Terms starting with A

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

The dynasty (750-1258 CE) centred in Baghdad that presided over the Islamic Golden Age of science, philosophy, and culture, until the Mongol conquest.

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (d. 1166 CE), a Hanbali preacher and saint of Baghdad after whom the widespread Qadiriyya Sufi order is named.

One of the ten promised Paradise, a wealthy merchant famed for his immense generosity, donating huge portions of his wealth in the cause of Allah.

Cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, called 'Scholar of the Ummah' and 'Interpreter of the Quran'. The Prophet ﷺ prayed for him to be given deep religious insight.

An early convert and one of the foremost authorities on the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ praised his recitation; he taught a generation of Quran scholars in Kufa.

Son of Umar ibn al-Khattab, famed for meticulously following the Sunnah in every detail. A major narrator of hadith and a leading scholar of the next generation.

Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari (d. 936 CE), the founder of the Ash'ari school of theology, which became one of the two main Sunni creeds.

The closest friend of the Prophet ﷺ, first adult man to embrace Islam, his companion in the Hijra cave, and the first Rightly-Guided Caliph.

An early convert renowned for his asceticism, truthfulness, and outspoken stand for justice and the rights of the poor. The Prophet ﷺ praised his sincerity.

The companion who narrated the most hadith — over 5,000. He devoted himself entirely to the Prophet ﷺ in Medina, memorizing his words and deeds.

One of the ten promised Paradise, called "the Trustworthy of this Ummah" by the Prophet ﷺ. A brilliant general who led the conquest of Syria.

The Distresser — who causes harm or affliction by His decree as a means of trial or correction.

Arabic literature and belles-lettres — the body of prose and poetry, and more broadly refined manners and culture cultivated by the educated.

The etiquette of eating in Islam — saying Bismillah, eating with the right hand, taking from what is nearest, and giving thanks to God afterwards.

The Islamic call to prayer announced from the mosque before each of the five daily prayers, proclaiming faith and inviting Muslims to worship.

A report not reaching the level of mutawatir, transmitted by a limited number of narrators. It yields probable (not certain) knowledge but can still be authentic.

A wife of the Prophet ﷺ and daughter of Abu Bakr. One of the greatest scholars among the companions, she narrated over 2,000 hadith and taught many students.

The Hereafter — the eternal life after death, including resurrection, judgment, paradise and hellfire; belief in it is the fifth pillar of faith.

The Just — whose every decree and action is the embodiment of justice, free from any oppression.

The Pardoner — who effaces sins completely, leaving no trace, for those who turn to Him.

The Indivisible — the One who cannot be divided, with no parts or components.

The Last — whose existence remains after all things perish, having no end.

The All-Knowing — whose knowledge encompasses all things past, present, future, hidden and apparent.

The Most High — exalted above all creation in essence, attributes and authority.

Muslim-ruled Iberia (711-1492 CE), a renowned centre of learning, architecture, and coexistence, ending with the fall of Granada.

The 103rd chapter of the Quran (3 verses), "Time / The Declining Day". A concise surah said by Imam al-Shafi'i to suffice mankind if reflected upon.

The First — whose existence precedes all things, having no beginning.

The mosque and university in Cairo founded in 970 CE — one of the oldest universities in the world and a leading centre of Sunni Islamic scholarship.

The Magnificent — possessing absolute grandeur, glory and majesty beyond all comprehension.

The Almighty, the Invincible — possessing absolute might and honor that nothing can overcome.

The Resurrector — who will raise all the dead to life on the Day of Judgment.

The Originator — who creates wondrous things never before conceived.

The Everlasting — whose existence endures eternally while all else perishes.

The Maker, the Originator — who creates with perfect distinction and harmony between all beings.

The Source of Goodness — the abundant source of all good, kind and beneficent.

The All-Seeing — who sees everything that exists, no matter how small or hidden.

The Extender — who expands and increases sustenance, mercy and provisions for whom He wills.

The Hidden — whose essence is beyond the comprehension of His creation.

Abu al-Rayhan al-Biruni (d. 1048 CE), a polymath who made pioneering contributions to astronomy, geography, and the comparative study of cultures.

Abu Nasr al-Farabi (d. 950 CE), a philosopher called the "Second Teacher" (after Aristotle), influential in logic, metaphysics, and political philosophy.

The Opening — the first surah of the Quran, recited in every unit of every prayer. Called 'the Mother of the Book' and 'the Seven Oft-Repeated'.

The Opener, the Judge — who opens doors of mercy, knowledge and victory, and judges between His servants.

The Repeatedly Forgiving — who continually covers the sins of His servants and forgives them again and again.

