Ahlulbait · Ahl al-Bayt
أهل البيت
The Prophet’s household; central to this site’s Twelver Shia perspective.
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Words to help you begin
A small glossary for a more comfortable reading journey.
Find short definitions for Islamic and historical words used throughout the stories and biographies.
Short orientation notes, written for this website. Spellings vary across translations. For detailed meanings and religious requirements, follow the linked reference and qualified guidance.
12 terms
Imamah · Imamate
إمامة
Leadership; in Twelver belief, the divinely appointed guidance of the Twelve Imams.
Marja‘
مرجع
A qualified jurist whom believers follow in practical religious rulings.
Dhikr
ذكر
Remembrance of Allah, including devotional phrases.
Du‘a
دعاء
Supplication: turning to Allah in prayer.
Salah · Salat
صلاة
The prescribed ritual prayer.
Wudu
وضوء
Ritual washing required for certain acts of worship.
Rak‘ah
ركعة
A unit of ritual prayer.
Qibla
قبلة
The direction of the Ka‘bah in Mecca, faced in prayer.
Ziyarah · Ziyara
زيارة
Visitation; often used for visiting sacred sites or devotional salutations.
Akhlaq
أخلاق
Ethics and moral character.
Hijrah
هجرة
Migration; especially the Prophet’s migration from Mecca to Medina.
No matching terms. Try another spelling or an English meaning.
Reference for these introductory definitions: I.M.A.M. Islamic Glossary ↗. These short notes do not replace its fuller explanations. Our editorial approach ↗
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