Arabic–English Islamic Dictionary
9 terms · Quranic vocabulary, fiqh, aqida, tafsir and Islamic concepts explained in English
Each entry includes the original Arabic script, transliteration, root analysis, theological definition, and Quranic or hadith references — designed to serve both English-speaking learners and scholars.
دُعَاء
Quran ×211Dua (Supplication)
duʿāʾ
Worship · Quran
Dua is the act of supplication — calling upon Allah with humility, seeking His help, mercy, and blessings. Mentioned 211 times in the Quran and described as "the essence of worship", dua can be made at any time. Allah promises to respond to sincere supplications: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (Quran 40:60)
إِخْلَاص
Quran ×31Ikhlas (Sincerity)
ikhlāṣ
Aqidah · Worship · Sufism
Ikhlas means sincerity and purity of intention — performing acts of worship solely for Allah's pleasure, free from ostentation and desire for recognition. Derived from the root meaning "to purify," ikhlas is a prerequisite for the acceptance of any deed. Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) is named after this virtue and encapsulates pure monotheism.
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
Quran ×37La ilaha illallah
lā ilāha illallāh
Aqidah · Worship
"La ilaha illallah" — "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah" — is the first part of the Islamic declaration of faith (Shahada). It is the most important phrase in Islam, representing the absolute monotheism at the core of the faith. The Prophet described it as the best form of remembrance and the key to Paradise.
About This Dictionary
The Islam Agenda Arabic–English Dictionary is a curated reference for English-speaking Muslims, students of Islamic studies, and anyone seeking to understand the theological vocabulary of the Quran and classical Islamic scholarship. Each entry includes the original Arabic script with diacritics, romanized transliteration, root letters (which unlock the word's family of meanings), grammatical category, and a scholarly definition.
Where applicable, entries note how many times the word — or its root — appears in the Quran, providing an immediate sense of the term's centrality in Islamic thought. Contextual sections include Quranic verse references translated according to Sahih International and hadith citations from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
The dictionary is organised into eight disciplines — Fiqh, Aqidah, Tafsir, Hadith, Sufism, Seerah, Worship, and Ethics — reflecting the major branches of Islamic knowledge. Use the filters above to browse by category, or search for a specific term to access its full entry.
What Each Entry Contains
Arabic Script & Root
The word in its original Arabic with vowel marks (tashkeel), its three-letter root, and transliteration into Latin script.
Scholarly Definition
A concise 50–60 word definition optimised for clarity, followed by a detailed explanation drawing on classical and contemporary scholarship.
Quranic & Hadith Context
Key verses from the Quran and prophetic traditions that illustrate how the term is used in its primary sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sources does this dictionary use?
Definitions are drawn from the Quran (Sahih International translation), Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and established works of Islamic jurisprudence and theology. Classical Arabic lexicons such as Lisān al-ʿArab inform root analyses.