Muḥammad (محمد) - The Character of the Prophet of Islam
Explore the character of Muḥammad, the Prophet of Islam, from various perspectives. Understand his personal qualities, habits, and how his life reflects his message.
Munshi
Munshi refers to a state scribe or secretary skilled in the prevalent writing style of Islamic chanceries from the eighth century onward.
Muslah
Explore the concept of 'Muslah,' its definition, etymology, context in Islamic law, and the ethical implications. Understand why mutilation of the body is generally forbidden, with specific exceptions detailed in Islamic jurisprudence.
Mutʿah
An in-depth exploration of Mutʿah (متعة‎), its legal interpretations, historical context, and significance within various sects of Islam.
Nād-i-ʿAlī
Learn about the term 'Nād-i-ʿAlī,' an amulet and prayer used in Shīʿah Islam invoking ʿAlī for assistance. Understand its historical and cultural significance, etymology, and usage in Islamic practices.
NĀFIʿ (نافع‎) - His Legacy in Islamic Tradition
Explore the life and contributions of NĀFIʿ (نافع‎), a significant transmitter of Hadiths and a respected authority in Islamic history.
Nakhla - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Understand the term 'Nakhla,' its importance in early Islamic history, and the implications of the first expedition led by Prophet Muhammad where blood was shed. Explore its geographical and historical context.
Naṣārā (نصارى‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Usage in Islam
An in-depth look at the term 'Naṣārā' used to refer to Christians in Islamic texts. Understand its historical and theological significance within the context of Islam.
NASR (نسر‎) in Islamic History
Discover the origins, historical context, and significance of the idol NASR (نسر‎) mentioned in the Qur'an. Understand its role in pre-Islamic Arabian culture and its representation in Islamic texts.
Night of Power and Excellence
The night when Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran, commemorated annually on the 27th night of Ramadan.
Pakistan National Alliance (PNA)
Nine-party coalition formed in 1977 to oppose the secular, socialist regime of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Pakistan.
Parish: Historical and Functional Overview in Islamic Context
Explore the concept of 'Parish' in relation to mosques in cities and villages, highlighting the responsibilities of the Imam, the ceremonial roles, and the financial aspects tied to the services.
Planets in Islamic Cosmology
Explore the Islamic perspective on planets (as-sayyārah), their arrangement according to Arabic writers, and the Ptolemaic influence. Understand the distinction between wandering and fixed stars in Islamic traditions.
Qadi
A judge in Islamic law serving as a legal and judicial authority within an Islamic state.
Qanāʿah (قناعة‎)
Explore the concept of Qanāʿah (قناعة‎) in Islam, its spiritual significance, and its role in promoting contentment and acceptance in one's life. Understand the scriptural roots and practical implications of Qanāʿah in the daily life of Muslims.
QAULU ʾL-ḤAQQ (قول الحق‎)
Explore the term 'QAULU ʾL-ḤAQQ,' its meaning as 'The Word of Truth,' and its specific application to Jesus Christ in the Qurʾān. Understand the interpretations by various commentators and its theological implications.
Qibt̤ī (قبطى)
Explore the term 'Qibt̤ī,' its historical background, etymology, and significance in Islamic and Middle Eastern contexts. Learn about the Copts, their heritage, and their role in early Islamic history.
Rainbow - Significance, Etymology, and Cultural References in Islam
Discover the term 'Rainbow' in Arabic culture, its implications, and etymology. Explore why it is referred to as Qausu ʾllāh instead of Qausu quzaḥ in Islamic traditions, and understand its significance in Islamic teachings and history.
RUBʿ (ربع‎) in Islamic Law
Explore the term 'RUBʿ (ربع‎),' its meaning and implications in Islamic legal contexts, especially regarding inheritance laws. Understand the circumstances under which a wife is entitled to a quarter of her deceased husband's estate.
Rules for Ascertaining a Death-bed Illness in Islamic Jurisprudence
Explore the concept of death-bed illness in Islamic law, focusing on the guidelines outlined in the Hidāyah. Understand the criteria that determine when a person is considered to be experiencing a death-bed illness and the implications for deeds of gift.
ṢALĀTU ʾL-ISTISQĀʾ (صلاة الاستسقاء‎)
An in-depth look into the Ṣalāt al-Istisqāʾ, a special prayer seeking rain during times of drought in Islamic tradition. Explore its etymology, practice, and significance.
Salsabīl
Explore the meaning of 'Salsabīl,' a fountain in Paradise mentioned in the Qur'an. Understand its significance and context within Islamic eschatology.
