بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Glossary of commonly used terms
- adhan
Other transliterations include: aadhan, adhaan
أذان
The call for the daily prayers are called Adhan. The person who calls the Adhan is called a Mu’adhin. A Mu’adhin calls the Adhan five times a day before Muslims are to perform their daily Salah (Prayer).
The Adhan is composed of specific words and phrases to be recited loudly in the Arabic language so that the neighbors can recognize the time schedule for the prayers.
- al-hamdu lillahi rabbil ‘alamin
الحمد لله رب العالمين
This is a verse from the Qur’an that Muslims recite and say many times per day. Other than being recited daily during prayers, a Muslim reads this expression in every activity of his daily life. The meaning of it is: “Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”
A Muslim invokes the praises of Allah before he does his daily work; and when he finishes, he thanks Allah for His favors. A Muslim is grateful to Allah for all His blessings. It is a statement of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude from the creature to his Creator.
- Allah
Other transliterations include: Allaah
الله
The true name for the creator of the Universe is Allah. He is the Merciful, the Beneficent, the Knowledgeable, the Protector, the Mighty, the God, the Provider, the Exalted, the Lord, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, the Magnificent, the Wise, the Loving, the First, the Last, and the Eternal.
The Qur’an mentions around 100 beautiful names for Allah through which Muslims may understand and recognize Him, and His responsibilities for the whole Universe.
- Allahu akbar
Other transliterations include: Allahoo akbar, Allahu akber, Allahoo akber, Allah akbar, Allaahu akbar
الله أكبر
This statement is said by Muslims numerous times. During the call for prayer, during prayer, when they are happy, and wish to express their approval of what they hear, when they slaughter an animal, and when they want to praise a speaker, Muslims do say this expression of Allahu Akbar. It is perhaps the most said expression in the world and its meaning is: “Allah is the Greatest.” Muslims praise Allah in every aspect of life; and as such they say Allahu Akbar.
- assalamu alaikum
Other transliterations include: assalamo alaikum, asalamo alaikum, asslamu alaykum
السلام عليكم
This is an expression Muslims say whenever they meet one another. It is a statement of greeting with peace. The meaning of it is: “Peace be upon you.”
Muslims try to establish peace on earth even through the friendly relation of greeting and meeting one another.
The other forms are: “Assalamu ‘Alalikum Wa Rahmatullah,” which means:”May the peace and the Mercy of Allah be upon you,” and “Assalamu Alalikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,” which means :”May the peace, the mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you.”
- ayah
Other transliterations include: aya, ayyah
آية
The Arabic meaning of Ayah is a miracle and a sign. The Qur’an is considered to be a miracle itself. Each verse or sentence is called an Ayah or a miracle. The plural of Ayah is called Ayat, which means miracles.
- BarakAllah
Other transliterations include: barakAllaah, barakAlah
بارك الله
This is an expression which means: “May the blessings of Allah (be upon you).” When a Muslim wants to thank another person, he uses different statements to express his thanks, appreciation, and gratitude. One of them is to say “Baraka Allah.”
الحمد لله رب العالمين
All praise and thanks are Allah’s, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).