The Forgiving — whose forgiveness is vast, covering even the greatest of sins for those who sincerely repent.

The Self-Sufficient — who needs nothing while all creation depends on Him.

The Guide — who guides His servants to truth, faith and righteous conduct.

The Preserver — who protects and preserves all of creation, recording every deed.

The Judge — whose judgment is final and cannot be overturned, deciding between His servants with justice.

The All-Wise — whose every act and decree is governed by infinite wisdom.

The Forbearing — who does not hasten in punishing those who disobey, giving them time to repent.

The Praiseworthy — deserving of all praise in His essence, attributes and actions.

The Truth — the One whose existence, attributes and being are absolutely true and unchanging.

The Reckoner — who is sufficient for His servants and brings them to account for their deeds.

The Ever-Living — whose life is eternal, without beginning or end.

The Compeller, the Restorer — the supreme power who reforms His creation and whose will cannot be opposed.

The Majestic — possessing absolute majesty, glory and sublimity.

The Gatherer — who gathers all creation on the Day of Judgment and unites diverse things.

The Most Great — supreme in greatness, no thing in creation can compare to His majesty.

The Most Generous, the Noble — who gives abundantly without expecting return, even to those who disobey.

The All-Aware — whose knowledge penetrates the innermost reality of all things.

The Abaser — who humbles the arrogant and lowers those who deserve abasement.

The Creator — who brings everything into existence from nothing, designing each thing perfectly.

Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (d. c. 850 CE), a mathematician and astronomer; the founder of algebra, from whose name the word "algorithm" derives.

The Subtle, the Gentle — who is kind to His servants in ways they may not perceive.

The Most Glorious — emphasizing the abundance of His glory and noble qualities.

The Glorious, the Most Honorable — exalted in glory, dignity and praiseworthy actions.

The King, the Sovereign — the Absolute Ruler whose dominion encompasses everything in existence.

The Preventer — who withholds what He wills as a test or protection for His servants.

The Firm, the Authoritative — strong and steadfast, whose power never wanes.

The Delayer — who postpones whom and what He wills, in His perfect wisdom.

The Restorer — who will bring back to life after death; who repeats what He has begun.

The Honorer — who gives might, dignity and honor to whomever He wills.

The Granter of Security — who fulfills His promises and grants safety to those who seek refuge in Him.

The Originator — who begins all things from nothing without prior model.

The Enricher — who enriches whom He wills with material or spiritual wealth.

The Guardian, the Witness — the One who watches over and controls all things.

The Accounter — who has counted everything precisely, omitting nothing.

The Giver of Life — who creates life from lifelessness and revives the dead.

The Responsive — who answers the prayers of those who call upon Him sincerely.

The Bringer of Death — who decrees the end of life for every living being at its appointed time.

The Avenger — who exacts retribution justly upon transgressors and oppressors.

The Expediter — who brings forward whom and what He wills in time, rank or favor.

The Maintainer, the Nourisher — who provides sustenance and maintains all creation.

The Equitable — who establishes justice and gives each their due rights.

The Omnipotent — whose power overcomes all opposition with absolute might.

The Fashioner — who shapes and forms each creature with a unique appearance.

The Most Exalted — high above any deficiency, partner or comparison.

The Supreme, the Majestic — the One who is above any need or attribute of His creation.

The Disgracer — who brings low and humiliates those who turn away from Him in arrogance.

The Constrictor — who restricts sustenance, lifespan or grace as part of His wisdom.

The Capable — whose power extends over everything, capable of all things.

The Dominant, the Subduer — supreme over all creation, whose will overcomes everything.

The Most Strong — possessing absolute strength that nothing can weaken.

The Self-Subsisting — who exists by Himself and sustains all of existence.

The Most Holy, the Pure — free from all defects, imperfections and anything unbefitting His majesty.

Jerusalem, a sacred city in Islam, home to Masjid al-Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock and the first qibla of the Muslims.

The Loving — who loves His righteous servants and is the source of all love.

The Bestower — who continuously grants gifts and favors without expecting return.

The One — unique, without partner, peer or division in His essence and attributes.

The Perceiver — who finds whatever He wills, lacking nothing.

The Trustee — the disposer of affairs upon whom His servants may rely with complete trust.

The Governor — the supreme ruler who manages every affair of creation.

The Protecting Friend — the patron and guardian of those who believe.

The Inheritor — who remains after the perishing of all created things.

The All-Encompassing — whose mercy, knowledge and bounty encompass everything.

The fourth Rightly-Guided Caliph, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet ﷺ, first youth to embrace Islam. Renowned for his knowledge, courage, and eloquence.

