Glossar of Terms

Isa al Masih -- The Arabic name of "Jesus Christ". See here for a more detailed explanation of the Christian beliefs of Jesus and the events surround his birth, life and death.

Allah -- The one, supreme, and only God, the creator of the world and the universe. The term "Allah" is used by Muslims and many Arabic-speaking Christians alike to refer to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob whom adherents of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism worship. Many Muslims use the name "Allah" interchangeably with the name "God." We do recognize, however, that there are some differences in the personalities attributed to "Allah" in the Qur'an, and "God" in the Bible.


AL-'ADL -- "The Just". Among the 99 Names of God in Islamic theology.

AL-'ALM -- "The All-Knowing". Among the 99 Names of God in Islamic theology.

AL-GAFR -- "The Forgiving". Among the 99 Names of God in Islamic theology.

AL-HAKAM, AL-FATTH -- "The Judge". Among the 99 Names of God in Islamic theology.

Al-Zabur -- The name given in the Islamic religion to the Psalms of David of the Old Testament (but perhaps equivalent to the Kethubim, the third division of the Hebrew Bible).

Allahuakbar -- In Islamic culture, meaning "God is great".

Assalaamu laykum -- A common greeting in Islamic culture meaning "Peace be upon you." The common reply is then "Wa alaykumus salaam" (peace be upon you).

Bismillah -- In Islamic culture, meaning "in the name of Allah".

Crusades -- During the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, these were the military campaigns embarked upon in the name of "Christianity" to recover the Holy Land from Muslim occupation. Please see our apology.

Dawud -- The Arabic name for "David", King of Israel. See here for more information.

Eid ul-Fitr -- "A 3 day Islamic fast marking the close of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions." [1] Also known as "Id-al-Fitr".

Eid-ul-Adha -- "Islamic Feast of Sacrifice. The most important feast of Islam. It concludes the Hajj and is a three-day festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah." [2] Also known as "Id al-Adha". Do you know the secret meaning behind Id-al-Adha?

Hadith -- Recorded teachings of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), outside of the Qur'an. Also known as "The Traditions". The Hadith is commonly taught in Islamic culture as a part of Islamic theology.

Hajj -- "Islamic pilgrimage rites at Mecca on 7-12th days of month of Dhu al-Hajja. Concludes with Eid ul Adha when those not traveling to Mecca take part." [3]

Hazrat -- Meaning: "Prophet". Commonly used in Islamic culture as a title when referring to prophets such as Dawud (David, pbuh), Ibrahim (Abraham, pbuh), etc.

Imam -- "The male prayer leader in a mosque." or "The Muslim worshiper who leads the recitation of prayer when two or more worshipers are present." [4]

Injil -- A title used in Islamic culture for the books known in Christianity as the "New Testament" and considered by the Qur'an to be Divinely revealed. This collection of holy books was known and used by Christians before the Qur'an was given. (More information)

Insha Allah -- In Islamic culture, meaning "if God wishes".

Judgment Day -- Referred to in the Qur'an in Surah: 3. Al-i-Imran Ayah: 185. Also known as "Day of Judgment".

Koran -- See "Qur'an" below.

Law of God -- In this sense, meaning essentially the "Ten Commandments" revealed unto the Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be unto him.

Majuj -- The Arabic version of "Magog". See here for more information.

Masih-al-Dajjal -- The antichrist figure prophecied to come into the world to deceive many in the "last days".

Mohammed -- Prophet of Islam to whom the Qur'an was revealed during the years of A.D. 610 to 632. Mohammed was born in Mecca around A.D. 570. Muslims believe "Muhammad had some extraordinary experiences during his childhood; he was exceptionally moral and religiously-inclined; he was sent to all humankind with essentially the same religious message which was given to earlier prophets; his total message is inclusive, complete and is basically good for all times and places; he was the last prophet sent by Allah." [5]

Musa -- The Arabic name for "Moses," pbuh. See here for more information.

Paradise -- "The Qur'an and the Hadith present paradise as a place of extreme beauty, sinless, with no presence of pain or sorrow, and ample physical fulfillment." [6]

pbuh -- Means "peace be upon him". Used within Islam when referring to prophets. We do not use this term when referring to Hazrat Isa al Masih (Jesus), however, because the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the one who ushered in a Kingdom of Peace upon the earth. This phrase also means "May our (and possibly God's) peace be accorded to him." It is Hazrat Isa who grants us peace, not we who can grant Him peace.

Qiyamat -- "Meaning both resurrection and judgment, at least by implication or connotation. But it is also called the Day of Encompassing, the Day of Standing Up, the Day of Separation, the Day of Judgment, the Day of Awakening, the Day of Reckoning, and (instead of Day) the Hour." [7]

Qur'an -- The Holy Book "revealed to Muhammad" (pbuh) "during the period from A.D. 610 to 632. It serves as a roadmap for this life and the life to come. It provides guidance for worship, marriage and family, economics, politics, community affairs, hygiene, and all other affairs of humanity. Muslims memorize it, recite it, and create artistic expressions from it. As a literary piece of Arabic, it stands alone." See here for a history of the Qur'an. [8]

Ramadan -- "Islamic month long commemoration of Muhammad's reception of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur'an. The event begins when authorities in Saudi Arabia sight the new moon of the 9th month. It is the holiest period of the Islamic Year. There is strict fasting from sunrise to sunset." [9]

Spirit of Allah -- Isa al Masih (Jesus Christ) is referred to in the Qur'an as the "Spirit of Allah" (4:171).

Subhaanallah -- Meaning "glory be to God" in Islamic culture.

Sunnah -- "Guidelines of Muslim life" [10]

Tawrat -- the Pentateuch, or Books of Moses. Considered by the Qur'an to be Divinely revealed. Can refer to the law of Moses or the entire Old Testament revelation, depending on the context.

Yajuj -- The Arabic name for "Gog". See here for more information.

Zabur -- the Psalms of David. Considered by the Qur'an to be Divinely revealed.


Footnotes:
  1. According to Interfaithcalendar.org.
  2. ibid
  3. ibid
  4. According to Dictionary.com
  5. Dr. Akbar Muhammad in a paper presented in Pomona, CA, USA May 16, 1981 at a Baptist Muslim dialogue.
  6. Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples, Politics and Power. Copyright 1996 George W. Braswell.
  7. The Practical Approach to Muslims Copyright 1977 Mrs. M. Christensen and The North Africa Mission.
  8. Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples, Politics and Power. Copyright 1996 George W. Braswell.
  9. According to Interfaithcalendar.org.
  10. Islam: Its Prophet, Peoples, Politics and Power. Copyright 1996 George W. Braswell.