Shariah TV

Whether you're personally grappling with the problems of being a Muslim in Britain or are an interested outsider, you're likely to hear some, if not all, of these words in any discussion of the issues.

Assalamu alaikum

Peace be upon you. This is how Muslims greet each other. The reply is: Walaikum as-salaam (And upon you be peace).

Da’wah

Invitation, inviting others to Islam.

Din

Way of life or religion.

Fard

Obligatory, something which must be done.

Fatwa

A legal ruling based on religious reasoning. It is the opinion of one individual and can only be overturned by a higher authority.

Fiqh

Methodology used by scholars to derive Islamic rulings (jurisprudence).

Hadith

The traditions of the Prophet Muhammed – sayings, actions and approvals.

Halal

Permitted.

Haram

Forbidden.

Hijab

The veil or women's clothing which fulfils the Islamic law that women must protect their modesty by covering their bodies. How much of the body is covered by the hijab depends on local custom rather than religious ruling. There is also a hijab for men who are also required to dress modestly.

Ijma

Consensus amongst scholars on legal opinions.

Imam

Man who is qualified in Islamic tradition; a teacher, mentor and often the leader of a congregation.

Iman

Literally 'belief'. Primarily refers to belief in Allah.

Jihad

Literally means 'to struggle' or 'strive'. Muslims use the word jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle: a believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible; the struggle to build a good Muslim society; and the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary. Often mistranslated as 'Holy War'.

Madhhab

Schools of thought that have evolved over a long period of time.

Mubah

Action that is left to individual conscience.

Mujahideen

Those who struggle. Although commonly associated with physical battles, mujahideen are also those engaged in personal struggles. Those who engage in jihad are known as mujahideen.

Qiyas

Analogy.

Qur'an

Divine scripture: the holy book of Islam.

Riba

Usury. In the modern context it refers to interest paid on borrowed money and interest charged on loans, which are seen as inherently exploitative.

Shahadah

Witness or declaration. Declaration of faith recited by a person who converts to Islam, which states: ‘I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah.’

Shariah
Divinely inspired parameters that form the basis of how Muslims live their lives. Literally 'the path to a watering hole'.

Taharah

Purity.

Talaq

Divorce.

Ummah

The Muslim community worldwide.

Wudu

Ritual washing with water which must be performed before prayer.

Zakat, Zakah

The obligation to donate a proportion of one's income as instructed by Shariah.

Zina

Adultery, fornication, illicit sexual intimacy.