Terms starting with Z

Zechariah, an elderly prophet who guarded Maryam and prayed for a child despite his age. Allah granted him Yahya (John) as a miraculous answer to his supplication.

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.

A largely historical Sunni school founded by Dawud al-Zahiri that rejects analogy (qiyas), holding strictly to the literal (zahir) meaning of the Quran and hadith.

The obligatory annual almsgiving — the third pillar of Islam. A fixed share (usually 2.5%) of accumulated wealth given to eight categories of eligible recipients.

The sacred well in Mecca that miraculously sprang for Hajar and infant Isma'il. Its blessed water is drunk by pilgrims and carried home worldwide.

The blessed water of the well of Zamzam in Mecca; the Prophet said it is for whatever it is drunk for, and pilgrims drink and carry it home.

The chief scribe of revelation for the Prophet ﷺ. He was entrusted with compiling the Quran into a single book under Abu Bakr and standardizing it under Uthman.

A Shia school named after Zayd ibn Ali, widespread in Yemen. In law it is often considered the closest of the Shia schools to Sunni jurisprudence.

A wife of the Prophet ﷺ and a Mother of the Believers, whose marriage was by direct command of Allah in the Quran. Known for her piety and generous charity.

The olive and its oil, mentioned in the Quran as a blessed tree; recommended by the Prophet for eating and anointing.

One of the ten promised Paradise, cousin of the Prophet ﷺ and a fearless warrior. The Prophet ﷺ called him "my disciple" (hawari).

Asceticism — detachment of the heart from worldly attachments and contentment with little, while still living in the world.