Key Terms for New Muslims

When learning about Islam, you’ll encounter many Arabic terms that might be unfamiliar at first. Understanding these key words will help you feel more comfortable in conversations and deepen your connection to Islamic teachings. Here’s a list of essential terms every new Muslim should know:

Basic Islamic Concepts

Allah – The Arabic word for God, used by Muslims worldwide.
Islam – The religion of submission to Allah.
Muslim – A follower of Islam.
Shahada – The testimony of faith: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur Rasulullah” (There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger).
Quran – The holy book of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Hadith – Recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Sunnah – The way of life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), based on hadith.
Tawheed – The oneness of Allah, a fundamental belief in Islam.

Prayer & Worship

Salah – The five daily prayers performed by Muslims.
Wudu – The ritual purification (ablution) before prayer.
Adhan – The call to prayer.
Rak’ah – A unit of prayer.
Sujood – Prostration during prayer, a moment of humility before Allah.
Dua – Supplication or personal prayers to Allah.
Tasbeeh – The act of glorifying Allah, often done with prayer beads.

Islamic Practices

Zakat – The obligatory charity given by Muslims (one of the Five Pillars).
Sawm – Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Iftar – The meal to break the fast at sunset in Ramadan.
Suhoor – The pre-dawn meal before fasting in Ramadan.
Hajj – The pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in a lifetime if one is able.
Umrah – A non-mandatory pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed at any time of the year.
Eid – The two major Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, commemorating sacrifice to Allah. Both are times of celebration, prayer, charity, and family gatherings.

Islamic Etiquette & Morals

Halal – Permissible in Islam.
Haram – Forbidden in Islam.
Bismillah – “In the name of Allah,” said before starting something.
Alhamdulillah – “All praise is due to Allah,” often said in gratitude.
SubhanAllah – “Glory be to Allah,” often used in moments of awe or worship.
Allahu Akbar – “Allah is the Greatest.”
InshaAllah – “If Allah wills,” used when speaking of future events.
Astaghfirullah – “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
JazakAllah Khair – “May Allah reward you with goodness.”

Community & Identity

Ummah – The global Muslim community.
Imam – A leader of prayer in the mosque.
Sheikh – A respected Islamic scholar or leader.
Muezzin – The person who calls the Adhan (call to prayer).
Masjid – The Arabic word for mosque, a place of worship for Muslims.

Prophets & Religious Figures

Muhammad (PBUH) – The final prophet of Islam.
Isa (PBUH) – The Arabic name for Jesus in Islam.
Musa (PBUH) – The Arabic name for Moses in Islam.
Ibrahim (PBUH) – The Arabic name for Abraham in Islam.
See our comprehensive list of the Prophets of Islam for more.

Life & Afterlife

Jannah – Paradise, the reward for the righteous in the afterlife.
Jahannam – Hell, a place of punishment in the afterlife.
Qadr – The concept of divine destiny in Islam.
Yawm al-Qiyamah – The Day of Judgment.

Common Acronyms & Honorifics

(PBUH) – “Peace Be Upon Him,” used after mentioning the name of Prophet Muhammad.
(SAW) – “Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam,” an Arabic equivalent of PBUH.
(SWT) – “Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala,” meaning “Glorified and Exalted is He,” used after mentioning Allah.
(RA) – “Radiyallahu Anhu/Anha,” meaning “May Allah be pleased with him/her,” used for companions of the Prophet.
(AS) – “Alayhi Salam,” meaning “Peace be upon him,” used for all other prophets.

Final Thoughts

This is just a starting point to help you navigate Islamic terms with confidence. The more you engage with Islamic teachings, the more natural these words will become in your daily life. May Allah make your journey easy and full of blessings!