Arabic–English Islamic Dictionary

Makruh (Disliked)

makruh

Fiqh

Makruh refers to acts that are disapproved or disliked in Islamic law but not explicitly forbidden. In Hanafi jurisprudence it is divided into makruh tahriman (closer to haram) and makruh tanzihan (mildly disliked). Avoiding makruh is praiseworthy; committing it may incur minor sin depending on the category.

Malak (Angel)

malak

Aqidah · Quran

Mala'ika (angels) are spiritual beings created from light, who obey Allah perfectly and never sin. Belief in angels is one of the six pillars of iman. The four archangels are: Jibril (revelation), Mika'il (sustenance), Israfil (the Trumpet on Judgment Day), and Azra'il (death). The Kiraman Katibin angels record human deeds. Unlike humans and jinn, angels have no free will and are never tested.

Masjid (Mosque)

masjid

Worship · Quran

A masjid (mosque) is a place of worship for Muslims — literally "a place of prostration." The first mosque in Islam was the Quba Mosque built by the Prophet in Medina. The three holiest mosques are Masjid al-Haram (Mecca), Masjid al-Nabawi (Medina), and Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem). The mosque serves as the center of Muslim community life.

Masjid (Mosque)

masjid

Fiqh · Quran

Masjid means 'place of prostration' — a mosque. The three holiest mosques in Islam are Masjid al-Haram (Mecca), Masjid al-Nabawi (Medina), and Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem). The Quran states: 'The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah' (9:18). Beyond prayer, mosques historically served as centers of learning, community consultation, and social welfare.

Mawlid

mawlid

Seerah

Mawlid refers to the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birth, observed in the month of Rabi al-Awwal. It involves gatherings featuring poetry, songs of praise, and recounting of the Prophet's life. Among the most celebrated texts is Sulayman Chalabi's "Mevlid-i Sharif" in Turkish tradition. Its permissibility is debated among scholars.

Madhhab (Legal School)

madhhab

Fiqh

A madhhab is a school of Islamic jurisprudence built around the methodology of a founding imam. The four major Sunni madhhabs are Hanafi (Abu Hanifa), Maliki (Imam Malik), Shafi'i (Imam al-Shafi'i), and Hanbali (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Each school developed a coherent methodology for deriving legal rulings from the Quran and Sunnah. The existence of multiple madhhabs reflects the richness and flexibility of Islamic legal thought.

Miraj

miʿrāj

Seerah · Aqidah

The Miraj is the miraculous Night Ascension of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), during which he was taken from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa and then ascended through the seven heavens to nearness with Allah. During this journey, the five daily prayers were ordained as the cornerstone of Muslim worship. It is commemorated on the 27th of Rajab.

Mizan (Scale of Deeds)

mizan

Aqidah · Quran

Mizan (the Scale) is the divine balance on which deeds will be weighed on the Day of Judgment. The Quran says: 'The weighing that Day will be the truth. Whose scales are heavy — they are the successful' (7:8). The heaviest deeds on the scale include the shahada, prayer, and remembrance of Allah. Belief in the Mizan instills the conviction that no deed — however small — is lost and that perfect divine justice will prevail.

Mu'min

muʾmin

Aqidah

A Mu'min is a true believer — one who has firm conviction in the six pillars of iman: Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree. Derived from the root meaning security and trust, a mu'min has found peace through faith. Al-Mu'min is also one of the 99 names of Allah, meaning the Giver of Security.

Mubah (Permitted)

mubah

Fiqh

Mubah refers to actions that are neither commanded nor forbidden in Islamic law — performing or abstaining from them carries no sin or reward in itself. It is the fifth of the five legal rulings (ahkam). Most daily activities fall under mubah. Intention can elevate a mubah act to worship if done for the sake of Allah.

Mudaraba (Profit-Sharing)

mudaraba

Fiqh

Mudaraba is an Islamic profit-sharing partnership where one party (rabb al-mal) provides capital and the other (mudarib) provides expertise and management. Profits are shared at a pre-agreed ratio; losses fall on the capital provider while the manager loses their time and effort. It is one of the foundational instruments of Islamic banking and resembles modern venture capital. It enables investment without charging riba.

Mufti (Issuer of Fatwas)

mufti

Fiqh

A mufti is a qualified Islamic scholar authorized to issue fatwas — formal legal opinions on religious and practical matters. Qualifications include mastery of Quran, hadith, and jurisprudential methodology, along with sound judgment and moral integrity. A mufti may be state-appointed or a privately recognized scholar trusted by the community. Fatwas guide Muslims but are not legally binding on individuals who disagree with them.

