Ruqaiyah (رقية‎)
Explore the life and significance of Ruqaiyah, the daughter of Prophet Muḥammad, her marriages, and her role in Islamic history.
Ibn ʿUmar (ابن عمر‎)
Explore the life and contributions of Ibn ʿUmar (Abū ʿAbdi ʾr-Raḥmān ʿAbdul ʾAllāh), a prominent companion of Prophet Muhammad and a renowned traditionist in Islamic history.
His Exaltation in Heaven - Perspectives in Islamic Theology
Explore the differing opinions within Islamic theology regarding the current abode of Jesus Christ in heaven. Learn about the various stages of celestial bliss and the traditions supporting each view.
Fijār - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in the Islamic Context
Discover the term 'Fijār' its implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand the sequence of sacrilegious wars termed as 'Fijār' fought between the Quraish and the Banū Hawāzin.
K͟HAUF (خوف‎)
Explore the term 'K͟HAUF,' its implications, and usage within an Islamic context. Understand the significance of fearing God in Islam and how it shapes a Muslim's life and behavior.
RAHN (رهن‎)
Explore the concept of RAHN in Islamic law, its legal implications, and its scriptural basis. Understand the practice of pledging or pawning and its relevance in the daily life of Muslims.
Habāʾ (هباء‎) in Islamic Mysticism
Explore the term 'Habāʾ,' its meanings both in the physical and metaphysical sense, and its significance in Sufi mysticism. Understand how the concept of Habāʾ reflects the relationship between creation and the Divine.
Mai Tatsine
Leader of a separatist sect involved in violent disturbances in Kano, Nigeria, in 1980, known for condemning modern innovations and reinterpreting the Quran.
The Sixth and Last Period of Revelation in Al-Madina - Detailed Overview
An in-depth look at the twenty surahs revealed during the sixth and last period at al-Madina, including their themes, contexts, and key messages.
Nabhani, Taqi al-Din al-
Palestinian judge and founder of Hizb al-Tahrir al-Islami, advocating for the restoration of Islamic rule and the caliphate.
The Birth of Jesus in the Qur'an - Analysis and Commentary
Explore the narrative of the birth of Jesus as presented in the Qur'an. Analyze Surah Maryam (19:22-34) and understand the theological, historical, and cultural context of this significant event in Islamic tradition.
Mushabbiḥah in Islamic Theology
Explore the term 'Mushabbiḥah,' its etymological roots, and its theological implications. Understand how this sect views the nature of God and its place within Islamic thought, especially among certain Shīʿah groups.
Music in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Divergent Views
Explore the concept of music (mūsīqā) in Islamic traditions, including its etymology, historical perspectives, and theological debates. Understand the varying views among Islamic scholars regarding music.
Riḍwān (رضوان‎)
Explore the term 'Riḍwān,' its role, and its significance within Islamic beliefs. Learn about the character who is known as the gardener or keeper of Paradise.
Al-Baldah
Explore the term 'Al-Baldah,' its etymology, and its significance in Islamic context, particularly as a name for Makkah, as mentioned in Hadith.
AL-WĀJID (الواجد‎)
Delve into the meaning of AL-WĀJID (الواجد‎), one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah. Discover its etymology, significance, and contextual usage within Islamic thought.
Friday (Jumʿah) - Significance, Rituals, and Cultural Practices in Islam
An in-depth look at the significance of Friday, also known as Jumʿah, in Islam. Understand the rituals, theological implications, cultural practices, and the historical background of this important day.
ẔABĪḤAH (ذَبِيحَة‎)
Explore the term 'ẔABĪḤAH,' its origins, cultural significance, and its importance in Islamic law. Learn about the rules surrounding Ẕabīḥah and its role in defining lawful food and sacrifices in Islam.
Ash-Shakūr (الشكور‎)
Discover the meaning and significance of 'Ash-Shakūr' (الشكور‎), one of the ninety-nine special attributes of Allah. Learn about its implications in the Qur'anic context and how it extends to human attributes of gratitude.
Moon
Explore the significance of the moon (Arabic: qamar) in Islamic tradition, its mention in the Qur'an, related practices, and its symbolic meanings.
Muhammad Shibli Numani
Muhammad Shibli Numani (d. 1914), founder of Urdu historiography and key figure in Islamic revival
Abbasid Dynasty (al-ʿAbbāsīyah) - History and Significance
Explore the history and impact of the Abbasid Dynasty (al-ʿAbbāsīyah) in Islamic civilization, from its rise to prominence to its eventual fall.
Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
Umayyad Caliph (r. 685–705) who implemented significant administrative, cultural, and religious reforms in the Islamic Empire.
Abd al-Rahman, Aisha
Egyptian writer and professor noted for her literary approach to Quranic exegesis and contributions to Arabic literature and women's studies.
Abd Allah ibn Saba
Enigmatic alleged founder of Shii Islam who advocated rule by Prophet Muhammad’s nephew, Ali
ABDĀL (ابدال‎)
Explore the concept of 'ABDĀL' in Islamic tradition, its theological significance, and its implications for understanding the world's spiritual framework.
