SOME IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY FREQUENTLY USED IN THE QURAN ’an

 It will help the reader to become familiar with some important terminology frequently used in the Qur’an.

1.Deen = System of Life = The Divinely Prescribed Way of Life.

In a loose sense, ‘religion’ equals ‘mazhab’ i.e. individual efforts to please Allah with rituals.
‘Religion’ even with a capital R may scarcely come close in meaning to the term ‘Deen’.

2. Salaat = To follow closely, like a runner-up (Musalli) follows the winning horse (Saabiq) = To follow Divine Commands. 

3.  Aqimussallat = Establish the System that facilitates the following of Divine Commands. 

4.  Zakaat = The Just Economic Order where everyone works according to his capacity and is compensated according to his needs. People spend on others or give to the Central Authority (Islamic government) whatever is surplus (2:219). And they spend on others whenever they earn income (6:141). The 2.5 percent annual charity is a non-Qur’anic concept that trivializes the comprehensive Qur’anic System of Zakaat.
The Islamic government is the trustee of all natural resources and sets up the System of Zakaat. It gives Zakaat ensuring that all needs of the individuals and the state are taken care of adequately and equitably. [22:41]

5. Sadaqaat = Charity or alms is meant for the interim period when the Divinely Prescribed System of Life is not yet in place.

6. Allah wa Rasool = For Central Authority, the Qur’an uses the terms Allah and Rasool (3:32, 4:59). After the exalted Messenger, the believers must elect their leadership through a consultative process in a manner suitable for the times. [42:38]

7. Tilawah = Reciting, studying the Qur’an with reflection and following it.

8. Awliya = Friends = Protecting friends = Allies = (incorrectly) Masters.

9. Maula = The True Master = Lord Supreme. The extremely common practice of calling a religious leader as Maulana (Our Master) is a frank, deplorable form of Shirk (associating others with Allah).
The Qur’an tell us that there is no Maulana but God (2:286, 9:51, 10:30). It is surprising to note that the Muslim clergy write Maulana with their names, and with their own hands.

10.  ‘Ibadah = Subservience = Obeying Allah = Obeying Allah by serving His creation = Following His Laws for developing character = Worship which applies in the sense of idol ‘worship’ alone. 

11.  Israaf = Wasting resources or one’s own ‘self’ = Crossing limits = Disregarding moderation = Committing excesses in any aspect of life including Religion = Defying moral values given in the Qur’an = Using intoxicants that hurt the human ‘self’.

12. Ma’siah = Defying Divine Commands = Disobeying the Laws = Disruptive behavior = “Sin”. 

13. Ifk = Slander = Evil scheming = Defaming = Fault finding = Presenting the 'heard' as 'seen' = Alarmist behavior. 
Zann = Assumption, good or bad = Negative thinking = Condemnation without investigation = Superstition = Belittling the truth = Following conjecture = Staying out of touch with reality. 

14. Jurm = Stealing the fruit of others’ labor = Violating human rights = Guilty behavior = Giving false witness. 

15. Takabbur = False pride = Arrogance = Self-glorification = Holding others in contempt = Refusing to unlearn and learn = Insisting on blind following = Refusing to admit fault = Ridiculing the Divine Message = Mocking the truth. 

16. Ghill = Harboring malice in the heart = Failing to forgive people = Looking for revenge = Personal grudge. 

17. Ghadhab = Anger = Wrath = Letting loose virulent emotions = Losing self-control = Impulsive behavior = Lack of self-restraint = God’s ghadhab indicates bad consequences of evil deeds according to His Laws. 

18. Bukhl = Stinginess = Hoarding = Withholding wealth and person from serving humanity = Apathy towards the needy = Greed. 

19.  Laghw = Wasting time = Idle talk = Meaningless assemblies = Senseless play and pastime.

20. Sadd = Barring from the way of God = Putting forward human thoughts above the Divine Revelation = Hindering emigration from the domain of evil = Antagonizing the Word of God = Misleading people with conjecture. 