Muhajirun (The Emigrants)

al-muhajirun

Seerah · Quran

Muhajirun were the early Muslims who emigrated from Mecca to Medina, sacrificing their homes and wealth for Allah's sake. The Quran praises them as those 'who strove with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah' (9:20). Together with the Ansar, they formed the first Muslim community that would go on to transform human history. They are among the 'al-sabiqun al-awwalun' (the foremost in faith) promised Allah's good pleasure.

Muharram

muharram

Worship · Seerah

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the four sacred months in which fighting is prohibited. Its tenth day, Ashura, is commemorated with fasting — the Prophet learned that Moses fasted this day to thank Allah for deliverance from Pharaoh. The Prophet described fasting in Muharram as the best voluntary fast after Ramadan.

Munkar

munkar

Ethics · Fiqh

Munkar refers to evil and wrongdoing — all acts that Islam prohibits and that sound conscience rejects. "Commanding the good and forbidding the munkar" is a communal obligation mentioned repeatedly in the Quran. It encompasses all forms of moral corruption, injustice, and transgression of Allah's limits, from major sins to subtle wrongdoing.

Murabaha (Cost-Plus Financing)

murabaha

Fiqh

Murabaha is the most widely used contract in Islamic finance. A bank or financier purchases a commodity at cost, then sells it to the customer at a disclosed mark-up payable in installments. Unlike riba-based lending, it is a genuine sale transaction. Its permissibility rests on the Quranic verse: 'Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba' (2:275). It is commonly used for home, vehicle, and commodity financing.

Muraqaba (Vigilance)

muraqaba

Sufism

Muraqaba is the Sufi practice of constant self-watchfulness with the awareness that Allah observes all deeds at every moment. It is rooted in the hadith of Ihsan: 'Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.' Practitioners of muraqaba internalize divine surveillance as a spiritual discipline to purify the soul.

Murid (Disciple)

murid

Sufism

A murid is a disciple who has entered a Sufi order (tariqa) and pledged allegiance (baya) to a shaykh for spiritual training. The term comes from the Arabic root 'to will' — the murid is one who has actively chosen the path of spiritual purification. The murid's responsibilities include obedience to the shaykh, consistent dhikr and worship, and inner struggle (mujahada) against the ego.

Musharaka (Partnership)

musharaka

Fiqh

Musharaka is an Islamic joint venture where two or more parties contribute capital, labor, or expertise to a shared enterprise. Profits are shared at pre-agreed ratios while losses are proportional to capital contributions. It is considered the most ideal form of Islamic finance. Diminishing musharaka — used for home financing — allows one partner to gradually buy out the other's share until full ownership is transferred.

Salah (Prayer)

ṣalāh

Worship · Quran

Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam — the ritual prayer performed five times daily at fixed times. It consists of specific bodily postures, recitations from the Quran, and glorifications of Allah. Mentioned 99 times in the Quran, salah is described as the direct connection between the believer and Allah.

Nasikh and Mansukh (Abrogation)

nasikh wa mansukh

Tafsir · Fiqh

Nasikh (the abrogating text) and mansukh (the abrogated text) refer to the Islamic legal doctrine of abrogation — where a later Quranic verse or hadith supersedes an earlier ruling. The Quran states: 'We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth one better than it' (2:106). Understanding naskh is essential for reconciling apparently contradictory rulings in Quran and Sunnah.

Nabi

nabī

Aqidah · Seerah

A Nabi is a prophet in Islam — a human being chosen by Allah to receive revelation and guide people. The distinction from Rasul (messenger) is that a Nabi does not bring a new scripture but follows an existing one. Islamic tradition holds that 124,000 prophets were sent throughout history, beginning with Adam and culminating with Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Nafs (Soul/Self)

nafs

Aqidah · Sufism · Quran

Nafs refers to the soul, self, or psyche. Mentioned 295 times in the Quran, it has three states: nafs al-ammarah (the commanding soul inclined toward evil), nafs al-lawwamah (the self-reproaching soul), and nafs al-mutmainnah (the soul at peace). In Islamic spirituality, purifying the nafs is one of the highest goals of worship.

Nifaq (Hypocrisy)

nifaq

Aqidah · Quran

Nifaq means hypocrisy — outwardly professing Islam while inwardly rejecting it. The munafiq (hypocrite) was a major concern in early Islamic society. The Quran warns that hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire (4:145). The Prophet identified three signs of a hypocrite: lying when speaking, breaking promises, and betraying trust.

