Allah—Arabic term for God

Dar al-Harb—The House of War, those who do not live under Islam.

Dar al-Islam—The House of Peace, those who live under Islam. Outsiders are to be brought in by submission. Some Muslims consider Christians and Jews “people of the book” and part of Dar al-Islam, but most consider them outsiders.
A Muslim woman cannot marry anyone outside the house of Islam, and a Muslim man cannot marry anyone who isn’t among the people of book. Traditionally, Muslims subjugated lands they conquered by marrying their women, thus making their children Muslim.

fatwa—A legal ruling by a man of high standing in Islam that someone is in violation of Islamic principles and should be punished by faithful Muslims. Muslims debate who has authority to issue a fatwa. Some, for instance, vest that power only in muftis and feel Osama bin Laden has no such power.

folk Islam—The beliefs of Islam mixed with a people group’s traditional beliefs. For instance, a person practicing folk Islam may continue to use fetishes and ceremonies intended to please good spirits and placate evil ones.

Hadith—The sayings and life of Muhammad as recorded by trusted companions; second to the Quran in authority for Muslims.

hajj—Pilgrimage to Mecca by faithful Muslims. One of five pillars, the things Muslims must do to assure salvation.

imam—The leader of prayer in a Muslim mosque. In some cultures, plays a role similar to the mullah.

Islam—Literally “surrender” or “submission.”

Ismaeli—One of the modern movements within Islam that brings together many of the current popular expressions of Islam, especially those found outside the traditional Muslim world. For example, the Islam of sub-Saharan Africa or the evangelical Islam of the United States.

jihad—Exertion of effort to advance Islam. Often equated with holy war, a national struggle, but also refers to a personal struggle to advance Islam within one’s own soul—and everything in between. The Quran says a warrior who dies in jihad goes straight to paradise.

Kaaba—Great stone shrine in Mecca which is covered in black carpets and is said to be the “House of God.”

Mecca—City in Saudi Arabia which was home to Muhammad and is now the center of Islam. Muslims bow toward Mecca when they pray.

mosque—House of prayer. Literal meaning: “Place of prostration.”

mufti—An interpreter or expounder of Muslim law.

mullah—Person, primarily in the Shia sect, who specializes in understanding the science of religious regulation. He interprets the laws and doctrines of Islam as they affect all of life. Not professional clergy, but holds great influence. Among the Shia, ayatollahs are super mullahs.

Muslim—A follower of Islam. Literal meaning: “Submitted one.”

Muslim Brotherhood—The grandfather of all Islamic fundamentalist organizations. Seeks to establish Islamic republics. The current version emerged in the 1930s in Egypt in response to Western colonial powers and their puppet leaders. Sayyid Qutb, an influential leader in the 1950s, espoused the idea that Muslims may make war against a Muslim state that had compromised. Bin Laden’s top ideologist has a background with the Muslim Brotherhood.

Quran (Koran)—The holy book of Islam, considered the word of God existing from eternity to eternity. Literal meaning: “Recitation.”

Ramadan—Ninth month of the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from food, water, sex, cigarettes and all worldly pleasures during daylight hours in order to bring themselves into closer relationship with God and others.

Saladen—The archetypal Muslim conqueror and personal model for Saddam Hussein. Saladen came out of Damascus into Egypt in the 12th century. He conquered Jerusalem in A.D. 1187.

Sharia—Rule of the Quran and Hadith. Laws and religious regulations of Islam that govern all of daily life.

shehadah—The confession one makes to become a Muslim: There is no god but God (Allah) and Muhammad is his prophet.

Shiite—One who believes that leadership of Islam should come from descendants of Fatima, Muhammad’s only living offspring, and her husband, Ali. Literal meaning: “Partisan.” Places a heavy emphasis on leaders called imams, inspired purveyors of truth. Allows a charismatic leader power to reinterpret Islam. Official religion of Iran. Communities of believers in India, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other areas. About 10 percent of the world’s Muslims.

Sufi—A Muslim mystic found across all types of Islam. Few in number but very influential.They seek the deeper meaning of Islam through practices such as asceticism, contemplation and prayer. One sect, for instance, the whirling dervishes, seeks meaning through ecstatic dancing.

Sunni—One who believes leadership of Islam should come from among the Quraish Arabs, Muhammad’s tribe. Nearly 90 percent of the world’s Muslims, Sunnis follow the traditions of Islam, rather than a charismatic leader, and are considered the “orthodox” of Islam. They emphasize the individual’s direct relationship with Allah without any human mediation, are culturally and religiously diverse and do not insist on uniformity in every question of faith or practice. Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt and Indonesia are among countries where Sunni Islam is dominant. Both Sunnis and Shiites believe Islam is destined for world domination. Osama bin Laden is Sunni.

Umma—The world or family of Islam, God’s kingdom visible on earth. Islam says that the whole world society should be under Umma, the umbrella of Islamic culture and that it is the sole religion of culture.