GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS

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Ulu al-amr

Ulu al-amr include all those entrusted with directing Muslims in matters of common concern.

Ummah

Ummah, community, or nation, is a special name given to Muslim brotherhood and unity. The Qur'an refers to Muslims as the best Ummah raised for the benefit of all mankind (3:110). At another place, (2:143), it calls them 'the middle nation' (Umma Wasat) a unique characteristic of the Islamic community which has been asked to maintain equitable balance between extremes, pursue the path of moderation and establish the middle way. Such a community of Muslims will be a model for the whole world to emulate.

Ummi

Ummi signifies the 'unlettered'. It is also used to refer to those who do not possess Divine revelation.

Ummul Mumineen

"Mother of the Faithful." A title given to each of the wives of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.).

'Umrah

'Umrah (Minor Pilgrimage) is an Islamic rite and consists of pilgrimage to the Ka'bah. It consists essentially of ihram, tawaf (i.e. circumambulation) around the Ka'bah (seven times), and sa`y (i.e. running) between Safa and Marwah (seven times). It is called minor Hajj since it need not be performed at a particular time of the year and its performance requires fewer ceremonies than the Hajj proper.

Al-Uzza

Al-Uzza has been identified with Venus, but it was worshipped under the form of an acacia tree, and was the deity of the Ghatfan tribe.

Wa Alaikum Assalam

"And on you be peace." The reply to the Muslim greeting of "assalamu alaikum." (peace be on you).

Wahy

Wahy refers to Revelation which consists of communicating God's Messages to a Prophet or Messenger of God. The highest form of revelation is the Qur'an of which even the words are from God.

Wali

Wali means guardian.

Walima

A marriage banquet.

Waqf

Endowment, a charitable trust in the name of Allah.

Witr

Witr means 'odd number'. Witr rakahs are odd number of rakahs such as 1, 3, 5, etc. - usually 1 or 3 - which are said after the last Prayer at night.

Wudu

Wudu refers to the ablution made before performing the prescribed Prayers. it requires washing (1) the face from the top of the forehead to the chin and as far as each ear; (2) the hands and arms up to the elbow; (3) wiping with wet hands a part of the head; and (4) washing the feet to the ankle.

Zaboor

The Holy Book revealed to Prophet Dawood (David), peace be on him.

Zakah

Zakah (Purifying Alms) literally means purification, whence it is used to express a portion of property bestowed in alms, as a means of purifying the person concerned and the remainder of his property. It is among the five pillars of Islam and refers to the mandatory amount that a Muslim must pay out of his property. The detailed rules of zakah have been laid down in books of Fiqh.

Zalim

Zalim is the wrong-doer, he who exceeds the limits of right, the unjust.

Zamzam

The sacred well inside Al-Haram ash-Shareef in Makkah.

Zanjabil

A special mixture that will be in one of the drinks of the people of the Paradise. See the Qur'an, Al-Insan (76:17).

Zaqqum

An extremely bitter and thorny tree that grows at the bottom of the Heelfire. See the Qur'an, Al-Isra (17:60), for example.

Zina

Zina means illegal sexual intercourse and embraces both fornication and adultery.

Zulm

Zulm literally means placing a thing where it does not belong. Technically, it refers to exceeding the right and hence committing wrong or injustice.

REFERENCES:

	"A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS" by M.A. Qazi, Kaz Publications, 121 Zulqarnain Chambers, Ganpat Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
	"A GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMINOLOGY" by Bassam Sulaiman Abughosh & Waffa Zaki Shaqra, Ta-Ha Publshers Ltd. 1, Wynne Road, London SW9 0BB, England.
	"THE QURAN-BASIC TEACHINGS" by Khurshid Ahmad.
	"TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE QURAN", Vol. I-III, edited by Zafar Ishaq Ansari, an English rendering of Tafhimul Quran (Urdu) by A.A. Maududi.