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Sacred profession of Islamic faith, translated as “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger.” Muslims are called to recite this during each of their daily prayers, and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
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Meaning “two natures,” it is a reference to the Christian belief in the two natures of Jesus Christ, divine and human miraculously fused into one. It became the official religion of the Byzantine Empire at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE, in opposition to Monophysites.
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The tribe into which the Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca. It controlled trade and dominated in Mecca during the time of the Prophet.
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Annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, considered to be one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims are expected to undertake the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are physically and financially able.
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Meaning “one nature,” it is a reference to Christians who believe that Jesus Christ has one divine nature and not both human and divine, as in Diophysism.
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The “doubters,” this is a reference to those in Medina during the Prophet Muhammad’s stay there who doubted the legitimacy of his religious claims and thus his political leadership.
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Tradition or custom of the Prophet Muhammad based on his sayings (hadith). It is second only to the Quran in terms of its religious significance as a guide for Muslims.
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(Arabic: the helpers): These helpers were residents of Medina who took the Prophet Muhammad and his followers (the Muhajirun) into their homes after the hijra from Mecca. They became an important interest group in early Islam.
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“Island” in Arabic, this is a reference to the geographic area across present-day north-central Syria and Iraq that fell between, like an island, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
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Daily prayers recited by Muslims and one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
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Giving of alms to the poor. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
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Sanctuary, often a religious sanctuary. Also a reference to forbidden areas.
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