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tawhid – Lit: unification Tech: The assertion of God’s unity Context: The monotheism of Islam; asserts that there is no authority or deity besides God; constitutes the first part of the Shahada; the foundation of Qur’anic interpretation; Theological Term |
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| batiniyya –Lit: the character of being hidden, secret, interior inward Tech: Cultural orientation under the High Caliphate which appealed to a tradition of esoteric love and inner meaning (batin) they believed that the masses are unable to get to the inner kernel of hidden truth and will only ever encounter the husk with pre-Islamic roots Context: Was an important group in social protestaccepted the pronouncements of the infallible Imam ; Theological Term |
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| `isma –Lit; infallibility, purity, sinlessness Tech: Doctrine of the sinlessness of the Prophets Context: This doctrine is contradicted by the Qur’an and Hadith, however the shi’i sect believes that the Imams (who they believe must be descended from the line of Ali) also have isma; Theological Term |
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| kasb-Lit: voluntary acquisition Tech: This is a concept which originates with Al-Ash’ari. God creates all actions, but some actions have voluntary acquisition associated with them (which means humans can choose whether or not to perform the action). Voluntary acquisition has personal responsibility associated with it. However this concept is almost indistinguishable from predestination Context: as soon as a human a commits an action he or she is responsible for that action and is therefore subject to punishment; Theological Term |
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| `adl –Lit: justice Tech: is the second principle of the 5 Principle's of Usul Al-Khamsa: Context: God is always just and therefore humans will be punished for their bad actions and rewarded for their good actions in the Mu’tazite conception; basis of rationalist ethics; Theological Term |
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| fasiq -Lit: one who deviates from the right course/straight path Tech: One who is rebellious or disobedient to Allah (or Islamic Law). The status of the sinner is important; is he Muslim or not? Context: This is reserved for a flagrant violation and the reprobate is not considered as a Muslim citizen once he has been found guilty; Theological Term |
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| . Khawarij –Lit: one who secedes Tech: One of the Piety Minded groups, and a puritanical sect which had violent tendencies against Muslims who did not agree with their strict view of Islam Context: They refused to comply with the government and further fractured Islam (I think, based on my thesis in my paper); Theological Term |
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“The Middle Position” –Lit: is none because this is English Tech: The five principles of Muʿtazilah Context: it refers to the "middle way", a justly balanced way of life, avoiding extremes and experiencing things in moderation; also combining a free reponsiveness to God with sober responsivility; Theologicial Term |
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| Imamiyya – Lit: character of Imamate leadership (imam-standing in front) Tech: Twelver Shi’ites a radical group which was centered on ‘Ali’s great-great-grandson Ja’far al-Sadiq Contextual: Saw the imams as a means through which revelation could be continued. Their personal suffering as a major theme throughout their history; Theological Term |
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Ahl al-Sunna wa al-jama'a |
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Ahl al-Sunna wa al-jama‘a – people of the Sunna and community Tech: It signifies the Sunni aspects of Islam and also the different schools that rose under this classification of Islam. These included the hanafi, kalkiki, and shafi’i schools Jama’i-Sunni Context: Believe that as long as the community continues to follow the Shari’ah and the sunna salvation is guaranteed; accepts the authority of the whole first generation of Muslims and the validity of the historical community; Theological Term |
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| Usul al-khamsa – the five principles (of Muta’zilites) Tech: The five pillars Prayer, fasting, alms giving, profession of faith (shahadah), and the pilgrimage. Context: These principles are the distinction between the Sunni Musims and the other Islamic sects; Theological Term |
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| . ijtihad –Lit: striving, effort, exertion Tech: The process by which a very educated Muslim (such as a jurist) makes up his own ruling on the permissibility of an Islamic law which has not been covered by the Qur’an or Hadith only the educated are allowed to do this. The masses must follow the ruling of the local Imam Context: This is only practiced by Shi’i Muslims as in the Sunni school of thought it was declared that all legal issues had been settled by the 10th century ;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| ra'y - Lit:opinion or personal judgment Tech: The arbitrary element remaining in particular legal decisions Context: The legalist wanted to reduce the personal judgment in legal decisions in order to make the legal rulings closer to the true meaning of Islam, this could not be completely eliminated, but it was less arbitrary than before.;Juridical/Sunnah Term Pg 329 |
