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.
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.
Moon
Explore the significance of the moon (Arabic: qamar) in Islamic tradition, its mention in the Qur'an, related practices, and its symbolic meanings.
Abu al-Ala al-Maari
Classical Arabic-language poet known for qasidah and ghazal forms of poetry, critical of societal and religious norms.
Al-Ma'mun
Al-Ma'mun was the Abbasid caliph who significantly encouraged the translation of scientific and philosophical texts into Arabic at the Bayt al-Hikmah, or House of Wisdom, in Baghdad, and supported the Mu'tazili school of thought.
al-Manar
Influential Egyptian journal founded by Muhammad Abduh and Muhammad Rashid Rida, focusing on Quranic exegesis, theological explication, and dissemination of reformist ideas.
al-Muqaddimah
The introduction to Ibn Khaldun's Kitāb al-ʿIbar, exploring human civilization, political associations, and the arts and sciences.
Ayatollah Sayyid Shihab al-Din Marashi-Najafi
An influential Iranian cleric known for his scholarship, social and educational activities, and his support for the Iranian Revolution.
Elijah Muhammad
Leader of the American Black Muslim organization, Nation of Islam, for over forty years.
Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi
Inayatullah Khan Mashriqi (1888-1963) was a Pakistani thinker, activist, and founder of the Tahrik-i Khaksar Movement, renowned for his contributions to Islamic scholarship and his opposition to British colonial rule and the Muslim League.
Islam in Malaysia
A comprehensive overview of the history, growth, and influences of Islam in Malaysia, including reformist movements, major institutions, and its social impact.
Islam in Mauritius
The presence and development of Islam in the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius
Islam in Morocco
An examination of the presence and evolution of Islam in Morocco, including historical, cultural, and political perspectives.
Islam in Myanmar
Overview of the Muslim population and Islamic heritage in Myanmar
Islam in the Middle East
An overview of the development and current state of Islam in the Middle East.
Ma Ba Niang
Senegalese religious leader and revivalist of the early 19th century known for his declaration of holy war and influence on West African Islamic movements.
MABNĀ ʾT-TAṢAWWUF (مبنى التصوف‎) - Foundation of Sufism
Explore the term 'MABNĀ ʾT-TAṢAWWUF (مبنى التصوف‎),' its etymology, principles, and its significance in Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam.
Madani, Abbasi
An Algerian Islamic activist and political leader, founder of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)
Madani, Husain Ahmad
Indian Deobandi alim and politically active in the debate over regional and religious identity in statehood formation.
Madhhab
Madhhab refers to a established school of Islamic legal thought, each with its unique methodologies and rulings.
Madrasa
Establishment of learning where the Islamic sciences are taught; a college for higher studies
Madyan (مدين)
Explore the historical and religious significance of Madyan, its origins, and its place in Islamic tradition, particularly in connection with Prophet Shu'aib.
Maghazi
The military campaigns of the Prophet Muhammad and early records of his life.
Magic
Explore the term 'Magic' (Arabic: siḥr), its condemnation in Islamic scriptures, the types of magic, its significance in Islamic culture, and the divide between what is considered permissible and impermissible.
Magic in Islam
Definition and understanding of 'Magic' (Sihr) as explored in Islamic texts and practices.
Magpie - Definition, Etymology, and Islamic Perspectives
Explore the term 'Magpie' (Arabic ʿaqʿaq - عقعق) in Islamic jurisprudence, including its dietary rulings and scholarly opinions. Understand its significance and how it is viewed in Islamic legal traditions.
Mahamad Cabdille Hasan
Mahamad Cabdille Hasan (d. 1921) Somali Islamic revivalist, tribal leader, and anticolonialist activist.
Mahdi
The divinely guided eschatological figure in Islam believed to usher in an era of justice and true faith before the end of times
Mahdi, Sadiq al-
Sudanese theologian and political leader known for his modernist approach to Islamic law and governance.
Mahdiyyah
The Mahdiyyah Messianic movement in Sudan founded by Muhammad Ahmad ibn Abd Allah in the late nineteenth century.
Mahfouz, Naguib
Egyptian writer and Nobel laureate known for his extensive novelistic portrayal of Egyptian society
Mahkamah
Mahkamah refers to a place of judgment or a court of law in Arabic-speaking contexts within Islamic law.
Mahmal
A ceremonial palanquin symbolizing the sovereigns' protective role over pilgrimage caravans to Mecca.
Maḥmal, Maḥmil (محمل‎)
Understand the historical and cultural significance of the Maḥmal, a ceremonial covered litter sent from Cairo and Damascus to Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage. Explore its origins, use, and the views surrounding it.
Mahmud, Abd al-Halim
Egyptian Islamic leader who reasserted al-Azhar’s independence and promoted Sufism based on the Quran and Sunnah.
