Shirk
Theological term referring to the association of someone or something with God, thus deviating from monotheism.
Shirkah (شركة‎)
Explore the term 'Shirkah,' its dual implications in Islamic commercial law and theology. Understand its usage in forming partnerships and contracts, and its theological connotation of associating partners with God.
Soul (Rūḥ and Nafs)
Explore the concepts of 'Rūḥ' and 'Nafs' in the Qur'an, understand their implications, and historical interpretations. Delve into the theological and philosophical distinctions, as well as the tripartite nature of man in Islamic thought.
Speaking (Conversation) - Definition, Etymology, and Cultural Significance in Islam
Explore the concept of 'Speaking (Conversation)' in Islam, its etymology, cultural implications, and the ethical guidelines Muslims follow during conversations. Understand how speaking impacts social relations and daily life of Muslims.
Suhur
The pre-dawn meal consumed by Muslims before the fast begins during the month of Ramadan.
S̤uls̤ (ثلث‎)
Explore the term 'S̤uls̤' in the Islamic context, its implications regarding the division of the Qurʿān, and its relevance in Islamic studies.
Sunnism: Traditions, Jurisprudence, and Principal Writings
This entry explores the various traditions and jurisprudence within Sunni Islam, including the major hadith collections and the principal writings of the four Sunni schools of thought: Hanafī, Shāfiʿī, Hanbalī, and Mālikī.
Tabatabai, Muhammad Husayn
Persian Quranic commentator and philosopher, prominent in the resuscitation of Islamic philosophy in the twentieth century.
Tāj (تاج‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Cultural Significance in Islam
Explore the term 'Tāj,' its etymology, historical and cultural context in Islam, and its specific usage in Sufism to denote the cap worn by leaders of religious orders.
Taliban
Militant group of students and religious leaders who established the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan but were removed from power by US forces post-9/11.
Taurāt (توراة‎)
Understand the term 'Taurāt,' its meaning, etymology, and significance in the Islamic tradition. Explore its historical context, reception, and interpretations within Islamic literature.
The Condition of Women before the Time of Muhammad
Explore the social and cultural status of women in Arabia before the advent of Islam, including their role, rights, and treatment in pre-Islamic society.
The First Period of the Qur'an: Eighteen Early Surahs
Explore the first period of the Qur'an, focusing on eighteen early surahs consisting of short rhapsodies. Understand the significance and themes of these chapters, their historical context, and their role in the development of Islam.
The Hour (As-Sāʿah)
Explore the concept of 'The Hour' (As-Sāʿah) in Islam, as referred to in the Qurʾān. Understand its implications and significance in the Islamic eschatological beliefs.
The Nājiyah, or 'Saved Ones'
An exploration of the Nājiyah or 'Saved Ones,' their origins, and their role as one of the seventy-three Islamic sects. Understand the classification of Islamic sects and their theological distinctions.
Theft (Larceny)
Explore the concept of theft in Islam, its legal and moral implications, and how it is addressed within Islamic law and theology. Understand the Quranic and Hadith sources related to theft, including prescribed punishments and ethical considerations.
Thiqah
The attribute of being trustworthy and reliable in Hadith studies.
Toleration, Religious - Historical Context and Islamic Legal Perspectives
Examining the concept of religious tolerance in Islamic history, particularly in the time of Prophet Muhammad and later legal frameworks. Understanding the nuances of how non-Muslim communities were treated under Islamic rule.
Ummu ʾl-Qura (ام القرى‎)
Explore the term 'Ummu ʾl-Qura,' its etymology, significance, and historical importance. Understand why Makkah is referred to as the 'Mother of Villages' in Islamic tradition.
Usury
Explore the concept of 'Usury' (Arabic: Ribā) in Islam, its implications, and legal rulings as detailed in Islamic texts. Learn about the various perspectives from the Qur'an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence.
Vows (naẕr)
Explore the concept of vows (naẕr) in Islam, their theological implications, and the importance of fulfilling them. Understand the consequences of non-performance and the prescribed atonements.
Waṣl (وصل‎) in Sufism
Explore the concept of 'Waṣl' in Sufism, its etymological roots, and its profound implications in the spiritual journey of a mystic. Understand how this term is positioned within the stages of Sufi mystical experience.
Water
Understand the term 'Water' (Arabic: māʾ, ماء‎), its theological significance, legal rulings, and practical applications in Islamic teachings.
Weeping (Bukaʾ)
Explore the concept of 'Weeping (Bukaʾ)' in Islam, its various implications, cultural practices, and theological dimensions. Understand the context and importance of weeping in Islamic traditions and spiritual life.
Westoxification
The fascination with and dependence upon Western cultural, political, and economic practices to the detriment of traditional, historical, and cultural ties to Islam and the Islamic world.
