Abul-Qasim — Literally means ‘father of Qasim’. It is an attributive title of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas); Qasim was the name of one of his sons; see also Holy Prophet.
Ahadith — Plural of hadith. Reported statements of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas).
Al-Hariri — In full Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn ‘Ali al-Hariri, (born 1054, near al-Basrah, Iraq—died 1122, al-Basrah), scholar of Arabic language and literature primarily known for the refined style and wit of his collection of tales.
Amin — A term which literally means, ‘may it be so’ and is used at the end of a supplication to pray that God may accept it. It is similar in meaning to ‘amen’.
Auliya’ — Literally means ‘Friends’ and is the plural of wali, which is generally used to refer to a saintly person. Shorter version of auliya’ullah.
Auliya’ullah — Literally means ‘friends of Allah’. Plural of waliyyullah.
Ahlul-Bait — Members of the household of the Holy Prophet (sas).
Dajjal — An Arabic word literally meaning ‘deceiver’. In Islamic terminology Dajjal refers to those satanic forces which would be unleashed in the Latter Days, and would be opposed by the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (as).
Dhun-Nurain — Lit. ‘the possessor of two lights’. It was a title given to Hazrat ‘Uthman (ra) because he had married two daughters of the Holy Prophet (sas) in succession, Ruqayyah (ra) and Umm Kulthum (ra).
Hazrat — A term of respect used to show honour and reverence for a person of established righteousness and piety. The literal meaning is: His/Her Holiness, Worship, Eminence, etc. It is also used for God in the superlative sense.
Holy Prophet (sas) — A title used exclusively for the Founder of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Holy Quran — The final and perfect Scripture revealed by Allah for the guidance of mankind for all times to come. It was revealed word by word to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) over a period of twenty-three years.
Imru’ al-Qays Junduh ibn Hujr al-Kindīy — An Arabic poet in the 6th century AD. He is sometimes considered the father of Arabic poetry.
Ka‘bah — The first house built for the worship of God, located in Makkah. Muslims face Ka‘bah while performing their daily Prayers [i.e. Salat] and make circuits of it as a part of the pilgrimage and also as an act of devotion.
Khairur-Rusul — The Best of the Messengers—a title of honour used for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas).
Khalifah — See Khulafa’.
Khalifatul Masih — Ahmadi Muslims refer to a successor of the Promised Messiah (as) as Khalifatul-Masih. Khulafa’ is the plural of Khalifah. See also Khulafa’.
Khatamul-Anbiya’ — See Khatamun-Nabiyyin.
Khatamun-Nabiyyin — The Seal of the Prophets. A title accorded by God to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) in the Holy Quran. A variant is Khatamul-Anbiya’.
Khulafa’ — Plural of Khalifah. Caliph is derived from the Arabic word khalifah, which herein means ‘successor’. In many divine revelations someone commissioned by God Almighty is referred to as His Khalifah. In Islamic terminology, the title ‘Khalifa-e-Rashid’ [guided Khalifah] is applied to each of the first four Khulafa’ who continued the mission of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas). Ahmadi Muslims refer to each successor of the Promised Messiah (as) as Khalifatul Masih.
Mahdi — Literally means ‘Guided’. A title given to the Reformer of the Latter Days prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas); see also About the Promised Messiah.
Maulawi — A Muslim religious cleric.
Muhaddith — A scholar of the Hadith.
Muhaddath — A recipient of divine revelation. Plural is muhaddathin or muhaddathun.
Muhammad (sas) — Founder of Islam. See Holy Prophet (sas).
Muhkamat — One of two categories into which the Holy Quran’s verses are divided. Refers to verses that are categorical, clear, and explicit, comprising the majority of the Book.
Mujaddid — Reformer. Holy personages within Islam who appeared in at the head of every century.
Munshi — Meaning secretary or scribe. It is a title far below that of the maulawi, who is formally trained in Islamic studies.
Mustafa — A title of honour used for the Holy Prophet of Islam; lit. ‘the Chosen One’. See also Holy Prophet (sas).
Mutashabihat — One of two categories into which the Holy Quran’s verses are divided. Refers to verses that are susceptible to different interpretations.
Promised Messiah (as) — A title used for the Reformer prophesied to appear during the Latter Days, by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas); see also About the Promised Messiah.
Qasidah — A poem.
Qiblah — Direction of the Ka‘bah in Makkah, toward which Muslims face to offer formal Prayers. The first Qiblah in Islam was Baitul-Muqaddas in Jerusalem.
Quran — See Holy Quran.
Shariah — Religious Law of Islam. The term is also used in a general sense for any religion’s revealed legal code.
Sahih — Lit. ‘Correct or authentic.’ A grade applied to ahadith that are deemed authentic.
Sunnah — Practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) of Islam.
Surah — A chapter of the Holy Quran.
Tauhid — The Oneness of God—the fundamental Islamic belief that there is none worthy of worship except Allah.
Tawaffi — An Arabic term used in the Holy Quran to denote the taking by God of a soul in death, unless otherwise explicated (e.g. in a dream or sleep).
Ummahatul-Mu’minin — Mothers of the Faithful. Title accorded to the wives of the Prophets, chiefly for the wives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas).
Zakat — The fourth pillar in Islam known as obligatory almsgiving, which constitutes the social support system in Islam for the distribution of wealth. The poor and needy are provided for by the contributions of the rich and affluent. Literally means, ‘increase’ or ‘purification.’