Islamic terms for beginners

The call to prayer, announcing that it is time for salah.

Peace be upon him. Said after the names of the other prophets and the angels, such as Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and Jibril. For a group, alayhim as-salam: peace be upon them.

All praise is for Allah. Said to give thanks, and after sneezing.

The Arabic name for God, the One who created everything.

In the name of Allah. Said before beginning something, like eating, travelling or starting work.

Remembering Allah through the day, with the heart and with words.

A personal prayer or request to Allah, in any language, at any time.

A full-body washing, required in specific situations.

Faith: what a Muslim believes, summed up in the six pillars of faith.

If Allah wills. Said about something planned for the future.

A mosque: a place where Muslims pray together and learn.

The holy book of Islam, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

One unit of prayer: standing, bowing and prostrating. Every salah is built from them.

The formal prayer Muslims perform five times a day, at set times.

May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Said after the name of the Prophet Muhammad, and written as ﷺ. In English it is often shortened to “peace be upon him” or PBUH.

The declaration of faith: there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.

Glory be to Allah. Said in wonder, and as part of dhikr.

Prostration: placing the forehead on the ground in prayer.

A chapter of the Quran.

Saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). It opens every prayer.

The washing done before prayer: hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears and feet.