21. Jadal = Disputation = Argument for the sake of argument = Opposing Divine Revelation = Rhetoric against the truth.

22. Jinn = Something hidden = People rarely seen in towns. Al-Jinn = The nomads. Jannah from the same root means a garden hidden in foliage. When the Jinns or nomads urbanize, they are referred to as Ins. 

23.  Faasiqoon (singular, Faasiq) = Those who drift away = Who slip out of discipline = Disobedient = Those who cross the bounds of what is right = Fruit whose seed slips out before maturing = One who transgresses Divine Laws. 

24.  Fisq = Drifting away from the commands or from discipline = ‘Sin’ = Disregarding moral values.

25.  Zanb = Tail = Trailing behind = ‘Sin’.

26. Sharr = Harming others = Hurting the good potential in others. Injuring people by any means. Harming the society. Bad conduct  = ‘Evil’ = ‘Sin’.

27. Sayyeh = Harming others = Disrupting people’s lives = Treating them unfairly = Destabilizing the lives of others = Failing to fulfill their rights = Injustice = Iniquity = Deceiving in business or other dealings = Falling short in discharging duties = Favoritism = ‘Sin’

28. 'Amal Su = Bad deed = Any action that disrupts the lives of others = ‘Sin’ = A hurtful action.

29.  ‘Amal Saaleh = An act of social welfare = Helping others = Increasing the societal potential = Fulfilling needs = ‘Good work’.

30. Saalehaat = Actions that increase the capabilities of a person or society = Setting things right = Helping others.

31. Saaliheen = The righteous ones = Those who actualize their own ‘self’ = Who increase human potential = Who set things right = Help others = Create balance in the society = Fulfill others’ needs = Capable = Healthy = Mature beyond 40 years (46:15). 

32.  Birr = Works that lead to exponential growth of the ‘self’ = Creating room for advancement of all = ‘Good’. 

33. Abraar = Those who create room for others = Those who create opportunities for others to make progress.

34. Khair = A deed or act that endows a person and others with true inner happiness = ‘Good’.

35. Hasanah = Creating balance = Any benevolent action = ‘Good’.

36. Muhsineen = Doers of good = Benefactors of humanity = Those who create balance in the society.

37.  Tasbeeh from Sabah = Swim with long strides = Strive hard = Apply oneself to a mission = The non-Qur’anic ‘Rosary beads’.

38. Nafs = ‘Self’ = 'I', ‘Ego’, ‘Personality’, ‘I-amness', ‘Me’.

39.  Imaan = Belief = Conviction = Acceptance = Acknowledgement = Embracing the truth.  

40. Haraj = Difficulty = Burden = Doubt = Hardship = Blame = Tightness in chest.

41. Kufr = Denial or rejection of the truth = Concealing the truth = Ingratitude = Choosing to live in the darkness of ignorance = Hiding or covering something = Closing eyes to the light of truth = Stubborn denial of the truth = Knowingly oppose the truth = Uncritical adherence to ancestral views = Trying to be with the majority without discernment.  Kafir = One given to Kufr = One who adamantly denies or opposes the truth = Commonly translated as ‘infidel’ = Derivatively and positively, a farmer who hides the seed under the soil (57:20). Therefore, Kufr or Kafir does not apply to the unaware, anyone to whom the Message has not been conveyed or reached. 

42. Mushrik = Idolater = Pagan = Anyone who ascribes divinity to other than the One True God = Who associates partners with Him = Who prefers manmade tenets = Who worships idols in any form such as statues, own desire, forces in Nature, any of God’s creation = One who uncritically follows what others do = A blind follower = One who considers men as authorities instead of the Divine Revelation = Anyone who makes lists of Halaal (permissible) and Haraam (forbidden) from outside the Qur’an = One who believes in clergy against the Divine Revelation = Who adores saints, political or religious leaders

in lieu of Allah = Who bows or prostrates physically or mentally before any creation = Who promotes themes, dogmas and tenets contrary to the Qur’an.

