Key Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Key Terms

• Adab: Etiquette, good manners, proper conduct in a spiritual setting.
• Ahlul Bayt: The Holy Family of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• 'Ajeezu: Weak, helpless; refers to a state of humility before God.
• 'Ajer: Reward, divine recompense.
• 'Amal: Actions, deeds.
• Amanat: Trust, something entrusted to one's care.
• 'Arsh: The Divine Throne of God.
• 'Asaa: Cane, staff.
• Ashab al-Kahf: The People of the Cave, mentioned in the Quran.
• 'Atiullah atiur Rasul wa Ulil amre minkum: A Quranic verse emphasizing obedience to God, the Prophet, and those in authority.
• Awliyaullah: Saints, friends of God.
• Barakah: Blessings, divine grace.
• Bani Adam: Children of Adam, humankind.
• Bani Israel: Children of Israel
• Dajjal: The Antichrist, a figure of deception in Islamic eschatology.
• Dunya: The world, worldly life.
• Du'a: Supplication, personal prayer.
• Gul e Muhammadi: Rose of Muhammad
• Haqqaiq: Realities, truths, especially spiritual ones.
• Hasad: Envy, jealousy.
• Haybah: Majestic power, awe-inspiring presence.
• Hikmah: Wisdom, profound understanding.
• Hijrah: Migration, journey, especially for spiritual growth.
• Ifrit: A powerful demon or jinn.
• Ihsan: Perfection in faith, doing good and being truthful in one's service to the Divine.
• Ilm: Knowledge, learning.
• Insan: Mankind, human being.
• Ishq: Divine love, intense passion for God.
• Jalali: Majestic, the powerful and awe-inspiring aspect of the Divine.
• Jamali: Beatific, the beautiful and gentle aspect of the Divine.
• Jannah: Paradise, Heaven.
• Kadam: Foot, used to express servitude.
• Kawthar: A river in Paradise, signifying abundance and blessing.
• Khidmat: Service, selfless actions for the sake of God and others.
• Khirqah: A robe worn by Sufis, symbolizing initiation into a spiritual order.
• Lawh al-Mahfuz: The Preserved Tablets, where all destinies are recorded.
• Laylatul Nisf e Min Sha'ban: The Night of Mid-Sha'ban, a holy night in the Islamic calendar.
• Maqam: Spiritual station, level of attainment.
• Maqamul Ihsan: Station of Perfection
• Malik al-'Aziz: The King, the Powerful, a name of God.
• Miskinu: Needy, humble, in a spiritual sense.
• Muhabbat: Love, affection.
• Muhasabah: Self-accounting, self-reflection.
• Mu'min: Believer.
• Mufattihul abwab: The Opener of Doors, a name of God.
• Mureed: A disciple, student on a spiritual path.
• Musabbibal asbab: The one who brings about the causes, a name of God.
• Mustafa: The chosen one, a name of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Nabi: Prophet.
• Nafs: The ego, the self, often associated with negative tendencies.
• Nazar: Gaze, attention, spiritual blessing, often from a saint or the Prophet.
• Ni'mat: Blessing, favor.
• Nurul Muhammadi: The Light of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Qudrah: Power, ability, especially Divine power.
• Qurban: Sacrifice, an offering made to God.
• Rahmah: Mercy, compassion.
• Rijal: People of spiritual excellence, men and women, people of God.
• Rizq: Sustenance, provision, both material and spiritual.
• Rushd: Maturity, guidance, spiritual growth.
• Sabr: Patience, endurance, often seen as a beautiful virtue.
• Sakinah: Tranquility, peace of heart.
• Salah: Daily prayer.
• Salawat: Praises upon the Prophet Muhammad
• Sami: Hearing, the attribute of God of being All-Hearing.
• Sayyidina: Our Master, a term of respect.
• Shaitan: Satan, the devil.
• Shaykh: Spiritual guide, teacher, master.
• Shukr: Gratitude, thankfulness.
• Sifat: Attribute
• Subhana man 'Alimul Hakim: Glory be to the All-Knowing and the Wise, a phrase of Divine praise.
• Sunnah: The traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Surat Al-Kahf: The Chapter of the Cave in the Holy Quran
• Surat Al-Qamar: The chapter of the Moon in the Holy Quran
• Tajalli: Manifestation, divine emanation.
• Tariqah: Spiritual path, Sufi order.
• Tarbiyah: Discipline, training
• Taslim: Submission, acceptance of God's will.
• Turuq: Plural of tariqa, spiritual paths, Sufi orders.
• 'Ulama: Scholars, people of religious knowledge.
• Ummat: Nation
• Ummat al haqqaiq: A nation that carries realities and truths
• Ummat e Muhammad: Nation of Prophet Muhammad
• Waswas: Whispering, negative thoughts, doubt.
• Ya Wahhab, Ya Musabbibal Asbab, Ya Mufattihul Abwab: Supplication meaning "O the Giver, O the Causer of Causes, O the Opener of Doors"
• Zahiri: External, superficial.
• Zikr: Divine remembrance, often involving repetition of God's names.