SARAH
Learn about Sarah, who is known in Islamic tradition as the wife of Abraham. This entry explores her references in Islamic texts and her importance in Abrahamic religions.
Saʿd Ibn Abī Waqqāṣ - Life, Contributions, and Legacy
Explore the life and legacy of Saʿd Ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, one of the earliest converts to Islam and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad. Discover his contributions to Islamic battles and his lasting impact.
Shahādah (شهادة‎)
Explore the term 'Shahādah' and its multifaceted meanings in Islamic context. Understand its implications as evidence, witness, and martyrdom, and its profound impact on the faith and daily life of Muslims.
Shaitān (شيطان‎)
Explore the term 'Shaitān,' its meanings, etymology, and importance within the Islamic tradition. Understand how the concept of Shaitān influences Islamic theology, ethics, and daily practices.
Shīʿah (شيعة‎)
An in-depth exploration of Shīʿah Islam, its historical origins, key beliefs, and differences from Sunnī Islam. Learn about the role of ʿAlī, Shīʿah traditions, theological principles, and cultural practices.
SHUFʿAH (شفعة‎) - Concept of Preemption in Islamic Law
Understand the term 'SHUFʿAH (شفعة‎)' in Islamic legal theory, its implications, conditions, and relevance. Explore its significance and application in the preemption rights for shared property.
Simsār (سمسار‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Role in Islamic Law
Explore the term 'Simsār,' its etymological roots, and its significance as an agent or broker within Islamic legal frameworks. Understand its role in commerce and trade in Muslim societies.
S̤iqah (ثقة‎) in Islamic Ḥadīth Studies
Discover the term 'S̤iqah,' its importance in the classification of Hadith narrators, and how it impacts the credibility of Islamic traditions.
Sleeping in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Cultural Significance
Explore the cultural and religious aspects of sleeping in Islam, including traditional practices, beliefs, and the Prophet Muhammad's guidance on sleeping positions.
Tadbīr ("تدبير") in Islam
Explore the term 'Tadbīr' in the context of Islamic law and its implications for the manumission of slaves post-mortem. Understand its roots, legal usage, and its cultural and ethical considerations.
T̤ĀLIB (طالب‎)
Explore the term 'T̤ĀLIB,' its meaning, etymology, and usage in an Islamic context. Understand the significance of being a T̤ālibu ʾl-ʿilm (student of knowledge) in Islam.
Tamattuʿ (تمتع‎)
Explore the term 'Tamattuʿ,' its meaning, procedural aspects, and significance in the performance of Umrah and Hajj in Islam. Understand how it benefits Muslims in fulfilling their pilgrimage obligations.
TAS̤WĪB (تَثْوِيب‎)
Learn about the term 'TAS̤WĪB,' its meaning and usage in the context of the Islamic call to prayer for Fajr (dawn) prayer, and understand its significance for Muslims.
Tazir
Discretionary Islamic punishments for crimes not meeting the Hadd requirements.
Taʿzīah (تعزية)
Explore the term 'Taʿzīah,' its meaning, context, and role in Shia Islamic traditions. Understand its cultural and religious significance during the sacred month of Muharram.
The Sūfī Journey: A Metaphorical Expedition to Divine Union
Understand the Sūfī concept of human life as a journey toward divine union. Explore the stages and terminology involved in this spiritual quest, and learn about key texts and rituals associated with Sūfīsm.
Tilāwah (تلاوة‎) - The Recital and Reading of the Qurʾān
An in-depth exploration of Tilāwah, the art and science of reciting and reading the Qurʾān, including its significance, rules, traditions, and scholarly interpretations.
Tradition of Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael - Islamic Perspective
An in-depth look at the Islamic tradition concerning Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael. This entry explores the narrative and its significance in Islamic theology and rituals, including the etymology and cultural context.
Unbelievers - Definition, Terms, and Context in Islam
Explore various terms used in Islam to describe unbelievers, including their definitions, etymologies, and contexts.
Wakīl - Definition, Etymology, and Role in Islamic Law
Explore the term 'Wakīl,' its definition, usage, and significance within Islamic jurisprudence, particularly relating to the appointment of agents in various transactions, including business and marriage.
WĀLĪ (والى) - Definition, Etymology, and Usage in Islam
Learn about the term 'WĀLĪ,' its meanings, implications, and usage both historically and in contemporary Islamic governance. Understand its significance as both a title for rulers and an epithet for God in Islamic scripture.
Wāsit̤ah
Explore the term 'Wāsit̤ah,' its meaning, and its role in Islamic contexts. Understand the significance of intermediaries and mediation within Islamic traditions and practices.
