Five Pillars
Before offering salah, Muslims perform this ritual ablution involving washing the hands, face, and feet.
What is wudu?
This word refers to the chain of transmission that begins a hadith
What is isnad?
These words mean “chapter” and “verse” in Arabic, and are used when discussing the Qur'an.
What are Surah and Ayah?
This architectural niche in a mosque shows worshippers the direction of prayer.
What is a mihrab?
The spiritual “path” or Sufi order through which disciples follow a guide toward God.
What is tariqa?
This short phrase, “God is greater,” opens both the adhan and the daily prayers.
What is takbir?
This Arabic word refers to independent reasoning used to derive new rulings in Islamic law.
What is ijtihad?
This invocation of God begins each surah of the Qur’an
What is the Basmala?
An Arabic word meaning “patchwork”, this term refers to albums of calligraphy and miniature paintings.
What is muraqqa?
The famous thirteenth-century Persian poet and author of the Mathnawi is widely known by this name.
What is Rumi?
This sunset meal breaks each day’s fast during the month of Ramadan.
What is iftar?
In Islamic jurisprudence, this term refers the “consensus” of scholars or the first generations of Muslims
What is ijma?
The Qur’an’s surahs are divided into these two categories, according to when and where they were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
What are Meccan and Medinan?
This Turkish term refers to the marbled paper used in many Islamic albums and manuscripts
What is ebru?
Sufis use this term for spiritual blessing or divine grace believed to flow through saints.
What is baraka?
A unit of prayer—consisting of standing, bowing, and prostration—is called this
What is rakah?
A term for Islamic schools of law, such as the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali
What is madhhab?
This concept, referring to God’s absolute oneness, is succinctly expressed in Surah al-Ikhlas
What is Tawhid?
The ornate, calligraphic signature of an Ottoman sultan is called this.
What is Tughra?
This Sufi practice involves the remembrance of God through repeated phrases and movement.
What is Dhikr?
The state of ritual purity and the simple white garments worn by pilgrims during the Hajj.
What is ihram?
This term means “innovation” in religious matters, often with a negative connotation.
What is Bid’ah?
Complete these verses from the Surah al-Fatihah: “Thee we worship and from Thee we seek help. Guide us along the ___________”
What is “Straight Path”
This angular style of Arabic script was used in many early Qur’ans.
What is Kufic?
In Sufi terminology, this refers to the “annihilation” of the self in the presence of God.
What is Fana'?