The Outset of Dissension in Islam — Page 159
accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Prophet sa about the coming of al-Imam al-Mahdi (the Guided Leader) and Messiah. Qa s r —A shortened version of the obligatory prayer [ s al a t ], which is offered as such in certain circumstances. Raj ‘at —The belief that those who have passed away among the Prophets would return to the world again with their physical bodies. Rajaz —A specific meter in Arabic poetry, which contains a discourse in rhyme. This word also denotes the recitation of poetic verse in general. Rak ‘ at —A cycle in the formal Muslim prayer and the plural of this word is rak‘ a t. S adaqah —Almsgiving in Islam to assist the poor and needy. However, the Holy Prophetsa has mentioned that s adaqah can be given in various forms, even by meeting another person with a cheerful face. The term, therefore, is very broad in meaning, and has many inferences. In this lecture, on page 63 the word has also been used in the context of ‘forgiveness. ’ S u rah —A term in Arabic referring to a chapter of the Holy Quran. Sunnah— Practice of the Holy Prophet sa Takb i r — To proclaim the greatness of Allah, saying All a hu Akbar , which means, ‘Allah is the Greatest. ’ Ummah a tul-Mu’min i n— A term of respect and reverence for the wives of the Holy Prophet sa and literally means, ‘the mothers of the believers. ’ ‘Umrah —A lesser Pilgrimage to the Holy Ka‘bah in which some of the rites of the hajj are left out. ‘umrah can be performed at any time during the year.