Islamic History

SĀʾIBAH (سائبة‎)
Explore the concept of 'Sāʾibah,' its historical and religious implications, as well as its specific mention in the Qur'an.
ʿUqbah Ibn ʿĀmir Al-Juhanī - A Companion and Governor in Early Islam
Learn about ʿUqbah Ibn ʿĀmir Al-Juhanī, his contributions as a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, and his later role as Governor of Egypt. Understand his significance in early Islamic history and governance.
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib - Life, Contributions, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the life and contributions of Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib, a notable companion of Prophet Muḥammad, his participation in key Islamic battles, and his role in early Islamic history.
Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah: The Lost Tribes of Ancient Arabs
Explore the origins, myths, and significance of Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah, the ancient 'lost Arabs' known from Islamic tradition. Learn about the tribes of ʿĀd, S̤amūd, Jadīs, and T̤asm as preserved in Islamic texts.
Amina bint Wahab
Mother of the Prophet Muhammad, noted in Islamic history for celestial signs preceding the birth of Muhammad.
Fatimah
Fatimah, Daughter of Muhammad and Khadijah, wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib, and mother of Hasan and Husayn.
Fatimid Caliphs - History, Etymology, and Significance in Islamic Civilization
Explore the history and significance of the Fatimid Caliphs, a dynasty that claimed the Caliphate during the Abbasid period. Learn about their origins, reign, and contributions to Islamic civilization.
Maimūnah (ميمونة‎)
Explore the life and significance of Maimūnah (ميمونة‎), the last of Prophet Muhammad’s wives. Learn about her familial connections, her marriage to the Prophet, and her legacy in Islamic history.
Suwāʿ (سواع‎)
Understand the term 'Suwāʿ (سواع‎),' its historical roots, and its mention in the Qur'an. Discover its significance and archaeological context in pre-Islamic Arabia.
ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd
Explore the life and contributions of ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn Saʿd, one of Prophet Muḥammad’s secretaries, and his role and significance in Islamic tradition. Learn about the controversies surrounding his actions and his reference in the Qurʾān.
Taif
An oasis located in the South Hejaz, Arabia; notable for Muhammad's visit in 619.
Bilalians
Name used by early African-American Muslims referring to Bilal, former black slave of the Prophet Muhammad.
Zainab (زينب‎) - Etymology, Historical Context, and Significance in Islam
Explore the figure of Zainab bint Jahsh, her historical and theological significance, the implications of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad, and the relevant Qur'anic verses.
Banūn (بنون‎)
Discover the significance of 'Banūn' in the Islamic context, its usage in classical texts, and its historical relevance to various tribes in early Islamic history.
Najāshī (نجاشى‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the historical and religious significance of Najāshī, the King of Abyssinia, and his connections with early Islamic history. Learn about his interactions with Prophet Muḥammad and the early Muslims.
Yathrib - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Learn about the term 'Yathrib,' its historical context, and its transformation into the city of Madinah. Understand the etymological roots and the significance of its renaming in Islamic tradition.
Bu Said Dynasty
An Omani ruling dynasty founded in 1741 by Imam Ahmad ibn Said, which continues to rule Oman today.
Saʿīd ibn Zayd (سعيد بن زيد) - Life, Role, and Legacy in Islam
Explore the life, role, and enduring legacy of Saʿīd ibn Zayd, one of the notable ṣaḥābah (companions) of the Prophet Muḥammad and one of the ʿAsharah Mubashsharah. Learn about his contributions to Islam, his roles in early Islamic battles, and his place in Islamic history.
Baitu ʾl-Midras
Explore the term 'Baitu ʾl-Midras,' its historical context, and its significance in Islamic and Jewish tradition.
Fatrah
Explore the term 'Fatrah,' its multifaceted implications within the Islamic context, including its significance in the early period of the Prophet Muhammad's revelation, its usage in Sufi terminology, and its importance in Islamic theology.
Hijrah
The migration or withdrawal, particularly referring to the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 C.E.
Khadijah (خديجة) - Significance and Legacy in Islam
Explore the life, legacy, and historical significance of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad and the first convert to Islam.
Muʿāẕ ibn Jabal (معاذ بن جبل‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Explore the life, contributions, and legacy of Muʿāẕ ibn Jabal, a renowned companion of the Prophet Muhammad, known for his expertise in the Qurʾān and his roles in early Islamic governance.
Qubāʾ (قباء‎) - Historical and Religious Significance in Islam
Explore the significance of Qubāʾ (قباء‎), its historical context, and religious importance in Islam. Learn about the events that took place here, including the foundation of the first mosque by Prophet Muḥammad.