Wilāyat al-ʿAhad (Wali al-Ahd)
An appointed heir apparent to the governance of a state or kingdom, often designated as a crown prince.
YĀ HŪ (يا هو‎)
Explore the term 'YĀ HŪ (يا هو‎),' its etymological roots, and its significance in Islamic spirituality and practices like ẕikr. Understand its usage and meaning within Islamic mysticism.
YEAR: Definition, Etymology, and Concept in Islam
Explore the Islamic concept of a 'Year,' its etymology, historical context, and its calculation in relation to the Christian era. Understand the lunar and solar year differences and the historical intercalation system.
Zacharias
Explore the significance of the prophet Zacharias, known in Arabic as Zakarīyāʾ (زكرياء‎), in Islamic tradition. Understand his role in Islamic theology and his mention in the Qur'an.
Zainab (زينب‎)
Learn about Zainab, her significant role in Islamic history, and her contributions to the early Muslim community. Understand her legacy, titles, and importance.
ẔAWŪ ʾL-FURŪẒ (ذوو الفروض‎) in Islamic Inheritance Law
Learn about the term ẔAWŪ ʾL-FURŪẒ (ذوو الفروض‎), its implications in Islamic inheritance law, and the specific Qur'anic shares allocated to these inheritors.
Ẕimmah
Explore the concept of Ẕimmah, its roots, and its relevance in Islamic jurisprudence and socio-political context. Understand how Ẕimmah pertains to the protection of non-Muslim citizens under an Islamic state and its evolution in modern usage.
Zulm
Wrongdoing against God, others, or self, used to denote oppression and tyranny, particularly by rulers over their subjects. Delineates injustice in both personal and political contexts.
ʿĀD (عاد‎)
Discover the significance of the tribe ʿĀD in Islamic history, its mention in the Qur'an, and its implications. Explore the story of the Prophet Hūd and the lessons derived from it.
ʿAẔĀBU ʾL-QABR - Definition, Traditions, and Beliefs in Islam
Explore the concept of ʿAẔĀBU ʾL-QABR (Punishment of the Grave), its detailed descriptions in Hadith, and its significance in Islamic theology. Understand how this belief influences Muslim practices and doctrines.
ʿIlm al-Jabr (عـلـم الجـبـر‎)
Discover the term 'ʿIlm al-Jabr,' its etymology, historical development, and significance in the Islamic Golden Age. Learn how it contributed to modern algebra and mathematical advancements.
ʿIshāʾ (عشاء‎)
Learn about the term 'ʿIshāʾ,' its place and significance in Muslim daily rituals, and its specific practice within Islamic worship.
ʿUkāẓ̤ in Pre-Islamic Arabia
Explore the historical significance of ʿUkāẓ̤, an annual fair held in pre-Islamic Arabia, its cultural impact, and the reasons for its eventual abolition by Prophet Muḥammad.
Abd al-Aziz, Shah
The Indian Islamic scholar best known for his refuting epistles against Shiism.
Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim
Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim: Grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, Caretaker, and Custodian of the Well of Zamzam.
Abd Allah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab
Prominent companion of the Prophet Muhammad, son of the second caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, and notable authority in hadith and Islamic law.
Abū ʿUbaidah (ابو عبيدة) - Life, Contributions, and Legacy in Islam
Explore the life and contributions of Abū ʿUbaidah Ibn al-Jarrāḥ, one of the ten companions promised Paradise by Prophet Muḥammad. Understand his role in early Islamic history, his significance in battles, and his ethical legacy.
AL-ANFĀL (الانفال‎) - Understanding the 8th Surah of the Qur'an
Explore Surah Al-Anfāl, its etymology, history, and significance in Islamic tradition. Learn about the context of the Surah, which addresses the distribution of spoils after the Battle of Badr.
AL-ḤASAN (الحـسـن‎) - The Fifth Caliph and His Legacy
Learn about Al-Ḥasan, the eldest son of Fāt̤imah and ʿAlī, his brief Caliphate, his resignation in favor of Muʿāwiyah, and his influence on Islamic history and culture.
Al-Lāt (اللات‎)
Explore the historical and religious significance of the idol Al-Lāt in ancient Arabian culture and its references in the Qur'an. Learn about its role in pre-Islamic times and the theological implications in Islamic tradition.
Al-Muʾminūn (المومنون‎)
Explore 'Al-Muʾminūn (المومنون‎),' the title of the 23rd Sūrah of the Qurʾān, its meaning, implications, and the first verse. Understand the significance of this surah in the lives of Muslims.
Al-ʿAlī (العلى‎)
Explore the divine name Al-ʿAlī, one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, which signifies 'The Exalted One.' Understand its meaning, implications, and importance in Islamic theology and practice.
