A Abaya The robes worn by the Muslim women. Allah Arabic word for God Ali'ibn abi - Talib Fourth leader of the Muslim people believed by Shi'a to be the rightly guided successor to Mohammad. He was the second person to embrace Islam. The followers of 'Ali are known as Shi'a. Ashura Shi'a event commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn which falls on the tenth day of the month of Muharram in the Muslim calendar. Al - Abbas The brother of Husayn who was martyred in 680CE. Al al - Beit Prophet's household Al - Hurr at - Tamimi Commander of a military detachment who switched sides from Yazid's troops to Husayn's camp and was martyred. B Ba'th party political party lead by Saddam Hussein Bay'at pay homage C Caliph, Caliphate The Prophet's representative leader of the Islamic people. Shi'a believe this should be a divinely chosen leader and see the position as both spiritual and temporal. Sunnis believe that the leader can rule by consensus and view it as a temporal position D Da'wa al-Islamiyah party A political party established in Iraq in 1958 to oppose the Ba'th party, it's name means, "Islamic call". E F Five Pillars of Islam Islam is based on five cornerstones of faith and worship. These are faith (shahaddah), prayer (salat), obligatory alms (zakat), fasting (siyam) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). G H Hadith The sayings or traditions of the Prophet Mohammad. Hajj Obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims should take at least once in their life times, finances and health permitting. Husayn Grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and legitimate ruler of the Shi'a Muslims, Husayn was martyred at Karbala in 680CE by troops under the command of the Caliph Yazid. The occasion of his death is commemorated every year during the month of Muharram. Husayniyya A building usually in Iran or Iraq, that has been especially converted for the purposes of hearing the recitations of the sufferings of Husayn. I Imam, Immate A religious leader of the Muslim people. Isamaili A Shi'a branch of Islam. J Jalus In India this is the street procession that is part of the commemoration of Muharram. Jihad A holy war but often has a more metaphorical meaning of inner struggle. K Karbala The holy shrine city in Iraq for Shi'a Muslims where Husayn was martyred. Khums The one fifth tax practiced by Shi'a. L M Mared La-Rass The second part of mourning of Imam Husayn falling 40 days after the 10th Muharram. Majlis In India these are the recitals of the sufferings of the Imam Husayn. Mosque The Muslim house of worship the most famous being the Holy Mosques in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, both in Saudi Arabia. Ma'tam A building, usually in Bahrain, that has been especially converted for the purposes of hearing the recitations of the sufferings of Husayn at Karbala. Mohammad The final prophet of Islam. Mollah A Muslim cleric. Mu'awiya The founder of the Umayyad dynasty who took power from the Prophet's Household in 661CE securing the Caliphate until 750CE. Muharram The fist month in the Islamic calender, meaning respect, where Shi'a Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson Al - Husayn. Mut'a A temporary marriage practiced by Shi'a. N Najaf The Holy shrine city in Iraq where 'Ali, Caliph of the Muslim people is buried. Nubuwwa Meaning Prophethood. O P Prophet The messenger of God. Q Qu'ran The holy book of the Muslims revealed to the Prophet Mohammad by the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years. Qiraya Gathering for the recital of the sufferings of the Imams in Iraq. R Rawda An Iranian gathering for the recital of the sufferings of the Imams. Rawdih - khani The reciter of the rawda. S Salat (Namaz) An obligatory prayer. Shabih In Iraq this is the play depicting the sufferings of the Imam Husyan at Karbala. Sharia Islamic law Shi'a A branch of Islam practiced by Muslims who believe in the successorship of 'Ali. Siyam Fasting Sufi A philosophical mystical branch of Shi'a Islam Sunna The pattern of words and deeds as conveyed in the tradition of Mohammad the Prophet. Sunni The branch of Islam practised by the majority of Muslims. T Talaq Divorce. Tawhid The unity of God. Ta'ziya A private house where the recital of the sufferings of the Imam Husayn take place in Lebanon. However, in Iran it is the play that takes place depicting the sufferings of Husayn at Muharram and in Iraq and Bahrain it is the name given to the street processions. U Ulama A religious class in Islamic society. Umayyad The name of the dynasty that ruled the Islamic community from 661CE holding power until 750CE. Ummah The Muslim community or bortherhood. V W Wahhabi Muslim sect that do not believe in the worshipping of shrines. Wudu The act of performing ablution before prayer. X Y Z Zakat obligatory alms Zaynab Sister of Husayn For more Islamic terms go to the Hajj glossary.