Islamic Glossary


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M

Maa (ماء)

Water.

Maasalama (مع السلامه)

Maasalama, also spelt ma'asalama or ma3asalama, means '(farewell) with peace'. Many Arabic speakers say this phrase like an English speaker would say Goodbye.

Mabrook (مبروك)

This word means '(You are) blessed'. It is a commonly-used word said to someone who has received something good. It is a means of congratulation.

Madad (مدد)

Madad is an Urdu word meaning 'help' (us).

Madhhab (مذهب)

Creed or sect.

Madhi (ماضي)

Madhi (pron. Maadhee) means 'past'.

Madhloom (مظلوم)

Oppressed. Someone is madhloom if they have been opressed by a dhalim (oppressor).

Madina (المدينة المنورة‎)

Madina means 'city' or 'town', but in Islam the word Madina is actually the name of a city that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh&hp) migrated to from Mecca. It was previously called Yathrib but was changed to 'Madina al-Munawarah' (The light-filled city) in honor of the Prophet's arrival. It was thus called Madina from thereon as the short form of the name. Madina lies north of Mecca.

The Arabic true form shown says 'al-madina al-Munawara'.


Madina Al Munawara (المدينة المنورة)

See Madina.

Madinah (مدينه)

(1) Madinah means city or town in Arabic.
(2) A city that is approximately 250 miles away from the city of Makkah where the Prophet (SAW) arrived at following the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah to Madina. The Prophet set up the first Islamic state there.

Madrassa (مدرسه)

School.

Maghrib (مغرب)

(1) Maghrib is the time of day when the sun goes down and night begins to take over.
(2) It is also the name of one of the compulsory (wajib) prayers which is often prayed after the sun has descended.
(3) The Arabic name of the country of Morocco.

The word maghrib comes from the root word ghuroob which means 'setting'. The country of Morocco was called Maghrib as the other root word 'gharb' means 'west' as it is the west-most Muslim country.


Mahal (محل)

(1) A shop.
(2) A place or location for an object.

Mahboob (محبوب)

A descriptive word meaning 'loved' or 'loveable'.

Mahdi (المهدي)

Mahdi means 'guided one'. Often refered to as Imam Mahdi, or Al-Mahdi, it is the nickname name of a very important person in Islam who will have the real name: Muhammed. He is yet to be born according to the majority of Sunni Muslims, but is alive at this very moment according to the majority of Shia Muslims, but his identity is not know (i.e. He is in occulation).

It is said he will accompany Prophet Jesus (AS) when he returns and will rid the world of evil, eventually bringing peace & harmony after the great wars.

Mahdi is also a popular boy's name.


Mahfoodh( محفوظ)

Depending on its' use, this word could mean either 'protected', 'wrapped' or 'learnt by heart'.

Mahr (مهر)

The mahr is an amount of money or property that is given to the wife by the husband as a non-returnable dowry in the marriage contract. She may use it as she wishes.

Mahram (محرم)

A mahram is a male, whom a woman can never marry because of close relationship (e.g. a brother, a father, a sibling); The mahram can be thought of as a guardian she can call upon when neccessary if she is not married, but if she is then her own husband is her mahram when he is available. A woman need not wear hijab in front of her mahram and a mahram is usually needed for travelling long distances in safety.

Majlis (مجلس)

A Majlis is a program of speaches and other activities (usually at a mosque).

Makkah (مكه)

The holy city of Makkah is situated in Saudi Arabia and is the birth place of Prophet Muhammed (SAW). Prophet Ibraheem (PBUH) built the Kaaba there and Muslims go to do Hajj (pilgramage) there.

Makrooh (مكروه)

Means disliked, hated or detested. It is used in reference to actions and deeds that are refered to negativly in the sunnah or the Quran. These actions will not get you ithim, but avoiding them will gain you thawab. Doing makrooh things is not recommended. E.g. growing long finger nails.

Makruh (مكروه)

See Makrooh.

Maktoob (مكتوب)

The word maktoob means 'it is written / it was written'. People use the phrase to imply that they were predestined to have something happen to them. Belief in fate (non-absolute fate) is mandatory in Islam.

Malak (ملاك)

Malak means angel. It can be used as a name for either a boy or a girl, but it should be noted that Angels are not feminine.

Malakul Mawt (ملك الموت)

The Angel of Death, called `Azraeel in Islam.

Malik (مالك)

(1) Malik means owner or master of an object. Malik is a popular boy's name.

Man (رجل)

The Arabic word for man is rajul.

Manahil (مناهل)

Manahil can mean springs or founts (of water, knowldge, etc.). It is a popular girl's name amongst Asians.

Mareedh (مريض)

Ill and in bad health.

Marhaba (مرحبا)

This is a traditional Arabic greeting meaning 'Welcome'.

Marium (مريم)

See Maryam.

Marje (مرجع)

A Marje' is a grand scholar of Islam who is allowed to give rulings. Muslims follow (do taqleed of) the rulings of this highly-educated person because they are doctors of religion and most people lack the education to know all the rulings of Islam.

A Marje' can also be known as a Grand Mufti or Grand Ayatollah.


Marriage (نكاح)

The Arabic word for marriage is Nikah.

Martyr (شهيد)

The Arabic word for Martyr is Shaheed.
Shaheed is whoes death or great suffering is in support of a belief ( Islam ).

Martyrdom

Undergoing death or great suffering in support of a belief ( Islam .

Mary (مريم)

The Arabic form of this popular girls' name is 'maryam'.

"Mary", written the same way it sounds in English is ماري


Maryam (مريم)

Maryam is the Arabic word for the name Mary. Maryam (AS) was the mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus) (PBUH). Maryam is regarded as being one of the four greatest created women. Maryam is a very popular girl's name.

Masah (مسح)

Wipe or wiping.

Masail (مسائل)

Masa,il is a plural word meaning 'questions'. The singular is su'al.

Masajid (مساجد)

Masajid is a plural word meaning Mosques (Muslim places of worship). A single mosque is known as a Masjid.

Mashallah (ماشاءالله)

Literally means 'Whatever Allah (God) wills'. It is often used in occasions where there is surprise in someones' good deeds or achievements. For example people say Mashallah when someone does very well in their exams.

Masjid (مسجد)

A building designated for prayer. Called "Mosque" in English.

Masoom (معصوم)

The word ma'soom is often equated with the English word Infallible which means incapable of error. However, people who are described as ma'soom do not make errors or commit sins, but they have the ability to make errors and commit sins.

Many Muslims say the Prophets (PBUT) are masoom but the Shia also say the members of Ahlulbayt are masoom in addition to the Prophets. It is part of their 'aqueedah.


Masoomeen (معصومين)

Ma'soomeen is a plural word meaning infallibles - persons free from sin. The singular word is ma'soom.

Masr

Masr is another pronunciation of the word Misr, which is the Arabic name for the country of Egypt.

Mathhab (مذهب)

A school of thought, direction, manner, mode.

Mathhabs arrise due to different interpretations of the Quran, Sunnah and for political reasons. The word mathhab and sect can be thought of in the same way usually, but there is a difference because there can be different mathhabs within the same sect. Examples of Mathhabs include Shia, Sunni, wahabi, salafi, deobandi etc. A muslim should not follow a mathhab when it contradicts clear proof in the Quran and Sunnah.


Matthew

Matthew is an English name meaning 'Gift of God'.

Maula (مولى)

Lord, Master, Helper, Protector, Supporter, Patron. Not usually used in referance to God.

Mawared (موارد)

The plural of mawrid, and it means 'sources'.

Mawla (مولى)

Master, lord, leader etc.
See Wali.

Mawlana (مولانا)

A form of address to a ruler or person of authority implying protector.

Mawlid (مولد)

Birth or birthday.

Mawrid (مورد)

Source.

Mawt (موت)

Death.

Meat (لحم)

The Arabic word for meat is Laham.

Mecca (مكه)

See Makkah.

