A GLOSSARY OF ISLAMIC TERMS

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ab water
abi mudaf mixed water
abi mutlaq pure water,clean water
abi hayat water for immortality
abi tahur purifying water
abi khalil under-kurr water
abi kurr Kurr water
aba ancestors, forefathers
abotab bombast, grandiloquence
abohawa weather, climate
ab anbar cistern, water reservoir
abyari irrigation
atishbas cease-fire
atishparast fire-worshipper
atishduzak Hell-fire
atishfishan volcano
ajur fired brick
ahad units
ati forthcoming, future
akhir-uz-zaman the end of Time
akhirah the Hereafter, the Last Day
akhund theologian
adab rites, eitquette, rules
adam Prophet Adam (A.S.),
adamiyyat humanity, politeness
arambaksh comforting
aramgah mausoleum
arayish decoration, embellishment
arman ideal, aim, desire
Azar Prophet Ibrahim's (A.S.) uncle.
Astan threshold, shrine
Astan Quds Sacred Threshold
astane threshold, shrine
Aashur Assyria
Asiyah the wife of Fir'awn (Pharaoh)
afat corruptions, impediments
afaq heavens
afaq wa anfus macrocosm and microcosm
afaqi extrovertive
afaridgar Creator
ashub disturbance, riot, confusion
Asif ibn Barkhiya Prime Minister of Prophet Sulayman (A.S.)
afarinesh creation
al clan, offspring, posterity
Al-i Ibrahim the family of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S.)
Al-i Abu Taleb Talibids
Al-i Buyeh Buyids, Buwayhids
Al-i Dawood the family of David (A.S.)
Al-i Ziyar Ziyarids
Al-i Muhammad (S.A.W.) the progeny of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)
Al-i Musa (A.S.) the house of Moses (A.S.)
Al-i Nabi the family of the Prophet
aludah infected, polluted
amarzish salvation forgiveness
Amu Darya the river of Oxus
amuzish training, education
Ameen Amen!
Anatuli Asia Minor, Anatolia
ayat the Quranic verses, signs
ayat-i ilahi divine signs
ayat-i bayyinat clear signs
ayatus-sajdah the Qur'anic verses whose recitation is associated with sajdah.
ayat mutashabihat the ambiguous Qur'anic verses.
ayat muhkamat the clear Qur'anic verses
ayah the Qur'anic verse, sign, miracle.
Ayatul-Kursi the Throne verse (Ayat 254-257)of Surat ul-Baqarah.
Ayatul-Fath Verse of Victory
Ayatullah 1- miraculous sign of Allah
2- title of grand mujtahids in the hierarchy of Shi'ite jurisprudents
ayah mansukh abrogated verse
ayah nasikh abrogating verse.
ayinah mirror.
ayin religion, custom, rule.

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ibadiyah the Abadite, a sect among the Khwarij'ites
ibtidhal meanness
ibahah general permission
ibtikar innovation
ibtila trial, hardship, affliction
abjad the Arabic alphabets having numerical values
abad eternity
ibdah innovation, invention
ibraz to express, to disclose
Ibrahim (A.S.) Prophet Abraham (A.S.)
abzar tool, device, instrument
ibtal annulment; nullification
ab'ad dimensions
iblagh notification, conveying
abdal the elect, the righteous
abadi eternal
abrar the pious, the righteous
absar sight, vision
Iblis satan, the devil
iblisi satanic, diabolic, devilish
Ibn-us- Sabil needy traveller, way-farer.
Ibn-ul-Waqt son of the (present) time.
