Modern Terms

The headscarf and modest dress worn by many Muslim women, and more broadly the principle of modesty in appearance and conduct.

Islamic law and the broader moral and legal framework derived from the Quran and Sunnah, covering worship, ethics, and social and legal life.

The act of inviting others to Islam and conveying its message, through teaching, example, and outreach; a duty emphasised in contemporary Muslim life.

Formal verification by an accredited body that a food, product, or service complies with Islamic dietary and ethical requirements.

Food and drink permissible under Islamic law — excluding pork, alcohol, and improperly slaughtered meat — now a major global industry.

Prejudice, fear, or discrimination directed against Islam or Muslims; a widely discussed issue in contemporary social and political debate.

The practice of sighting the new crescent to determine the start of Islamic lunar months such as Ramadan; a recurring subject of contemporary debate.

A face veil worn by some Muslim women that covers the face while leaving the eyes visible; its ruling and prevalence vary widely.

The body of recognised Muslim religious scholars who interpret and transmit Islamic knowledge and guide the community on matters of religion.

The worldwide community of Muslims, united by shared faith across nations and ethnicities — a central concept in Muslim identity and solidarity.

A loose, full-length outer cloak worn by many women in the Arab world over their clothing as a form of modest dress.

A modest swimsuit covering the body and hair while allowing swimming, designed to combine Islamic modesty with modern leisure.

A full-body outer garment that covers the entire face and body with a mesh screen over the eyes, associated especially with parts of South and Central Asia.

A contemporary field of jurisprudence addressing the questions and circumstances of Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim-majority countries.

Personal-care and beauty products free of forbidden ingredients such as alcohol or pork derivatives, and produced ethically; a growing market segment.

Travel and hospitality catering to Muslim needs — prayer facilities, halal food, and family-friendly, alcohol-free environments; a fast-growing sector.

Constructive engagement between people of different faiths to foster mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation on shared concerns.

The modern global sector of Sharia-compliant banks, investment funds, sukuk markets, and takaful, now operating in many countries worldwide.

A reform current emerging in the 19th-20th centuries that sought to reconcile Islamic teachings with modern science, reason, and social change.

A broad late-20th-century resurgence of religious observance and identity among Muslims worldwide, expressed in worship, dress, education, and culture.

A spectrum of modern political movements that seek to order state and society according to Islamic principles; their methods and goals vary widely.

A long, loose outer garment covering the body, mentioned in the Quran as part of modest dress for believing women.

An Islamic school or college of religious learning; historically a centre of the sciences, and today ranging from primary schools to higher institutes.

A global fashion movement offering stylish clothing that meets standards of modesty, embraced by many Muslim and non-Muslim consumers alike.

Religious rulings sought and issued through websites, apps, and social media — a modern development raising questions of authority and reliability.

The idea of political and cultural unity among Muslims across nations, prominent in the late Ottoman era and recurring in modern thought.

A movement calling for a return to the practice of the earliest Muslim generations (the salaf). Spans a wide range of orientations and is much debated.

The contemporary debate over the relationship between religion and the state in Muslim-majority societies, with a wide range of views and models.

A term used, often by outsiders, for the reform movement associated with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab in 18th-century Arabia; adherents usually prefer other labels.

Meat from animals slaughtered according to Islamic rite — a swift cut to the throat while invoking God's name — a key requirement of halal meat.