Meelad

Birth day.

Meezan (ميزان)

A weighing scale used to measure weights. In Islam the meezan is a hypothetical scale used to measure good deeds against bad deeds on Judgement day.

The following surah (The Calamity) in the Quran mentions the concept of weighing of deeds on the scales:
[101.1] The terrible calamity!
[101.2] What is the terrible calamity!
[101.3] And what will make you comprehend what the terrible calamity is?
[101.4] The day on which men shall be as scattered moths,
[101.5] And the mountains shall be as loosened wool.
[101.6] Then as for him whose measure of good deeds is heavy,
[101.7] He shall live a pleasant life.
[101.8] And as for him whose measure of good deeds is light,
[101.9] His abode shall be the abyss.
[101.10] And what will make you know what it is?
[101.11] A burning fire.


Michael (ميكائيل)

Michael is the name of an Angel known as Mikaeel in Arabic.

Mihrab (محراب)

A mihrab is commonly found in traditional mosques. It is a prayer niche where the Imam stands to lead the prayers and it shows the direction of the Qibla. It is usually built by digging out a concave pillar shape from the wall. It is then decorated in all sorts of beautiful Islamic art designs.

Mikaeel (ميكائيل)

Mikaeel (Michael) is the name of one of God's very important Angels. One thing he is known for is bringing a plate of heavens' fruits to Prophet Muhammed (SAW) the night Fatimah (AS), the Prophet's daughter was conceived.

Min (من)

From.

Min Fadhlek (من فظلك)

Please.

Mina (منا)

During Hajj (pilgramage) the town of Mina must be visited. It is about five miles away from Makkah.

Minbar (منبر)

A minbar is an object commonly found in traditional mosques. The Imam of the Mosque goes up the stairs and sits (or stands) from the seat at the top so that he can preach a sermon. It is a lot like a pulpit which is found in traditional Christian churches.

Minbars come in different designs but the most common are wooden ones that have Islamic art carved into them.


Misbah (مصباح)

Lantern or torch.

Mischief

Vice, evil [conduct (especially of children ) that is annoying or does slight damage but is not malicious. A tendency to tease or cause annoyance playfully.]

Misguidance

Misleding,aberration [leading astray, causing ( a person ) to gain a wrong impression of something, State of being miss led].

Miskeen (مسكين)

A person is described as being miskeen if they are poor & needy, in need of certain necessities to stop them from going hungry and/or perishing.

Misr (مصر)

Misr is the Arabic name used for the country of Egypt.

Miswak (مسواك)

The miswak is the natural equivalent of the toothbrush. It is a short twig with frayed bristles that is used to brush the teeth and it is made from the twigs of the Salvadora persica (Peelu or Arak) tree.

The Prophet (SAW) highly recommended using the miswak to clean the teeth. The miswak has a natural anti-bacterial effect and decreases tooth decay and improves the odour of the mouth. It is recommended to use the miswaq (even if you have a modern toothbrush) before praying as it is stated in hadith that the reward for the prayer will be increased 70-fold.


Mohammad (محمد)

See Muhammed.

Moon (قمر)

The Arabic word for moon is 'Qamar'. A crescent moon is known as a 'hilal'

Moosa (موسى)

See Musa.

Moral perfection

Virtuous (moral excellence, goodness)

Morality and self-perfection

Ethics, morals (moral principles or rules, Islamic system or particular system of morals)

More (أكثر)

The Arabic word for 'more' is Akthar.

Morocco (مغرب)

Official Name: Kingdom of Morocco.
In Arabic, the country is called 'Maghrib'.
Capital: Rabat.

Mortgage

Pawning [give someone a claim on (property) as security for payment of a debt or loan, deposited ( a thing ) with a pawn broker as security for money borrowed.]

Mosque (مسجد)

The Arabic word for mosque is masjid.

Mother (أم)

The Arabic word for mother is 'umm'. See Umm for more information.

To say 'Your mother' to a man, you say 'ummek'.
To say 'Your mother' to a woman, you say 'ummik'.


Mualim (معلم)

Teacher.

Muawiyah (معاويه)

Muawiyah was one of the companions (sahabah) of Prophet Muhammed (SAW). He managed to become the fifth Khalif (leader) after rebeling against the leadership of Imam Ali (AS) and taking the throne as leader of the Muslim Ummah (nation). Muawiyah had a son called Yazid who Muawiyah made the Khalif after him.

Mubah (مباح)

Mubah is one of the classifications of an action according to Islamic Jurisprudence (fiqh). It means 'permitted based on individuals whim'. This category is left undecided and without a ruling by scholar so it is left for the person to decide for themselves if they do things such as eating apples or oranges. Doing or not doing the Mubah does not count as a good or bad deed.

Mubarak (مبارك)

Blessed.

Muedhin (مؤذن)

A muedhin is a person who does the call to prayer, the Athan. This call to prayer is said loudly so that others become aware that the congretional prayers are about to begin.

Muezzin (مؤذن)

See Muedhin.

Mufti (مفتي)

A mufti is a person who presents the laws and fiqh of the scholars to people who ask for them. They should not give their own opinion but they should present the arguments and laws of the maraje' (grand Muftis or Ayatollahs). Most muftis are found in Saudi Arabia and Iran. The word mufti is derived from the word fatwa and it means 'one who gives fatwas'.

A mufti cannot allow people to follow his own opinions, but the mufti can follow his own opinions. A grand Mufti is a higher ranking Mufti that is followed by a large group of people. This is a lot like an Ayatollah found in Shia Islam. Some countries have their own Mufti to decree the opinion of the state.


Muhajjibah (محجبه)

A woman who is veiled - wears a hijab.

Muhammed (محمد)

The name of the final Prophet of Islam. He is deeply revered and is always given a blessing after mention of his name - peace be upon him - which is given acronyms like (SAW) or (PBUH). Many Muslims use the name for their male children.

We have to know and understand who this man (Muhammed) is, for it is through him the final revelation descended from the Lord and it is through him we will know more than just what Islam is or what religion is. It is through him we will discover who Allah (God) is and thus who we are, our purpose or goal in this life and how to achieve enlightenment.


Muharram (محرم)

(1) Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar. This month is considered a month of mourning by the Shia (and many Sunni) Muslims due to the murder of the Grandson of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH&HP), Imam Hussain (PBUH).
(2) Muharram can mean 'made forbidden'.

Muharram is so-called because it was the main month designated by the pre-Islam Arabs as a month where war was forbidden. They didn't usually follow their own rules and they even made an agreement where they would observe the law on year and the


Mujahadeen (مجاهدين)

The plural of Mujahid.

Mujahid (مجاهد)

A person who does Jihad.

Mujtahid (مجتهد)

A Mujtahid is a very educated Muslim makes up his own ruling on the permissibility of an Islamic law but only for himself.

Mulakim (ملاكم)

Fighter (not military).

Mumin (مؤمن)

A mu'min is a faithful and religious believer in Islam and its laws.

Mumineen (مؤمنين)

Mu'mineen is the plural of the word "Mu'min". It means '(devout) believers'.

Mumkin (ممكن)

(1) Possible, or Yes you can.
(2) Can I..., or Is is possible...


Mumtaz (ممتاز)

Excellent or brilliant.

Munafiq (منافق)

Hypocrite.

Munafiqeen (منافقين)

Plural of hypocrite - Many hypocrites.

Munawarah (منوره)

Munawarrah means light-filled. Al Madina al Munawarah in Saudi Arabia is the Light-filled city that Prophet Muhammed (PBUH&HP) emigrated to and it was called the light-filled city in honor of the Prophet coming to it. It was previously known as Yathrib.

Munkar (منكر)

(1) Doing munkar is doing an action associated with wrong-doing, evil-doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.
(2) Munkar is the name of one of two Angels (Munkar & Nakir) who question people in their graves. This is done while a person is in the state of barzakh.