Ibn Bajah Avempace
Ibn Dawood Avendeuth
Ibn Rushd Averroes
Ibn Rushdgarayi Averroism
Ibn Sina Avicenna
Ibn Sinagarayi Avicennism.
abwab categories, classifications
Abul-Bashar The Father of Mankind
Abul Hawl The Sphinx
Abu Dharr one of the great companions of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) and Imam Ali (A.S.)
ibham ambiguity, uncertainty
ittiba following
atba nationals, citizens
ittihad unity, union, association
ittika reliance, dependence
Ittihad-i Islami Pan-Islamism
ittihad-i haqiqi substantial union
ittisal union, connection, coupling
ittifaq incidence
ittifaq garayi casualism
itqan perfection
itmam completion, finishing
ittiham accusation, blame, charge
ithbat affirmation, proof, verification
athar effect, result, literary work.
ithm sin, evil
Ithna-Ashariyyah Twelvers, the Shi'ites who believe in the Twelve Immaculate Imams(A.S.) after the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W)
ijarah lease, hire
ijazah permission, licence, sanction diploma of initiation
ijbar coercion, compulsion, force
ijtima aggregation, collection
ijtima'i collectively, socially
ijtinab shunning, abstension
ijtihad Islamic jurisprudential investigation
ajr reward
ijra execution
ajram bodies
ajram-i falaki heavenly bodies
ajza parts
ajsad bodies
ajsam bodies
ajsam wa ajram celestial and terrestrial bodies
ajal term, fate, end, death. appointed time, span of life
ijlal dignity, glorification
ijma unanimity, consensus,
ijmal epitome, abstract, summary
ajir hired servant
ihatah encompass, surrounding
ihalah turning over
ahbatul-amal cancellation of previous deeds through some cardinal or major sins.
ihtiraz abstention, avoidance,
ihtijaj argumentation, dialectic
ihtizar agony, being at the point of death
ihtikar hoarding, monopoly
ihtilam nocturnal pollution
ihtiyaj need, necessity, requirement
ihtiyat precaution, caution, prudence
ihtiyatan precautionary
al-ihtiyatul-mustahabb recommendatory precaution
al-ihtiyatul-wajib obligatory precaution
Al-Ahad The One, a name of Allah
ihdath creation, establishment
ahrar the noble, the righteous
ihram the state of being engaged in performing the Haj rituals, pilgrim's garment.
ahzab confederates
ihsan benevolence, virtue, favour
ahsan best
ahsan-al-khaliqeen The best of Creators
ahsan taqweem best stature
ihsa enumeration, computation
ihsarul-haj the hinderance in the Hajj
ihzarriyah Summons
ihqaq adjudication, administering justice
ahkam commandments, rules, precepts
ahkam awwaliyah primary rules
ahkam thanawiyyah secondary rules
ahkam khamsah five rules
ahkam Shar'i Islamic commandments
ahkamul-hakimin the most just of the rulers, a title of Allah.
ihya revival
akhazi extortion
Ahmad most praiseworthy, a name of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
ahwat to act with precaution
akhbar traditions
akhbariyun Traditionists
ikhtira invention, innovation
ikhtiyar option, free-will, choice
ikhraj expulsion
ukhrawi heavenly, other worldly
ikhlas sincerity, purity
akhlaq morals, ethics
ikhlal upsetting obstruction
Ikhwan-us-Safah Brethren of Purity
ukhuwwat brotherhood
akhyar the chosen ones.
ada accomplishment
adat tool, instrument, particle
adamallah May Allah Prolong
adab discipline, literature
idrak perception, cognition
idrak-hissi sensual perception
idrak-dhihni mental perception
Adranah Adrianople
Idris (A.S.) Prophet Enoch (A.S.)
Idrisiyan Idrisids
idgam assimilation
adil'lah arguments, proofs
adwar periods of revolution
adwiyah drugs
adyan religions
adib learned
Adhan the call for prayer
iddi'a pretension
adiyyah prayers, supplications
adiyyah mathurah the prayers or supplications handed down by ahadith
idhn permission, consent
iradat fellowship, discipleship
iradah will, intention, inclination
iradi voluntary, volitional, optional
arazel the vilest, the lowest
aradi mawat waste-lands
Araminah Armenians
arbab masters, landlords, boss
arba'in forty, 40th day of remembrance of the dead
arba'inat forty days of spiritual retreat
irtejah reactionary
irtihal departure
irtidad apostasy, renegation
irtisha bribery
irtida suckling milk
irtifa elevation, height, eminence
irtikab committing, perpetration
irtimasi the immersion of the whole body for ghusl (bath) or parts of the body for wudu in water
irth inheritance
irja turning over, referring
arham family-members, relatives
Arsatatalis Aristotle
Arastugarayi Aristotelianism
Aras Rud Araxes river
irshad guidance
ardi terrestrial
arkan pillars, first principles
arkanul-iman foundations of faith
Armiya (A.S.) Prophet Jeremiah (A.S.)