Nikah (Marriage Contract)

nikah

Fiqh · Quran

Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract — a solemn covenant between a man and a woman. Its essential elements include the offer and acceptance (ijab wa qabul), mahr (dowry), and two witnesses. The Prophet said: 'Marriage is my sunnah; whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me.' Nikah transforms a relationship into a sacred bond and is the lawful means of establishing a family.

Ni'mah (Blessing)

niʿmah

Aqidah · Quran

Ni'mah refers to any blessing or bounty granted by Allah to His creation. Mentioned 145 times in the Quran, blessings include health, intellect, faith, sustenance, and safety. The greatest blessing is iman (faith). Allah says: "If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you would never be able to enumerate them." (Quran 14:34)

Niyya (Intention)

niyya

Fiqh · Ethics

Niyya means sincere intention of the heart before an act of worship. The famous hadith states: "Actions are judged by intentions." Without niyya, acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, and hajj are considered invalid. Niyya is made in the heart; verbalizing it is considered a sunna. Sincerity of intention is what transforms routine acts into worship.

Nur

nūr

Aqidah · Quran · Sufism

Nur means divine light and illumination. It is one of the 99 names of Allah, described in the Quran as "the Light of the heavens and the earth" (24:35). Appearing 43 times, nur symbolises divine guidance, the Quran itself, and the light of faith in the believer's heart. In Sufi tradition it refers to the divine manifestation that illuminates the purified soul.

Asbab al-Nuzul (Occasions of Revelation)

asbab al-nuzul

Tafsir

Asbab al-nuzul are the historical circumstances or occasions that prompted specific Quranic verses to be revealed. Knowledge of these occasions is essential for accurate interpretation (tafsir) of the Quran. They clarify ambiguous verses, specify general rulings, and reveal the wisdom behind divine legislation. Classical scholars like Al-Wahidi dedicated entire works to documenting these occasions.

Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)

dhuhr

Worship

Dhuhr is the second of the five daily prayers, performed after the sun passes its zenith until the beginning of Asr time. It consists of four obligatory rak'ahs. The Prophet recommended delaying Dhuhr slightly in intense heat. The midday prayer marks a pause in daily work to re-establish connection with Allah at the height of the day.

Sawm (Fasting)

ṣawm

Worship · Quran

Sawm (fasting) is the third pillar of Islam — abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. It is a spiritual practice aimed at developing taqwa (God-consciousness), empathy for the poor, and self-discipline. The Quran explicitly commands fasting in Surah Al-Baqarah.

Rahma (Mercy/Compassion)

rahma

Quran · Ethics

Rahma means mercy, compassion, and tenderness. It is the root of Allah's names Al-Rahman (the Most Compassionate) and Al-Rahim (the Most Merciful) — recited at the start of every surah in the Quran. The Prophet said: 'He who does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.' Rahma encompasses Allah's limitless mercy toward creation, the Prophet's compassion for his community, and believers' care for one another.

Ramadan

ramaḍān

Worship · Quran

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar — the holy month of fasting. The Quran was first revealed during this month. It contains Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree), described as better than a thousand months. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, increase in prayer and charity, and seek forgiveness throughout the month.

Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)

eid al-fitr

Worship · Fiqh

Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic celebration marking the end of Ramadan fasting. Celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, it is one of two official Islamic holidays. Its observances include the Eid prayer (salat al-eid), paying sadaqat al-fitr (zakat al-fitr) before the prayer, visiting family, and expressing gratitude. The Prophet described it as 'your day of gratitude and worship.'

Rabi' al-Awwal (Month of the Prophet's Birth)

rabi' al-awwal

Seerah · Worship

Rabi' al-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar. It is most famous as the month in which the Prophet Muhammad was born (12th Rabi' al-Awwal). Many Muslims commemorate the Mawlid (Prophet's birthday) during this month. The Prophet's arrival in Medina completing the Hijra also occurred in this month.

Raja

rajāʾ

Aqidah · Sufism · Ethics

Raja means hope in Allah's mercy and forgiveness. Together with khawf (fear), it forms the twin pillars of worship — the believer worships driven by neither fear alone nor hope alone, but a balanced combination of both. After sincere repentance, raja is the conviction that Allah's mercy encompasses all things and that no sin is too great to be forgiven.

