What's He Chattin' About?

There are many words we read and hear but aren’t too sure what they mean. So The Revival attempts to define some Islamic terms used in this issue:

Ansar - means the 'Helpers.' They are the Muslims of Madina who helped the Muhajireen (immigrants) of Makka in the process of settling down in the new environment in Madina.

Fitnah - trial or tribulation; also refers to any period of disorder or the period of time before the end of the world or any civil strife.

Istighfar – to ask the forgiveness of Allah (swt), especially by saying, ‘Astaghfiru’llah’ (I seek the forgiveness of Allah (swt))

Kareem - also spelt Al-Karim; it is one of the 99 names of Allah (swt) and it means 'The Generous'.

Kufr – disbelief, or to cover up the truth. It is to reject Allah (swt) and refuse to believe that Muhammad is His Messenger.

Madhab - school of religious jurisprudence/school of thought. The four main Madhabs in Sunni Islam are Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki and Hanbali. The majority of Sunni Muslims believe that all four schools have "correct guidance", and the differences between them lie not in the fundamentals of faith, but in finer judgements and jurisprudence, which are a result of the independent reasoning of the Imams and the scholars who followed them.

Mawlid – the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad .

Muhajireen - the companions of Prophet Muhammad who accepted Islam and became Muslims in Makka and then followed the Prophet on his Hijra (migration to Medina).

Mushrik - One who associates others in worship with God; a polytheist.

Zina – unlawful sex, adultery, fornication – a huge sin in Islam.