Glossary of Islam - I

I

‘Ibādah (عبادة)

submission, worship, but not limited to ritual: all expressions of servitude to Allah, including the pursuit of knowledge, living a pious life, helping, charity, and humility, can be considered ibadah.

Iblīs (إبليس)

a jinn banished to Hell for his arrogance and disobedience; aka Satan : derived from the Greek Diabolos or Devil He is the equivalent of Lucifer.

‘Id (عيد)

festival or celebration. Alternatively transliterated Eid.

‘Id ul-Adha (عيد الأضحى)

"the Festival of Sacrifice." The four day celebration starting on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijja.

‘Id ul-Fitr (عيد الفطر)

"the Festival of Fitr (Breaking the fast)." A religious festival that marks the end of the fast of Ramadan.

I'dad Al-'oda (إعداد العُدَّةِ)

"preparation for battle" according to Qur'an

Ifṭār (إفطار)

a meal eaten by Muslims breaking their fast after sunset during the month of Ramadan.

Iḥrām (إحرام)

state of consecration for hajj. Includes dress and or prayer.

Iḥsān (إحسان)

perfection in worship, such that Muslims try to worship God as if they see Him, and although they cannot see Him, they undoubtedly believe He is constantly watching over them.

Ijaz (إعجاز)

miracle, the character of the Qur'an in both form and content.

Ijazah (إجازة)

a certificate authorizing one to transmit a subject or text of Islamic knowledge

Ijmā‘ (إجماع)

the consensus of either the ummah (or just the ulema) - one of four bases of Islamic Law. More generally, political consensus itself. Shi'a substitute obedience to the Imam; opposite of ikhtilaf

Ijtihād (اجتهاد)

During the early times of Islam, the possibility of finding a new solution to a juridical problem. Has not been allowed in conservative Islam since the Middle Ages. However, Liberal movements within Islam generally argue that any Muslim can perform ijtihad, given that Islam has no generally accepted clerical hierarchy or bureaucratic organization. The opposite of ijtihad is taqlid (تقليد), Arabic for "imitation".

Ikhtilaf (اختلاف)

disagreement among the madhhabs (scholars) of a religious principle; opposite of ijma.

Ikraam (إكرام)

honouring, hospitality, generosity - Dhul jalaali wal ikraam is one of the 99 names of Allah.

Ikrah (إكراه)

mental or physical force.

Ilāh (إله)

deity, a god; including gods worshiped by polytheists.

‘Ilm (علم)

all varieties of knowledge, usually a synonym for science

Imām (إمام)

literally, leader; e.g. a man who leads a community or leads the prayer; the Shi'a sect use the term only as a title for one of the twelve Allah-appointed successors of Prophet Muhammad.

Imamah (إمامة) or imamate

successorship of Prophet Muhammad and the leadership of mankind.

Imān (إيمان)

personal faith

Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji'oon

To Allah we belong and to Him is our return - said to mourners

Infāq (إنفاق)

the habitual inclination to give rather than take in life; the basis for charity

Injīl (الإنجيل)

Arabic term for the holy book called The Gospel said to have been given to Jesus, who is known as Isa in Arabic; Muslims believe the holy book has been lost and the New Testament gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are not the word of Allah, only Christian stories about Jesus.

Insha'Allah (إن شاء الله)

If it is God's will; Inshallah is "resigned, accepting, neutral, passive. It is neither optimistic nor pessimistic."

Iqamah (إقامة)

the second call to prayer. Similar to the azhan.

Irtidad (ارتداد)

apostasy (see murtadd). Also riddah ردة

‘Īsā (عيسى)

Jesus - 'Isa ibn Maryam (English: Jesus son of Mary), a matronymic (since he had no biological father. The Qur'an asserts that Allah has no sons and therefore, 'Isa is not the son of Allah. Muslims honor 'Isa as a nabi and rasul.

‘Ishā' (عشاء)

night; the fifth salat prayer

Islam (الإسلام)

"submission to God". The Arabic root word for Islam means submission, obedience, peace, and purity.

Isnād (إسناد)

chain of transmitters of any given hadith

Isra (الإسراء)

the night journey during which Muhammad (محمّد)is said to have visited Heaven. See miraj.

Istighfar (استغفار)

requesting forgiveness

Istihada (استحاضة)

vaginal bleeding except Haid and Nifas

Istislah (استصلاح)

public interest - a source of Islamic Law.

Istish'hād (استشهاد)

martyrdom.

Itaqu

The faithful who fear Allah.

Ithim (إثم)

Negative reward for bad deeds that is tallied on qiyamah(judgment day.) Opposite of thawab.

Itikaf

seclusion in the masjid for the purpose of worship usually performed during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Itmām al-hujjah (إتمام الحجة)

clarification of truth in its ultimate form.