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| faqih – Lit: one who understands Tech: Jurisprudent or master of Islamic law Context: they interpret Islamic law, some schools (such as the al-Zahiri’s) believe that the meaning can of the law can be changed by the faqih and that they should not be relied on to interpret the Hadith.;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| ijma` - Lit: consensus Tech: Whatever had been accepted generally by the community was to be regarded as sanctioned by God, because the Hadith sates that the ummah would never be agreed on an error Context: The Muslim community could make new legal decisions without violating bid’a also helped to cement cultural unity. Though most of these were issued in the form of fatwa's by Islamic scholors;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| qiyas – Lit: analogy Tech: the principle of deriving fresh juridical decisions, by way of analogy, from decisions given in the Hadith or Qur’an Context: commonly listed as one of the four usul al-fiqh recognized among Jama’i – Sunnis and al-Shafi’I adopted it as a major adjunct to the use of Hadith;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| fatwa –Lit: formal legal opinion Tech: when the ulama (or mufti, an expert in Islamic law) issues a fatwa, it goes on record as the opinion of the faithful Context: The fatwa’s issued are considered binding, in the same vain as ijma (community consensus), and therefore direct from God (as told by the Hadith);Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| wajib –Lit: duty, obligation, necessary Tech: There are two types of duties; individual and sufficiency (communal). Individual duties (fard’ayn) everyone is obligated to perform these duties whether others perform them or not; consist of the daily pray (salat), fasting, alms paying (zakat) and other such duties. The sufficiency duty (fard kifayah) is imposed on the whole community, but if one or more people perform the task satisfactorily some individuals do not have to participate in the task.;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| sunna – Lit: well-trodden path Tech: The ways and mannerisms of the prophet as transmitted through the Hadith Context: the customs of the prophet are copied by Muslims in order to follow the paradigm put forth but Muhammad, by following the Hadith you are a good Muslim. Some sects place more emphasis on the sunnah and Hadith of the prophet than others.;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| mustahabb or mandub – Lit: that for which one can expect reward in the hereafter Tech: falls between neutral actions and actions that must be performed Context therefore they are recommended actions which are rewarded and can help the believer enter paradise; Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| haram –Lit: forbidden, unlawful Tech: Mostly used in conjunction with foods or actions which have been forbidden by the Qur’an or Hadith Context: one who commits haram will be punished while one who abstains from it will be rewarded;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| mubah –Lit: permitted, allow, permissible Tech: An action is left undecided by a scholar so it is left to personal whim whether to do something or not. This is an approved action. The deed is neither good nor bad Context: There is no sin or reward associated with committing a mubah act; Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| makruh –Lit: unpleasant, reprehensible Tech: Actions or deeds that are referred to negatively in the Sunnah or the Qur’an Context: Performing these actions will sometimes prevent a believer from entering paradise, but a makruh action cannot be punished under Islamic law, but it is not recommended and could lead to committing a haram sin (according to the person on yahoo answers : ); Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| usul al-fiqh -Lit: principles of jurisprudence Tech: Refers to the study of the origins, sources, and practice of Islamic jurisprudence Context: Helps to work out the provisions of the Shari’ah;Juridical/Sunnah Term |
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| qibla –Lit: direction of prayer Tech: the direction of prayer is toward Mecca. In a mosque there is often a qibla wall which is designated with a niche Context: this is one of the rituals which unites all Muslims in a sense of allegiance and the and the standard of what it means to be Muslim; Devotional Term |
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| imam –Lit: one who stands in front Tech: Leader of the mosque and the community and the salat Context: After Muhammad’s death, there was much dispute over who should be the next leader or imam. Basically the Shi’is believe that the decedents of Ali are the proper leaders of the community and in the Sunni tradition any great learned man (alim) esp. the founder fo a legal school of thought (madhhab) was called an imam; Devotional Term |
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| rak`a – Lit: bow, kneel down Tech: It represents a unit of prayer during which the believer bends forward at the wait and places his hands on his knees before moving to the complete kneeling position Context: Unites the Muslim community in common actions during worship and expresses that both the mind and heart are in subordination to God; Devotional Term |
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| masjid – Lit: place of prostration Tech: in English Mosque where the faithful go to pray Context: Muslims go to the Mosque to pray. The most popular time in the Mosque is the midday prayer on Friday during which the entire community, and sometimes surrounding communities, come to the Mosque to pray together.; Devotional Term |
