Section 15

This glossary has been compiled to assist readers not familiar with Islamic terminology in understanding the above recollections. 

(as)

Short for ‘peace be upon him.’

Adhaan

Call to prayers.

Agha

Persian form of address for males.

Ashura

10^th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.  This is the day the 3^rd Imam of the Shias, Imam Husayn (as), was martyred in the Islamic year 61 A.H.

Ayatul Kursi

Verses 255-257 of the second chapter of the Holy Qur’an.

Baaligh

Age at which certain actions and duties become compulsory for Muslims. Typically this is approximately 9 lunar years for girls and 15 years for boys.

Dhikr

Remembrance of Allah (By recitation of His Names, etc.)

Dua

Supplication.

Eid

Islamic day of celebration

Haraam

Acts which are forbidden in Islam.

Hazrat Ali Akbar (as)

The son of Imam Husayn (as)

Hijab

The Islamic requirements of covering of the body and adhering to modesty.

Imam Ali (as)

The 1^st Imam of the Shias.

Imam Husayn (as)

Grandson of the Holy Prophet and 3^rd Imam of the Shias, who was martyred in Kerbala, Iraq.  Also known as the Master of Martyrs.

Imam Mahdi (as)

The 12^th and last Imam of the Shias, who is still alive today but in occultation.  He is also known as The Awaited as it is believed he will reappear and bring peace and justice back in this world.

Jamaaraan

Area where Imam lived in Qom

Khanom

Persian form of address for females.

Khums

Compulsory tax to be paid by Muslims representing generally one-fifth of savings.

Madressa

School.

Mafatihul Jinan

A book of supplications.  Also called Mafatih.

Marhum

Title given to someone who is deceased.

Marja

A person who has attained the highest form of Islamic jurisprudence, who has the authority to issue religious rulings for others to follow.

Masaib

Narrration of the events of the martyrdom of the 3^rd Imam of the Shias (Imam Husayn (as)) and his family and companions.

Mashad

City in North-Eastern Iran where the 8^th Imam of the Shias (Imam Redha (as)) is buried.

Mohr

Prayer tablets upon which mainly Shia Muslims prostrate whilst praying.

Mu'adhin

Person who recites the Adhaan.

Muharram

1^st month of the Islamic calendar.

Mujtahid

A person who has achieved the second highest form of Islamic jurisprudence, who has the authority to deduce precise inferences regarding the commandments from the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet and Imams (but is not followed by others).

Nafs

Soul that enjoins evil, also called the ego.

Prayers (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha)

Names of the 5 compulsory daily prayers for Muslims consisting of 2, 4, 4, 3, and 4 rak'ats respectively.

Qibla

Direction towards Ka'ba, located in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) which Muslims face to pray.

Qom

City in Northern Iran.  Centre for religious learning and place where the sister of 8^th Imam of the Shias (Imam Redha (as)), Lady Fatema Ma’suma is buried.

Qur’an

Muslim Holy Book revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad

Rak'at

Unit of prayer

Rajab

7^th month of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan

9^th month of the Islamic calendar in which fasting has been prescribed for Muslims.

Saheefe Sajjadiya

A book of supplications from the 4^th Imam (as) of the Shias (Imam Zain-ul-Abidin (as)).

Sha’ban

8^th month of the Islamic calendar.

Salaam and Ziyaraats

Prescribed greetings and prayer salutations usually recited when visiting the shrines of the Prophet and Imams.

Salaat-ul-Layl

Recommended prayers of 11 units to be recited before the dawn prayers.

Salawat

Sending blessings of the Prophet and his family.

Shawwal

10^th month of the Islamic calendar.

Shaytan

Satan.

Sura

Chapter of the Holy Qur’an

Takbir

Short for Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest)

Taqlid

Accepting and following the verdicts of Marja in their interpretation of Islamic law.

Tasbih

Glorification of God

Tayammum

Actions to be performed when no water is available for the performance of wudu.

Wilayat

The concept of guardianship of the 12 Imams over human beings.

Wudu

Ablutions performed before reciting prayers.

Ziyarat

Please see Salaams and Ziyaraats.