Lying (Kithib) - Definition, Etymology, and Cultural Significance in Islam
Explore the concept of lying, its ethical implications, and its condemnation in Islamic teachings. Understand the etymology of 'lying' in Arabic, its cultural context, and how it affects the daily lives of Muslims.
Malik ibn al-Harith al-Nakhai al-Ashtar
A prominent military commander under Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib known for his role in historical Islamic battles and his opposition to Muawiyah.
Manāt (منات‎)
Explore the term 'Manāt,' its mention in the Qur'an, and its historical and cultural context among Arab tribes. Understand the relevance of Manāt in pre-Islamic and Islamic discourse, as well as its connection to other deities like al-Lāt and al-ʿUzzā.
Mandub
Recommended actions in Islamic law, not obligatory but meritorious.
Miftāḥu ʾl-Jannah - The Key of Paradise in Islam
Explore the term 'Miftāḥu ʾl-Jannah,' its meaning, significance, and usage in Islamic context. Understand how it is employed by the Prophet Muhammad to emphasize the importance of prayer.
Mīr (مير‎)
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the title 'Mīr' in Islamic traditions. Understand its historical and social implications among the descendants of Prophet Muhammad and other celebrated figures.
Miracles
Explore the concept of miracles in Islam, including the different Arabic terms used to describe them, their theological significance, and references from the Qur'an and Hadith.
Money: Coins Mentioned in the Qur'an
An exploration of the three coins mentioned in the Qur'an: Qintār, Dīnār, and Dirham, with historical context and their significance in Islamic tradition.
Mosque of the Two Qiblahs
One of the earliest mosques in Medina, associated with a pivotal change in Islamic prayer direction - the qiblah.
Mufti
A jurist authorized to issue nonbinding legal opinions (fatwas) in Islamic law.
Muḥammadan - Definition, Etymology, and Usage in Islamic Context
Explore the term 'Muḥammadan,' its origins, and how it is used within Islamic texts and culture. Understand why Muslims rarely use this term and the alternative names they prefer.
Mulḥid (ملحد)
Explore the term 'Mulḥid', its etymology, and the implications of being labeled as one who has deviated from Islamic faith. Understand its significance within the Islamic worldview and its historical context.
Mursal
Understand the term 'Mursal,' its etymology, implications, and usage in Islamic context. Learn about the significance of Mursal in the Qur'an and how it applies to prophets.
Muslim Parliament
Islamic organization founded in 1991 in London aimed at representing the interests of Muslims in the UK.
Musnad
Musnad Hadith or tradition of the Prophet, the transmission of which is traceable in an uninterrupted ascending order to the first person who transmitted or reported it, corroborating its authenticity.
Muʿtiq (مُعْتِق‎)
Learn about the term 'Muʿtiq,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand the role and significance of a master who emancipates a slave in Islamic teachings.
Nabi (نبى)
Learn about the term 'Nabi,' its implications, and usage in Islamic context. Understand what a Nabi is, how they receive inspiration, and the distinction between a Nabi and a Rasul.
Najashi (Negus)
Explore the term 'Najashi' (Negus), its historical context, and significance in Islamic tradition. Learn about the role of Najashi in early Islamic history and its implications for Muslim-Christian relations.
Nakīr (نكير) - Definition, Etymology, and Role in Islamic Eschatology
Explore the concept of Nakīr, one of the angels in Islamic belief who interrogate the dead. Understand its etymology, significance, and role in the context of Islamic eschatology and afterlife beliefs.
Nizaris
A major branch of Ismaili Shia Islam recognized by unique doctrinal positions, historical evolution, and leadership under the lineage of the Aga Khans.
Paighāmbar (پيغامبر‎)
Learn about the term 'Paighāmbar,' its etymology, usage in Persian and Hindustānī cultures, and its equivalence to the Arabic terms 'Rasūl' and 'Nabī.' Understand the role of prophets in Islamic tradition.