Arupa Europe
Arwand the Tigris
izdiwaj marriage, wedding
Azraqiyyah Azraquites
azal eternity, pre-eternity
azlam casting lots
azaliyy eternal, pre-eternal
Izmir Smyrna
azwaj couples, spouses
asarat bondage, captivity
asbab causes, means
asbat tribes, The Twelve Tribes of the Jews
istibdad despotism, tyranny
istibra confirmation of emptiness
istibad unlikelihood, improbability
istithmar exploitation
istithna exception, barring
istijabat fulfillment, answering
istihadah menstrual irregular discharges
istihalah metamorphosis, transformation
istikharah consulting Allah through du'a by the Holy Qur'an
istirja return, return to Allah, the recitation of inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
istisqa praying for rain
istidlal reasoning, inference
istishraq oriental studies
istishfa seeking for intercession
istishhad producing to witness
istita'at ability to perform a duty
isti'anat seeking or requesting or praying for help from Allah
istighathah beseeching, pleading
istighfar seeking the forgiveness from Allah
astaghfirullah may Allah forbid, I seek Allah's forgiveness.
istighna magnanimity, sufficiency
istifta to seek fatwa (decree)on a matter from a jurisprudent
istifsar to ask questions
istiqamat preserverance, steadfastness
istiqra induction, inductive reasoning
istiqlal sovereignty
istikbar arrogance
istilam touching Al-Hajarul-Aswad with hand or mouth.
istimrar duration, perpetuity
istimna masturbation
istinad quote, refer to
istinbat inference, deduction
istintaj deduction, conclusion
istinja taharah of anus after having passed faeces.
istinsakh transcription, copying, record
istinkaf disdaining, refusing
ustawa equator
istahza mockery
istehzah accountability,interpellation
istifa receiving, vindication
Ishaq (A.S.) Prophet Isaac (A.S.)
Asad Leo
Asadullah al-Ghalib The victorious Lion of Allah, one of the titles of Imam Ali (A.S.)
Israfil(A.S.) Archangel who will blow the trumpet on the Resurrection Day
Isra'il (A.S.) Prophet Jacob (Yaqub) A.S.
Usturlab Astrolabe
asrar mysteries
isra The Night-Journey
israf wastage, extravagance
aslaf predecessors
asfar journeys
Islam submission to Allah
Islambul Constantinople
Islam shinas Islamicist
aslub style, technique, method
aslemi arabesque
ism a'zam the Exalted Name of Allah
asm'a-ul-husna the Glorious Names of Allah
asma'-ur-rijal a dictionary of biographies of great men
Ismail (A.S.) Prophet Ishmael, Ismael (A.S.)
Ismailiyyah Ismailism
ismiyyat nominalism
uswah a model, an-example
Al-Asha'irah Ash'arites
Ishbaliyyah Seville in Spain
ishba saturation, satiation
ishtirak partnership, participation
ashraf notables, nobles
ishraq illumination, intuition
ishraqi intuitionist, illuminationist
ashrabah drinkables
ashraf superior
Ashraf-i-Anbiya the Most Illustrious of the Prophets
ishkal objection
ashkhiya the wretched
ashhadu an Allah ilaha illalah I testify that there is no god besides Allah
ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasullalah I testify that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the Apostle of Allah.
ashhadu anna Aliyun waliullah I testify that Ali (A.S.) is the friend of Allah
isalat validity, originality
ashab companions
Ashabul-Aykah The people of the Grove
Ashabul-Juz Atomists
Ashabus-Suffah The Holy Prophet of Islam's (S.A.W.) Poor Followers
Ashabul-Fil The men of the Elephant
Ashabul-Kahf The People of the Cave
istihlah technical terms
asfiya the pure.