Mahr (Dowry)
A mandatory payment, in the form of money or property, granted by the husband to the wife upon marriage in Islamic law.
Mahr (مهر)
Explore the term 'Mahr,' its legal significance, and its sociocultural implications within Islamic tradition. Learn about its roots, historical context, and how it impacts the institution of marriage in Islam.
Mahram
Definition and significance of Mahram in Islam
Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ibn Muhammad al-Taqi al-
Leading Iranian Shii scholar of the late Safavid period known for opposing Sufism and popularizing Shii thought in Persian.
Makkah (مكة‎)
Explore the historical and spiritual significance of Makkah, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the most sacred city in Islam. Learn about its geographical features, governance, and role in the Hajj pilgrimage.
Makruh
Makruh is a legal category in Islamic law that refers to actions that are discouraged but not forbidden.
Maktub
A term referring to something written, decreed, or established, frequently used in the context of fate or predestination in Islam.
Malaku al-Maut
An in-depth exploration of the term 'Malaku al-Maut' (ملك الموت‎), also known as the Angel of Death in Islam. Learn about its origin, Quranic references, and its role in Islamic theology and eschatology.
Malcolm X
African-American Muslim leader, civil and human rights advocate, and prominent figure in pan-Africanist and pan-Islamic activism.
Malfuzat
Malfuzat refers to the written records of audiences and question-and-answer sessions with notable scholars or Sufis, providing historical context, teachings, and attitudes, often presented in chronological order and dated.
Mālik (مالك‎) - The Guardian of Hell in Islamic Tradition
Explore the role and significance of Mālik (مالك‎), the angel who presides over Hell in Islamic theology. Understand the Qur'anic references and similarities with other religious figures.
Malik ibn Anas al-Asbahi
Eponymous founder of the Maliki school of Islamic law, known for his conservative approach and emphasis on hadith.
Maliki School of Law
An Islamic school of law attributed to Malik ibn Anas, known for its emphasis on hadith and the practices of the Companions in Medina.
Malkom Khan
Malkom Khan (d. 1908) - Iranian political and social reformer advocating for separation of powers, codification of law, equality before law, and freedom of belief.
Mamluks
A regime controlled by slave soldiers that governed Egypt, Syria, southeastern Asia Minor, and western Arabia from 1250 to 1517, known for its military power and political influence in the central Muslim world.
Manaqib
Hagiographical and biographical genre in Islamic literature recounting the merits and miraculous deeds of holy persons.
Manat: Pre-Islamic Goddess of Fate
Manat, one of the three pre-Islamic goddesses worshiped in Mecca, known as the Goddess of Fate, denounced in the Quran (53:19–20).
Maneri, Sharif al-Din
Sharif al-Din Maneri, a 14th-century Sufi saint of Bihar, India, known for his contributions to spiritual literature, especially his 'Hundred Letters'.
Manichaeism
Manichaeism: A Dualistic Religious Doctrine Founded by Mani in the Third Century
Manna
Explore the concept of 'Manna', its mention in the Qur'an and its etymological roots. Learn about the significance of manna in Islamic tradition and its comparative reference in other religious texts.
Mansur, Abu Jafar al-
Second Abbasid caliph who founded Baghdad and established a powerful state apparatus.
Manzikert, Battle of
A significant battle in 1071 between the Seljuk Turks and the Byzantine Empire, resulting in a Seljuk victory that paved the way for Turkish expansion into Asia Minor.
Maqām Ibrāhīm (مقام ابرهيم)
Explore the significance of Maqām Ibrāhīm, the Place of Abraham, in Islamic belief. Understand its historical, theological, and cultural importance, and learn about its role in the Hajj rituals.
Maqām Maḥmūd (مـقـام محمود)
Learn about 'Maqām Maḥmūd,' its meaning, importance, and usage in Islamic context. Understand what it represents and how it is integrated into Islamic beliefs and practices.
Marabout
Definition and elaboration of the term 'Marabout,' referring to Sufi saints or leaders in North Africa.
Marifah
Mystical intuitive knowledge in Sufism, attained through ecstatic experiences.
Marjaʿ al-Taqlīd
The highest-ranking religious authorities in the Twelver Shīʿī community, empowered to interpret and execute Shariah law.
Maronite
Maronite Eastern-rite community of the Roman Catholic Church tracing its origins to St. Maron or St. John Maron.
Marriage and Divorce: Modern Practices
Modern practices of marriage and divorce in Islamic contexts, addressing legal, social, and cultural conditions.
Marsiyyah
A traditional Islamic poem written to commemorate the death of a person, city, history, or nation.
Martyr
An individual who suffers or loses their life in the process of carrying out a religious duty in Islam.