Rajab

rajab

Worship · Seerah

Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months. The miraculous Night Journey and Ascension (Isra wal Mi'raj) of the Prophet occurred on the 27th night of Rajab. Muslims regard it as a blessed prelude to the spiritual intensification of Sha'ban and Ramadan. Voluntary fasting in Rajab is encouraged in hadith.

Rasul (Messenger)

rasūl

Aqidah · Quran

A Rasul (Messenger) is a prophet who was given a new scripture and a new set of laws by Allah. Unlike a nabi (prophet), a rasul brought a new divine message to his people. Appearing 513 times in the Quran, the word means "one who is sent." Prophet Muhammad is the last and final Messenger of Allah.

Riba (Usury/Interest)

riba

Fiqh · Quran

Riba means any unjust increase in a loan or exchange transaction, broadly translated as usury or interest. The Quran prohibits it in the strongest terms: "Allah destroys riba but increases charity" (2:276). Both giving and receiving riba are declared sinful. Islamic finance offers alternatives such as murabaha, mudaraba, and ijara to enable economic activity without interest.

Rida (Contentment/Divine Pleasure)

rida

Sufism · Ethics · Quran

Rida has two dimensions: the servant's contentment with Allah's decrees, and Allah's pleasure with the servant. The Quran describes the ultimate station: 'Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him' (98:8). In Sufi thought, rida is a higher station than sabr (patience) — not merely enduring hardship but being inwardly at peace with divine will.

Ruh

rūḥ

Aqidah · Quran

Ruh is the soul or spirit — the divine breath Allah breathed into the human being at creation. When asked about the ruh, the Quran responds: "Say: The ruh is of the command of my Lord, and of knowledge you have been given only a little" (17:85). Its nature remains one of the divine mysteries. At death the soul departs and continues existence in the barzakh.

Ruku

rukūʿ

Worship

Ruku is the bowing position in Islamic prayer — bending at the waist with hands on the knees in a posture of reverence before Allah. One of the essential pillars of salat, the worshipper recites "Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great" while bowing. The Quran commands believers to bow and prostrate in worship (22:77).

Sha'ban

sha'ban

Worship

Sha'ban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, immediately preceding Ramadan. The Prophet fasted more in Sha'ban than any other voluntary month, calling it a month of preparation. The 15th night of Sha'ban (Laylat al-Bara'ah / Berat Kandili) is considered especially blessed — a night when deeds are presented to Allah and divine decrees for the coming year are registered.

Sabr (Patience)

ṣabr

Ethics · Quran

Sabr means patience and steadfast endurance in Islam. Appearing 90 times in the Quran, it encompasses three forms: patience in times of calamity, patience in refraining from sin, and patience in fulfilling acts of worship. Allah promises to be with those who are patient and grants them immeasurable reward.

Sadaqah

ṣadaqah

Worship · Ethics

Sadaqah is voluntary charity given for the sake of Allah, beyond the obligatory zakat. It encompasses any act of kindness — giving money, food, a smile, removing harm from a path, or good counsel. The Prophet said "Every act of goodness is sadaqah." Mentioned 23 times in the Quran, it is among Islam's most emphasised virtues.

Sahaba

ṣaḥābah

Seerah · Hadith

The Sahaba (Companions) are those who met the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a state of faith, spent time in his company, and died as believers. They are the primary transmitters of hadith and the living embodiment of Quranic practice. The Quran describes them as those with whom Allah is pleased and who are pleased with Allah (9:100).

Sahih (Authentic Hadith)

ṣaḥīḥ

Hadith

Sahih is the highest grade of hadith authenticity in Islamic hadith science. A hadith is classified as sahih when it has an unbroken chain of reliable, precise narrators and is free from defects and contradictions. Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are the two most authoritative hadith collections, collectively called "Al-Sahihayn."

Sawm (Fasting)

sawm

Fiqh · Quran

Sawm is the Islamic practice of fasting — abstaining from food, drink, and other specified acts from dawn to sunset. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Allah says in a hadith qudsi: "Fasting is for Me and I shall reward it." Beyond Ramadan, voluntary fasts on Mondays, Thursdays, and the Day of Arafah are highly recommended.

Sajdah

sajdah

Worship

Sajdah is the act of prostration in Islamic worship — placing the forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the ground in complete submission to Allah. It is the most sacred moment of prayer. The Prophet said "The closest a servant can be to his Lord is when he is in sajdah." Its root appears 92 times in the Quran in various forms.

