Community & Life

ummah

The global Muslim community — all believers united as one family regardless of nationality.

ḥalāl

Permissible — what Islam allows in food, behavior, and transactions.

ḥarām

Forbidden — what Islam prohibits. Also used for the sacred area around the Kaaba in Makkah.

fitnah

Trials, discord, or temptation — anything that tests faith or causes division in the community.

daʿwah

Calling people to Islam — sharing the message of faith through words and good example.

muslim jadīd

A new Muslim — someone who recently embraced Islam. Many prefer 'revert' as all souls are born Muslim.

muslim

A Muslim — one who submits to Allah and follows the teachings of Islam.

hijrah

Migration for the sake of Allah — historically the Prophet's ﷺ move to Madinah; today, any major life change for faith.

ṣadaqah

Voluntary charity — any act of giving beyond the obligatory zakāh.

jihād

Striving for Allah — primarily the inner struggle against sin, and also standing for justice and truth.

ribā

Interest/usury — earning money from lending at interest; strictly forbidden in Islam.

ukhuwwah

Brotherhood — the bond of faith that connects all Muslims as one family.

in shāʾ Allāh

God willing — said when speaking about the future, acknowledging that only Allah controls outcomes.

mā shāʾ Allāh

What Allah has willed — said when admiring something good, acknowledging Allah's power.

jazāka llāh

May Allah reward you — a way to thank someone, commonly shortened to 'Jazāk Allāhu khayran'.

as-salāmu ʿalaykum

Peace be upon you — the Islamic greeting; reply with 'wa ʿalaykum as-salām' (and upon you peace).

ṣilatu r-raḥim

Maintaining family ties — keeping good relations with relatives, strongly encouraged in Islam.

shahīd

Martyr or witness — one who dies for faith; also means a witness to truth.

nikāḥ

Marriage — the Islamic contract uniting husband and wife, described as half of one's faith.

ḥijāb

Modest covering — the Islamic principle of dressing and behaving modestly, especially for women.