Mārūt (ماروت‎) - Meanings, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Exploring the concept of Mārūt in Islamic tradition, its etymology, narrative, and significance. Understand the tale of Mārūt and its implications in Islamic teachings and folklore.
Maryam the Copt
Maryam the Copt (d. 637) was the slave concubine of Prophet Muhammad and the mother of his son Ibrahim. She was sent as a gift by Cyrus (al-Muqawqas), the last Byzantine governor of Alexandria.
Mashhad
An overview of 'Mashhad,' detailing its significance as the gravesites of Twelver Shii imams and as a city in Iran.
Mashriq
Geographical term referring to the eastern Arab lands.
Masjumi
Masjumi, also known as Majlis Sjuro Muslimin Indonesia, was a prominent Indonesian political party advocating for an Islamic state and the observance of Islamic law during the 1950s.
Maslahah
Public interest as a basis for Islamic jurisprudence.
Mathematics in Islamic Civilization
Mathematics - Arabic: `علم الحساب` (`ʿilm al-ḥisāb`) - Study and development of mathematical sciences in medieval Islamic world, drawing from Indian and Greek sources.
Matn
The content or text of a hadith report in Islamic tradition.
Maturidi, Abu al-Mansur al-
A major Sunni theologian who introduced new methodological approaches in Islamic theological discourse.
Maturidiyyah
Maturidiyyah is a Sunni theological school founded in the 10th century by Abu Mansur Muhammad al-Maturidi, closely linked to the Hanafi school of Islamic law.
Mauritania, Islam in
The historical and contemporary presence of Islam in Mauritania, encompassing its introduction, Sufi traditions, and socio-political dynamics.
MAUT (موت‎) in Islam and Sufism
Learn about the term 'Maut' (Death) in its literal and figurative senses in Islam and Sufism. Understand its usage in the Qur'an and its deeper spiritual meanings within Sufi traditions.
Mawali
Term referring to non-Arab Muslims and clients of Arab tribes during early Islamic periods.
Mawardi, Abu al-Hasan al-
Shafii jurist who authored the seminal work on Islamic public law and political theory, emphasizing the authority and symbolic unity of the caliphate.
Mawdudi, Sayyid Abu al-Ala
Indo-Pakistani Muslim revivalist, prolific writer, politician, and founder of Jamaat-i Islami.
Mawlawi Tariqah
A Turkish Sufi order, popularly known as 'whirling dervishes,' noted for their distinctive meditation ritual through dance.
Mawlid
The commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's birth, observed primarily on the twelfth day of Rabi' al-Awwal with festivities and ceremonies.
Mawlid al-Husayn
Festival commemorating the birth of Husayn, Muhammad’s grandson and a significant figure in Islamic history.
Mazdakism
Mazdakism: An ancient dualist religion in Iran championed by Mazdak of Fasa in the late fifth and early sixth centuries.
MĀʾU ʾL-QUDS (ماء القدس‎) - Holy Water in Sufism
Explore the term 'MĀʾU ʾL-QUDS' (ماء القدس‎), its meaning, significance, and usage in the Sufi Islamic tradition. Learn how this concept influences spiritual practice and moral discipline among Sufis.
Maʾūdah (موءودة‎) – Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the term 'Maʾūdah,' its historical context, and its prohibition in Islam. Understand the pre-Islamic custom of burying female infants alive, and how Islam sought to abolish this practice.
Mecca
The holiest city in Islam, birthplace of Muhammad, site of the Kaabah and annual pilgrimage.
Medicine: Traditional Practice
An overview of traditional religious practices in medicine, focusing on Prophet Muhammad's practices and their influence on Islamic healing traditions.
Medina
The second holiest city in Islam, the burial site of Prophet Muhammad, and a significant location for Islamic religious and political development.
Medina (Al-Madinah): Historical and Religious Significance in Islam
Explore the historical, cultural, and religious importance of Medina (Al-Madinah) in Islam. Understand its role in the early Islamic period and its continued significance.
Mehmet II 'The Conqueror'
Ottoman sultan who conquered Constantinople and transformed it into Istanbul, renowned for establishing legal codes and religious communities (millets).
Menstruation (maḥīẓ) - Understanding Its Role and Restrictions in Islam
Explore the term 'menstruation' (maḥīẓ), its significance, and prescribed practices in Islam. Understand the restrictions placed on women during menstruation and how Islamic tradition addresses this natural biological cycle.
Menstruation in Islam
Monthly bleeding in women, causing a state of ritual impurity as per Islamic teachings.

Dictionary of Islam

IslamReference.com is your go-to source for understanding Islam, its history, theology, culture, and much more. Our goal is to provide reliable and scholarly resources to students, researchers, educators, and anyone with an interest in Islamic studies.