43. Shirk = The act of being a Mushrik = Associating others with Allah = Accepting human authorities parallel to Divine Revelation = Sectarianism = Idol worship in any form = Being content with manmade systems = Worshiping graves, saints, ancestors or one's own desire = Blind following or accepting religious information without discernment = Failing to use the Divine Word as the Criterion. 
Taqwa = Journey through life in security = Being careful = Getting empowered against evil = Avoid overstepping the Laws = Exercising caution = Preserving the ‘self’ against deterioration = Good conduct = Building character = Live a life upright = Fear the consequences of violating Divine Commands = Being observant = Being mindful of God = Remaining conscious of moral values = Upright behavior = Guarding against error. 

44. Muttaqeen = Those who walk on a secure path = Those who seek to journey through life in security = Those who live a life upright = Those watchful against error = The observant = Upright = Cautious.

45.  Mukazzibeen = Rejecters of the truth = Those who verbally accept but practically deny the truth = Those who deny the truth = Who live by conjecture instead of the unalterable Divine Laws.

46. Zulm = Replace good with evil = Relegating the truth = Transgression = Oppression = Violation of human rights = Injustice = Wrongdoing = Displacing something from its rightful place = Oppression = Hurting others or one’s own ‘self’ = Doing wrong to Allah creatures and environment = Enslaving bodies and minds. 

47. Zaalimeen, Zaalimoon = Oppressors = Those who hurt themselves or others = Who displace something from its rightful place = Who relegate the truth = Violators of human rights = Those who prefer to live in the darkness of ignorance = Unjust = Commonly translated as wrongdoers.     

48. Aadam = Adam = Man = Mankind = Early humans. His wife = Woman = Allegorically, early women. Udma = Ability to live together as a community. Aadam from Udma thus, indicates humankind. The word “Eve” or ‘Hawwa’ is not mentioned in the Qur’an. She is described with dignity as Mer’a-til-Aadam = Wife of Adam = Mrs. Adam.

49.  Sajdah = Prostration = Complete submission = Willful obedience = Utter humility = Adoration = Utmost commitment to Divine cause = Humbling one's own self.

50. Rukoo’ (Bowing) and Sajdah (Prostration) are not confined to the ritualistic physical motions. They convey a more sublime Message of being humble and submitting to God’s commands.

51. Khauf = Fear from without. Huzn = Intrinsic depression or grief = Unhappiness = Regret.

52. Khushoo’ = Being humbly compliant = Sincerely committed = Being devoted to a noble cause. 

53. Sabr = Patience = Facing adversity with courage = Steadfastness = Resolve = Perseverance in hardship as well as ease. 

54.  A’raaf = The Heights = Heights of intellect = Stature of those endowed with faculty of discernment = The high degrees of those who are better able to distinguish between right and wrong. Singular, ‘Urf = The most elevated part of anything = Easily discernible. 

55.  Shi'ra = Sha'oor = Intellect. Shi'ra is also the Arabic name of the brightest star Sirius in the constellation Canis Major. It was widely worshiped in ancient Middle East. (53:49)  Shafa'ah = Stand up as witness to the truth = Intercession = Clearing a falsehood assigned to someone = Defending the truthful.
Shukr = Thankfulness = Gratitude in word and action = Bring Divine bounties to the most fruitful use = Efforts becoming fruitful = Sharing one's wealth and resources with fellow humans = Opposite of Kufr (ingratitude) when the context demands it. 

56. Hudan = Hidayah = Guidance = Right guidance = A lighted road = Journey with prominent landmarks = A sincere gift = A high rock of identification in the sea = Lighthouse = A fixed sign in the desert.

