Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@al-maisan
Created February 10, 2026 02:41
Show Gist options
  • Select an option

  • Save al-maisan/d380d3c338b04f6889c9c2a8f9041e01 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Save al-maisan/d380d3c338b04f6889c9c2a8f9041e01 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
islamic-terms-dictionary.md

Concise Dictionary of Islamic Terms

Core Metaphysical / Spiritual Terms

Term Arabic Meaning
Qalb قلب Heart — the spiritual heart, seat of consciousness and faith
Ruh روح Spirit/Soul — the divine breath breathed into creation
Nafs نفس Self/Ego — the lower self, desires; has stages (e.g. nafs al-ammara = commanding self, nafs al-lawwama = self-reproaching, nafs al-mutma'inna = tranquil self)
Aql عقل Intellect/Reason
Fitrah فطرة Primordial nature — the innate disposition toward God

The Unseen & Afterlife

Term Arabic Meaning
Ghayb غيب The Unseen — that which is beyond human perception
Dunya دنيا The worldly life, the temporal lower world
Akhira آخرة The Hereafter, the next life
Yawm al-Qiyama يوم القيامة Day of Resurrection / Day of Standing
Yawm al-Din يوم الدين Day of Judgment
Barzakh برزخ The intermediary realm between death and resurrection
Jannah جنة Paradise / Garden
Jahannam جهنم Hell / Hellfire
Sirat صراط The Bridge over Hell crossed on Judgment Day
Mizan ميزان The Scale — weighing of deeds on Judgment Day
Hashr حشر The Gathering of all souls for judgment

Foundational Concepts

Term Arabic Meaning
Tawhid توحيد Oneness of God — the central doctrine
Shirk شرك Associating partners with God (gravest sin)
Iman إيمان Faith / Belief
Islam إسلام Submission (to God's will)
Ihsan إحسان Excellence — worshipping as though you see God
Taqwa تقوى God-consciousness, piety, mindful awareness of God
Tawakkul توكل Trust/reliance on God
Qadr قدر Divine decree / predestination
Rizq رزق Provision — sustenance from God
Barakah بركة Blessing, divine grace
Rahma رحمة Mercy
Hidaya هداية Guidance (from God)

Practice & Ethics

Term Arabic Meaning
Ibadah عبادة Worship / devotion
Salah صلاة Ritual prayer (5 daily)
Sawm صوم Fasting
Zakat زكاة Obligatory alms/charity
Hajj حج Pilgrimage to Mecca
Dhikr ذكر Remembrance of God
Du'a دعاء Supplication / personal prayer
Tawba توبة Repentance — turning back to God
Sabr صبر Patience / steadfast endurance
Shukr شكر Gratitude
Ikhlas إخلاص Sincerity (of intention)
Niyyah نية Intention
Khushu خشوع Humility/presence of heart, esp. in prayer
Halal حلال Permissible
Haram حرام Forbidden

Knowledge & Revelation

Term Arabic Meaning
Wahy وحي Divine revelation
Ilm علم Knowledge
Hikmah حكمة Wisdom
Sunnah سنة Prophetic tradition / practice
Hadith حديث Recorded saying or action of the Prophet
Sharia شريعة Sacred law — the moral and legal framework
Fiqh فقه Jurisprudence — human understanding of Sharia
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment