Sunday, May 4, 2008

Glossary Arabic Transliteration to English: A, B and C

Islamic (Qur’anic) and Arabic GLOSSARY
Arabic Transliteration to English


A
Abd* - A prefix used in many Muslim male names in conjunction with a divine attribute of Allah, meaning “servant”.
i.e. Abd-Allah – Servant of Allah
Abd al-Rahman –Servant of the Most Merciful
Abd al-Kaliq – Servant of the Creator

Abu - Father of (usually of eldest son).

Adhan* -The Muslim call to prayer consisting of specific phrases, recited aloud in Arabic prior to each of the five daily worship times.

Ahl al-kitab* -“People of the book”

al -the (the definite article)

Al -Family or clan

Alim*- (Singular One who has knowledge. This term refers commonly to a religious scholar,
Uama*-(Plural)

Allah -God – Islamic God

Allah Akbar*- Allah is most great. This phrase is known as the Takhir. This is used to express suprise, regret, thankfulness, fear, or approval, thereby reinforcing Muslim belief that all things come from God.

Amanu -Those who keep the faith.

Aqsa (al-) -Name of the holy site located in the city of Jerusalem and referred to in the Qur’an as “the farthest Masjid.” The site is believed to be the area from which Prophet Muhammad was miraculously ascended to Heaven in 619 C.E.

Arabic*-The language of the Qur’an. Arabic is a Semitic language, used throughout the world by Muslims and non-Muslims, Arabs and non-Arabs. Historically, in Muslim civilization Arabic became the language of learning and scholarship, and was the common language for people living as far apart as Spain and China.

As-Salaam Alaykum* -the traditional, time-honored greeting of Muslims, meaning “Peace be upon you.” The appropriate response is “Wa Alaykm As-Salaam,” meaning, “ and upon you be peace also”.


Ayah*- “miracle” or “sign”. The term is used to designate a verse in the Quran. There are over 6,600 ayahs in the Qur’an.

Ayatollah-A high ranking religious leader among SHIA Muslims.


B

Basmalah* -Name for the Arabic formula pronounced by Muslims at various reasons. The formula “Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem”, means “in the Name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful” and is said before any act of activity of importance, such as travelling, eating a meal, rising from sleep, etc.

bin -Son of
bint-Daughter of

Black Muslims* -A term designating African-Americans who adhere to the teachings of the organization known as the Nation of Islam. So-called “Black Muslims” are not to be confused with Muslims (followers of universal Islam) of African-American or African origin. Likewise, the Nation of Islam, a nationalistic organization, is not to be confused with the mainstream, universal world religion Islam.

Buraq* -A winged creature, unknown to earth, which transported Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Jerusalem and thence to Heaven during his miraculous Night Journey and Ascension in 619 C.E.

Burqa -The required garment for women in Afghanistan, which consists of a robe that conceals the head, face, and body, with a small piece of netting over the eyes.


C
Chador-The covering worn by women in Iran, consisting of a dark cloth that covers the head and body and conceals the figure.


Sources:

Approaching the Qur’an, the Early Revelations, Introduced and Translated by Michael Sells, White Cloud Press, Ashland, Oregon

Islam, Opposing Viewpoints, Jennifer A. Hurley, Book Editor, Greenhaven Press, Inc., San Diego, CA

Hatred’s Kingdom, How Saudi Arabia Supports the New Global Terrorism, Dore Gold, Regnery Publishing, Inc

*Teaching About Islam & Muslims in the Public School Classroom, A Handbook for Educators, 3rd edition, CAIR ISBN 1-93109-00-8
It is clearly seen that all derogatory terminology to non-Muslims is absent from the CAIR publication. Another example of taqiyya and kitman.

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