Arabic–English Islamic Dictionary
31 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.
أَدَب
Adab (Etiquette/Propriety)
adab
Ethics · Sufism
Adab means proper comportment, etiquette, and refined conduct in every sphere of life — with Allah, the Prophet, scholars, parents, and all people. In Sufism, adab is a prerequisite of the spiritual path. The Prophet said: 'My Lord taught me adab and how excellent was His teaching.' Islamic literature from Quran to classical poetry emphasizes adab as the hallmark of true knowledge and piety.
الْأَوْلِيَاء
Quran ×4Awliya
awliyāʾ
Aqidah · Sufism
Awliya (singular: wali) are the friends and saints of Allah — those who have drawn close to Him through sincere worship, taqwa, and purification of the heart. The Quran promises "The awliya of Allah have no fear, nor do they grieve" (10:62). In Sunni theology their karamah (miracles) are affirmed and they are honoured as spiritual guides of every generation.
فَنَاء
Quran ×2Fana (Annihilation in God)
fana'
Sufism
Fana' is the Sufi concept of the annihilation of the ego in Allah — the dissolution of the lower self's desires and will in divine consciousness. It is paired with baqa' (subsistence in Allah). After fana', the mystic no longer acts from selfish impulse but from divine guidance alone. This station represents one of the highest degrees of spiritual realization in Sufi thought.
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.