the 500 most influential muslims - The Royal Islamic Strategic ...

Ramadan: Holy month of fasting.
Salafi: A movement of Sunni Muslims that places great emphasis on literal interpretation of
the Qur’an and Hadith, with skepticism towards the role of human.
Shahadatayn: Testimony of faith.
Sharia: Literally, ‘the way to the source’, this refers to Islamic law. Islamic law is not, as is
widely perceived, a standard set of written rules, but is rather an unwritten text that is
interpreted by legal scholars in specific instances, drawing on the Qur’an and other reliable
religious sources relevant to the tradition followed.
Sheikh: (1) A position of authority granted to people who are respected in society. (2) A
religious official.
Shi‘a: The second-largest denomination of Muslims referred to as Shi‘atu ‘Ali or ‘the party
of ‘Ali,’ the fourth caliph of Islam and first Imam in Shi’ism.
Sunna: Literally ‘the trodden path’; this refers to the ways and practices of the Prophet
Muhammad. Reference to these practices can be found in the Qur’an and in the Hadith.
Sunni: The largest denomination of Muslims referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘h or
‘people of the prophetic tradition and community’—with emphasis on emulating the life of
the last Prophet, Muhammad.
Tafsir: Interpretation of the Qur’an, either by commentary or exegesis.
Taqlid: The practice of following rulings without questioning the religious authority. This is
a core tenet of the Usuli school of Islamic law.
Velayat-e Faqih: A position of both spiritual and temporal powers in the Republic of Iran.
Literally, Guardianship of the Jurists, referring to the fact that while the Mahdi (awaited
one) is in occultation, the jurists should have guardianship over the earth.
Waqf: A religious endowment or charitable trust.
Zakat: Alms-giving that amounts to one-fortieth of one’s income and savings designated for
the poor and destitute.
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