Parentage - Definition, Etymology, and Legal Perspective in Islam
Explore the concept of parentage in Islamic law, including its definition, legal rulings, and implications within the Islamic context. Understand the periods of pregnancy and the conditions under which parentage is established according to Islamic jurisprudence.
RAḤMAH (رحمة‎)
Explore the concept of Raḥmah, its etymology, Quranic contexts, and significance in Islamic theology. Discover the various attributes of mercy in Islamic texts and how Raḥmah influences the lives of Muslims.
Rāzī, Fakhr al-Dīn al-
Renowned Iranian philosopher and Qur'anic exegete known for his contributions to Shāfi'ī legal methodology and Ash'arī theology.
Recording Angels (Kirāmu 'l-Kātibīn)
Explore the concept of the Recording Angels, also known as 'Kirāmu 'l-Kātibīn,' in Islamic theology. Understand their roles, significance, and how they impact the lives of Muslims.
Roman and Greeks in Islamic History and Thought
Explore the interactions between Roman and Greek civilizations and Islam, focusing on their historical significance, philosophical contributions, and cultural impact within the Islamic world.
Sabr
Steadfastness, perseverance, and patience in fulfilling religious obligations and enduring life's challenges.
Ṣabr (صبر‎)
Explore the concept of ṣabr (patience) in Islam, its implications within the Qur'an, and the role it plays in the lives of Muslims. Discover key Qur'anic verses and texts that underscore its importance.
Ṣalātu 'l-Witr (صلاة الوتر‎): Its Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Learn about Ṣalātu 'l-Witr (صلاة الوتر‎), its significance, controversies, and practices in different Islamic traditions. Understand how it is central to the daily supplications of Muslims, particularly following the evening prayer.
Ṣalātu l-Istikhārah (صلاة الاستخارة‎)
Learn about 'Ṣalātu l-Istikhārah,' its significance, and the method of performing this prayer for seeking guidance from Allah. Understand the spiritual and practical implications of this practice in Islam.
Shurb (شرب‎)
Learn about the term 'Shurb,' its meaning in Islamic context, the prohibition of wine-drinking, and the broader implications for Muslim practice.
Ṣūfī Poetry: The Essence of Islamic Mysticism
Explore the significance of Ṣūfī poetry in Islamic mysticism, its thematic focus on divine love, and the contributions of celebrated Ṣūfī poets such as Rūmī, Jāmī, Saʿdī, and Ḥāfiz̤.
Synagogues: Their Role, History, and Significance in Religion
Explore the definition, history, and significance of synagogues in Judaism and its comparison with churches in Christianity. Understand the functions and cultural importance of these religious institutions.
Tabūk (تبوك‎) - Historical and Religious Significance in Islam
Explore the meaning, historical context, and significance of Tabūk in Islam, including its association with one of Prophet Muhammad’s military expeditions and the treaty with the Christian prince of Ailah.
Tābūt (تابوت‎)
Understand the term 'Tābūt,' including its etymology, various meanings, and its significance in Qur'anic contexts. Explore its interpretations, related theological concepts, and cultural practices.
T̤AIRAH
Explore the term 'T̤AIRAH (طيرة‎),' its meaning, etymology, importance in Islamic teachings, and its condemnation in Hadith literature. Understand how lightness and levity of mind are viewed within an Islamic context.
Taqdīr (تقدير‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Theological Importance in Islam
Explore the concept of Taqdīr in Islam, its etymology, and its implications in the doctrines of Fate and Predestination. Understand how Taqdīr shapes the theological perspectives and daily lives of Muslims.
Tasdiq
Affirmation of the truth of God’s existence and knowledge of divine attributes, prophets, and divine will.
Tashrīq
Learn about the term 'Tashrīq,' its significance during the days of pilgrimage in Makkah, and understand its cultural and religious importance in Islam.