Abdul Rahman, Tunku
First prime minister of independent Malaysia and a significant figure in the nation’s political and social landscape.
Abdulhamid II
The thirty-fourth Ottoman Sultan during a period of substantial political, social, and economic turbulence.
Abdullah, Sheikh Muhammad
Kashmiri political leader and twice chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir State in India.
Abdulmejid, Sultan
Last caliph of the Ottoman dynasty, appointed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, whose tenure marked the end of the caliphate in modern history
ABIM
The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement founded in 1972.
Abraha
Ruler of sixth-century Yemen who launched an ill-fated attack on Mecca
Abraham
A pivotal figure in monotheistic traditions, honored in Islam for his faith, leadership, and contributions to the foundations of faith and practice.
Abu al-Ala al-Maari
Classical Arabic-language poet known for qasidah and ghazal forms of poetry, critical of societal and religious norms.
Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn Abd al-Karim al-Shahrastani
Shahrastani, Abu al-Fath Muhammad ibn Abd al-Karim al- (d. 1153) was a scholar, philosopher, theologian, and historian of religions from the Iranian province of Khurasan.
Abu Bakr, Yasin
Leader of the radical Black Muslim organization Jamaat al-Muslimin in Trinidad, known for the July 1990 storming of the parliament building in Port of Spain.
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari
A Companion of the Prophet Muhammad known for his piety, social justice, and ideological significance in both Shia and Sunni traditions.
Abu Hanifah, al-Numan ibn Thabit ibn Zuta
Founder of the Hanafi school of Islamic law, noted for his use of reason and logic in jurisprudence and his emphasis on personal reasoning and free judgment in legal interpretation.
Abū Hurairah (ابو هريرة‎)
Discover the importance of Abū Hurairah, one of the Prophet Muhammad's closest companions. Learn about his life, his role in preserving Hadith, and his enduring legacy within Islamic scholarship.
Abu Hurayrah
Companion of Muhammad and a prominent transmitter of Hadith, known for his affection for cats. His hadith often restrict women's rights and confine them to domestic roles.
Abu Jahl
Member of the ruling Quraysh of Mecca and one of early Islam’s staunchest enemies.
Abū Jahl (ابو جهل‎): Definition, Historical Context, and Significance in Islam
Explore the life and significance of Abū Jahl, an implacable adversary of Prophet Muḥammad. Understand his role in early Islamic history and how he is portrayed in the Qur'anic context.
Abu Nasr Muhammad ibn Tarkhan al-Farabi
Founder of Islamic political philosophy and formal logic, known for synthesizing Plato's political philosophy and Islamic political thought.
Abu Talib
A prominent figure in early Islamic history, guardian and protector of the Prophet Muhammad.
Abu Yusuf
An influential Islamic jurist and scholar, key figure in the spread of the Hanafi school of thought.
Abū Yūsuf (ابو يوسف) - Scholar and Jurist in Islamic History
A comprehensive overview of Abū Yūsuf, also known as Yaʿqūb ibn Ibrāhīm, his contributions to Islamic scholarship, his relationship with his teacher Imām Abū Ḥanīfah, and his legacy.
Abu Zahra, Muhammad
Conservative Egyptian public intellectual and scholar of Islamic law
Aceh
Aceh, a province in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, is renowned for its early role in the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia.
Ad
An ancient people mentioned in the Qur'an whose disobedience brought about their extinction.
Ad-Dahr (الدهر‎)
Explore the term 'Ad-Dahr,' its significance, and how it is used within the Islamic context. Understand the importance of the LXXVIth chapter of the Qur'an, also known as Suratu 'l-Insan, and its implications for understanding the human condition in Islam.
AD-DURRATU ʾL-BAIẓĀʾ (الـدرة البيضاء‎) in Islamic Mysticism
Learn about the term 'AD-DURRATU ʾL-BAIẓĀʾ,' its implications and usage in Ṣūfī thought. Understand the concept of the first intelligence in Islamic mysticism and its significance.
Adab
Medieval anecdotal form of prose designed to be both edifying and entertaining
Adab (أدب)
Explore the concept of 'Adab' in Islam, encompassing discipline, good manners, and conduct. Learn about its significance in Hadith and daily life, and delve into the various subjects covered under Adab.
Adat
Adat - Customs, accepted practice in Islamic jurisprudence focusing on socially accepted practices and their role in legal and cultural rules.
Adoption
Learn about the term 'Adoption,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand the regulations surrounding adoption (Tabannī) in Islamic law, and its comparison with other legal systems.
Adoption in Islam
The concept and regulations of formal and informal adoption in Islam according to the Qur'an and Islamic law.
Afsharid Dynasty
Rule of a Turkic-origin dynasty in Iran from 1736 to 1796, spearheaded by Nadir Shah Afshar, characterised by attempts at Shii-Sunni reconciliation.
Afterlife
The concept and realities of the afterlife in Islam
Aga Khan
Title of the Nizari Ismaili imams since Hasan Ali Shah, representing direct lineal descent and succession from Imam Ali and Fatimah, Muhammad’s daughter.
Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Prestigious award established in 1977 to reward architectural excellence in Muslim-majority societies, enhancing understanding and appreciation of Islamic culture.
Aga Khan Foundation
A private philanthropic institution founded by the Aga Khan in 1967 to provide care and compassion for those in need based on Islamic ideals and ethics.
Agha
Title for a high-ranking officer in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in Algeria, who held significant political and military power.
Aghlabids
Hereditary Islamic dynasty of the ninth and early tenth centuries in North Africa, centered in Qayrawan.
Ahd
Ahd: Covenant or compact, representing alliances and allegiances in early Muslim relationships and Sufi initiations.
Ahl al-Bayt
Members of the Prophet Muhammad’s family and descendants, who hold a revered status in both Sunni and Shii Islam.
Ahl al-Hadith
Term referring to adherents of a movement emphasizing the authority of the traditions (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad over juristic personal opinions (ray).
Ahl al-Hall wa’l-Aqd
The body of individuals qualified to elect or depose a caliph on behalf of the Muslim community
Ahl al-Kitab
Quranic term referring to Jews, Christians, and Sabaeans as possessors of earlier divine revelations.
Ahl al-Kitāb (أهل الكتاب): Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the term 'Ahl al-Kitāb,' its etymology, meaning, and importance in Islamic theology. Understand how this concept relates to Jews, Christians, and other religious communities recognized by Islam.
Ahl al-Quran
Nineteenth-century Indian movement led by Abdullah Chakralavi that advocated total reliance on the Quran as the perfect source of guidance.
Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaah
Overview of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaah, a significant Islamic movement originated in South Asia.
Ahl-i Hadith
Ahl-i Hadith: An offshoot of the 19th-century Indian Tariqah-i Muhammadiyyah, prioritizing direct engagement with Islamic sources and ijtihad over taqlid.
Ahl-i Haqq
A religious sect based in Northwest Iran known for incorporating Shii and Sufi elements, and characterized by unique beliefs and practices regarding divinity and spiritual hierarchy.
Ahmad Deedat
Ahmad Deedat, South African lecturer and writer, founding member and president of the Islamic Propagation Centre International, notable for his efforts in defending Islam against Christian critiques.
Ahmad Khan, Sayyid
An Indian Islamic modernist writer, educationist, and political activist known for founding Aligarh Muslim University and promoting rationalism in Islam and modern education.
Ahmad Shah Durrani
Founder of the Durrani dynasty in Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah Durrani (d. 1772) was a charismatic leader, warrior, poet, and diplomat known for his military prowess and relationships with Sufi orders.
Ahmadis
Controversial messianic movement founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, asserting ongoing prophethood; faced rejection by mainstream Muslims.
Ahmed, Akbar
Twentieth-century Pakistani Islamic scholar known for contextualizing fundamentalism within postmodernity, globalization, and the conflict between Islam and the West.
AḤQĀF (احقاف‎)
Discover the meaning, significance, and context of the term 'AḤQĀF,' a geographic location in Yemen and the title of the 46th Sūrah of the Qur'ān. Explore its historical and religious importance.
Aishah
Aishah, also known as Aisha, daughter of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, and the youngest and favorite wife of Prophet Muhammad.
Ajam
Etymological and historical account of the term 'Ajam' in Islamic literature and its cultural implications.
Ajmer
Ajmer, a city in Rajasthan, India, known for its historical significance and spiritual heritage, especially related to the Chishti Sufi order.
Akbar I, Abu al-Fath Jalal al-Din Muhammad
First great Mughal emperor who integrated most of India, established an enduring state, and nurtured a unique Islamic civilization in South Asia
Akhbaris
Twelfth-century Twelver Shii school of thought in Iran emphasizing literal interpretation of the Quran and hadith, restricting ijtihad, and limiting the role of mujtahids.
Akhund
An Islamic term generally used to describe a religious leader.
Al-‘Aql
Intelligence, intellect, and reason within Islamic theology and philosophy
Al-Andalus
Andalus refers to the parts of the Iberian Peninsula governed by Muslims from 711 to 1492, a era marked by significant cultural accomplishments and exchange among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Al-Aṣḥābu ʾl-Fīl (اصحاب الفيل) - The Companions of the Elephant
Explore the significance and historical context of 'Al-Aṣḥābu ʾl-Fīl,' a term found in the CVth (105th) Sūrah of the Qur'ān. Understand the story behind the 'Companions of the Elephant' and its relevance in Islamic tradition.
Al-Azhar University
A prominent Islamic university in Cairo, named after Prophet Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah al-Zahra, with a history of evolving educational standards.
Al-Baqarah
The second surah (chapter) in the Quran, known as 'The Cow,' primarily addressing themes of divine guidance.
Al-Baqi
The Everlasting One - One of the ninety-nine special names of God in Islam
Al-Barr (البر)
Explore the term 'Al-Barr,' one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam. Understand its meaning, usage, and significance within the Islamic faith.

Dictionary of Islam

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