Arabic/Islamic Lists

The Five Daily Required Prayers

Fajr - just before dawn (ending with the coming of light)

Dhuhr/Zuhr - just after the sun reaches its zenith (or later if it is especially hot)

‘Aşr - while the sun is still hot in the afternoon

Maghrib - upon the setting of the sun

‘Ishā’/‘Atama - at some time after the Maghrib prayer

Components of the Required Prayers

(performed by a mu’adhdhin (muezzin))

Adhan - the call to prayer

(performed by the person praying)

Sunna Prayer - not compulsory

(performed by one of the congregation)

Iqama - the introduction to prayer

(performed by the person praying (or following an Imam if there is more than one person present))

Takbir - raising of hands, Allahu Akbar, Sami‘ Allahu, etc.

(performed by the person praying)

Sunna Prayer - not compulsory

(performed by the person praying (or following an Imam if there is more than one person present))

Surat al-Fatiha - the first Sura

Recitation - recitation of further parts of the Qur’an (not strictly compulsory) divided by bowings, Takbir, etc. Each additional part should begin with Surat

al-Fatiha

Final Bowing - (with

Takbir) until at ease

(then stand with Takbir)

Prostration - (with

Takbir) until at ease

(then sit)

Sitting - until at ease

Final Takbir - Allahu

Akbar, etc.

Tashahhud - a final

Islamic invocation and

witness

Amin - the final

benediction (completed

by Amin)

Taslim - Salaam

Alaikum, etc. (if in

congregation with one

or more others)

Dhikr - not compulsory

Nicknames of Various Notable Arabs/Muslims of Various Periods

The Trustworthy - Muhammad (as he was considered trustworthy from his youth)

Abu’l Qasim - Muhammad (as the father of a son, Qasim, who died in infancy)

Abu Bakr - Abu Bakr (as he was the father of Bakr)

As-Siddiq - Abu Bakr (as he was considered righteous)

Al-Farooq - ‘Umar (as he was considered a good judge of truth and falsehood)

Dhun Nurayn - ‘Uthman (“Possessor of Two Lights” – as he was married at various times to two daughters of Muhammad)

Asadullah - ‘Ali (“Lion of the God” – named by Muhammad after a battle)

The Months (presumably named when the calendar was solar) and the Place of the Two ‘Ids

Muharram ([the] Sacred [Month])

Safar ([the Month of] Departure [- for the procurement of corn])

Rabi’ ul-Awwal (the First [Month of the] Spring)

Rabi’ as-Sani (the Second [Month of the] Spring)

Jumad al-‘Ula (the First [Month of the] Dry)

Jumad as-Saniya (the Second [Month of the] Dry)

Rajab ([the Month of] Respect)

Sha’ban ([the Month of the] Budding [of Trees])

Ramadan ([the Month of] Heat)

Shawwāl ([the Month of] Junction) – 1 Shawwāl is the day of the ‘Id ul-Fitr that ends the Ramadan fasting period (begins the evening before)

Dhu’l Qa’da (the Month of Truce/Relaxation)

Dhu’l Hijja (the Month of Pilgrimage) – 10 Dhu’l Hijja is the day of the ‘Id al-Adha (Sacrifice) that commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son to the God (begins the evening before)

Arab Sub-division of the Months

1, 2, 3 Ghurar (Beginning – in effect beginning on the last evening of the previous lunar month (perhaps at the New Moon – hence Beginning) as, like the Jews, the Arabs begin their days at what we now tend in the West to think of as the sunset of the previous day)

4, 5, 6 Nufal (Increase – may refer to the increase of the moon in the lunar month on the way from “Beginning” (New) to “Gleaming” (Full))

7, 8, 9 Tūsa’ (Nines – because it has nine in it)

10, 11, 12 ‘Ushar (Tens – because it has ten in it)

13, 14, 15 Bīd (Gleaming – perhaps corresponding with the originally lunar Roman Full Moon signifier (Ides))

16, 17, 18 Not Sure

19, 20, 21 Not Sure

22, 23, 24 Not Sure

25, 26, 27 Not Sure

28, 29(?), 30(?) Not Sure