Islam

• Ablution (wudu)


  Ritual washing before prayer
• Adalat


  Justice - part of the nature of God in Shi'a Islam; the belief that God is fair
• Adam

  One of the prophet's of Allah. The father of humankind; built the Ka'aba
• Akhirah

  Belief in a new stage of life after death
• Angels

  Spiritual beings created from elements of light. They gave God's messages to the prophets and watch over humans.
• Arafat 


  Part of the Hajj pilgrimage. Place where Prophet Muhammad preached his last sermon and pilgrims gather to pray
• Ashura

  Important festival in Shi'a Islam, to commemorate the matrydom of Hussein. Sunni Muslims observe Ashura as a day of repentance for sins in the belief that they will be forgiven
• Authority

  Having power and status. The Qur'an has supreme authority as the word of Allah, this means it must be believed and obeyed.
• Beneficence 


  Literally 'doing good'. One of the 99 names of Allah and belief about his nature, the generosity that Allah shows to humans
• Day of Judgement

  The day that Allah will decide whether individuals deserve to be rewarded or punished depending on their individual deeds
• Fairness

  Belief about the nature of God - Allah's justice. He treats all humans equally and as they deserve
• Fasting

  Not eating or drinking - one of the five pillars is Sawm during Ramadan
• The Five Pillars


  Important duties for Sunni Muslims which support the main principles of Islam: Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj
• The five roots of Usal ad-Din


  The foundations of the faith in Shi'a Islam; five key beliefs: Tawhid, Adalat, Prophethood, Imamate, Resurrection
• Jummah


  Friday prayers in the mosque, where a sermon (khutbah) is heard
• Zakah - Giving alms


  Giving to those in need e.g money, food, time. One of the five pillars and ten obligatory acts
• The Gospel


  Holy book / source of authority - literally 'good news' and gives the good news about Isa, a prophet in Islam
• Greater Jihad


  The personal struggle of every Muslim to live by the teachings of their faith
• Hajj


  One of the Five Pillar and Ten Obligatory Acts. Pilgrimage to Makkah which all Muslims must undertake at least once in their lives unless prevented by problems like wealth or health
• Jannah


  Paradise/heaven; Allah's reward after death to those who have been faithful and have repented their sins
• Jahannam


  A place of great suffering after death for those who have rejected the Qur'an's teachings and have led a wicked life - for some it will last forever
• Human accountability


  Belief that everyone must take responsibility for their actions and will be questioned about them on the Day of Judgement
• Human Freedom

  Humans have control over their thoughts, feelings and actions
• Human responsibility

  Humans are responsible for most of what they do as they have free will and so will be held accountable
• Ibrahim

  One of the Prophet's of Allah. He rebuilt the Ka'aba
• Id-ul-Adha


  Festival, celebration of the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah
• Id-ul-Fitr


  Festival; celebration that comes at the end of Ramadan and marks the end of fasting
• The Imamate


  One of the Five Roots of Usal-ad-Din, leadership. Shia belief in the twelve Imams who succeeded Muhammad as the leader of Islam
• Immanence

  God is close to humanity and involved in the world
• Jibril

  Angel who dictated the Qur'an to Muhammad; on Judgement Day he will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds
• Jihad

  The personal or collective struggle against evil
• The Ka'aba

  House of Allah, all Muslims face towards it when they pray. Part of Hajj, it is a cube shaped building in Makkah
• Khums

  One of the Ten Obligatory Acts in Shi'a Islam; 20% to charity
• Lesser Jihad


  The military struggle to defend Islam - carried out according to strict and clear cut rules
• Makkah


  Place of pilgrimage during Hajj - the spiritual centre of Islam
• Mercy

  God's willingness to forgive the sins of those who repent - one of Allah's 99 names and belief about the nature of God
• Mika'il

  Angel who gives spiritual and material help to humans - will assist with the weighing of a person's deeds on Judgement Day
• Mina


  site of pilgrimage during Hajj - where pilgrims take part in the stoning of pillars
• Mosque

  Muslim place of worship
• Rak'ahs

  Actions and ritual movements made during salah consisting of recitations, standing, bowing and prostration