asl fundamental, origin, essence, source, principle, substance
aslah most suitable or fitting
asnaf guilds
asnam idols
usul roots, principles
usuluddin Fundamentals of Islam
usuli theoretician in law
istirar compulsion, emergency
ita'at obedience, submission
i'adah returning, repetition
itaq emancipation of slave
i'tibar credibility, authenticity
i'tibari imaginary
i'tidal moderation, equilibrium
i'tiraf confession, admittance
i'tisab strike, protest.
i'tisam to hold fast, cling
i'tiqad belief, faith, conviction
i'tikaf staying in a mosque for worship and meditation
i"tila rise, elevation, eminence
i'tiyad addiction
i'jaz miracle
i'jaz-Qur'an uniqueness of the Qur'an, the inimitability of the Qur'an
ajami non-Arab, Persian
i'dam execution
i'raz aversion, turn aside
Arab Bedouins, Arabs
a'raf elevated places
i'zam deputation, sending off
Al-A'la The Most High
A'la Illiyeen highest of the high
a'lam the most learned Islamic jurisprudent
alam the banner, the standard
a'mal acts, works, deeds
a'yani thabitah immutable essences
Agalabah the Aghalabid
ag'raz aims
ighraq exaggeration, overstatement
ighfal deluding, beguiling
iftikhar glory, honour
iftira slander, calumny, libel
iftiraq separation, parting, dissociation
ifrato-tafrit excess and defect
afzal most meritorious, most excellent
iftar breaking a fast
ufuq horizon
Aflatun Plato
Aflatuniyun-i Jadid Neo-Platonists
aflak spheres
afyun opium
uful decline, setting
aqarib relatives, kinsmen
iqalah cancellation
iqlim districts
iqamah perform, establish the specified wordings almost similar to the adhan and recited after it, before commencing the salat
iqtida following, following a prayer leader in congregational prayers
iqtiran simultaneity, conjunction
iqtisad economy, moderation
iqtida requirement, exigency
iqdam action, measure, work
aqdas holiest
iqrar confession, affirmation
iqtah fief
Aqsa Al-Masjidul-Aqsa-the first Qiblah in Jerusalem
aqalliyat minority
Aqlidas Euclid
akthariyyat majority
aqwa a stronger opinion of a mujtahid, most likely
uqyanus ocean
iktisab to earn, acquiring
iktishaf discovery, exploration
akram munificent, generous
ikrah compulsion, duress, coercion
iltizam commitment
iltiqat eclecticism
ilhad heresy, apostasy
ilhaq joining, annexation
ilzam obligation
alfaz words, alphabet
ilqa infusing, inspiration
ilah god
Allah Allah, God
Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest
Allah Ta'la Allah the most high
uluhiyyat divinity, godliness
ilham inspiration, oracle
illahiyyat divinity,theology, rational theology
Ilyas (A.S.) Elias, Elijah,
umm mother, source, origin
Ummi Abiha the mother of her father, an epithet of Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (A.S.), the only daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
ammarah commanding, impirious
Imam infallible successor of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
imam-e- jama'at prayer leader
Imamah the divine successorship of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) by the Twelve Infallible Imams (A.S.)
imam-e-juma'a Friday prayer leader
Imamul-Asr The twelfth Infallible Imam of the present time, Al-Imam Muhammad Mahdi (A.S.)
Imamul-mubin the distinct Imam
Imamul-huda the infallible Imam of Guidance
Imamiyyah the Shi'ites, the Twelvers
Imamzadeh The offspring of an Imam; a shrine, where a descendent of an Holy Imam is buried
aman security, protection, safety
amanat trust, faithfulness
impraturi empire
Ummah the Muslim nation, people,
imtihan examination, test
imtinah refusal, abstension
imtiyaz distinction, privilege, concession
amr commandment
amr ilahi Divine decree
al-amr bil-ma'ruf wa nahy'anil munkar to enjoin good and forbid evil
imsak refraining from, abstinence, niggardliness
Ummi Salamah one of the wives of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.).
