Malfuzat - Volume IX — Page 531
GLOSSARY 531 Rafa'a Arabic term meaning to phys- ically raise or to spiritually exalt in rank. Rahim Merciful. An attribute of God as mentioned in the Holy Quran. The verbal noun of this attribute is Ra- himiyyat. Rahman Gracious. An attribute of God as mentioned in the Holy Quran. The verbal noun of this attribute is Rah- māniyyat. Rak'at A unit of formal prayer (Șalāt). Pl. Rak'āt. Ramadan The ninth month of the lu- nar calendar, in which fasting is pre- scribed for all adult, able-bodied Muslims, except those traveling, ill, pregnant, or nursing. Şadaqah Superogatory alms. Islam has instituted Şadaqah also which is vol- untary and is given to individuals out of a desire to help the poor and needy. Şahib A title of respect similar to di- verse English terms like Mister, Hon- ourable, and Revered. Salām Lit. Peace, means Islamic saluta- tion of salām; peace; security; submis- sion, etc. Şalāt Five daily Prayers that are obliga- tory for Muslims. Sattar Concealer; one of the attributes of God. Shariah Religious law of Islam. The term is also used in the general sense of any revealed law. Shirk Associating partners with Allah. Sufi A Muslim focusing on mystical and ascetic aspects of religious worship. Sunnah In the context of the for- mal Prayer, refers to those rakāt that the Holy Prophetsas offered but are not prescribed as obligatory and are dropped while travelling. Sunnah rak'āt are offered regularly by practic- ing Muslims. Surah A chapter of the Holy Quran. Tahajjud Late night/early morning su- pererogatory prayers. Takbir Reciting Allāhu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). Taqwa Righteousness. Fear of God. Tauhid The Oneness of God-the fun- damental Islamic belief that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. Tawaffi An Arabic term used in the Holy Quran to denote the taking by God of a soul in death, unless oth- erwise explicated (e. g. in a dream or sleep). Tirmidhi A collection of ahādīth which is considered to be one of the six most reliable compilations in the corpus of Hadith literature. Sha'ban The eighth month in the lunar Ulema A body of Muslim scholars. calendar.