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Muslims in Ireland
Islamic Terminology
A plain-language guide to words you may come across, from everyday greetings to terms of worship.
Islamic terms come from Arabic, and you may see them spelled in more than one way in English. The list below gives the most common spellings and plain-language meanings.
Spellings and pronunciations can vary. Where a word has several accepted forms, we have used the one most familiar to English readers.
Faith and belief
Allah
The Arabic word for God, the one God worshipped in Islam. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians use the same word.
Islam
The name of the faith, from an Arabic root meaning submission to God and peace.
Muslim
A person who follows Islam.
Tawhid
The oneness of God, the central belief that God is one, without partner or equal.
Iman
Faith or belief.
Ummah
The worldwide community of Muslims.
The Prophet and scripture
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The final Prophet of Islam, who lived in Arabia in the seventh century.
Qur’an
The holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of God.
Hadith
A recorded saying or action of the Prophet ﷺ.
Sunnah
The example and practice of the Prophet ﷺ, followed as a model for daily life.
Surah
A chapter of the Qur’an.
Ayah
A verse of the Qur’an.
Worship and practice
Shahada
The declaration of faith in one God and in Muhammad ﷺ as His Prophet.
Salah
The five daily prayers.
Wudu
The washing performed before prayer.
Du’a
Personal prayer or supplication.
Zakat
Obligatory annual charity, a set share of one’s wealth given to those in need.
Sadaqah
Voluntary charity, given at any time.
Sawm
Fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan.
Hajj
The pilgrimage to Mecca, made once in a lifetime by those able to do so.
Umrah
The lesser pilgrimage to Mecca, which can be made at any time of year.
Places and people
Masjid (Mosque)
A Muslim place of worship. The Arabic word means place of prostration.
Imam
A person who leads the prayer, and often a scholar or community leader.
Sheikh
A title of respect for a religious scholar or elder.
Mecca
The holiest city in Islam, in present-day Saudi Arabia, and the direction of prayer.
Medina
The city where the Prophet ﷺ established the first Muslim community.
Kaaba
The cube-shaped structure in Mecca that Muslims face during prayer.
Qibla
The direction of prayer, towards the Kaaba in Mecca.
Times and festivals
Ramadan
The month of fasting, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Fitr
The festival marking the end of Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha
The festival of sacrifice, during the pilgrimage season.
Jumu’ah
The Friday congregational prayer.
Everyday words and greetings
Halal
Permitted under Islamic law, often used of food.
Haram
Not permitted under Islamic law.
As-salamu alaykum
“Peace be upon you,” the common Muslim greeting. The reply is “wa alaykum as-salam.”
Bismillah
“In the name of God,” said before beginning something.
Alhamdulillah
“Praise be to God,” an expression of gratitude.
InshaAllah
“God willing,” said of something hoped for in the future.
Hijab
The head covering worn by many Muslim women, and more broadly, modest dress.
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