57. Zall = Shade.

58.  Ghamam = Clouds. Shade of grace = Being shaded with clouds in the desert is a blessing, therefore, grace.

59. Manna-wus-Salwa = God’s sustenance that reaches all members of the community equitably. Literally, it also means delicious fruit (Manna) and fowl or quail meat (Salwa). 

60.  Tayyab = Decent and clean = Of one's liking = Not forbidden in the Qur’an = Good for mind and body = Pleasant.

61. Rijz = Weak, shaky legs = Loss of determination and resolve = Losing individual and collective strength = Becoming lazy = Replacing action with word. 

62. Rijs = Unclean = Disapproved = Contaminated = Foul = A barrier to moral development.

63.  ‘Asa = Staff = Force = Conviction = Support = A united community holding on to a mission as the five fingers hold on to a cane.

64.  Ihsan = An act of balance = Restoring symmetry and beauty = Social and individual equity = Selfless service = An act of equity.

65. Yateem = Orphan = Who is left alone in the society = Lonely = Without immediate family = Helpless = Derivatively, a widow. 

66.  Miskeen = The needy poor = One with no means to earn livelihood = The disabled = One whose life has stalled for any reason = Jobless = Bankrupt of finances = One whose running business has stalled.

67. Ibn-is-Sabeel = The needy wayfarer, son of the street, the homeless, the one who travels for assistance, one who seeks asylum against persecution.

68. La’nah = Curse = Deprivation of God’s grace = God’s rejection = Condemnation = Losing citizenship of the Islamic State = To be downgraded = Abasement = Lasting humiliation .

69. Qat’a yadd = Cutting off the ability. For the so-called cutting of hand, please see 12:31. Yadd = Hand = Ability = Power.

70. Ithm = Any action that depletes individual or communal energy = Actions that deplete individual and collective potential = Harming human lives = Lewd behavior = Discouraging productive work = Causing fear or grief by any means = Indulgence in pursuit of pleasure. 

71.  ‘Udwaan and its derivatives = Wedge = Creating distance between hearts = Discord = Crossing the bounds of Laws = Committing excesses = Deeds beyond decency = Transgressing moral values. Creating wedges of discord between people = Causing dissension = Spreading disorder and corruption = Promoting racial, sectarian and nationalistic hatred.

Adu and its derivatives = Enemy = Wedge = Opponent = Causing remoteness = Divider = Bearer of grudge.

72.  Duniya = This world = Immediate gains = Short term benefits = Short-sightedness = Disregarding the Law of Cause and Effect = Forsaking the Future. 

73.  Aakhirah = Hereafter = The Life Hereafter = Life after life = Life to come = Eternal life = The long term = Far Sight = Future = Logical outcome = Tomorrow as built on today.

74.  ‘Uqba = The Life to come = Ultimate destination = The End = Hereafter.

75. Maseer = Destination = Journey’s end = Homecoming.

76.  Ghadhab = Opposite of blessing = Bitter consequences of misdeeds = Logical results of defying Divine Laws = Physical and mental destitution for defying Allah = Suffering loss = Incorrectly translated as anger or wrath in relation to Allah.

77.  Ya ayyuhallazeena aamanu is generally, but inaccurately, translated as “O You who believe!”, “O Believers!”, “O You of faith! O faithfuls!” etc. Firstly, aamanu is a verb. Secondly, attaining belief must be an act consciously undertaken after due reflection and with free will. ‘Passive’ faith such as claiming to be a ‘believer by birth’ has no merit in the Sight of Allah. See 4:136, 12:108. Also, choosing to believe in truth is a great blessing of God. Hence, my rendition: O You who have chosen to be graced with belief!

78. Qadeer and Qaadir = The Law-Giver = Supreme Controller = Able to do all things = Powerful = Almighty = One Who sets due measure for all things and events.  

