Allah — Allah is the personal name of God in Islam. To show proper reverence to Him, Muslims often affix it with Ta’ala, meaning the most high or the almighty.
Ahmadi — A member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.
Amin — Literally, “May Allah make it so.”
Assalamo ‘Alaikum — Literally, “Peace be unto you.” An Islamic salutation.
Begum — A term of respect for a woman. The English equivalent would be “Mrs.” or “Madam.”
Eid — Islamic celebration at the end of Ramadhan and at the conclusion of the pilgrimage.
Hadith — A saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas). The plural is Ahadith.
Hazrat — A term of respect used for a person of established righteousness and piety.
Holy Prophet (sas) — A term used exclusively for Hazrat Muhammad (sas), the Prophet of Islam.
Holy Qur’an — The book sent by Allah for the guidance of mankind through the teachings of Islam. It was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) in Arabia, in the 7th century AD.
Huzoor — Literally, “Your Holiness” or ”His Holiness.”
Insha Allah — An Arabic term meaning, “God-willing.”
Ishraq — A voluntary prayer offered after the sun has risen, but prior to noontime.
Jalsa (Salana) — (Annual) convention or gathering.
Jama‘at — Literally means community. In this book it specifically refers to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.
Khalifatul-Masih — Ahmadi Muslims refer to each successor of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), as Khalifatul-Masih. Khalifah in Arabic means successor and Khulafa’ is the plural of this.
Mahdi — Literally, “the Guided One.” This is the title given by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) to the awaited reformer of the latter days. Ahmadi Muslims believe this person to have been Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), husband of Hazrat Nusrat Jahan Begum (ra).
Maulvi (Maulavi) — Religious teacher.
Mian — A term of respect for a male.
Nikah — The announcement of marriage in Islam.
Promised Messiah — This term refers to the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. He claimed that he had been sent by Allah in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas), concerning the coming of al-Imam al-Mahdi and messiah from among the Muslims.
Sahib — A term of respect for a man, the English equivalent being “Mr.” or “Sir.”
Sahibah — A term to address a lady.
Sahibzadah – A term of respect for the male progeny of a holy person.
Sahibzadi — A term of respect for the female progeny of a holy person.
Salat — The prescribed prayers for a Muslim.
Shirk — Associating partners with Allah (idolatry).
Sunnah — Traditions/practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas).
Tahajjud — A voluntary pre-dawn prayer consisting of eight rak’at offered before Fajr.