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Glossary of Islam

Important figures, branches, and traditions

by David Johnson

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• Aga Khan Spiritual leader of the Ismailis
• Alawite An Islamic sect
• Ali One of the Prophet's first followers
• Black Muslims American religious movement
• Caliph Leader of the Islamic state
• Calligraphy Writing developed to beautify the earliest Qur'ans
• Fakir Believes poverty brings one closer to God
• Fatima Prophet's daughter
• Fatwa Religious edict which can not be revoked, but only supplanted by newer edicts

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• Hadith Traditions of Muhammad
• Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca
• Hegira Muhammad's departure from Mecca
• Husein Son of Ali
• Imam Religious leader
• Islam One of the world's three monotheistic religions
• Islam in Africa Becomes a major faith on the continent
• Islamic Art Art and architecture based on Islamic principles
• Islamic Calendar Calendar used by Muslims
• Islamic Holidays Dates of religious holidays
• Ismaili Shiite sect

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• Jihad Religious struggle—either a spiritual struggle to better oneself, or a physical struggle undertaken to fight injustice or defend Islam.
• Jerusalem Islam's third holiest city
• Mecca Islam's holiest city
• Medina Islam's second holiest city
• Mosque Islamic house of worship
• Mufti Islamic lawyer
• Muhammad The name of the Prophet
• Mullah Religious authority
• Muslim One who embraces Islam

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• Non-Christians in U.S. Chart of non-Christian religions
• Qur'an Islam's holy book
• Ramadan Month of fasting
• Sharia Islamic law
• Shiite Second largest branch of Islam
• Sufi Islamic mystical movement
• Sunni Largest branch of Islam
• Wahhabi Islamic sect
• World Religion Statistics Chart of world religions

• More from the Islam Primer