Waṣīyah (وصية) of Wills in Islam
Learn about the term 'waṣīyah,' its implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand the rules and regulations governing wills in Islamic law, and the significance of waṣāyā in the lives of Muslims.
Yamāmah - Historical and Geographical Significance in Islam
Explore the province of Yamāmah, its significance in early Islamic history, and the role it played during the time of Prophet Muḥammad. Understand its geographical location, etymology, and historical relevance.
Yaumu ʾl-Waʿīd
Yaumu ʾl-Waʿīd (يوم الوعيد), known as 'The Day of Threatenings,' refers to the Day of Judgment in Islamic theology. Understand its meaning, implications, and importance within Islamic eschatology.
Zainab bint Muḥammad (زينب بنت محمد) - Life, Legacy, and Significance
Explore the life of Zainab bint Muḥammad (زينب بنت محمد), the daughter of the Prophet Muḥammad, her marriage to Abū ʾl-ʿĀṣ, and her impact on Islamic history.
Z̤ILLU ʾLLĀH in Islamic Mysticism
Explore the Ṣūfī term 'Z̤ILLU ʾLLĀH,' its etymological roots, and its spiritual significance. Understand the concept of Insānu ʾl-Kāmil or the 'perfect man' in Ṣūfī tradition.
ʿĀYISHAH (عائشة‎)
Explore the life and significance of ʿĀyishah (عائشة‎), the daughter of Abū Bakr and the favourite wife of Prophet Muḥammad. Learn about her roles, contributions, and the honorific title 'Mother of the Believers.'
ʿĪD (عيد‎)
Understand what ʿĪD (عيد‎) is, its etymology, types, and significance in Islamic practice. Learn how Muslims around the world observe ʿĪD festivals and their cultural implications.
ʿIFRĪT
Explore the concept of ʿIFRĪT, a class of demons within Islamic belief. Delve into their mentions in the Qur'an, cultural representations, and their role in Muslim folklore and eschatology.
ʿIlmu ʾl-Asmāʾ
Explore ‘ʿIlmu ʾl-Asmāʾ’, the knowledge of the names, titles, or attributes of God in Islamic thought. Understand its significance in Islamic theology, Sufism, and devotional practices.
ʿILMU ʾS-SIḤR (علم السحر‎)
Explore the term 'ʿILMU ʾS-SIḤR,' its roots, connotations, and implications in the Islamic context. Delve into the science of magic, its historical, theological, and cultural perspectives within Islam.
ʿImrān (عمران‎)
Explore the meaning and significance of the name ʿImrān in Islamic tradition. Understand the distinctions between the two prominent figures named ʿImrān in the Qur'anic context and how Islamic scholars interpret these references.
Ephesus, The Seven Sleepers of - Definition, Etymology, and Theological Significance
Explore the tale of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, referred to in Islam as 'Ashabul Kahf'. Understand its historical background, relevance in Islamic culture, and the message it conveys in the Qur'an. Learn about the influences across different religious traditions.
Ummu ʾl-Walad
Explore the term 'Ummu ʾl-Walad,' its historical and legal implications in Islamic law. Understand the status and rights of a female slave who bears a child for her master.
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal - His Life and Contributions to Islamic Thought
Discover the life, works, and lasting impact of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, the founder of the Hanbali school of thought in Sunni Islam. Explore his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and hadith scholarship.
Incantation - [Daʿwah, Magic]: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the concept of incantation in Islamic tradition, its relationship with Daʿwah and magic, and its broader implications. Understand how incantations are perceived and utilized within the Islamic cultural context.
Al-Baitul Ma'mur (البيت المعمور‎)
Explore the concept of Al-Baitul Ma'mur, its significance in Islamic tradition, and its connection to the Mi'raj. Understand its positioning in the seventh heaven and relation to the sacred temple in Makkah.
Bukht Naṣṣar (بخت نصر‎)
Explore the term 'Bukht Naṣṣar,' its etymology, historical context, and its mention in the Islamic tradition. Understand how Nebuchadnezzar is viewed in Islamic texts and the implications of his actions.
Junayd, al- Abu al-Qasim ibn Muhammad
Early Sufi shaykh regarded as the founder of several tariqahs and a master of ‘sober’ Sufism.
Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine
A historical and socio-political outline of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine, its origins, evolution, and contemporary relevance.
Zaynab Ghazali
Prominent Egyptian writer, teacher of the Muslim Brotherhood, and founder of the Muslim Women’s Association
Qusayy ibn Kilab
Qusayy ibn Kilab, key historical figure in the pre-Islamic history of the Quraysh tribe, known for consolidating power in Mecca and overseeing the Kaaba.

Dictionary of Islam

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