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| mihrab –Lit: prayer niche Tech: This niche is found in the qibla wall and denotes the direction of Mecca, while praying Mulslims face the mihrab. Context: the mihrab has great significance because it informs the believer of the direction of Mecca and the minbar from which the Imam preaches the sermon is typically located right next to the Mihrab; Devotional Term |
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ihram – Lit: to enter into a state of ritual consecration Tech: Two pieces of sacred white cloth one worn about the waist and the other about the shoulders Context: Sacred state a Muslim must enter into before taking part in the hajj this includes personal hygiene and dress codes; Devotional Term |
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| tawaf –Lit: making the rounds Tech: Circling the Ka’bah seven times Context: This is typically performed during the pilgrimage which every Muslim is required to go on once in his or her life (if they are able) and it in an important rite during the trip; Devotional Term |
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| sawm –Lit: abstention Tech: One of the five pillars of Islam in which the faithful fast during the month of Ramadan Context: this is a form of worship to God and is an important annual requirement for Muslims; Devotional Term |
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| minbar –Lit: pulpit Tech: The pulpit on which the Imam stands to deliver the Friday sermon; typically located next to the mihrab Context: This is where the important Friday sermon is delivered from the Imam to the entire community; Devotional Term |
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| zakat –Lit: the condition of purification Tech: Legal Alms Context: the zakat was a part of the early financial system after the Prophet. Some Bedouin tribes refused to pay the zakat after Muhammad’s death, but were later forced into compliance. Also a means to purify material wealth and to share in everything God has given you; Devotional Term |
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| shahadah – Lit: testimony Tech: the formal declaration that there is no divinity but God and Muhammad is God’s messenger Context: It is the first and greatest of the five pillars and many schools believe that one honest recitation of the shahadah in Arabic is all it takes for a person to become Muslim. This is the basis of what Muslim communities were built off of (monotheism and Muhammad as the prophet); Devotional Term |
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| tariqa –Lit: way Tech: in Sufi mysticism the path leading to the Final Destination; the perfect human being and spiritual ecstasy Context: requires the destryction of the old self and the completion of seven steps which will lead the person who completes all seven step to the sense of true freedom in loving God through obedience and will give the person attributes of the divine; Mystical Term |
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| tauba –Lit: repentance Tech: The first step of the Tariqa Context: A moral process that requires turning into oneself and introspecting in order to understand why things are not working in one’s life. A search for a healthy state of mind; Mystical Term |
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| rida - Lit: contentment, ascent Tech: The fifth stage of Tariqa Context: Contentment that results from the realization that modern people are not satisfied with what they have and that this lack of satisfaction and greed takes away from inner peace; Mystical Term |
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| salik –Lit: one who treads the path Tech: Person who is engaged in the path of Sufism as a seeker of the truth Context: a follower of the Sufi-Muslim religion. The Sufis believe that they have more direct contact with God than the masses who will never have anything more than second hand religion; Mystical Term |
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| murshid or pir or shaykh – Lit: one who guides Tech: Sufi master Context: His role is to guide and instruct his disciples on the Sufi path; Mystical Term |
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| tawakkul –Lit: trusting, to put in God’s hands Tech: trust in Allah and acceptance of His divine decree in every aspect of life Context: A Muslim can choose to do this or not choose to do this (it is not the same as tawakul which is fatalistic) the believer has a choice and by choosing to place his faith in God the believer is demonstrating his faith; Mystical Term |
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| sama` -Lit: to hear Tech: Listening or making music (or chanting or dancing) as a means of reaching Sufi esxtasy by inducing a sort of mystical trance Context: a means of getting closer to God and praising him. This is very different from the more conventional methods used by ‘the masses’; Mystical Term |
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| fana' – Lit: annihilation Tech: The destruction of the self in order to be with God Context: The Sufi mystics believe that they need to do this in order to reach spiritual ecstasy part of the tariqa; Mystical Term |
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| Dhikr – Lit: remembrance Tech: meditation in mysticism Context: the believer my immerse himself while he is in the process of meditating (and directly after) according to Al-Ghazali; Mystical Term |