Alchemy (Kīmiyāʾ)
Explore the concept of 'Alchemy' within Islamic thought, including its etymology, interpretations, and legal and theological debates.
Amr ibn al-As
Amr ibn al-As (d. ca. 663) - Conqueror and governor of Egypt who played a pivotal role in the early Islamic expansion and administration.
An-Nās (الناس)
Learn about 'An-Nās,' its meaning, theological implications, and significance in the Qur'ān. Understand its place as the title of the last Sūrah and its important themes in Islamic context.
Ansar (Helpers)
Learn about the term 'Ansar,' its meaning, significance, and the historical role of the Helpers in early Islamic history. Understand their contributions and the legacy they left behind.
Aṣl (اصل‎) in Islamic Thought
Explore the term 'Aṣl' (اصل‎) in Islamic philosophy and theology, its implications as the first principle or foundation, and its role within Islamic thought.
Aulād (Children) - Customs, Practices, and Ethical Instruction in Islam
Explore Islamic customs and ethical guidelines related to children, derived from Qur'anic precepts, Hadith, and classical Islamic texts. Learn about cultural integrations, naming ceremonies, sacrifice rituals, and ethical instruction for youth in Muslim traditions.
Buhtān
Learn about the term 'Buhtān,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand what it means, how it's addressed in the Qur'an, and its implications in daily life and morals.
Ceylon (Sarandīb)
Explore the island of Ceylon, known as Sarandīb in Arabic, and understand its significance according to Islamic commentators. Delve into the tale of Adam and Eve’s descent and reunion on Earth as presented in Islamic tradition.
Commerce
Explore the concept of 'Commerce' in Islam, including its Qur'anic foundation, ethical considerations, and the significance of Tijārah in facilitating societal welfare. Understand the role of Zakāt in regulating commerce.
Conversion to Islam
The act of embracing Islam through a formal declaration of faith and adherence to its practices.
Drinking Vessels in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the Islamic regulations surrounding the use of specific drinking vessels, and the reasons behind these prohibitions as per Islamic teachings.
Earth (الْأَرْض)
Explore the Islamic conception of Earth, its structure, and significance. Understand the cosmological views of Earth as taught by Prophet Muhammad and depicted in Islamic texts.
Emancipation of Slaves Upon a Death-bed: Understanding Islamic Legal Context
Explore the intricacies of slave emancipation and deeds of gift as per Islamic law, especially in the context of actions taken on a death-bed. Understand the legal limitations, priorities, and conditions under which slaves can be emancipated.
Ghadīr (غدير‎)
Understand the significance of Ghadīr, its etymology, and its role in Shīʿah Islam. Learn about the rituals associated with this festival and the historical context behind it.
Ghaẓab
Understand the term 'Ghaẓab,' its implications in Islamic theology, its frequent usage in the Qur'an, and its impact on the daily lives of Muslims.
Ghulāt (غلاة‎)
Explore the term 'Ghulāt,' its origins, and its implications within Shīʿah Islam. Understand the beliefs, historical context, and significance of this sect in Islamic thought.
Ghurāb (غراب‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Sufi Significance
Explore the term 'Ghurāb' in Islamic context, particularly its mystical connotations in Sufism with reference to a state of separation from God.
Grave (Qabr)
Learn about the Islamic perspective on graves, their construction, rituals associated with them, and their religious significance in Muslim culture.
Ḥadas̤
Understand the term 'Ḥadas̤' in Islamic context, including its implications on ritual purity and daily practices of Muslims.
Ḥajjatu-l-Wadāʿ (حجة الوداع)
Understand the term 'Ḥajjatu-l-Wadāʿ,' its historical significance, and its role as a model for the orthodox Hajj in Islam. Learn about the Farewell Pilgrimage of Prophet Muḥammad and its implications for Muslim rituals.
Ḥanafī (حنفى‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Discover the definition, etymology, and historical significance of the term 'Ḥanafī.' Learn about the Ḥanafī school of thought in Islam, its founder, and its impact on Islamic jurisprudence.
Hibah (هبة‎)
Explore the concept of 'Hibah' or gifts in Islamic law. Understand the legal implications, conditions, and impact on the property transfer in the Islamic context.
Hilah
Stratagem employed to circumvent or adhere flexibly to legal principles in Islamic jurisprudence
Houses in Early Islam - Structure, Etymology, and Cultural Significance
An in-depth exploration of housing structures during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the evolution of Islamic architecture, and its cultural and societal implications. Includes etymology, characteristics, and influential readings.
Ḥujrah (حجرة‎)
Explore the Ḥujrah (حجرة‎), the chamber where the Prophet Muḥammad passed away and was buried. Understand its historical, architectural, and spiritual importance in Islamic context, including its connection to prominent figures such as Abū Bakr and ʿUmar.