Tattooing - Islamic Perspective, Etymology, and Legal Rulings
Explore the prohibition of tattooing in Islam, its etymology, and the Prophetic traditions that speak against this practice. Understand the religious and cultural context behind this prohibition.
The Second Period: An Introduction to Four Early Sūrahs of the Qurʾān
An exploration of the second period in the revelation of the Qurʾān, focusing on four key Sūrahs that mark the opening of Prophet Muḥammad's ministry.
Tilāwah (تلاوة‎)
Understand the term 'Tilāwah,' its importance in Islamic tradition, and its role in the daily lives of Muslims. Explore its etymology, cultural context, and related practices.
Tombs in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the Islamic perspectives on tombs and monuments. Understand traditional views from hadiths, legal rulings, cultural practices, and the variations across the Muslim world.
T̤UHR (طهر‎)
Explore the term 'T̤UHR (طهر‎),' its etymology, religious significance, and implications in Islamic context, particularly concerning divorce and purification.
Turban: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the cultural and religious significance of the turban in Islam, including its various names, styles, and historical context.
Wells in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the importance of wells (biʾr) in Islamic tradition, including legal rulings, communal use, and jurisprudential opinions from Islamic scholars.
Women's Rights in Islamic Law - A Comprehensive Overview
Explore the legal rights of women in Islamic Law including marriage, evidence, warfare, and their role in governance. Understand the historical and theological bases for these rights.
Wuqūf
Learn about the term 'Wuqūf,' its implications, and usage in the Islamic context, especially during the pilgrimage (Hajj) on Mount ʿArafah. Understand the ritual's importance and how it affects the pilgrimage experience of Muslims.
Yadu ʾllāh (يد الله)
Understand the term 'Yadu ʾllāh,' its implications and usage in the Islamic context. Explore the debates and interpretations surrounding this phrase within Islamic theology.
Zamzam (زمزم‎)
Explore the significance of Zamzam, the sacred well in Makkah, its historical and religious importance in Islam, and the origins of its name.
Zandaqah
An Arabic term referring to socially abhorred heresy, often linked to undermining Islamic orthodoxy.
'Irbān (عربان‎)
Understand the term 'Irbān,' its implications, and usage in Islamic legal transactions. Learn about its etymology, significance, and the role it plays in contractual agreements.
Absconding of Slaves: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islamic Law
Explore the concept of 'Absconding of Slaves' (Ibāq) within Islamic jurisprudence. Understand its historical context, associated terms, and the legal implications for both the slave and the captor.
Affliction
Discover the concept of 'Affliction' in Islam, its meanings, and significance in Islamic theology and practice. Understand the Arabic terms ḥuzn (حزن‎) and g͟hamm (غم‎) and the Quranic perspectives on affliction.
Al-Ghāshiyah (الغاشية‎)
Explore the meaning, etymology, and significance of Al-Ghāshiyah, the 88th Sūrah of the Qurʾān. Understand its context and the message it delivers about the Day of Judgment.
Al-Ḥajaru ʾl-Aswad (الحجر الاسود‎) - The Black Stone
A comprehensive overview of Al-Ḥajaru ʾl-Aswad, its historical, religious significance, physical description, and scholarly perspectives.
Al-Kāfī (الكافى‎)
Explore 'Al-Kāfī,' a critical collection of traditions in Shīʿah Islam compiled by Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Yaʿqūb al-Kulīnī. Understand its importance and impact on Shīʿah theological and jurisprudential thought.
Al-Wakīl (الوكيل‎)
Explore the attribute 'Al-Wakīl,' one of the ninety-nine names of Allah, which denotes God as the Ultimate Guardian.
Al-Yaqīn (اليقين‎)
Explore the concept of Al-Yaqīn (اليقين‎) in Islamic belief, its definitions, degrees of spiritual knowledge, and its implications in the Qur'anic context.
