Words you’ll come across

A first explanation of the terms used throughout this site. Transliteration varies, so you may see the same Arabic word spelled in different ways.

Allah: The Arabic word for God.
Ayah: A verse of the Qur’an; the word also carries the sense of a sign.
Du‘a: Personal supplication to God, which can be made in one’s own language.
Hadith: A report of the words, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammad.
Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, required for those with the necessary ability and means.
Hijrah: Migration; especially the migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
Iman: Faith or belief.
Islam: Submission to God; the name of the faith followed by Muslims.
Qiblah: The direction of the Ka‘bah in Mecca, faced in formal prayer.
Qur’an: Islam’s central scripture, believed by Muslims to be revelation from God.
Ramadan: The Islamic month of fasting.
Sadaqah: Voluntary charity.
Salah: Formal ritual prayer.
Shahadah: The testimony of faith.
Sunnah: The example and practice of Prophet Muhammad.
Surah: A chapter of the Qur’an.
Tafsir: Explanatory commentary on the Qur’an.
Tawhid: The oneness of God.
Wudu: Ritual washing before prayer.
Zakat: Obligatory giving from qualifying wealth, subject to conditions.

That word isn’t in this glossary.