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The words explained

This site keeps the proper Arabic terms, because they are the words scholars use and you will meet them everywhere. Here is each one in a single plain sentence. Nothing else is assumed — you can start reading straight after this.

Qur'an

The book Muslims believe is the literal word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over 23 years.

Sūrah

A chapter of the Qur'an. There are 114 of them. Full entry with evidence

Āyah

A verse — one numbered line of a sūrah. The word also means 'a sign'. Full entry with evidence

Sīrah (seerah)

The life story of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, from authentic reports. Full entry with evidence

Tafsīr

Explanation of what an āyah means, taken from the earliest and soundest sources. Full entry with evidence

Asbāb al-nuzūl

Why an āyah came down — the actual event or question it answered at the time. Full entry with evidence

Ḥadīth

A recorded report of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did, or approved of. Full entry with evidence

Ṣaḥīḥ

A report graded sound — the strongest level of authenticity. Full entry with evidence

Isnād

The named chain of people who passed a report down, used to test whether it holds. Full entry with evidence

Muṣḥaf

The written copy of the Qur'an — the book itself, in its standard page order. Full entry with evidence

Tajwīd

The rules for pronouncing the Qur'an correctly when reciting aloud. Full entry with evidence

Ḥifẓ

Memorising the Qur'an by heart. Full entry with evidence

Ḥalaqah

A study circle — students sitting with a teacher to read and learn together.

Makkī and Madanī

Whether a passage came down before the Prophet's ﷺ move to Madinah (Makkī) or after it (Madanī). Full entry with evidence

Hijrah

The Prophet's ﷺ move from Makkah to Madinah. It is year one of the Islamic calendar, which is why dates count from it. Full entry with evidence

BH and AH dates

BH means years before that move — '13 BH' is about thirteen years before it. AH means years after it.

Revelation order

The order the sūrahs actually came down in, which is not the order they sit in the muṣḥaf. Studying in that order lets the story unfold as it happened.

English words that come up a lot

Translations of the Qur'an use formal English, and some of it is heavier than the Arabic it renders. These are the ones worth knowing before you start.

Recompense

What you get back for what you did. 'The Day of Recompense' means the Day of Judgement, when good is repaid with good and wrong with wrong. Full entry with evidence

Revelation

Words sent down from Allah to a prophet — not the prophet's own words. Full entry with evidence

Scripture

A revealed book: the Qur'an, and the books given to earlier prophets. Full entry with evidence

Prophethood

Being chosen by Allah to receive revelation and pass it on. It is given, never claimed. Full entry with evidence

Covenant

A binding promise — usually a promise made with Allah. Full entry with evidence

Righteousness

Doing what is genuinely good: belief backed up by action, not a feeling. Full entry with evidence

Piety

Living carefully because you know Allah sees you. The Arabic word is taqwā. Full entry with evidence

Decree

What Allah has already decided will happen. The Arabic word is qadar. Full entry with evidence

Affliction

Hardship sent as a test — illness, loss, fear, poverty. Full entry with evidence

Transgression

Going past the limit — doing wrong to Allah, to other people, or to yourself. Full entry with evidence

Supplication

Asking Allah for something, in your own words. The Arabic word is duʿāʾ. Full entry with evidence

Sovereignty

Complete ownership and rule — everything belongs to Allah and answers to Him. Full entry with evidence

Reckoning

The accounting of your deeds before Allah on the Day of Judgement. Full entry with evidence

Admonition

A warning or reminder meant to soften the heart and put someone right. Full entry with evidence

Expiation

A set act — feeding the poor, or fasting — that makes up for a specific wrong. Full entry with evidence