Islam
the monotheistic religion of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran
Allah
Muslim name for the one and only God
Muslims
Followers of Islam
Muhammad
the Arab prophet who founded Islam (570-632)
Mecca
the holiest city of Islam; Muhammad's birthplace
Medina
City in western Arabia to which the Prophet Muhammad and his followers emigrated in 622 to escape persecution in Mecca.
Abu Bakr
First caliph of Islam after the death of Muhammad
Hijrah
Muhammad's migration from Mecca to (Yathrib) Medina
Qur'an
the holy book of Islam
Sunnah
a collection of writings about the way Muhammad lived that provides a model for Muslims to follow
predestination
the belief that one's fate has been determined in advance by a higher power
Five Pillars
beliefs that all Muslims needed to carry out: Faith, Prayer, Alms, Fasting, and Pilgrimage
Hajj
a pilgrimage to Mecca, performed as a duty by Muslims
Ramadan
ninth month of the Muslim calendar marked by fasting
Ka'bah
central shrine; holiest place in Islam
mosque
Muslim house of worship
muezzin
the Muslim official of a mosque who summons the faithful to prayer from a minaret five times a day
imam
Muslim prayer leader
Id ul-Fitr
holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and shows thankfulness for blessings and help during the fast
Id ul-Adha
The festival of the sacrifice when all Muslims share the event of Hajj
jihad
a struggle in Gods' service; can be a personal struggle or holy war
caliph
successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims
Shari'ah
Islamic Law
Shi'ite
a member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs
Sunni
A branch of Islam whose members acknowledge the first four caliphs as the rightful successors of Muhammad
purdah
a screen used in India to separate women from men or strangers