Islam Vocabulary and Key Concepts

Muslims believe that people can earn salvation by doing good deeds and avoiding bad deeds, without needing a savior.

Christians believe that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

Muslims see Jesus as a prophet but not divine.

Christians believe that Jesus is both fully God and fully human, the Son of God.

Muslims believe that God is one, singular being, without any Trinity.

Christians believe in God as a Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one God.

Some Muslims believe that Islam should be spread through force and fighting.

Christians believe in spreading the Gospel through love, evangelism, and spiritual warfare, not physical violence.

Muslims believe that Mecca is the specific place to worship God.

Christians believe God can be worshipped in spirit and truth, not confined to specific locations.

The holy book of Islam, believed to contain God's revelations to Muhammad.

The Islamic God; the Arabic word for "God".

Muhammad united most of the Arabian tribes under Islam by using a strategy of 'Convert or die'.

The cube-shaped shrine in Mecca, considered the holiest place in Islam.

He became the first caliph after Muhammad's death and united all Arabian tribes under a single army.

A saying or action attributed to Muhammad, used as a source of guidance in Islamic law.

The title given to Muhammad's successor as leader of the Muslim community.

Abu Bakr chose Zaid to assemble a version of Muhammad’s recitations, establishing a unified Quran.

The five essential duties of every Muslim: declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage.

Umar became the second caliph and expanded the Islamic empire through conquest.

Uthman, the third caliph, chose Zaid's version of the Quran and burned all others, creating the standard version for Muslims.

The complete body of Islamic law, covering all aspects of life, from worship to commerce.

A Muslim house of worship, a place for prayer and community gathering.

Muslim armies continued their conquests, spreading Islam east to India, west to Morocco and north to Spain.

To strive or struggle, often against personal sin; sometimes interpreted as warfare against non-Muslims.

The Battle of Tours in 732 AD marked the end of Muslim expansion into Western Europe, stopping their advance.

The founder of Islam, who received revelations from God that formed the basis of the Quran.

The Shahada, the declaration of faith, is the cornerstone of Islam: 'There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet'.

Daily prayer is a crucial aspect of Islamic worship, consisting of five prayers performed throughout the day.

The "zakat" is the obligation for Muslims to give 2.5% of their wealth to charity each year, supporting the needy and spreading Islam.

A pilgrimage required of all physically and financially able Muslims to the Ka'aba in Mecca at least once in their lifetime, with a few exceptions.

The first Muslim to collect and compile the Quran

A set of Islamic laws covering all aspects of life, emphasizing submission to God.

A branch of Islam emphasizing the importance of the line of succession from Muhammad, believing that leadership should be held by his descendants.

The largest branch of Islam emphasizing the importance of community consensus in choosing their leaders.

The belief in the oneness of God, as the only God worthy of worship.

The holy city of Mecca, where the Ka'aba is located, making it the most sacred site for Muslims.