see Heaven

After fulfilling the commandments of Allah and His Messenger everyone is duty bound to both their parents. Parents have a huge responsibility towards their children and they must be respected and honoured. Children must be obedient to their parents and treat them kindly particularly in old age when they may have lost their physical faculties and may require constant care just as a child requires constant care. Those that have lost their parents must pray for them and respect their parent's friends also.

See also: Prophet Muhammad, Children, Women, Neighbours, Humanity, Example

Animal Skin

See: Tanning

People to whom one of Allah's revelations was sent via the Prophets, this usually means the Jews and the Christians. The Jews were sent the original Zaboor (Psalms) revealed to Prophet Dawud (David - peace be upon him) and the original Towrat (Torah) revealed to Musa (Moses - peace be upon him). Over time the original revealed books were distorted, practices changed and the Message of God was lost and required renewal hence the Christians were sent the original Gospel revealed to Prophet I'sa ( Jesus - peace be upon him). The final and complete reveleation of His religion was sent to Prophet Muhammad in the form of the Quran.

Also referred to as: Ahle-Kitaab, Yahudi, Nasaara

See: Yahudi, Nasaara, Ummah, Quran, Believer, Muslim, Kaafir, Munafiqeen, Nikah

Menstruation

See: Haydh

Muslims have often been persecuted and discriminated against. Early examples can be seen in Islamic history where Prophet Muhammad and his companions were mercilessly persecuted to the point where many lost their lives and families but did not give up Islam.

See also: Patience, Steadfastness, Sacrifices, Treaties, Wars and Amnesties, Death, Victimisation, Racism, Mahdi, Dajjal, Humanity

Depicting animate creatures in Islam is not permissible regardless of whether it is manifested as models in 3d, still pictures or animations. Many known dangers of depicting animate objects have been highlighted. Some affect individuals, others affect society at large. Some are apparent in one's lifetime whilst others materialise over generations. All fall foul of attempted imitation as only Allah, The Creator can create and invest a spirit.

“Of people the most affected by punishment on the day of Judgement shall be the makers of pictures.”

Also referred to as: animate paintings, drawings, models, photos, video, movies, animation

See also: Television, Music, Hijaab

“Verily the most noble one amongst you in the eyes of Allah Taa'la is the most pious.”

Piety is the connection and spiritual proximity to Allah which can only be achieved through adopting Taqwa (God fearing). Many are misled into thinking that ‘Taqwa' lies in excessive ‘ibadat' (worship). This misunderstanding leads to neglecting and overlooking the importance of abstaining from sins. Thus, many Muslims engage in excessive ibadat without realising that their reward is eradicated by their sins and disobedience to Allah Taa'la.

Also referred to as: Salaahat, Salahiat, Salih (Pious), Devoutness, devotion, religiousness, spirituality, devotion to Allah, saintliness, virtuous.

See also: Obedience, Pious

Pilgrimage is a common word to mean a religious visit however in Islam it is usually used to mean the performance of Umrah (Makkah, Arabia) or Hajj (Makkah, Mina, Muzdhalifa and Arafat in Arabia) . Visiting the grave of the Holy Prophet in Madinah (Arabia) or visiting Masjid-Al-Aqsa (Occupied Palestine) is normally called Ziyaarah.

See also: Hajj, Umrah, Ziyaarah

Those who live a life of piety in accordance with the Quran and blessed Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad are considered pious regardless of their family lineage, ethnicity, race, age, gender, wealth, eduacation or nationality. There have been many pious people (male and female) in this ummah in the past who have passed away as muslims in that state. From the blessed Sahaabah (Companions) of Prophet Muhammad who were guiding stars for anyone that met them (Taabieen) and those muslims who in turn had met the Taabieen (Tabe-Taabieen); to those muslim scholars and saints who have passed away, some in recent times. There are still people who are pious today and time is not a bar to piety however knowledge and geniune practise has been declining as generations fail to realise and put into practise pious living in accordance with the Quran and the blessed Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . A pious person would have gained a close spiritual relationship with Allah however they have no special power from themselves; Allah bestows and withdraws His favours on who He wills and when He wills. We should make dua (supplication) individually or collectively for ourselves and for others to Allah alone and ask others to to do the same.

Also referred to as: Sahaabah, Tabieen, Tabe-Tabieen, Pious Predecessors, Aslaaf, Mashaaikh, Saints, Buzruug

See: Prophet Muhammad Sahaabah, Tasawwuf, Obedience, Piety

Customs, observances, or exercises which are often or routinely practised which can aid one's spiritiual and physical wellbeing.

Also referred to as Mamulat, Mamoolat, Tradition, Habit, Method, System, Institution, Way.

See also: Practise, Tasawwuf, Tariqat, Innovation, Sunnah, Piety, Pious

Accepting Islam and conforming to its commandments. Sometimes referred to as adjectives - Devout, Religious, Pious and Spiritual.

See also: Faith, Living, Hereafter, Obedience, Fardh, Sunnah, Steadfastness, Patience, Pious

Pride means paying attention to any specific quality in oneself instead of considering it a ‘gift' from Allah and to look upon it as a personal virtue (Self-Worth). Pride's second meaning is to consider oneself greater in comparison to another and to consider others as being lower in status (Self-Importance). The first and most infamous incident of pride was committed by Shaytaan by refusing to prostrate in front of Prophet Aadam when ordered to do so by Allah.

In a Hadith-e-Qudsi Allah says “Pride is My cloak and grandeur are my trousers. If anyone disputes with Me in any one of these (two) I shall admit him into the Hell-fire.”

In the other words, pride and grandeur are two exclusive attributes of Allah, which none is allowed to apply and ascribe towards themselves.

The Prophet said: “The person who possesses even a single atom of pride will not enter Paradise”.

Also referred to as: Takabbur, kibr, kibar, self-worth, ego, self-image, self-identity, self-regard, self-importance, self-worth

See also: Shaytaan, Tazkiyah, Materialism, Repentance

We should pray to Allah for prevention, protection, relief and cures from illnesses, danger, enemies, evil jinns, magic, evil-eye and being possessed.

Also referred to as: Wazeefa, Dua, Taweez, Ruqya, Talisman, Warding, Taweezat.

See also: Taweez, Dua

In Islam cleanliness is part of faith; Acts of worship mandate cleanliness as a pre-requisite. A Muslim is required to be in a state of cleanliness practically all the time. Cleanliness comes in two states, physical cleanliness and ritual cleanliness. For both states there are methods of purification and things that nullify cleanliness. Rules relate not only to the body but also to clothing, bedding, etc. For example there are specific rules and methods related to cleaning oneself after Istinja (urinating, passing stool) and coming into contact with Najasa (alcohol, excreta, droppings, blood, vomit, semen, etc). Similarly rules also apply to objects that have come into contact with najasa. Under certain exceptional conditions under the rules of Tayammum cleanliness may be achieved without the use of water where water would normally be used. Ritual purification involves Ghusl (Bath) or Wudhu (Ablution).

Also referred to as: cleaning, cleanse, purify.

See also: Najasa, Istinja, Ghusl, Wudhu, Tayammum, Masah, Tahaarah, Water