Your Go-To Guide for Understanding Everyday Islamic Words
Islam has a beautiful vocabulary. Many Arabic terms are used every day by Muslims around the world, and they carry deep meaning and history. If you are new to Islam or simply want a refresher, this page will help you understand the most common and important Islamic words with simple explanations.
You do not need to memorise everything at once. Bookmark this page and return whenever you come across a word you do not recognise.
“And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?”
(Qur’an 54:17)
A to Z of Essential Islamic Terms
A
Aqeedah – Belief system or creed. It refers to the core beliefs of a Muslim, such as belief in Allah, angels, books, prophets, the Day of Judgement, and divine destiny.
Adhan – The Islamic call to prayer, usually made from a mosque to announce the five daily prayer times.
Akhlaq – Good character, manners, and personal ethics in Islam.
Arafah – A sacred day in the Islamic calendar that falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting on this day is highly recommended.
B
Barakah – Divine blessing and spiritual benefit in something. Can apply to time, money, food, effort, or life in general.
Bismillah – Phrase meaning “In the name of Allah.” Said before beginning any task or activity.
D
Dawah – The act of inviting or calling people to Islam. It can be through words, actions, or good character.
Dua – Supplication or prayer to Allah. It is personal and can be made in any language, at any time.
Dunya – The present world or this life, often contrasted with the hereafter (Akhirah).
E
Eid – Islamic festival. There are two major Eids: Eid al-Fitr (after Ramadhan) and Eid al-Adha (during Hajj season).
F
Fajr – The dawn prayer, first of the five daily prayers.
Fiqh – Islamic jurisprudence or understanding of Islamic law based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Fidyah – A payment or charitable donation made when someone cannot fast due to valid reasons like chronic illness.
G
Ghusl – Full body ritual purification required after certain acts such as sexual activity or menstruation.
H
Halal – Permissible or lawful in Islam. Often used in the context of food, but applies to all areas of life.
Haram – Prohibited or sinful in Islam.
Hijab – A general term for modest dress, commonly used to refer to the headscarf worn by Muslim women.
Hajj – The major pilgrimage to Makkah required once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.
I
Iftar – The meal to break the fast at sunset during Ramadhan.
Iman – Faith or belief in Islam.
Imam – A prayer leader in the mosque. Can also refer to a scholar or religious authority.
Islam – The religion revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, meaning submission to the will of Allah.
J
Jannah – Paradise, the eternal reward for believers in the hereafter.
Jumu’ah – The Friday prayer held in congregation, replacing the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays.
K
Kaaba – The sacred cube-shaped building in Makkah towards which Muslims pray.
Kaffarah – Expiation or penalty for certain violations, such as intentionally missing a fast.
M
Maghrib – The sunset prayer, third of the five daily prayers.
Mahram – A person whom you cannot marry and with whom certain rules of hijab and travel are different.
Masjid – Mosque. A place of worship for Muslims.
N
Niyyah – Intention. Every act of worship requires a sincere intention in the heart.
Q
Qur’an – The holy book revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the word of Allah preserved in Arabic.
Qiblah – The direction of prayer, which is towards the Kaaba in Makkah.
R
Ramadhan – The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which fasting from dawn to sunset is required.
Rakah – A unit of prayer. Each prayer consists of a set number of rakahs.
S
Salah – The five daily prescribed prayers. A pillar of Islam.
Sawm – Fasting, especially during Ramadhan, but also refers to voluntary and obligatory fasts.
Sadaqah – Voluntary charity given to help others.
Shariah – Islamic law derived from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Sunnah – The teachings, sayings, and practices of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Sujood – Prostration during prayer. One of the most spiritually powerful positions in Islam.
T
Tahajjud – Voluntary night prayer performed after Isha and before Fajr.
Taqwa – Consciousness of Allah, often translated as God-fearing or piety.
Tawheed – The concept of the oneness of Allah. The foundation of Islamic belief.
U
Ummah – The global Muslim community.
Umrah – The minor pilgrimage to Makkah, which can be done at any time of the year.
W
Wudu – Ritual washing before prayer or Qur’an recitation.
Waqf – Charitable endowment in Islam, often used to fund mosques, schools, and hospitals.
Z
Zakat – Obligatory charity paid once a year from wealth. A pillar of Islam.
Zina – Forbidden sexual relations outside of marriage.
Tips for Using Islamic Words Daily
- Use salaam instead of hello: Say “Assalamu Alaikum”
- Begin tasks with Bismillah
- End things with Alhamdulillah
- Say Insha’Allah for future plans
- Make Dua regularly for yourself and others
- Say Astaghfirullah when making mistakes
Final Reflection
“The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 5027)
The more we learn the language of Islam, the more we connect with our faith. Understanding these terms helps us live with intention, gratitude, and meaning every day.