Saud, Muhammad ibn al-
Founder of the first Saudi dynasty in Arabia and an influential figure in the formation of modern Saudi Arabia
Al-Baitu ʾL-Muqaddas
Explore the term 'Al-Baitu ʾL-Muqaddas,' its etymology, historical significance, and its connection to Islamic beliefs. Understand why this title is given to the temple at Jerusalem and how it is revered in Islamic tradition.
KĀRAWĀN (كاروان)
Explore the term 'KĀRAWĀN (كاروان)' along with its origins, historical significance in Islamic culture, and associated terms like 'Qāfilah' and 'Qāfilah Bāshī.' Understand the role of caravans in Islamic trade and travel.
Mahmud of Ghazna
Mahmud of Ghazna (d. 1030) was a ruler of Turkic origin who founded the independent Ghaznavid state and laid the foundation for lasting Muslim rule in northern India.
Parsī
Explore the term 'Parsī,' its historical background, significance, and cultural implications. Understand the relationship between Muslims and Parsis and delve into how they coexist.
Qadarīyah - Asserters of Free Will in Islamic Theology
An in-depth look into the Qadarīyah, Islamic theological groups advocating free will. Explore their subdivisions and unique doctrines, along with their historical and theological significance.
Abu Lahab
Enemy of the Prophet Muhammad, uncle of Prophet and notably mentioned in the Quran.
Bilqīs (بلقيس‎) - The Queen of Sabaʾ
Explore the historical and Qur'anic account of Bilqīs (بلقيس‎), the Queen of Sabaʾ, her encounter with King Solomon, and her subsequent significance in Islamic tradition.
Jamiat al-Shubban al-Muslimin
A pan-Islamic Egyptian political association founded in 1927 in Cairo aiming for social, cultural, and religious development of Egyptian youth.
Jarr (جر‎) in Islamic Law
Explore the term 'Jarr (جر‎),' its definition, historical context, and implications within Islamic legal practices. Understand how this form of chastisement was applied and its cultural significance.
Khuzaymah (خزيمة‎) - Definition, History, and Significance in Islamic Context
Explore the history and cultural significance of the Arabian tribe Khuzaymah, their expulsion by the Yaman tribes, and their role in the opposition against Prophet Muhammad in the Hijaz region.
Laḥyān (لحيان) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Context
Learn about the Laḥyān tribe, its etymology, historical significance, and the expedition led by Prophet Muḥammad against them in Islamic history.
Sadūm (سدوم‎)
Learn about the term 'Sadūm (سدوم‎),' its historical context, religious significance, and references in Islamic scriptures. Understand the implications of Sadūm in Islamic teachings and its place in the broader narrative of prophethood and morality.
Sultan
An Arabic term denoting possession of power, might, or authority, commonly used as a title among Muslim rulers.
Al-Ḥudaibiyah
Exploring the historical event of Al-Ḥudaibiyah, its implications, and significance within the Islamic tradition. Includes an overview of the treaty of Al-Ḥudaibiyah, its Qur'anic reference, and its historical and theological importance.
Bilāl (بلال‎)
Explore the legacy of Bilāl ibn Rabāh, the first Muʾaẕẕin in Islam, his role, and his significance in Islamic history and culture.
Al-Masjidu ʾl-Aqṣā (المسجد الأقصى) - Definition, Significance, and Historical Context
Explore the significance of Al-Masjidu ʾl-Aqṣā, its historical and religious importance in Islam, and its role in Muslim piety and literature. Understand the sacred narratives associated with this esteemed site.
Hubal
A pre-Islamic deity represented by an idol in the Kaaba, destroyed by Muhammad when he conquered Mecca in 630. Patron of the Quraysh, leading tribe of Mecca.
Magians [Majus]
Explore the term 'Magians' or 'Majus,' its historical context, and significance within Islamic traditions. Delve into the etymology, classical references, and the relationship between Magians and Muslims.
The Grove (Al-Aikah) in Islam: Definition, Etymology, and Qur'anic Significance
Explore the significance of 'the Grove' (Al-Aikah), its mention in the Qur'an, and the story of the people associated with it. Understand how they treated prophets, particularly focusing on the Prophet Shuʿaib.
ʿIMLĪQ (عمليق‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the historical and religious significance of ʿIMLĪQ (عمليق‎), the grandson of Shem and progenitor of the ʿAmāliqah, early inhabitants of Makkah and al-Madīnah.