Aṣ-Ṣafā
Explore the significance of Aṣ-Ṣafā, a sacred hill near Makkah, visited by pilgrims during the Ḥajj. Learn about its historical and religious importance in Islamic tradition.
Baitu ʾl-Lāh
Explore the term 'Baitu ʾl-Lāh,' its meaning, significance, and usage in Islamic context. Understand why it is termed 'The House of God,' and its importance in the Muslim world.
Bektashi Tariqah
The Bektashi Tariqah is a Sufi order founded in the thirteenth century in Anatolia by Hajji Bektash Veli, with significant historical, cultural, and spiritual impact.
Blood - Definition, Etymology, and Its Legal Status in Islam
Explore the significance of blood in Islamic jurisprudence, focusing on the legal rulings regarding the sale and donation of blood.
CALEB in Islamic Context
Explore the figure of Caleb (كالب‎ Kālab), the son of Jephunneh (Yūfannah), and his mention in Islamic exegesis. Understand his role and significance within Islamic literature.
Collector of Taxes in Islamic Tradition
Explore the role of the 'Collector of Taxes' (ʿĀshir and ʿĀmil mutaṣaddiq) in Islamic context, including their duties, significance, and historical roots.
Daughters - Inheritance, Marriage, and Cultural Practices in Islam
Explore the role of daughters in Islamic law and tradition, including inheritance rights, marriage contracts, cultural customs, and Qur'anic teachings. Understand the legal and socio-cultural framework governing daughters in Islam.
Dreams
Explore the concept of dreams in Islam, understand the different types of dreams, and their significance as explained through Islamic traditions.
Eve
Explore the figure of Eve, known in Arabic as Ḥawwāʾ (حـــواء‎), within the Islamic tradition. Understand her role in the creation narrative, her relationship with Adam, and her importance in Islamic theology and cultural practices.
Evidence of Death in Islamic Law - Definition, Etymology, and Context
Understand how Islamic law, also known as Muḥammadan law, handles the evidence of death. Learn about the significance, scholarly rationale, and traditional sources that guide these rulings in the Islamic context.
Fatwa
An authoritative legal opinion in Islam provided by a mufti or legal scholar, guiding on matters not covered explicitly by Islamic jurisprudence
Fiqh (فقه‎)
Explore the term 'Fiqh,' its etymology, and its central role in Islamic jurisprudence, including key texts followed by both Sunni and Shia schools of thought.
Firdawsi
Firdawsi (d. ca. 1020), National Poet of Iran and author of Shahnameh (Book of Kings)
Fortune-Telling - Definition, Etymology, and Prohibition in Islam
Explore the Islamic perspective on fortune-telling, its definition, etymology, and the Prophetic stance against consulting fortune-tellers. Understand how this practice is viewed within Islamic teachings.
George, St. [Jirjis, Al-Khizr] in Islam and Christianity
Explore the figure of St. George, known in Arabic as Jirjis and Al-Khizr, his significance in both Islamic and Christian traditions, and the cultural and historical contexts in which he is revered.
Ghamarāt (غمرات‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Usage in the Qur'anic Context
Explore the term 'Ghamarāt,' its meaning, etymology, and its use in the Islamic scripture. Understand the significance of 'Ghamarāt' in describing the agonies of death and the related Qur'anic verses.
Gold in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the significance of gold in Islam, its etymology in Arabic, the zakat imposed upon it, the lawful trade practices, and its prescribed usage according to Islamic teachings.
Goshah-Nishīn
Explore the term 'Goshah-Nishīn,' its implications, and its usage in Islamic and Persian culture. Understand the life and practice of a Goshah-Nishīn, focusing on contemplation and devotion.
Hagar
Understand the role and historical significance of Hagar (Hājar) in Islamic tradition. Learn about her life, her association with Abraham and Ishmael, and her impact on the development of Makkah.
Ḥanbalī
Discover the meaning of 'Ḥanbalī,' its historical background, and key characteristics of the Ḥanbalī school within Sunni Islam. Learn about its founder, doctrines, and principal texts.