Ḥur (حور)
Discover the concept of Ḥur, the maidens of Paradise in Islam. Understand their descriptions found in the Qur'an and their theological symbolisms within Islamic beliefs.
Husayni, Hajj Amin
A prominent Arab nationalist leader, Mufti of Jerusalem, and president of the Supreme Muslim Council of Palestine during the British rule in Palestine.
Idols (وَثَن‎) in Islam - Definition, Historical Context, and Significance
An in-depth look at the concept of 'idols' (was̤an) in Islam, exploring their significance, historical context in pre-Islamic Arabia, and references in the Qur'an.
Iḥṣān (احصان‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Legal Context in Islam
Explore the term 'Iḥṣān,' its etymology, legal significance, and relevance in Islamic jurisprudence. Understand how the concept of Iḥṣān relates to marital status and the implications for legal rulings in Islam.
Ijarah: Islamic Leasing and Finance
Economic term for leasing in Islamic finance, used typically for capital equipment purchases and often involving participation in business ventures.
Iqāmah
Explore the term 'Iqāmah,' its role in Islamic practice, and how it is performed. Understand the differences across sects and the individuals involved in this essential part of congregational prayers.
Irādah (ارادة‎)
Explore the term 'Irādah,' its meaning, implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand how it represents human intention or will, and its significance in Sufi mysticism as the will of God and the longing to be united with Him.
Iron (al-Ḥadīd)
Explore the term 'Iron' (al-Ḥadīd) in the Islamic context, its mention in the Qur'an, and its cultural and theological implications.
Isḥāq (Isḥāq ibn Ibrāhīm)
Learn about Isḥāq (Isaac), his significance in Islamic tradition, and his role in the narratives of the Qur'an and Islamic theology. Understand the cultural and religious impact of Isḥāq across the Islamic world.
Istidlāl
Explore the concept of Istidlāl, its usage in Islamic scholarship, particularly in the science of exegesis, and its implications for understanding and interpreting the Qur'an.
Istighfār (استغفار‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Importance in Islam
Delve into the meaning and significance of 'Istighfār,' the act of seeking forgiveness from God in Islam. Understand its usage, practices, and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad regarding repentance.
Jabriyyah
Early Muslim theological school holding the belief that all human acts occur under the compulsion of divine power.
Janābah (جنابة)
An in-depth exploration of Janābah (جنابة) in Islam, its causes, implications, and purification rituals. Understanding the state of ritual impurity and its impact on religious duties.
Jannātu ʾn-Naʿīm (جنات النعيم)
Explore the term 'Jannātu ʾn-Naʿīm,' its etymological roots, usage in the Qur'an, and significance within the Islamic understanding of Paradise. Delve into how Jannātu ʾn-Naʿīm represents eternal bliss and reward for the faithful in Islamic eschatology.
Jerusalem - Significance and Historical Context in Islam
Explore the historical and religious importance of Jerusalem in Islam. Learn about mentions in the Qur'an, associated prophets, and key events impacting Muslim connections to this holy city.
John the Baptist (Yahya) - An Islamic Perspective
Explore the significance of John the Baptist, known as Yahya in Arabic, within Islamic tradition. Understand his mention in the Qur'an and his role in Islamic teachings.
Juma Mosque
Historic mosque built in 1606 in Delhi by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, significant for both religious and political activities in India.
Kafaah (Equivalence in Marriage)
A traditional Islamic concept referring to the equivalence or compatibility of husband and wife in religion, lineage, social status, and means.
Kalimat Al-Shahada
Learn about 'Kalimat Al-Shahada,' its implications, and significance in Islamic practice. Understand what this declaration of faith means for Muslims, how it shapes Islamic identity, and its role in religious rituals.
K͟HĀLIDŪN (خالدون‎)
Explore the term 'K͟HĀLIDŪN (خالدون‎),' its etymology, and its significance in Islamic theology. Understand its usage in the Qur'anic context to express the everlasting nature of heavenly joys and hellish torments.
Khalīlu ʾllāh
Explore the term 'Khalīlu ʾllāh,' its meaning, context in Islamic scripture, and the story behind Abraham being given this distinguished title.
Kindred in Islam: Inheritance and Marriage
Understand the concept of 'Kindred' in Islam, focusing on its role and implications in inheritance and marriage. Explore how familial relationships are regulated and respected within Islamic law.
Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Yaqub ibn Ishaq al-
Prominent compiler of Shii hadith and a major figure in elaborating Shii law, renowned for the Kitab al-Kafi.
Lapidation (Stoning)
Explore the concept of lapidation (stoning) in Islamic law, its roots, significance, and the debates surrounding its application. Delve into the historical context and modern perspectives on this controversial practice.

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.