G͟HAZWAH (غزوة) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Explore the term 'G͟HAZWAH,' its etymology, historical context, and its significance in Islamic history. Understand the difference between G͟HAZWAH and sarīyah and their roles in early Islamic military expeditions.
HĀJAR (هاجر‎) - Definition, History, and Significance in Islam
Delve into the life and legacy of Hajar (Hagar), a crucial figure in Islamic history, her role in the stories of the prophets, and her enduring influence in Islamic culture.
Hakimah
Hakimah, daughter of the tenth Shia Imam, Ali al-Hadi, whose shrine in Samarra is a significant pilgrimage site for both Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Harem
Harem: A term indicating a forbidden or sacred place, referring to the women's quarters in a household that are off-limits to males other than husbands or male relatives.
Muhājirūn (مهاجرون‎)
Explore the term 'Muhājirūn,' its historical and religious significance in Islam. Understand the pivotal role of these early converts and refugees who accompanied the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to al-Madīnah.
Baqīʿu 'l-Gharqad (بقيع الغرقد)
An overview of Baqīʿu 'l-Gharqad, the renowned burying-ground in Medina, its etymology, historical significance, and role in Islamic traditions and rituals.
Musa al-Kazim
Musa al-Kazim, the seventh Imam in Twelver Shia Islam, recognized for his spiritual leadership and scholarly contributions.
Ar-Rūm: The Qur'anic Term for the Byzantine Empire
Explore the term 'ar-Rūm' (الروم‎) used in the Qur'an to refer to the Byzantine Empire. Understand its historical and theological significance within Islamic context and its mention in the 'Chapter of the Greeks.'
Hijrah
Explore the term 'Hijrah,' its historical significance, and its impact on Islamic culture and theology. Learn about the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina and how it shapes Muslim identity and calendar.
Islamic Teachings on Slavery - Traditions and Practices
Explore the context, customs, and legal norms surrounding the practice of slavery in early Islamic history, as derived from Prophetic traditions. Learn how these practices influenced the treatment and emancipation of slaves.
Khazraj - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the Khazraj tribe, its origins, and its critical role in early Islamic history. Learn about their settlement in Al-Madinah and their significance in the context of Prophet Muhammad’s mission.
Khubaib (خبيب‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the life and martyrdom of Khubaib ibn ‘Adi, one of the early martyrs of Islam. Learn about his unwavering faith, heroic stance, and the solemn legacy he left behind.
Miṣr (مصر‎)
Explore the term 'Miṣr' (مصر‎), its etymology, historical and cultural context, and its significance within Islamic history. Understand the role of Miṣr in the development of Islamic civilization.
Ṣiddīq (صديق‎)
Explore the meaning of 'Ṣiddīq,' its usage in the Qur'an, and its historical significance. Understand its application to figures like Idris and Caliph Abu Bakr.
Uhud
Discover the historical and religious significance of the Battle of Uhud in Islam and its impact on the development of the early Muslim community.
Ẕū al-Fiqār (ذو الفقار)
Explore the historical and symbolic importance of the sword Ẕū al-Fiqār, its etymological roots, and its significant role in Islamic tradition.
Ismailis
A major Shii Muslim community known for their esoteric traditions and significant historical contributions, particularly during the Fatimid period.
Khubab or Khabbab (خباب‎) - Early Muslim, Persecution, and Loyalty
Explore the life of Khubab ibn al-Aras̤s̤, an early Muslim convert who endured severe persecution for his faith, and his significant interactions with Caliph ʿUmar. Understand his struggle, resilience, and the scars of his devotion to Islam.
Saiyid (سيد‎)
Explore the term 'Saiyid' (سيد‎), its usage, and the historical and contemporary importance of those who bear this title. Understand its significance in daily prayers, social standing, and Islamic culture.
ʿABBĀS (عباس‎)
An in-depth look at ʿABBĀS (عباس‎), his role within Islamic history, his contributions, and his influence that led to the establishment of the Abbaside dynasty.
Amīr (أمير)
Explore the term 'Amīr,' its historical roots, cultural implications, and roles in Islamic governance. Understand the various titles and responsibilities associated with 'Amīr' within Muslim states.
Amīru ʾl-Muʾminīn - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Explore the term 'Amīru ʾl-Muʾminīn', its origins, and its historical and cultural significance in Islamic leadership. Understand its usage among early Islamic figures, Caliphs, and the Sultans of Turkey.
Gabr (گبر‎)
Explore the term 'Gabr' and its multifaceted implications within an Islamic context, including its etymology, historical references, and cultural significance.
