Terms starting with U

A master reciter of the Quran, called "the Master of Reciters" (Sayyid al-Qurra). The Prophet ﷺ said Allah commanded him to recite the Quran to Ubayy.

The ritual animal sacrifice offered on Eid al-Adha, recalling Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Meat is shared with family, friends, and the poor.

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

The collective sciences of the Quran — its revelation, compilation, recitation, abrogation, occasions of revelation, and interpretation.

Oneness of Worship — affirming that Allah alone deserves to be worshipped; the core message of all prophets and the essence of "La ilaha illa Allah".

The second Rightly-Guided Caliph, called 'al-Faruq' (the distinguisher). Renowned for his justice and the vast expansion of the Islamic state.

The first hereditary Muslim dynasty (661-750 CE), centred in Damascus, under which Islam expanded from Spain to Central Asia.

The Great Mosque of Damascus, completed in 715 CE — one of the oldest and largest mosques in the world and a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture.

A wife of the Prophet ﷺ and a Mother of the Believers, renowned for her wisdom, knowledge, and the counsel she gave at the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

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

The "lesser pilgrimage" to Mecca, can be performed any time of year; consists of Ihram, Tawaf, Sa'y, and shaving/cutting hair.

Local custom and accepted practice, recognised as a source of rulings in matters the texts leave open, provided it does not contradict the Sharia.

A tithe of one-tenth (or one-twentieth for irrigated land) on agricultural produce, a form of zakat due on crops.

The "foundations of religion" — the science of the fundamental principles of belief, closely related to theology (kalam) and creed.

The principles of Islamic jurisprudence — the science of how rulings are derived from the Quran, Sunnah, consensus, and analogy. The methodology behind fiqh.

The principles and methodology of Quranic interpretation — the sources, rules, and conditions that govern sound exegesis.

The third Rightly-Guided Caliph, called 'Dhul-Nurayn' — Possessor of Two Lights. He compiled the Quran into the one standard text used to this day.