Apostasy : An Overview - The Maranatha Community

APPENDIX 7
A simple glossary of terms used in this paper
Ahl al-kitab People of the Book (ie Jews and Christians)
Ahmadiyyas A religious group considered to be apostates by orthodox Islam with main presence in Pakistan.
Ayatollah Leading Shi’ite Imam.
Dhimmi Non-Muslims in an Islamic society. This implies protection and subjugation. Dhimmi are exempt
from duties of Islam but must pay a (humiliating) tax called jizyah. (Surah 9.29)
Fatwa Legal opinion concerning Islamic Law; religious decree, normally issued by an Islamic jurist.
Fiqh Study of Islamic law; understanding, comprehension, knowledge, and jurisprudence in Islam.
Hadd (pl. Hudood) Sharia term meaning boundary, limits set by Allah and his apostle. Severe punishment for a crime
as specified in the Qu’ran or Ahadith.
Hadith (pl. Ahadith) Record of the sayings of the prophet. A precedent set by Muhammad or his early followers.
Highest authority after the Qu’ran.
Irtidad Apostasy from Islam
Islam Submission to the will of Allah.
Jihad Literally “an effort”; a holy war; as expanded by the four Sunni scholars, military action to expand
or defend Islam.
Jizya Tax payable by dhimmi, as a sign of their subjugation to Muslims. Jizya should guarantee security
and protection.
Kafir (pl Kuffar), khoufar Unbeliever, infidel, non-Muslim; a person who refuses to submit himself to Allah.
Muslim A follower of Islam; literally “one who submits”.
Qu’ran Sacred book of the Muslims. The collected texts of Allah’s revelation to Mohammad.
Qisas Retaliation for injury or homicide; retaliation “eye for eye”.
Ridda Apostasy from Islam.
Shariah “The Way of Islam”; Islamic Law.
Shi’a An Islamic denomination which believes that the rightful successor to Muhammad was Ali.
Shirk Associating anyone with Allah as a co-deity (essentially idolatry or blasphemy). The worst sin in
Islam which cannot be forgiven.
Sunnah Written tradition; Literally “the trodden path” ie a custom, habit, practice, or norm sanctioned by
tradition; the words and actions of Muhammad and his early followers.
Sunni Literally “one of the path”; orthodox or mainstream Islam; followers of Abu Bakr and Umar as
successors of Muhammad (as distinguished from Shi’a Islam).
Surah A chapter in the Qu’ran.
Ta’zir A section of Sharia; discretionary punishment for a crime to reform the culprit.
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