Ibn Saad, Muhammad
A pivotal 9th-century biographer and compiler known for producing early works on the Prophet Muhammad's life and a biographical dictionary.
Kindah (كندة‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Explore the Arab tribe of Kindah, its noble heritage, and influential descendants like the philosopher al-Kindī. Learn about Kindah's cultural and historical significance in the Islamic and pre-Islamic eras.
Kuls̤ūm
Understanding the significance of Kuls̤ūm ibn Hadam, a pivotal figure during the Prophet Muhammad's migration to Qubāʾ, and the location where the first mosque was built.
Moses – Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam
Explore the life and significance of Prophet Moses, known as Mūsā (موسى‎) in Arabic, in Islamic theology and history. Understand his role as one of the six great prophets and the Qur'anic narratives describing his mission.
Nineveh - Historical and Islamic Context
Explore the city of Nineveh, its historical significance, and its mention in Islamic tradition. Understand its reference in the Qur'an and its importance in the story of Prophet Jonah.
Sectarianism in Islam
Sectarianism in Islam refers to the divisions and conflicts that have emerged within the Muslim community despite the Quranic warnings against such divisions.
Timur Lang
Military adventurer Timur Lang, known in the West as Tamerlane, who established power in Iran and created vast conquests.
Yathrib (Yasrib) - Historical and Religious Significance in Islam
Explore the historical and religious significance of Yathrib (Yasrib), known today as Medina, including its role in early Islamic history and its transformation into the second holiest city in Islam.
ʿAbdu ʾl-Qādir al-Jīlānī
Explore the life and contributions of ʿAbdu ʾl-Qādir al-Jīlānī, the celebrated founder of the Qādirīyah order of Sufism, known also as Pīr-Dastagīr. Learn about his legacy and burial in Baghdad.
Dirham (درهم‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance in Islam
Explore the term 'Dirham,' its historical roots, etymological evolution, and its role and depiction in Islamic history. Understand the coin's transformation and its worth in different contexts.
Firʿaun (فرعون‎)
Explore the term 'Firʿaun' (Pharaoh) in Islamic texts, its etymological roots, and its significance within the Quran and Islamic tradition.
Lebanon - Significance in Islamic History and Culture
Explore the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Lebanon (Lubnān) in Islamic tradition. Learn about its associations with Ishmael and the Druze community.
Rahbānīyah (رهبانية‎)
Explore the term 'Rahbānīyah,' its origins, and its role and implications within the Islamic context. Understand the perspective on monasticism in Islam and its historical evolution.
Saudah (سودة‎) - A Prominent Wife of Prophet Muhammad
Explore the life and significance of Saudah bint Zam'ah, one of the early wives of Prophet Muhammad, her role in early Islam, and her historical context.
Ubaydullah Sindhi
Indian Sikh convert to Islam and a leading exponent of the ideas of Shah Wali Allah.
Wazīr (وزير‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Context
Explore the term 'Wazīr,' its etymology, significance in Islamic governance, and historical context. Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Wazīr in a Muslim state.
AL-KINDĪ (الكندى) - The Philosopher and Translator
Explore the life and contributions of Al-Kindī, an eminent philosopher and translator at the Abbasid court. Understand his role in the translation movement and his separation from the author of the Apology for Christianity.
AR-RASS (الرس‎) - Definition, Etymology, and Context in Islamic Scripture
Explore the term 'AR-RASS (الرس‎),' its appearances in the Qurʾān, various interpretations, and historical significance. Understand its uncertain meaning and the scholarly debates surrounding it.
Ayyubids
Historical governing dynasty in Egypt, Muslim Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, and Yemen, established by Salah al-Din (Saladin)
Bilal
Former slave and close associate of Prophet Muhammad, appointed as the first muezzin.
Dimashq (دمشق‎) in Islamic Context
An insightful exploration into Dimashq, known today as Damascus. Learn about its etymology, historical significance, and cultural importance in the Islamic tradition.
Misr
Misr holds a dual significance in Islamic history, denoting both early frontier settlements established by Muslim warriors in conquered lands and the country of Egypt, with contemporary colloquial reference primarily to Cairo.
Red Sea in Islam - Definition, Etymology, and Significance
Explore the significance of the Red Sea, known in Arabic as al-Baḥru ʾl-Aḥmar (البحر الاحمر), within Islamic tradition, its mentions in the Qur'an, and historical context. Discover its theological and geographical importance.

Dictionary of Islam

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