Basic Islamic terms
Plain-language explanations of key terms — with literal meaning, Qur’anic usage and common mistranslations.
The proper name of the One God — the Creator and Sustainer of everything, with no partner.
The Lord who creates, owns, nurtures and sustains — often translated "Lord".
God-consciousness — a mindful awareness of Allah that leads you to do good and avoid wrong.
Faith — belief in the heart, affirmed by the tongue and shown in action.
Revelation — Allah’s communication of His words and guidance to His prophets.
A prophet — a person chosen by Allah to receive revelation and guide people.
A messenger — a prophet sent with a specific message or scripture to a people.
The example of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — his sayings, actions and approvals, followed as guidance.
A reported narration of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did or approved — the record of the Sunnah.
Explanation of the Qur’an — scholars clarifying meaning, context and implications.
Islamic jurisprudence — scholars’ understanding of practical rulings from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Associating partners with Allah — directing worship or His unique rights to other than Him.
⚠ Context matters — open for the full note
Rejecting or covering the truth after it has become clear — disbelief.
⚠ Context matters — open for the full note
One who rejects or conceals the truth of faith — the active participle of kufr.
⚠ Context matters — open for the full note
Hypocrisy — outwardly showing faith while inwardly rejecting or betraying it.
⚠ Context matters — open for the full note
Striving in the way of Allah — the effort to live rightly and, when regulated, to defend the community.
⚠ Context matters — open for the full note
The community — especially the worldwide community of believers.
People of the Book — those given earlier scriptures, chiefly Jews and Christians.
Permissible — that which Islamic law allows.
Forbidden — that which Islamic law prohibits (also used for "sacred/inviolable", e.g. the Sacred Mosque).
These are simple introductions — for depth, consult tafsīr and qualified scholars.