God; literally "the God"; the name that designates the source from which all things seen and unseen emanate. The name Allah encompasses all the Divine Names, such as, ar-Rahmân, the Beneficent, and al-`Alîm, the Knower (of all things).

Faculty of reason, intelligence, discernment, rationality, mind, intellect; from the verb `aqala, to keep back (a camel by tying its foreleg), to detain, confine, to be restricted, be reasonable, understand, have intelligence, realize. This implies that true reason and intelligence can only be realized by keeping back the lower self (see nafs).

Usually translated as throne, also means foundation, support, and by implication, control; supports something which on its own will not grow or survive. Verbal root is `arasha, to construct, build houses, support. `Arîsh is a trellis (vine).

Qur'anic verse/verses; sign/signs or mark

Interval, gap; interspace or suspension of time into which all beings enter after death. They remain in this state, awaiting entry into eternity, until the entire physical universe has come to an end. As a living being, man is also considered a barzakh, an interspace between the visible and invisible realms.

Remembrance or awareness of Allah which can be stimulated by the invocations of His Divine Names and other formulae from the Qur'an and sayings of the Prophet and his beloved family. From the verb dhakara, to remember, think, to relate. Derivations include mudhakkir, one who reminds himself (thereby admonishing himself), and dhakar, male.

Usually translated to mean religion, the word strongly implies transaction between the Debtor (Allah) and the indebted (man), because the verbal root is dâna, to owe, be indebted to, take a loan, to be inferior. Hence, living the dîn means repaying one's debt to the Creator, or indeed, behaving as befits the high station of man in creation.

Temptation, trial; attractiveness, enchantment, and captivation. Fitnah is whatever distracts and disturbs. It also means, therefore, riot, discord, and civil strife. The purpose of fitnah is to show the true nature of what is being afflicted. From the verb fatana, to try, tempt, seduce, afflict, torment.

Discrimination (faculty thereof), distinction, proof, evidence; epithet of the Qur'an, because it distinguishes true from false. Derives from the verb faraqa, to separate, divide, make a distinction, discriminate (between), be afraid.

Heedlessness, carelessness, negligence, foolishness, stupidity; from the verb ghafala, to ignore, neglect, disregard.

Tradition, saying (usually of the Prophet, relating his deeds and utterances); speech, account, narrative. From the verb hadatha, to happen, be new; and haddatha, to relate, report, speak about.

Truth, fact, reality; the true nature of creation. From the verb haqqa, to be true, right, just.

Worship, devotion, adoration, service (of and to Allah); religious observances. From the verb `abada, to serve, worship, adore. `Abd is one who is totally devoted to God. `Abbada is to make smooth or passable for traffic – by complete and utter devotion to Allah, man's passage through life is made smooth.

Faith, trust, belief; from the verb âmana., to believe (in). Other words from the same root are: amina, to be secure, to trust; amn, peace, security, protection; amîn (designation of the Prophet), trustworthy, faithful, loyal, honest; mu'min, believing, faithful.

Hell, burning fire; not only of the next life, but of this life as well.

Literally, striving (for the sake of Allah); fighting so-called Holy War, for the sake of establishing truth and justice in an unbalanced situation. From the verb jahada, to endeavor, strive, do one's utmost, expend energy.

Denier (of the existence of Allah), one who covers up (the truth), ingrate; from the verb kafara, to cover, hide, be ungrateful, not to believe.

Denial, unbelief, ingratitude (see kâfir).

Rightly guided; the twelfth Imam (leader) from the family of the Prophet Muhammad. He is not apparent now but will return when all the signs related to the body of hadith have come to pass so as to destroy man's injustice and establish a state based on worship and divine justice. The arrival of the Mahdî will herald the beginning of the last stage of creation. From the verb hadâ, to lead on the right way, guide, to show (the right way).

Balance, weight, measure; al-Mîzân, epithet of the Qur'an. From the verb wazana, to balance, weigh, equilibrate, even up.

Believing, faithful; believer (see îmân).

Self, soul, mind, human being. The nafs includes man's innate nature, his genetic predisposition, and his conditioned behavior. Its manifestation may be base and animalistic, or spiritually elevated, according to the state of its purity. From the verb nafusa, to be precious, valuable. It is also related to naffasa, to cheer up, reassure, relieve; and tanaffasa, to breathe, inhale, pause for a rest.

Lord, Master, Sustainer; from the verb, rabba, to be master, lord, possessor of, and rabbaba, to bring up, raise. The Lord is that entity which brings its subject up to its full potential. Related to it is rubûbiyyah, lordship, divinity.

Mercy, kindness, compassion; from the verb, rahima, to be merciful, have mercy upon. Derived from this root are the following: ar-Rahmân, the Beneficent, and ar-Rahîm, the Merciful, both attributes of Allah. Rahim, meaning womb or kinship, implies that through these His mercy is ever-present, nurturing and sustaining.

Spirit, soul; from the verb râha, to go away, leave, begin, set out. Derived from this root are the following: rawwaha, to refresh, relax, rest; arwaha, to release, relieve, sooth; istarwaha, to breathe, smell, be refreshed, be calm, happy, glad; rîh, wind; Rûhu-llâh, spirit of Allah, a title given to particularly pious and ascetic people such as the Prophet Jesus.

Revealed Islamic law or code of conduct, outward path; from the verb shara`a, to begin, enter, unbind, introduce, prescribe, give (laws). Shâri` means road or spring. It is the complement and container of haqîqah (see haqîqah), for the waters that gush from Reality's spring cannot be contained or drunk from except by a proper vessel.

Satan, devil; that entity or force which causes one to transgress. Shaytân is from within and without. From the verb shatana, to be obstinate, perverse; to be cast off (a path); to fasten, bind.

Associating other-than-Allah with Allah, idolatry, polytheism; from the verb sharika, to be a companion, to share, participate, associate. A mushrik perpetuates this association.

Gratitude, thankfulness, praise; from the verb shakara, to give thanks, be grateful, to praise. Often used in antithesis of kufr (see kufr).

Way, habitual custom, line of conduct; used in reference to Allah or the Prophet. From the verb sanna, to shape, form, prescribe, enact, establish.

Chapter of the Qur'an, sign, degree of rank; from the verb, sâra, to mount a wall; or sawwara, to enclose, fence in.

Fearful awareness, devoutness; from the verb waqâ, to guard, preserve, shield, shelter, protect, prevent (a danger).

Divine unity, union; belief in Allah's oneness. From the verb wahada, to be alone, unique, singular, unmatched, without equal. Derivations include: wahhada, to unite, unify, connect, join, profess belief in the oneness of God; wahdah, oneness, singleness, seclusion, self-containment; al-Wâhid, the One; al-Ahad, the Singular without number (attribute of Allah).

Day, era, age, time; period of time. From the verb yawima, to be or exist for a day (period of time). Yawm al-qiyâmah, yawm al-fasl, yawm ad-dîn, are all epithets of the Day of Resurrection or Judgment, and are not necessarily the days but the time in which resurrection will occur.