Bounties of the Gracious God — Page 126
126 the year 623 CE, which marks the beginning of the lunar calendar of Islam. Holy Prophet s as A title used exclu- sively for the Founder of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad s as. Holy Quran The final and perfect Scripture revealed by Allah for the guidance of mankind for all times to come. It was revealed word by word to the Holy Prophet Mu- h ammad s as over a period of twen- ty-three years. Istighf a r Seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Kh a tamun-Nabiyy i n The Seal of the Prophets. A title accorded by God to the Holy Prophet Mu h am- mad s as in the Holy Quran. A vari- ant is Kh a tamul-Anbiy a’. Maulaw i A Muslim religious cleric. Mi‘r a j The spiritual ascension of the Holy Prophet Muhammad s as to Heavens, described in the Holy Quran and related in detail in ha- dith literature. Mub a halah Prayer duel. As de- scribed in S u rah A l-e-‘Imr a n, a contest between claimants to di- vine support wherein each party prays for God to curse the lying party. Muhammad s as Founder of Islam. see Holy Prophet s as. Ramadan The ninth month of the lunar calendar, in which fasting is prescribed for all adult, able-bod- ied Muslims, except those trave- ling, ill, pregnant, or nursing. S i hah Plural of S a hih , meaning ‘au- thentic’. Refers to S i hah Sittah, six Hadith collections regarded as among the most authentic. Shariah Religious law of Islam. The term is also used in the general sense of any revealed law. Shirk Associating partners with Al- lah. S u rah A chapter of the Holy Quran. Taqw a Righteousness. Fear of God.