’an, Al-Hijr (15):29,
Al-Isra (17):85-86, Al-Mujadilah (58):22, Al-Ma’arif (70):4.
An-Naba’ (78):38, Al-Qadr (97):4.
ROOH
AL-QUDUS: The Holy Spirit. Another name for the
Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), peace be on him. His duty was to
communicate between Allah and His prophets. Allah Ta’ala strengthened
the Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be on him, with Holy Spirit
(Al-Baqara (2):87, 253). This is one of the reasons why
the Nasara (Chirstians) believe that the Prophet Jesus was
divine. If Jesus was Allah, then why did he need strengthening?
They also believed that the Holy Spirit was divine. If the
Holy Spirit was Allah, then how was He sent and by whom? Who
has the power to command Allah to go anywhere? Glory be to
Allah, the Most high. Surely they disbelieve who say that
Allah has associate.
ROOHU’LLAH:
According to the Ulamaa min as-Sahaba (the people
of knowledge from among the companions of t he Prophet, may
the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and them, and their
students), the Roohu’llah can be considered in two
distinct and different ways: The Created - what
belongs to Allah: i.e. Allah’s slave, Allah’s House, Allah’s
soul (i.e. soul created by Allah). Consider the creation of
Adam and the Prophet Isa (Jesus, Son Mary), peace be on them.
Allah said "Be" and they were created. The Creator
- Who is neither a person nor a thing : e.g. Allah’s statements
(Kalimatu’llah), Allah’s knowledge (‘Ilmu’llah). Allah says
in the Qur’an: "Say: ‘The spirit is by command
of my Lord, and you have only been given a little knowledge."
Holy Qur’an, Al-sara (17):85.)
ROOM
(AL): "The Romans". Surah 30
of the Holy Qur’an.
RUBUBIYAH
(TAWHEED AL): Unity of Lordship, To believe that
there is only one Lord, the Master and Creator of the Universe,
Who oversees and orders it in every moment, and that He is
Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala. See Tawheed.
RUKN:
Pillar. Singular of Arkan. See Arkan.
RUKU:
The Bowing position during the Salat (Prayer).
RUQBA:
A gift of a house given to somebody to live for as
long as they live, after which it is returned.
RUQYA:
Divine words, usually from the Holy Qur’an, used as a recitation
to cure an illness or a disease.
RUSHD:
Right conduct and correct behavior.
RUSULL:
Messengers. All messengers are prophets, but not all prophets
are messengers. The Holy Qur’an mentions twenty-five Prophets,
amongst whom are six messengers: (1.) Nooh (Noah).
(2.) Ibrahim (Abraham). (3.) Dawood (David).
(4.) Isa ibn Mariam (Jesus, son of Mary). (5.)
Muhammad May the blessings and peace of Allah be on all the
Prophets and messengers, on those who are known and those
who are not known, and on all their sincere followers in every
age. Singular: Rasool.
