Connecting Vocabulary

Ka’bah, Muezzin, Mihrab

The Ka’bah is considered to be the most sacred place in Islam. It is in the Great Mosque in Mecca. The Mihrab in every Mosque and in most homes shows the direction toward the Ka’bah. The Muezzin is the one selected to call prayer five times a day and lead Friday services. When he calls everyone to prayer they all face a the Ka’bah in Mecca usually with the aide of the Mihrab.

Imam, Medina, Mohammed

Mohammed was the solidifying prophet of Allah’s will and the creator of Islam. Being the final prophet of Allah he quickly became an Imam, which is a person in a seat of power within the Islamic Faith. In Medina, because it was where Islam became more popular and really got of its start, Mohammed was not only an Imam in the faith, but also an Icon and an important figure in the community.

Jannah, Jahannam, Jinns, Qur’an

The Qur’an is the holy book in Islam and contains Allah’s teachings about how to live one’s life. If the laws and guidelines in the Qur’an are followed then the one following them will go to Jannah, or the Islamic concept of paradise. If they are not followed then the person will go to Jahannam or the Islamic concept of Hell. Jinns are unseen beings created by Allah who also live human-like lives and who are also judged on Yawmuddin to either go to Jannah or Jahannam.

Jinns, Mohammed, Qur’an

Mohammed was the portal for Allah’s message to be recorded as the Qur’an. Jinns are also a beings made by Allah who live like humans to be rewarded in an afterlife by Allah as well.

Shi’a, Ummah, Sunni

Shi’a are the second largest sect of Islam. They believe that the religion should be led by Ali when Mohammed. This group forms an Ummah or a religious community. The Sunni’s are the largest sect of Islam and believe that Mohammed’s grandson should lead the religion. This group also forms an Ummah. Also, the two and all other sects of the religion together form an Islamic Ummah.

Tawhid, Yawmuddin, Shari’a, Sunna

Shari’a is the way or path Muslims should follow to have a better life and improve the lives around them. Sunna is a normal routine or practice in Islam and usually refers to the usual practices Mohammed had throughout his life. Following the Shari’a includes following the Five Pillars, which is a Sunna because it is a daily practice. If one does this then they will be judged on the Yawmuddin or judgement day justly and go to Jannah. But only Allah who is Tawhid or the one god will be able to decide whether they go to Jannah or Jahannam on the Yawmuddin.

Sadaqa, Rasul

A Rasul is a messenger of Allah in the form of a prophet. These people follow the Five Pillars very strictly. One of the five pillars is Sadaqa, which is to volunteer for charity. This is preormed by a Rasul on a regular basis.