Due to the confusion that abounds today, I think understanding Islamic terms will be very helpful. A lot of apologists are saying these terms mean something different from the official Islamic understanding.
It is our hope that understanding these words will help you better understand Islam, and the problems we face in dealing with the issues involved. It is also our hope that this understanding will help you in your efforts to reach the Muslims God brings across your path for Christ. As you know, reaching Muslims for Christ is one of the major goals of our ministry here at Fortress of Faith.
|
Term |
Sounds Like |
Brief Definition |
Comments |
|
Allah Akhbar |
ah-lah ock-bar |
god (Allah) is greatest or greater |
We are told that this simply means god is good. It actually means Allah is the greatest. It is a supremest term. This is why we hear Muslims crying Allah Akbar when they are carrying out an act of jihad. It means that Allah is greater than any other god, even the God of the Bible, Jehovah. It also has a spiritual side to it. They repeat it over and over when they need Allah’s power. It is like an incantation. |
|
Al-sabi |
owl-sa-bee |
Capture of women to be made concubines or sex slaves for warriors. |
This is the doctrine of sexual slavery of women. When a non-Muslim woman is captured, her marriage is annulled immediately. This means that it is not adultery for a Muslim man to have sex with her. He has the right to claim her because she is the possession of his right hand. She is now a slave and he has the right to do whatever he wants with her. Surah 2:223 – “Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will…” A tilth is a plowed field for him to plant his seed when and however he feels fit to do so. This also comes out of Bukari 143, page 700. It goes back to the battle of Kibar when Muhammad killed all of the men. It says, Allah’s apostle killed all of the adult men, and the Prophet took all of the women and children as captives. It means he took them as sexual slaves. This is not only in the Qur’an, it is in the practice of Muhammad. |
|
As-salamu alaykum |
a-sa-lom alay-cum |
The traditional Muslim greeting – Peace be upon you. |
I use this when I greet a Muslim. It gets their attention when they hear a non-Muslims use this term. They don’t know peace yet because Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and I want them to know the Prince of Peace. |
|
Ayat |
eye-ya |
A verse in the Qur’an |
This simply means verse. When you turn to surah 5 ayat 3 your are saying turn to chapter 5 verse 3. It refers to a specific verse in the Qur’an. |
|
Bismallah |
biz-ma-luh |
A blessing that Precedes every chapter (surah) in the Qur’an. “In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.” |
This is a spiritual blessing and a dedication to Allah. You are actually dedicating something or someone to Allah. Bismallah breaks down to mean “blessing to Allah.” |
|
Caliph |
kal-ef |
Successor of Muhammad. The Emperor of the Empire or Ummah |
The best way to think of this is as the emperor or the king. He rules the kingdom of Islam and he is above the law. |
|
Caliphate |
kal-e-fait |
Dictatorship over the Ummah |
This is the kingdom of the caliph. The caliph is the dictator over the “Ummah,” the nation of Islam. |
|
Dajjal |
da-jaw |
The Anti-Christ – Liar – Deceiver |
Most Christians are surprised to learn that Islam has a very well thought out eschatology. They believe that there is an antichrist, however, their antichrist is the Jesus of the Bible. The Dajjal is the false messiah. They believe he is going to come to deceive. They believe that Christians will be fooled by the Dajjal and Isa, the Jesus of Islam, will come destroy him. The Bible and the Qur’an are complete opposites of each other. It is like looking in a mirror. |
|
Dar a Harb |
dar–al-harb |
House of War or Infidel |
These next two are important because they tell us why Muslims act differently in the West than when they are in the Middle East. Those of us who are not Muslims live in the house of war, and when the Muslim finds himself in our country there are different rules for him to follow. There is no middle ground, you are either in the House of War or the House of Islam. |
|
Dar a Islam |
dar-al-Is-lom |
House of Submission |
Islam means submission. In the House of Submission, you are submitted to Islam. In the House of War they don’t have to be obedient to all of their scriptures, but in the House of Islam they do. When in the House of Islam, Sharia Law comes into full force. This is why there are so many Muslims being killed by ISIS. Those Muslims who do not follow the Sharia are just as guilty as the infidels. They have two choices, submit or die. In Europe Muslims consider themselves in the house of Islam and even secular Muslims are in danger. |
Our goal in giving you these terms is not to educate you in Islam, it is help you understand what is being said when these words our used. Islam is an ideology that masquerades as a religion, and understanding these terms will help you understand what we are dealing with. Our goal at Fortress of Faith is to reach Muslims for Christ, and these terms should also help you in your evangelistic efforts with Muslims.