Muqawama (مقاومه)

Muqawama means active resistance against aggression.

Muraqabah (مراقبة)

Muraqabah comes from the word raqib, which means to follow, watch, keep tags-on.

Murtad (مرتد)

A murtad is a person who leaves the religion (apostacy) and conspires against it.

Murtadha (مرتضى)

Murtadha, sometimes spelt 'Murtaza', is a popular boy's name. It means agreeable.

Musa (موسى)

Prophet Moses' name in Arabic.

Moses was sent to call Pharaoh (the ruler of Egypt) and his people to believe in the Oneness of Allah. He was strengthened by a number of miracles. Allah instructed Moses to throw down his staff which miraculously turned into a huge snake and swallowed all the snakes which the magicians of Pharaoh had made appear. Moses was also instructed to put his hand in his pocket, and it came forth radiantly white, without stain. The Pharaoh promised severe punishments to the followers of Moses. Moses was commanded to leave Egypt with his people (the Jews) by night. Moses's followers were to cross the Red Sea towards Sinai in a huge procession. They were reassured not to fear the Pharaoh, nor the sea, nor the vast unknown desert of Sinai into which they were venturing. They crossed the Red Sea - after Moses struck the sea with his miraculous staff and it split into dry passage - while the Pharaoh, who had pursued them with his troops, was overwhelmed by the sea and perished.


Mushaf (مصحف)

(1) Any Book, even ones that are not religious.
(2) A copy of the Quran. This is the most common meaning.

Mushrik (مشرك)

Polytheist, pagan, idolater, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah, a person who worships others along with Allah, and also those who set up rivals with (or partners to) Allah.

Mushrikoon (مشركون)

Polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, those who worship others along with Allah, and also those who set up rivals with (or partners to) Allah.

Mushrikoon is the same as Mushrikeen.


Music (مسيقة)

The Arabic word for music is 'Museeqah'.span id=

Muslim (مسلم)

(1) A follower of the religion of Islam.
(2) A person who submits their will to God and believes in Him.

Muslimah (مسلمه)

A female follower of the religion of Islam.

Often the 'h' on the end of the word is not pronounced and it is therefore written as muslima as well.


Musrhikeen (مشركون)


Mustahab (مستحب)

A recommended form of worship or action. Doing a mustahab activity will be rewarded by Allah but not doing a Mustahab activity will not be considered sinful. E.g. Reading Quran daily.
Most mustahab acts have greater benefit/reward (thawab) than mandatory (wajib) activities.

Mustapha (مصطفى)

Mustapha, sometimes spelt 'Mustafa', is a popular boy's name. It is one of Prophet Muhammed's (SAW) names. It means 'guided' as Muhammed is the guided one.

Mustaqbil (مستقبل)

The future.

Mutaqi (متقي)

A pious and righteous person who fears Allah much (abstains from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden) and loves Allah much (performs all kinds of good deeds which Allah and his Messenger (SAW) have ordained).

Mutawattir (متوتر)

Literally means "succession, consecutive." Islamically refers to hadith which is narrated by such a large number of people that it is impossible (Allahu Alim (God is all-knowing)) that they have invented a lie.Its conditions include:

(1) That it be narrated by a large number of people. Scholars differ about the actual number required
(2) That this number is found in every level of the isnaad
(3) That it is impossible that they could have gathered together upon a lie.


Muttahirah (مطهرة)

Purified (ritually).

Muttaqeen (متقين)

See Mutaqoon.

Muttaqoon (متقون)

Pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which Allah and his Messenger (SAW) have ordained).

Muwahid (موحد)

A person who declares the singleness of God is known as a muwahid - a monotheist.

My

There is no direct Arabic word for 'my'. Instead, to identify something as a possesion of your own, you add an 'i' after the word.
For example, the sentence 'Hatha kelb' means 'This is a dog'. If the sentence is altered to 'Hatha kelbi' it means 'This is my dog'.

My Name Is ( ...اسمي)

"My Name is ..." is "Ismee ..." in Arabic.


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