The mother of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who died when he was a young child, entrusting his care to his grandfather and family.

The Benefactor — who creates all benefit and bestows it on whom He wills.

The Light — the source of all light, guiding hearts and illuminating the heavens and earth.

The personal servant of the Prophet ﷺ for ten years, beginning in childhood. He narrated over 2,000 hadith and was among the last companions to pass away.

The recommended sacrifice offered in gratitude on the birth of a child — typically on the seventh day, when the baby is also named and its hair shaved.

The Most Kind, the Compassionate — whose tender mercy and compassion is exceedingly intense.

The Exalter — who raises in rank and honor those whom He pleases among His servants.

The Most Merciful — the special mercy that Allah reserves for the believers in the hereafter.

The Most Gracious — Allah's all-encompassing mercy extending to all creation in this world, believers and disbelievers alike.

The Watcher — who observes every action, thought and intention of His creation.

The Guide to the Right Path — whose every act is guided by perfect wisdom and direction.

The Provider — who creates and distributes sustenance for all living beings.

The plain east of Mecca where pilgrims gather on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah for the standing (wuquf), the essential pillar without which Hajj is invalid.

A down payment made to reserve a purchase; if the sale proceeds it counts toward the price, and if not the seller may retain it. Similar to a modern option.

The science of Arabic prosody — the metres and rhythmic patterns of classical poetry, established by al-Khalil ibn Ahmad.

The Patient — who does not hasten in punishing the disobedient, giving abundant time for repentance.

The Source of Peace — the One free from all defects, who grants safety and peace to His creation.

The Eternal, the Self-Sufficient — the absolute refuge needing nothing, while all need Him.

The All-Hearing — who hears every sound, secret and prayer no matter how faint or distant.

Honey, described in the Quran as containing healing for people; a prized sunnah food and natural remedy.

The occasions or reasons of revelation — the specific events or questions that prompted certain verses to be revealed. Knowing them aids correct interpretation.

The Witness — present and witnessing all things at all times.

The Appreciative — who rewards even the smallest good deed with abundant rewards.

A major Sunni school of theology founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, balancing reason and revelation; widely followed alongside the Maturidi school.

The believing wife of Pharaoh who secretly held faith in Allah, raised the infant Musa, and is praised in the Quran as a model for the believers.

Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes — affirming His names and attributes as He described Himself, without distortion, denial, or likening to creation.

The afternoon prayer, performed from when the shadow exceeds the object's length until sunset; 4 Rakahs.

The Accepter of Repentance — who repeatedly accepts the repentance of His servants.

A narration attributed to a Companion or Successor (rather than the Prophet). Used broadly, it can refer to any transmitted report.

A Sunni theological approach adhering to the literal texts (athar) of the Quran and Sunnah on creed, avoiding speculation. Linked to the Hanbali tradition.

An early Sunni school named after Imam al-Awza'i of Syria, once dominant in the Levant and Andalusia before being absorbed by the Maliki and Shafi'i schools.

A verse of the Quran. The word also means "a sign". The Quran has over 6,200 verses, each considered a divine sign and a unit of revelation.

The Throne Verse (2:255) — the greatest verse of the Quran, describing Allah's majesty and dominion. Recited after prayers and before sleep for protection.

The three "white days" of each lunar month — the 13th, 14th, and 15th — when the moon is full and fasting is recommended.

The three days following Eid al-Adha (11th-13th Dhul-Hijjah), days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God, during which fasting is forbidden.

The dynasty founded by Salah al-Din (Saladin) in the 12th century CE, which united Egypt and Syria and recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders.

The Manifest — whose existence is evident through countless signs in creation.

The 10th of Muharram, a day of fasting commemorating God's saving of Moses; also the day of the martyrdom of Husayn, mourned by Shia Muslims.

The lawful food (especially slaughtered meat) of Jews and Christians, permitted to Muslims in the Quran subject to conditions discussed by scholars.

Al-Nu'man ibn Thabit (d. 767 CE), the eponymous founder of the Hanafi school, a renowned jurist of Kufa often called "the Greatest Imam" (al-Imam al-A'zam).

The first human and first prophet, created by Allah from clay. Father of mankind, taught the names of all things, and honoured by the angels' prostration.

A prophet of the Children of Israel, mentioned twice in the Quran alongside great messengers. Identified with the biblical Elisha, disciple and successor of the Prophet Ilyas (Elijah).

Job, a prophet renowned for patience through severe illness and loss of wealth and family. Allah restored all and called him 'an excellent servant'.