Bedouin
Nomadic people primarily found in the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula with a rich cultural heritage...
Beheshti, Muhammad Hossein
Leading Iranian Shia intellectual, cleric, and political organizer, instrumental in the consolidation of clerical rule after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Bel Hadj, Ali
Leader in the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) of Algeria, known for his Salafi orientation and influential leadership.
Beneficence (Arabic: سماحة‎ samāḥah)
Learn about the concept of Beneficence (samāḥah) in Islam, its significance, etymology, and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad regarding beneficence and faith.
Bequest (Wasiyyah)
A testamentary disposition in Islamic law, limited to one-third of the decedent’s total estate, with specific rules and exceptions.
Bequests for Pious Purposes in Islam
Explore the concept of bequests for pious purposes in Islam, the prioritization of duties ordained by God, and the rules surrounding legacies for pilgrimage.
Berbers
Indigenous inhabitants of North Africa with a distinct cultural heritage and history, known for their contributions to the Islamic world.
Bible
The Islamic perspective on the Jewish and Christian scriptures, including the concepts of Tawrat, Injil, and the doctrine of Tahrif.
BIDʿAH (بدعة‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Implications in Islam
Explore the term 'Bidʿah,' its definitions, etymological roots, and implications within the Islamic faith. Understand how innovations in religious practices are viewed and categorized.
Bihzad
Painter of Persian Timurid and early Safavid dynasties, director of royal library, and supervisor of manuscript workshops noted for lifelike and colorful paintings.
Bilqis
According to Arab tradition, Bilqis is the biblical Queen of Sheba known for her interaction with Prophet Solomon in the Quran.
Bimaristan
A hospital in medieval Islamic society, also applied to modern mental hospitals, known for medical services, research, and education.
Bioethics in Islam
An examination of the ethical guidance provided by Islamic principles in the realm of healthcare and medical advancements.
Birth Rites
Islamic rituals, customs, and significance associated with the birth of a child
Biẓāʿah - Mercantile Share and Property in Trade
An in-depth exploration of the concept of Biẓāʿah in Islamic mercantile practices, including its etymology, application, and cultural significance.
Bīʿah (بيعة‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Usage in Islamic Context
Explore the term 'Bīʿah' (بيعة‎), its linguistic roots, historical context, and significance in Islamic and interfaith discussions. Understand its application in Islamic texts and cultural dialogues.
Bohras
A description of the Bohra community, an Ismaili Shia Muslim group with significant traditions and distinct cultural practices.
Borujerdi, Mohammad Hosayn
An influential Iranian cleric known for his quietist stance toward politics, opposition to the 1963 land reform, promotion of independent investigation of hadith, and efforts to foster Sunni-Shi'i relations.
Bukhara Khanate
A Central Asian state that existed from circa 1500 to 1920, formed by the Uzbeks, with significant ties to Islamic culture and politics.
Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn al-Mughirah al-
Major collector and transmitter of Sahih al-Bukhari, one of six works of hadith recognized as authentic and canonical and considered the most authoritative source of hadith along with Sahih Muslim.
Bulgaria, Islam in
An overview of the presence and historical development of Islam in Bulgaria, including its demographics and ethnic diversity.
Bunyad
An institution in Iran that serves fundamental socioeconomic and political roles, originating significantly from post-revolutionary foundations.
Buraq
A winged creature depicted in Islamic tradition, often associated with the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey.
Burhan Family
The Burhan Family: A Distinguished Abbasid-era Family of Ulama from Bukhara
Burning to Death - Prohibition in Islamic Law
Explore the Islamic legal and theological prohibitions against burning to death, supported by historical accounts and prophetic teachings. Understand the significance of this ruling in Islamic jurisprudence and ethics.
BURQAʿ (برقع‎)
An in-depth exploration of the term 'BURQAʿ (برقع‎),' its etymology, cultural relevance, and different perspectives within the Islamic context.
Burying of the Dead - Islamic Perspectives, Etymology, and Practices
Explore the Islamic understanding and significance of burying the dead. Learn about the theological basis, customs, and rituals associated with Islamic funerary practices.
Burying-Ground
Explore the concept of 'Burying-Ground' in Islam, its Arabic terms, and cultural significance. Understand the religious practices and legal considerations surrounding burial grounds in Muslim traditions.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire, the Eastern Greek-speaking part of the Roman Empire, spanning from 330 B.C.E. to 1453 C.E.
Cain
Explore the story of Cain (Qābil) in Islamic tradition, its etymological roots, and its significance within the Qur'an and related commentaries.
Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
A declaration issued by the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 1990 asserting that fundamental rights and freedoms in Islam are an integral part of Shariah.
Calligraphy and Epigraphy in Islam
The artistic and scholarly traditions in the writing and inscription of the Arabic script in Islamic culture.
