Islamic Glossary
The complete Islamic glossary
Browse 690 entries explaining Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, worship, beliefs, prophets and companions — in English, Türkçe, Français and العربية.
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21 categoriesWorship & Rituals
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Honoured women of the Quran and early Islam — prophets' mothers and wives, models of faith, patience, and devotion.
Most-viewed terms
Wudu (Ablution)
الوضوءThe ritual washing of specific body parts (face, arms, head, feet) performed before Salah, prescribed in Quran 5:6.
Worship & Rituals
Dhuhr Prayer (Noon)
صلاة الظهرThe midday prayer, performed after the sun passes its zenith until the shadow equals the object's length; 4 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Imam al-Dhahabi
محمد بن أحمد الذهبيMuhammad ibn Ahmad al-Dhahabi (d. 1348 CE), a master historian and hadith critic, author of Siyar A'lam al-Nubala, a vast biographical encyclopedia.
Scholars
Salah (Islamic Prayer)
الصلاةThe second pillar of Islam: ritual worship performed five times daily, consisting of specific recitations, bowing and prostrations facing the Kaaba.
Worship & Rituals
Asr Prayer (Afternoon)
صلاة العصرThe afternoon prayer, performed from when the shadow exceeds the object's length until sunset; 4 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Niyyah
النيةThe sincere intention in the heart that precedes any act of worship; the Prophet ﷺ said "actions are by intentions."
Worship & Rituals
Adhan
الأذانThe Islamic call to prayer announced from the mosque before each of the five daily prayers, proclaiming faith and inviting Muslims to worship.
Worship & Rituals
Shuruq (Sunrise)
الشروقSunrise — the moment the disc of the sun rises above the horizon. It marks the end of the Fajr prayer time. Praying during actual sunrise is disliked; after full ascent, Duha time begins.
Worship & Rituals
Qibla
القبلةThe direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca that Muslims face during Salah; established by Allah in Quran 2:144.
Worship & Rituals
Maghrib Prayer (Sunset)
صلاة المغربThe sunset prayer, performed immediately after sunset until the red twilight disappears; 3 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Fajr Prayer (Dawn)
صلاة الفجرThe dawn prayer, performed between the appearance of true dawn (Subh as-Sadiq) and sunrise; the first of the five daily prayers.
Worship & Rituals
Isha Prayer (Night)
صلاة العشاءThe night prayer, performed after the red twilight disappears until midnight (preferably) or dawn; 4 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Featured entries
Worship & Rituals
Wudu (Ablution)
Wuḍū'
The ritual washing of specific body parts (face, arms, head, feet) performed before Salah, prescribed in Quran 5:6.
Worship & Rituals
Dhuhr Prayer (Noon)
Ẓuhr
The midday prayer, performed after the sun passes its zenith until the shadow equals the object's length; 4 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Salah (Islamic Prayer)
Ṣalāh
The second pillar of Islam: ritual worship performed five times daily, consisting of specific recitations, bowing and prostrations facing the Kaaba.
Worship & Rituals
Asr Prayer (Afternoon)
ʿAṣr
The afternoon prayer, performed from when the shadow exceeds the object's length until sunset; 4 Rakahs.
Worship & Rituals
Niyyah
Niyyah
The sincere intention in the heart that precedes any act of worship; the Prophet ﷺ said "actions are by intentions."
Worship & Rituals
Adhan
Adhān
The Islamic call to prayer announced from the mosque before each of the five daily prayers, proclaiming faith and inviting Muslims to worship.
Worship & Rituals
Qibla
Qiblah
The direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca that Muslims face during Salah; established by Allah in Quran 2:144.
Worship & Rituals
Maghrib Prayer (Sunset)
Maghrib
The sunset prayer, performed immediately after sunset until the red twilight disappears; 3 Rakahs.