The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 231
Glossary of Terms 231 times of drought. Sharī‘at: Religious law of Islam. The term is also used in the general sense to refer to any revealed law. Sīrat: A term used to describe ‘prophetic disposition’ – particularly the life and character of the Holy Prophet sa. Sunnat: The actions, deeds or customs practiced by the Holy Prophet sa , which were followed by his companions and thus transferred from generation to generation. Sūrah: A chapter of the Holy Qur’ān. Sayyid: Refers to the descendants of the Holy Prophet sa through his daughter Fāṭimah ra. Takbīr: Glorification of Allāh by saying, Allāhu Akbar , which means, ‘Allah is the Greatest. ’ Ṭawāf: A fundamental rite to be performed during the Ḥajj or ‘Umrah in which 7 circuits are made around the Holy Ka‘bah in Makkah. ‘ Umrah: A lesser Pilgrimage to the Holy Ka‘bah in which some of the rites of the Ḥajj are left out. ‘Umrah can be performed at any time during the year. Walī: A guardian of the bride. See page 518 for more details. Wuḍū: The Arabic term for ablution in Islām as preparation for the Holy Prophet sa and can differentiate between true and forged Aḥādīth. Muḥaddith is the singular form of this word. Muhājirīn: Literally means ‘The Emigrants’, which was a title of veneration given to the Muslims who left Makkah, their beloved homeland, to live in Madīnah. ‘Muhājir’ is the singular form of this word. Muḥarram: The first month of the Islāmic calendar and the first of the ‘Four Sacred Months’. Nikāḥ: The formal announcement of marriage in Islam. Pardah: Literally means ‘a veil’ and refers to the segregation of male and female. It also refers to the clothes or head coverings by which this segregation or concealment is actualized. Qiblah: Direction to be faced during the Ṣalāt. Rajab: The seventh month of the Islāmic Calendar and the second of the ‘Four Sacred Months’. Sariyyah: A military campaign, expedition or war in which the Holy Prophet sa did not participate. Ṣalāt: The prescribed formal prayers offered by Muslims as their primary form of worship. Ṣalātul-Istisqā: The special prayer offerred to seek rain from Allāh in