Camel in Islam: Significance and Islamic Jurisprudence
Explore the importance of camels in Islamic tradition and jurisprudence, including their mention in the Qur'an and their diverse roles in Arabian culture and Islamic law.
Canaan
Explore the identity of Canaan (Kanʿān) in Islamic context, according to classical commentators and the Qur'an. Understand his significance in the narrative of Prophet Noah and related theological implications.
Capitulations
Commercial privileges granted by Muslim states to Christian European states, particularly during the Ottoman and Persian Empires.
Carrion (Maitah)
Learn about the term 'Carrion,' known as 'Maitah' in Arabic, its prohibition in Islamic law, and its implications for dietary practices in Islam. Understand related Qur'anic verses and contextual rules.
Central Asia, Islam in
An overview of the historical and contemporary presence of Islam in the Central Asia region, detailing its spread, influence, and persistence through various sociopolitical changes.
Chad, Islam in
An overview of the history, development, and contemporary dynamics of Islam in Chad.
Chador
A full-length garment covering a woman from head to foot, symbolizing modest dress in Islamic culture.
Chagatai Khanate
The Chagatai Khanate was a Central Asian subdivision of the Mongol Empire ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan’s second son, Chagatai (Jaghatai). The family adopted Islam while retaining their nomadic organization and way of life, became independent after 1259, and remained significant until their decline around 1334.
Cherubim
Explore the term 'Cherubim' as understood in Islamic context, its etymology, role in Islamic theology, and significance in relation to Islamic belief systems.
Christianity and Islam
A comprehensive examination of the historical, intellectual, and contemporary interactions between Christianity and Islam.
Churches in Islam: Legal and Cultural Perspectives
Understand the Islamic views on the construction and maintenance of churches and synagogues in Muslim territories. Explore historical and theological contexts including key legal rulings and Traditions.
Circumcision in Islam
Circumcision as a rite of passage in Islamic traditions, conveying status change for males and its religious significance.
Clergy in Islam and Christianity: Comparative Insights
Discover the roles of Christian clergy as mentioned in the Qur'ān, along with comparable positions within Islam, such as Imām, Muftī, and Qāẓī. Explore titles, responsibilities, and cultural practices associated with these religious offices.
Commercial Law
An overview of commercial law in Islamic legal tradition and its comparison with Western legal systems
Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights (CDLR)
The first independent human rights organization in Saudi Arabia, established to uphold Islamic standards and human rights.
Communism and Islam
The interaction and historical relationship between Communism and Islam across various Muslim societies.
Congresses (Islamic)
Islamic congresses were gatherings proposed by late-nineteenth-century Muslim reformists to promote internal reform and resist Western imperialism.
Constitution of Medina
Charter established by Muhammad outlining the rights and duties of all citizens in Medina and the relationship between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
Constitutional Revolution (Iran)
Iranian revolution occurring between 1905 and 1911, aimed at establishing a constitutional monarchy through the creation of a parliament.
Convention Nationale des Musulmans Français
A politically active branch of the Conseil National des Français Musulmans focused on the integration of Muslims in France and the reintroduction of Islam into public life.
Converts to the Muhammadan Religion - Legal Status in Islamic Jurisprudence
Understanding the legal status of converts to Islam according to the Hidāyah, focusing on the distinctions between individuals converting in hostile territories versus those converting post-conquest.
Cosmology in Islam
Cosmology refers to the study of the cosmos, deeply intertwined with the Quranic conception of God as the creator and ruler. It extends to both the physical and nonphysical worlds, contributing to various natural and mathematical sciences in Islam.
Council of Experts (Iran)
An elected body of clerics in the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for advising the Chief Legal Scholar, drafting the constitution, and selecting the Supreme Leader's successor.
Council of Masajid of the United States
An organization established in 1978 by representatives of the Muslim World League to oversee mosques in the United States, later consolidated with its Canadian counterpart to form the Continental Council of Masajid of North America.
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
An Islamic advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that challenges the prejudicial treatment of Islam and Muslims by the media, government agencies, and private organizations.
Court System in Islamic Jurisprudence
Overview of the historical and contemporary structure of the Islamic judicial system, emphasizing the role of qadis, the influence of colonialism, and modern Islamist perspectives.
Covenant (Mīs̤āq)
Learn about the term 'Covenant' (Mīs̤āq) in the Qur'an and Islamic Traditions, its implications, and significance in the Islamic faith. Understand how it shapes the relationship between God and His people.
Covering the Head
Explore the concept of covering the head in Islam for both men and women, touching on scriptural references, traditional practices, and cultural norms.
Crimea Khanate
A historical Muslim state established by Muslim Tatars and Turks in the mid-fifteenth century, integrating Tatar steppe traditions with Ottoman practices and ultimately annexed by the Russian Empire in the eighteenth century.
Crucifixion in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the Islamic perspective on the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the sanctioned use of crucifixion as a punishment for highway robbers in Islamic jurisprudence.