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| Iblis - Lit: devil Tech: The tempter of in Sufism Shaytan; he is the angel who refused to bow to Adam because he was too proud and thought he should only bow to God. He now tempts humans Context: Sufis believe that doubt can be divine or satanic and that Iblis is related to the lower self (nafs) there are many different conceptions of Iblis including that of a teacher because he teaches on to search for the light/ truth; Mystical Term |
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| al-haqq – Lit: the Truth Tech: The Sufi word for God, a goal of the mystical experience, also the truth about yourself and the heart of reality Context: The idea that one can gain a closeness with God without any institutions and that religion is personal experience. This is a reaction to the formulistic Shari’ah; Mystical Term |
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| al-nur –Lit: the Light Tech: goal of Sufism is to provide one with the “light” – it is part of the universal moral process in Sufism and it helps to provide one with personal clarity Context: the metaphor of light is very important to Sufis. Sufis must reach the light and truth at the end of one’s personal quest through meditation and self-recollection eventually to reach ecstatic experiences during which you realize the unimportance of the material things in life.; Mystical Term |
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| Kerygmatic: Literal: The proclamation of the teachings of Jesus Christ. One of the three components of devotional experience. Unconsciously historically oriented. Historically oriented Means that the meaning of something is sought in history with its positive moral commitments. (Hodgson pg 363) |
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| Spiritual Athleticism: Exercising your soul through prayer and other acts to become closer to God. The more you do it, the closer to God you are, just like when you lift weights, the more your lift, the stronger you get. |
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| Personal Piety: Piety = principles of life. Spiritual responsiveness is the core of religion. Different styles of personal devotion are highly personal in nature, varies infinitely from person to person. Muslim piety reflect different social levels and relationships to power. The 3 components of the devotional experience are the paradigm tracing, kerygmatic, and mystical. |
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| Jama`i-Sunnism: Sometimes used to refer to "Orthodoxy", mainly refers to the majority population of Muslims (including those in the government; for instance, the Abbasid and Umayyad Caliphates were both Sunni). Stems from the political split over the question of leadership; are those who 'accept the authority of the whole first generation of Muslims and the validity of the historical community' (so basically they accept the rule of the Caliphal State, in contrast to the Shi'is and Kharijis who view it as illegitimate). Referred to as Jama'i by Hodgson because "Sunni" literally means looking back to the Sunna, or the tradition. Causes confusion because implies that Shi'is do not look back to tradition, when in fact they do. Jama'i literally means Communal, or community. |
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| Paradigm-Tracing: The meaning is is sought in lasting cosmic patterns, in recurrent paradigms'. Refers to the practice of emulating the Prophet, and shaping one's life based on how his was. An example is reading the Qur'an aloud in Arabic, as the reader is "feeling" how the Prophet received the word of God. Can extend to other aspects of Hadith-tradition, such as putting one's right shoe on first, and using a toothpick after a meal etc. |
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| Life-Orientation: Efforts undertaken by an individual which guide his life to a more spiritual meaning. Examples are fasting, praying, etc; basically any action that 'orients' one's life to understanding and achieving a higher purpose (or just basically going to Heaven). |
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| Piety Minded: The piety minded were the opposition groups in the early caliphate. The piety minded included groups such as the Kharijis, the Shi'ah and the Sunni (there is a chart on page 263). These groups believed that Islam should remain as close to Muhammad's traditional view of Islam as possible and they rejected the lavish direction Islam was taking. These groups were also very political and exercised great influence esp. in Median. |
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Pious Opposition: Similar to the piety minded; concentrated on the original meaning of Islam. They weakened the power of the Caliphs who they thought put political and personal motives above that of religious principles. The pious opposition evolved into Sufism and other groups who took their personal piety very seriously, but unlike the piety minded were not as political. This is a kind of sub-set of the piety-minded and I still don't understand the difference |
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| Hadith Folk: Ahl al-Hadith: A group for whom Hadith the most important source of religious authority. This was accessible because it was in the oral tradition. This group was more emotional than intellectual and rational, but they were opposed to the pious opposition to the Marwanid/ Umayyads. |
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