79. Shayi = Thing = Derived meaning, event.

80. Qaul = Utterance = Thought = Assertion = Tenet = Attitude = Expression.

81. Hubb = Love = Full support = Having a common mission. Loving the Almighty = Following His commands = Loving His creation = Benefiting others. God’s love = His blessings in both lives. 

82.  Ghafarah = Helmet = Protection = Preservation against deterioration = Forgiveness.

83. Wakeel = Advocate, guardian, warder, warden, defender, custodian, responsible for the outcome.

84.  ‘Ilm = Knowledge = Science.

85.  Yasha in reference to Allah = Through His Laws = Common mistranslation, ‘as He pleases’.

86.  Bahl = To leave alone = Let someone hold on to his views = Let others do as they will = Erroneous, but common non-Qur’anic term from Bahl, Mubahila = A contest of mutual cursing!

87.  Tayir = Omen = Destiny = Registration of deeds = Fleet-footed horse = Bird.

88.  'Azaab = Torment = Chastisement = Punishment = Suffering, as a natural consequence of transgressions according to the Law of Cause and Effect.

89.  Ma'roof = Virtue = Kindness = All that is good = Declared Ma’roof by the Qur’an. 

90. Munkar = Vice = Evil = All that is wrong = Declared Munkar by the Qur’an.
Shuhada = Witnesses = Derivatively, those who uphold the truth even with their lives = Commonly translated as martyrs.

91.  Azwaaj = Spouses, Zaujah is wife and Zauj means husband.

92.  Hoor = Houri = Modest, intelligent companions, male or female. Unfortunately, this word has been almost invariably translated as ‘gorgeous women with big eyes’. Hoor applies to men and women both. The male gender is Ahwar and the female is Hawra. Again, Hoor = Men and women of vision who are modest and delightful companions.   Khiyaam = Blessed shady environment, instead of the literal 'tents or pavilions'.

93. Shaqq and derivatives = To split = Fall apart = Schism = Fall into disputes = Opposition = Oppose one another = Splitting of personality = Break apart the unity = Enmity.

94. Haml = Pregnancy = Accept = Bear  = Interestingly also the opposite meaning: Betraying the trust (33:72).

95. Haraam = Forbidden = Sacred. Context will always be important. A good example in English is the word CLIP meaning cutting as well as joining.  Halaal = Permissible.

96.  Jibt = Baseless mysteries, magic, future-telling, astrology, clairvoyance, evil eye, good and bad omens, ‘occult’ sciences, amulets, interpretation of dreams and prophecies (except by a Prophet), palm-reading, soothsaying, superstitions of all kind, demon or jinn-possession of people, exorcism, blowing verses and senseless words on people or in food and drink, counting names on rosaries.

97. Taaghoot = Those who, in rebellion to the One True Allah, claim to have Divine powers or try to portray themselves as His representatives, Sufis, mystics, deceptive priesthood, clergy, tyrants = Those who try to play god. 

98. Tagha = Rebellion. Idols of stones cannot rebel, therefore, they cannot be Taaghoot.  Bayyinaat = Clear evidences.

99. Lillah = For Allah = For the sake of God = In the cause of Allah = Belonging to Allah = Being subservient to Him = Working to fulfill the Divine Plan.  Saabir = Steadfast = Persevering = Determined = Patient in ease and adversity.

100. Qisaas = The state’s duty of tracing an offender for just recompense.

101. Baheema-tul-An’aam = The herbivorous cattle = Plant-eating quadrupeds = Livestock.

102. Azlaam = Divining arrows = The conjecture of foretelling the future = Raffle = Lottery = Clairvoyance = Dividing things or time for one another through randomly picking up slips of paper.

103. Fasaad = Bloody crimes = Spreading corruption in the land = Creating disorder.

104. Waseelah = Seeking earnestly = Applying the mind and heart to reach a noble goal.

105.  Zikr = Reflection = Remembrance = Observation = Reminder = Commemoration = Raise in degrees = Celebrate = Magnify = Give eminence = Taking to heart = Keeping in mind.