Crusades: Historical Expeditions
The Crusades were military expeditions by Latin Christians primarily in the late twelfth and thirteenth centuries aiming to regain control of Christian Holy Lands from Muslim rule.
Dābbatu ʾl-Arḍ (دابة الارض‎)
Explore the concept of Dābbatu ʾl-Arḍ, the Reptile of the Earth, in Islamic eschatology. Understand its prophetic significance and its mention in the Qur'an and Hadith.
Dahlan, Kiyai Hadji Ahmad
Founder of the Indonesian Muhammadiyyah movement and advocate for modern scientific and religious education.
Dai
An individual who invites people to Islam, known as practicing dawah.
Dain
Learn about the term 'Dain,' its implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand what constitutes a debt with a definite term and how it is treated differently from Qarẓ in Islamic jurisprudence.
Dakwah (Malaysia)
The general Malaysian term for missionary work, proselytization, and Islamization, specifically referring to a political Islamist movement
Damascus: Historical and Religious Significance in Islam
Explore the city of Damascus, known as Dimashq in Arabic. Uncover its rich history, religious significance, and its notable absence in the Qur'an. Learn about Jalālu ʾd-dīn Suyūt̤ī's perspectives and the remarkable Umayyad Mosque.
Dance
Understanding the Role of Dance in Islamic Civilization
Daniel - Significance and Interpretation in Islam
Discover the role and interpretation of the Prophet Daniel (Dāniyāl) in Islamic tradition, including his links to dream interpretation and historical narratives.
Dar al-Islam
A territory under Muslim sovereignty where Islamic law prevails.
Dar al-Islam Movement
An Indonesian Islamic insurgent movement challenging the Republic of Indonesia's legitimacy between 1948 and 1962.
Dar al-Sulh
Territory of treaty where a non-Muslim region enters into an armistice with a Muslim government, ensuring mutual protection and often tribute arrangements.
Darqawi Tariqah
Revivalist branch of the Shadhili tariqah emphasizing emotional fervor, contemplation, and political resistance, significant in North African Islamic spirituality
Darura
A state of necessity in Islamic legal terminology that permits certain otherwise unlawful actions.
Darvesh, Darwīsh (درويش‎)
Explore the term 'Darvesh,' its etymology, and significance in Islamic mysticism and Sufism. Understand the role of a Darvesh in the spiritual and communal life of Muslims.
Dasuqi Tariqah
A Sufi order founded in Egypt by Ibrahim ibn Abi al-Majd al-Dasuqi, emphasizing inner purity, self-denial, and strict adherence to Sharia.
Daudiyah
Sufi Zawiyah founded in Damascus by Hanbali jurist Abu Bakr ibn Daud in the late 14th century, and developed by his son, Abd al-Rahman. The first Qadiri zawiyah in Damascus, serving as a pious meeting place with various facilities.
Dawah
The Islamic practice of sharing and propagating the faith, involving personal, communal, and institutional efforts.
Day of Judgment
The eschatological belief in Islam where all human beings will be judged by God at the end of time, with rewards and punishments accordingly assigned.
Debt: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of debt in Islamic law, the different types of debt, and their implications. Understand how debts are handled upon death, and the religious considerations regarding debts.
Defter
A bound or stitched notebook, booklet, or register, widely used for fiscal, military, and diplomatic records.
Delhi Sultans
Delhi Sultans (r. 1206–1526): First Islamic state centered in South Asia, encompassing the Mamluk, Khalji, Tughluq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties.
Democracy (Islamic Perspectives)
Exploration of democracy within an Islamic framework, including scriptural basis, historical evolution, and modern interpretations.
Democratic Party (Turkey)
An influential political party in Turkey that ruled from 1950 to 1960, significantly impacting the role of Islam in Turkish society.
Deobandis
Deobandis, an Indo-Pakistani reformist ulama movement centered in the Dar al-Ulum of Deoband.
Deposit in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of 'Deposit' (wadīʿah) in Islamic law, its implications, and the rules governing trusteeship. Understand the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin the practice of depositing valuable items.
Dervish
A term referring to ascetic Sufis known for their poverty and spiritual devotion
Devotional Art
Fine or folk art created or utilized specifically for protection, intercession, or votive offering in the context of Islam.
Devotional Music
A type of music in Islamic tradition that includes practices like the call to prayer, recitation of the Quran, and Sufi practices such as dhikr.
Devshirme
Ottoman practice of levying a 'tax' of young Christian males from the Balkans to serve various roles in the sultan’s household.
Dhahabi Tariqah
A Sufi order branching from the Kubrawi, known for its unique lineage and spiritual practices.
Dhahabi, Shaykh Muhammad Husayn
Former Egyptian minister of religious endowments and shaykh of al-Azhar, known for his criticism of Islamic extremists. Assassinated by Takfir wa'l-Hijrah in 1977.
Dhawq
Mystical Intuition in Islamic Mysticism

Dictionary of Islam

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