burqa: Full veil covering a woman, which leaves only the eyes visible, worn by women in Afghanistan under Taliban regime.

caliph: Title for successor to Muhammad as political leader of Muslim community.

chador: Iranian term for woman’s veil that covers hair and body, leaving only face, hands and feet exposed.

dhimmi: Person enjoying protected status due to treaty relationship with Muslims. Typically used to refer to “People of the Book,” particularly Jews and Christians

fatwa: Legal opinion issued by a private religious scholar (as opposed to a judge in a court of law). May be used by a judge in rendering a legal ruling.

hadith: Traditions, reports of Muhammad’s deeds and sayings, considered to be a source of scripture for Muslims.

hijab: Veil covering the hair and head of a Muslim woman. Can include long-sleeved, long, flowing dress as well

imam: Prayer leader and person who delivers Friday sermon for Sunni Muslims. Shii Muslims use Imam as title for Muhammad’s male descendants through Ali and Fatima. Shiis believe that Imams, although human, were divinely inspired and infallible, rendering their writings and legal interpretations additional sources of scripture.

Islam: Literally, “submission.”

jihad: Literally, “struggle” or “exertion.” “Greater” jihad is the struggle within oneself to live a righteous life and submit oneself to God’s will. “Lesser” jihad is the defense of Islam and the Muslim community.

masjid: Mosque, place for Muslim prayer

Mecca: Holiest city in Islam. Birthplace of Muhammad and location of the Kaaba. City where Muslims go on the hajj. Located in Saudi Arabia.

Medina: Second holiest city in Islam. City to which Muhammad and the early Muslims emigrated (hijra) when they were forced to leave Mecca. City where Muhammad is buried. Located in Saudi Arabia.

mosque: Muslim house of worship, where all Muslim men are required to attend Friday prayer services

mufti: Specialist in Islamic law who is capable of delivering a legal opinion (fatwa).

Muhammad: Prophet of Islam who received revelation of the Quran. Muslims believe that he was the perfect human being and seek to emulate his example (Sunnah), as recorded in the hadith.

Muslim: Literally, “one who submits.” Adherent of faith of Islam.

Quran: Literally, “recitation.” Muslim scripture or holy book revealed to Muhammad.

Shariah: Islamic law as established in the Quran and hadith.

Shii: Muslims who believe that succession to the political and religious leadership of the Muslim community should be hereditary through Muhammad’s daughter Fatima and her husband, Muhammad’s cousin Ali. Although Shiis do not believe that these successors (Imams) are prophets, they do believe that they are divinely inspired and infallible. About 15 percent of all Muslims are Shiis.

Sunni: Muslims who believe that succession to the political leadership of the Muslim community should belong to the most qualified and pious person, not be according to hereditary. They believe that the successor is strictly a political leader and a protector of the faith, not someone who is divinely inspired. About 85 percent of all Muslims are Sunnis.

surah: Chapter of the Quran.

ummah: The worldwide Muslim community, community of believers.

umrah: Lesser pilgrimage in which Muslims visit Muhammad’s tomb in Medina; visitation of Muslim holy sites outside of the hajj.

Wahhabi: Adherent of ultraconservative interpretation of Islam as practiced in Saudi Arabia.