Shafa'ah

shafāʿah

Aqidah

Shafa'ah is intercession on the Day of Resurrection — pleading before Allah on behalf of sinful believers, permissible only by His leave. The Prophet Muhammad holds the greatest intercession (al-shafa'a al-uzma). Mentioned 30 times in the Quran, it is an established doctrine in Sunni theology and a source of hope for the believer.

Shahada (Declaration of Faith)

shahādah

Aqidah · Worship

The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His messenger." It is the first pillar of Islam. Reciting the Shahada sincerely is the entry point into Islam and the foundation upon which all other acts of worship rest.

Sanad (Chain of Transmission)

sanad

Hadith

Sanad (or isnad) is the chain of transmitters linking a hadith back to the Prophet Muhammad. It is one of Islam's most sophisticated scholarly contributions: a system for verifying whether a report genuinely traces to the Prophet. Scholars of hadith (rijal al-hadith) scrutinized each narrator's reliability, memory, and moral character. An unbroken, reliable sanad is necessary for a hadith to be classified as sahih.

Shari'a (Islamic Law)

shari'a

Fiqh · Quran

Shari'a is the comprehensive divine law and moral code of Islam, derived from the Quran, Sunnah, scholarly consensus (ijma'), and analogical reasoning (qiyas). The word literally means 'a path leading to water.' Shari'a governs all aspects of life including worship, family law, commerce, criminal matters, and ethics. It aims to realize five essential objectives (maqasid): preserving religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property.

Shaykh (Master/Elder)

shaykh

Sufism · Fiqh

Shaykh means a venerable elder, learned scholar, or — in Sufi context — a spiritual master who guides disciples (murids) on the path of inner purification. The shaykh's authority is based on deep learning, piety, and spiritual realization transmitted through an unbroken chain (silsila) back to the Prophet. Choosing a qualified shaykh is considered essential in traditional Sufism for safe and effective spiritual development.

Silsila (Chain of Transmission)

silsila

Sufism · Hadith

Silsila is the unbroken chain of spiritual transmission connecting a Sufi shaykh back through successive masters to the Prophet Muhammad. Each link in the chain represents an authentic transmission of spiritual teaching and blessing (baraka). The silsila validates the legitimacy of a shaykh's spiritual authorization. Parallel to hadith isnad, the silsila ensures that the spiritual path is traced to its divine source.

Shirk (Polytheism/Association)

shirk

Aqidah · Quran

Shirk is the sin of associating partners with Allah — the greatest transgression in Islam. The Quran states Allah will not forgive shirk but may forgive lesser sins for whom He wills (4:116). Major shirk includes explicit idol worship, while minor shirk includes showing off in worship (riya). Shirk negates tawhid and invalidates all deeds if not repented from.

Sira (Biography of the Prophet)

sira

Seerah · Hadith

Sira is the biographical literature about the life, campaigns, and character of the Prophet Muhammad. Classical sources include Ibn Hisham's Sirat al-Nabawiyya and Ibn Sa'd's Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra. Studying sira is essential for loving the Prophet and emulating his example. The Quran commands: 'You have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model' (33:21). Sira brings the Prophet's humanity and wisdom to life for every generation.

Al-Siddiq (The Truthful)

al-siddiq

Aqidah · Seerah

Al-Siddiq designates those who most completely affirm and embody truth — the second highest rank in the Quranic hierarchy of spiritual excellence after the prophets: 'Those are with the prophets, the siddiqs, the martyrs, and the righteous' (4:69). Abu Bakr earned the title 'Al-Siddiq' for his immediate and complete belief in the Prophet's Night Journey. Siddiqiyya describes the station of unwavering, whole-hearted affirmation of divine truth.

Sidq (Truthfulness)

sidq

Ethics · Sufism · Quran

Sidq means truthfulness in speech, action, and inner state — a foundational virtue in Islamic ethics. The Quran commands: 'O you who believe, fear Allah and be with the truthful' (9:119). Abu Bakr earned the title 'Al-Siddiq' (the most truthful) for his unwavering truthfulness. Sidq requires harmony between one's heart, tongue, and deeds.

Sidq (Truthfulness)

ṣidq

Ethics · Quran

Sidq means truthfulness and sincerity in all its dimensions — in speech, intention, resolve, and action. One of the core virtues in Islam, it is one of the fundamental qualities of the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet said: "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise." Its opposite is kadhib (lying), which leads to hellfire.