Ummus Sibyan hydrocephalus of new born infants
Ummul-Qura the mother of cities (the title of the holy city of Makkah)
imkan possibility, potentiality
ummul-kitab the mother of the book (a name of the Suratul-Hamd of the Holy Qur'an)
Ummul Mu'minin the mother of the believers (the title of the wives of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
amniyyah security, protection, peace
Amal hope, desire
imla dictation, orthography
amlak properties
umana trustees
amwat the deceased
amwal ghair manqul landed properties
amwal manqul movable properties
ummi unschooled, untaught
amir emir, commander, chief
amirul umara Chief Emir
Amirul Mu'minin (A.S.) Commander of the Believers, Al-Imam Ali(A.S.)
amin trustworthy, honest
ummiyyun The Common folk
Umayyah the Umayyids
ana self, ego,"I"
inaniyyat egotism
intihar suicide
Anbadqalis Empedocles
anbiya prophets
intiba warning
intikhab selection, choice, appointment
intikhabat election
intiza separation, isolation
intishar dissemination, propagation
intiqad criticism
intiqal transition
intisab selection, nomination
intizar expectation, waiting
intiqam vengeance, revenge
anjuman association, gathering
Injil Evangel, Gospel
Andulus Muslim Spain
inzal ejaculation, effusion
inzijar aversion, dislike
inziwa isolation, retreat
ins mankind, human being
insan man, human
insan-shinasi anthropology
isnan-i-kamil the Perfect Man
insaniyyat humanity, humanhood
insha Allah if Allah wills
inshiab connection, diverging
ansar the helpers and followers of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.) in the holy city of Madinah
insaf justice, fairness
An'am Cattle
In'am to bestow, present
intaki Antiochene
Intakiyyah Antioch
iniqad formation, conclusion
in'ikas reflection
infaq expending, charity
infal The Spoils of War
infijar explosion, bursting
inkar negation
inqibad contraction, reduction
inqiraz fall, decline, extinction
inqilab revolution, upheaval
angal parasite
anwar lights, rays
anwah species
Inglistan England
angizah motive, incentive
awa'il in the early parts
awtad pillar, prop, the four great saints
awj apogee, zenith, peak, apex
Awista Avesta
awsaf properties, qualities
awkaf endowments
awwal The First
Ilahiyyun theologians
ulul-albab men of understanding
ulul-amr the people in authority
ulul-azm the Possessors of determination
Ulul-azm Anbiya Arch-prophets
awlawiyyat priority, preference
awwaliyyat first principles
awliya saints, favourites of Allah
awham fancies, superstitions
ahali citizens, inhabitants
ihanat disdain, insult, despise
Ahram Pyramids
Ahreman Devil
ahl people, family
Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.) The Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.), his only daughter Hazrat Fatima Zahra (A.S.) and the twelve infallible descendants of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.), i-e the twelve Holy Imams (A.S.)
ahlut-taqwa the virtuous
ahlul-hadith traditionalists, one of the sects of Islam
ahlul-haqq The Followers of Truth
ahlul-hall wal-aqd the prominent members of the community
ahludh-zikr men who can give reliable guidance,i-e the Holy Ahlul Bayt(A.S.).
Ahlus - Sunnah Sunnis
Ahlul Kitab Followers of The Book
ahlul-qubur the dead
ahlun-nazar men of insight, experts
ahliyyat capability, aptitude
ahammiyyat importance
a'immatul hadith authorities on ahadith
ayabu-dhahab traffic, going and returning
ayyamul-bayd the day of bright nights
ayyamut-tashriq the three days after the sacrifice at Mina during the Hajj
ithar sacrifice, generosity
ijab offer, affirmation
ijad establishment, creation,
isal remittance
idah explanation, description
ijaz conciseness, epitome
ifa performance
iqa unilateral obligation
Izad God
Izadi Divine
iqan certainty, conviction
il nomadic tribe
ila a form of divorce
ima indication,hint,gesture
iman having faith in Islam
i'man safe,secure
aiwan porch, portico, balcony
Aaiwan-i Kasra Hall of the Chosroes
Ayyub (A.S.) Prophet Job (A.S.)
iham ambiguity, amphilboly paronomasia