Arabic–English Islamic Dictionary
11 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.
آيَة
Quran ×382Aya (Verse/Sign)
aya
Tafsir · Quran
Aya (pl. ayat) means both a verse of the Quran and a sign or miracle of Allah. The Quran contains 6,236 verses. The double meaning is theologically rich: each Quranic verse is a divine sign, and natural phenomena are also described as ayat of Allah's existence and power. 'We will show them Our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth' (41:53).
قِرَاءَة
Quran ×10Qiraat (Modes of Recitation)
qiraa
Quran · Tafsir
Qiraat refers to the authenticated modes of Quranic recitation transmitted through unbroken chains of scholars from the Prophet. Ten qira'at are considered mutawatir (mass-transmitted). The most widely used is Hafs an Asim. Differences between qira'at concern pronunciation and vocalisation, not meaning. The multiplicity of qira'at reflects the divine permission granted to early Muslims to recite in their respective dialects.
قُرْآن
Quran ×70Qur'an
qur'an
Tafsir · Quran
The Quran is the holy scripture of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years through the Angel Jibril. It consists of 114 surahs and 6,236 verses. The Quran is considered the literal word of Allah, preserved perfectly since revelation. Its literary inimitability (ijaz) is itself considered a miracle. Allah guarantees its preservation: 'Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian' (15:9).
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.