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From The Dictionary of World Philosophy A proper Arabic name of God through which humans call God personally. This name was used before the appearance of the Quran – for example, the name of Mohammed’s father was ‘Abd Allāh; that is, “servant of God” – and is not used merely by Muslims. Arabic speaking Christians of the Oriental churches call God by saying Allāh.
From Late Antiquity: A Guide to the Postclassical World A dhimmī is a non-Muslim living in Islamic lands who has been granted special status as a member of a religious community.
From The Columbia Encyclopedia In Islamic law, an opinion made by a judicial/religious scholar (a mufti) on a legal, civil, or religious matter. The fatwa is usually a valuable source of information on any subject for private individuals or for judges or other authorities.
From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia In the Islamic tradition, trials or temptations that test the unity of the Muslim community. The term may be used to describe insurrection or civil warfare or, more specifically, to define a tribunal over doctrinal issues, broadly similar to the Christian Inquisition.
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia Conforming to the rules laid down by Islam. The term can be applied to all aspects of life, but usually refers to food permissible under Muslim dietary laws.
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia Forbidden under the laws of Islam. The term may be applied to transgressions in all aspects of life, from unlawful foodstuffs, such as meat from an animal that has not been killed in the prescribed way, to drinking intoxicating liquor and adultery.
From Greenwood Encyclopedia of International Relations “Striving [in the path of God].” Some modern Muslims seek to reinterpret jihad to mean personal spiritual and moral striving for self-improvement, rather than armed conflict.
From The Dictionary of World Philosophy Literally meaning a “place of study,” this term designated a school of higher study in the Islamic world. Its higher-study ranking presupposed that its students had memorized the entire Quran.
From The Columbia Encyclopedia Tower, used in Islamic architecture, from which the faithful are called to prayer by a muezzin. Most mosques have one or more small towers, which are usually placed at the corners.
From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
Any chapter of the Qur'ān. According to Muslim belief, each of the 114 sūrahs, which vary in length from several lines (known as āyahs) to several pages, encompasses one or more divine revelations of Muhammad.
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia The bodies of scholars in Islamic law that form the theocratic element of the government in Muslim countries.
