Quranic Terms Glossary

Essential vocabulary for understanding the Holy Quran.

Names
Ad-Dhikr
الذكر
A title for the Quran meaning 'The Remembrance'.
Theology
Akhirah
آخرة
The afterlife or the world to come.
Names
Al-Furqan
الفرقان
A title for the Quran meaning 'The Criterion'.
Structure
Ayah
آية
Literally a 'sign'; refers to an individual verse within a Surah.
Theology
Barakah
بركة
Divine blessing or increase in goodness.
General
Basmalah
بسملة
The opening phrase 'Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim'.
General
Dua
دعاء
Supplication or personal prayer to Allah.
Theology
Dunya
دنيا
The physical world or the current life.
General
Fatiha
فاتحة
The 'Opening' chapter of the Quran.
Theology
Fitrah
فطرة
The natural, innate inclination towards God.
Recitation
Ghunnah
غنة
The nasal sound used in specific Tajweed rules.
General
Hadith
حديث
The recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet.
Recitation
Hafiz
حافظ
Someone who has memorized the entire Quran by heart.
General
Harf
حرف
A single letter of the Arabic alphabet.
Structure
Hizb
حزب
Each Juz is divided into two Hizbs, totaling 60 in the Quran.
Theology
I'jaz
إعجاز
The inimitability or miraculous nature of the Quran.
Recitation
Idgham
إدغام
The Tajweed rule of merging or blending two letters.
Recitation
Ikhfa
إخفاء
The Tajweed rule of hiding or masking a letter's sound.
Theology
Iman
إيمان
Faith or deep conviction in the pillars of Islam.
Recitation
Iqlab
إقلاب
The Tajweed rule of converting a sound (usually 'n' to 'm').
Structure
Juz
جزء
One of 30 equal parts of the Quran, used for monthly reading.
General
Khatam
ختم
Completing the recitation of the entire Quran.
History
Madani
مدني
Surahs revealed in Medina, focused on law and community.
Recitation
Makhraj
مخرج
The point of articulation from which a letter originates.
History
Makki
مكي
Surahs revealed in Mecca, focused on faith and the afterlife.
Structure
Manzil
منزل
One of seven parts of the Quran for weekly completion.
History
Mushaf
مصحف
The physical, written volume of the Quranic text.
General
Nur
نور
Light; a common descriptor for the guidance of the Quran.
History
Nuzul
نزول
The 'descent' or revelation of the Quranic verses.
Recitation
Qalqalah
قلقلة
The 'echoing' or bouncing sound of specific letters.
Recitation
Qira'at
قراءات
The various recognized methods or 'readings' of recitation.
Structure
Ruku
ركوع
A section or paragraph marker within a Surah.
History
Sabab al-Nuzul
سبب النزول
The historical context or 'reason' for a verse's revelation.
Theology
Sabr
صبر
Endurance, steadfastness, and patience.
General
Sadaqah
صدقة
Voluntary charity or acts of kindness.
General
Sajdah
سجدة
Prostration; specifically verses requiring a bow when read.
General
Shifa
شفاء
Healing; the Quran is described as a 'Shifa' for hearts.
General
Sunnah
سنة
The teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Structure
Surah
سورة
A chapter of the Quran. There are 114 Surahs in total.
Study
Ta'wil
تأويل
The deeper, allegorical, or symbolic interpretation of the text.
Study
Tafsir
تفسير
Scholarly commentary or exegesis to explain Quranic meanings.
Recitation
Tajweed
تجويد
The rules for correct pronunciation and articulation during recitation.
Theology
Taqwa
تقوى
God-consciousness or mindfulness of Allah.
Recitation
Tartil
ترتيل
Reciting the Quran in a slow, measured, and melodious tone.
Theology
Tawhid
توحيد
The absolute oneness and uniqueness of Allah.
Recitation
Tilawah
تلاوة
The act of devoutly reciting the Quranic text.
General
Ummah
أمة
The global community of Muslim believers.
History
Wahy
وحي
Divine revelation sent from Allah to His Prophets.
General
Wudu
وضوء
Ritual ablution required before handling the physical Mushaf.
General
Zakat
زكاة
Mandatory alms-giving to support the needy.