Ḥikmah (حكمة‎)
Explore the profound concept of Ḥikmah in Islamic thought. Learn about its significance, types, and how it shapes the understanding and practice of mysticism within Sufism.
Ibāq: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islamic Tradition
Understand the concept of 'Ibāq' (اباق) in Islam, its implications on the status of fugitive slaves, and the distinctions between different types of fugitives.
Ibn al-Muqaffa, Abd Allah
A pioneering figure in Islamic intellectual history known for his translations and contributions to adab literature during the Abbasid dynasty.
Id
Feast or festival in Islam, particularly referring to Id al-Adha and Id al-Fitr, characterized by special prayers, sermons, gatherings, and charitable acts.
Islamic Inheritance: Farāʾiẓ (فرائض‎) and Mīrās̤ (ميراث‎)
A comprehensive exploration of Islamic inheritance laws, covering core principles, relevant Quranic verses, legal scholars, and practical applications within Sunni and Shia traditions.
Islamic Jihad of Palestine
Islamic Jihad of Palestine is a militant Islamist group operating primarily in Palestine and the occupied territories, with an aim to establish an autonomous Palestinian state.
Istisqāʾ - Prayers for Rain in Islam
Understand the significance of Istisqāʾ (استسقاء‎), the prayer for rain in Islam, including its practices and theological implications.
Jinn in Islamic Belief - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the concept of Jinn in Islamic theology, their origins, types, and their roles in Muslim belief as detailed in Qur'anic and traditional teachings.
Korah
Learn about Korah, known as Qārūn in Arabic, his role in Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions, and his socio-religious implications. Understand his portrayal in religious texts and its moral and ethical teachings.
KULĀH (كلاه‎)
Discover the cultural and religious importance of the KULĀH, particularly among Muḥammadan faqīrs and darweshes. Understand its etymology, varying uses, and symbolic significance.
Liwaʾ (لواء‎)
Understand the term 'Liwaʾ,' its historical significance, etymology, and role in Islamic culture. Discover how banners and standards have been used in Islamic traditions and warfare.
Marxism and Islam
Exploration of the intersection between Marxism and Islam, focusing on their common grounds and divergences, particularly concerning social justice, materialism, and atheism.
Maulā (مولى‎)
Explore the term 'Maulā,' its various implications, and its usage in Islamic context. Understand its significance in the Qur'an and Islamic law.
Millah
Explore the term 'Millah,' its occurrences in the Qur'an, and its significance in Islamic teachings. Understand its usage in different contexts and its etymology.
Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD)
A political opposition movement that emerged in Pakistan during the early 1980s to demand the restoration of democratic governance and the end of martial law under President Zia-ul-Haq.
Mufarriḥu ’l-Aḥzān (مفرح الاحزان)
Explore the term 'Mufarriḥu ’l-Aḥzān,' its etymology, and how it underscores the Islamic spirit of resignation and counsel in times of affliction. Understand the theological underpinnings and significance of this Sufi concept.
Muḥammad
Learn about Muḥammad, the founder of Islam, his early life, his mission, and his impact on both his contemporaries and posterity. Understand his legacy and importance in the historical and theological context of Islam.
Mules (bag͟hl)
Explore the term 'Mules' (bag͟hl), its importance in Islamic teachings, and specific injunctions related to mules in Islamic jurisprudence.
Murjīyah, Murjiʾah (مرجية‎) in Islamic History
Explore the Murjīyah, or Murjiʾah sect, their beliefs, historical context, and divisions. Understand their perspectives on faith, sin, and the afterlife.
Namāz (نماز‎)
Understanding the term 'Namāz,' its meaning, significance in Islamic practice, and its use in Persian and Hindūstānī contexts. A comprehensive guide to its role as ṣalāt in Muslim worship.

Dictionary of Islam

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