What does "Quran ×N" mean on word cards?

The number indicates how many times the root of that word appears in the Quran. A higher frequency signals the term's centrality in Islamic theology — for example, the root of "iman" (faith) appears 537 times.

What is the difference between Fiqh and Aqidah terms?

Fiqh terms relate to Islamic jurisprudence — rules governing worship and conduct (e.g. halal, wudu, zakat). Aqidah terms concern articles of faith — belief in Allah, angels, prophecy, and divine decree (e.g. tawhid, qadar).

Why are Arabic root letters important?

Arabic is a root-based language: most words share a three-consonant root from which dozens of related words are derived. For example, the root s-l-m gives Islam, Muslim, salaam, and taslim — all connected by the concept of peace and submission.

Arabic–English Islamic Dictionary

224 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.

All Fiqh Aqidah Tafsir Hadith Sufism Quran Ethics Worship

حَيَاء

Quran ×2

Haya' (Modesty/Shyness)

haya

Ethics

Haya' (or hayah) means modesty, bashfulness, and a sense of shame that prevents indecent speech and behavior. The Prophet said: 'Haya is part of faith' and 'Haya brings nothing but good.' Haya is directed toward Allah (by avoiding what He has forbidden), toward people (by behaving with propriety), and toward oneself (by upholding personal integrity). It is a defining virtue of Islamic character.

الْخَيْر

Quran ×176

Khayr

khayr

Ethics · Quran

Khayr means goodness, benefit, and virtue — the opposite of evil (sharr). Appearing 176 times in the Quran, it is one of the most central ethical concepts in Islam. The Prophet declared "The best of people is the one most beneficial to others." Khayr encompasses good deeds, charitable giving, beneficial speech, and any action that brings wellbeing to others.

حَلَال

Quran ×15

Halal (Permissible)

halal

Fiqh

Halal refers to anything permissible or lawful under Islamic law. It applies to food, drink, financial transactions, and behavior. The Quran repeatedly instructs believers to eat from what is halal and good (tayyib). Halal is the opposite of haram (forbidden) and forms one of the five rulings (ahkam) of Islamic jurisprudence.

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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.