GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS
Compiled by Ishaq Zahid
Copyright ©1998-2003 Sound Vision All rights reserved.
C:
D:
Dajjal
Anti-Christ. Also known as Maseeh ad-Dajjal. See Ahadeeth regarding "the Final
Hour" in both Sahih books. Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 649, 650, Vol. IV. Sahih Muslim,
Kitab al-Fitan wa Isharat as-Say'ah.
Dar al-Harb
Dar al-Harb (Domain of War) refers to the territory under the hegemony of unbelievers,
which is on terms of active or potential belligerency with the Domain of Islam, and
presumably hostile to the Muslims living in its domain.
Dar al-Kufr
Dar al-Kufr (Domain of Unbelief) refers to the territory under the hegemony of the
unbelievers.
Dawah
Propagation of Islam through word and action, calling the people to follow the
commandments of Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.).
Dhihar
Dhihar is a type of divorce which was common in pre-Islamic Arabia, but was made
unlawful by Islam. It was a way when the husband wanted to divorce his wife he would
selfishly say to her, "You are like my mother." This way she would have not
conjugal rights, but at the same time she would still be bound to him like a slave. See
Holy Qur'an, Al-Ahzab (33:4), Mujadilah (58:1-5).
Dhimmi
Dhu'l-Hijjah
The 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The month in which the great
pilgrimage to Makkah takes place.
Dhu'l Qa'da
The 11th month of the Islamic calendar.
Din
The core meaning of din is obedience. As a Quranic technical term, din refers to the
way of life and the system of conduct based on recognizing God as one's sovereign and
committing oneself to obey Him. According to Islam, true din consists of living in
total submission to God, and the way to do so is to accept as binding the guidance
communicated through the Prophets. See the following verses of the Qur'an for reference:
3:83, 12:76, 16:52, and 51:6.
Diyah
Blood money, paid by the guilty as a compensation for killing, wounding, etc. (pl.
Diyaat).
Du'a
Supplication: invoking Allah for whatever one desires.
Duhr
Noon. The second obligatory prayer (Salah) of the day. It can be prayed at any time
between noon and mid-afternoon.