Glossary
Islamic Terms Glossary
Every term behind Muhasaba's practice, in one place: the Arabic, a plain-English meaning, and a sourced guide that takes you deeper than a definition.
1 min read
47 terms · grouped so related ideas sit together. Start anywhere.
Inner life
The vocabulary of the soul — how Islam names what happens inside you.
- Nafsالنَّفْس
- The inner self, moving through three states from commanding evil to tranquility.
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- Fitrahفِطْرَة
- The pure, innate disposition Allah created every human upon.
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- Imanإِيمَان
- Faith — belief held in the heart, affirmed by tongue, proven in action.
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- Taqwaتَقْوَى
- God-consciousness that guards you from sin; the Quran’s most-repeated virtue.
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- Ihsanإِحْسَان
- Worshipping Allah as though you see Him, knowing He sees you.
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- Ikhlasإِخْلَاص
- Sincerity — doing deeds purely for Allah’s sake.
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- Khushooخُشُوع
- The humility and presence that turns salah into an encounter.
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- Ghaflahغَفْلَة
- Heedlessness of Allah while the heart is fully awake to everything else.
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- Tadabburتَدَبُّر
- Deep Quranic reflection — pondering the Quran’s meanings and demands.
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- Tafakkurتَفَكُّر
- Purposeful reflection on Allah’s creation, His signs, and your own soul.
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- Muraqabaمُرَاقَبَة
- Sustained awareness of Allah’s watchfulness throughout the day.
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- Tazkiyahتَزْكِيَة
- Purification of the soul — the Quran’s command, not a self-help reframe.
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Practice
Acts of worship and the disciplines that carry them.
- Muhasabaمُحَاسَبَة
- Taking account of yourself before you are taken account of.
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- Dhikrذِكْر
- Remembrance of Allah through words, reflection, and heart.
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- Niyyahنِيَّة
- Intention — the inner orientation that turns ordinary acts into worship.
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- Sabrصَبْر
- Active patience through hardship, obedience, and temptation.
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- Shukrشُكْر
- Gratitude expressed through heart, tongue, and limbs.
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- Istighfarاسْتِغْفَار
- Seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
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- Sayyidul Istighfarسَيِّد الاسْتِغْفَار
- “The master of seeking forgiveness” — the supreme istighfar (Bukhari 6306).
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- Tawbahتَوْبَة
- Turning back to Allah with sincere repentance.
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- Tawakkulتَوَكُّل
- Complete reliance on Allah while still taking the means.
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- Istiqamahاسْتِقَامَة
- Steadfastness on the straight path — small deeds, sustained.
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- Khalwaخَلْوَة
- Intentional solitude — withdrawing from noise to be alone with Allah.
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Character & provision
How faith shows up in conduct, wealth, and what Allah provides.
- Akhlaqأَخْلَاق
- Good character — the prophetic foundation of virtue.
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- Amanahأَمَانَة
- The trust Allah places upon you over body, time, wealth, and knowledge.
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- Barakahبَرَكَة
- Divine blessing that multiplies what is given.
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- Rizqرِزْق
- Divine provision — everything Allah has decreed for you.
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- Sadaqahصَدَقَة
- Voluntary charity — any act of giving for Allah’s sake.
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- Zuhdزُهْد
- Heart-detachment from the dunya while fully inhabiting it.
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- Qanaaقَنَاعَة
- Contentment with Allah’s provision — the antidote to envy.
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- Hikmahحِكْمَة
- Wisdom — knowing how and when to apply knowledge rightly.
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- Husn al-Dhanحُسْن الظَّنّ
- Having a good opinion of Allah.
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Foundations & everyday phrases
Core beliefs, sources, and the phrases Muslims say daily.
- Shahadaشَهَادَة
- The testimony of faith — the first pillar of Islam.
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- Sunnahسُنَّة
- The way of the Prophet ﷺ — his words, actions, and approvals.
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- Hadithحَدِيث
- The recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet ﷺ.
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- Halalحَلَال
- Permitted — across food, income, speech, and all of life.
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- Haramحَرَام
- Forbidden or unlawful in Islamic law.
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- Ummahأُمَّة
- The worldwide community of Muslims, united by faith.
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- Jannahجَنَّة
- Paradise — the eternal abode of the believers.
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- Qadrقَدَر
- Allah’s decree — His pre-existing knowledge of all things.
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- Laylatul Qadrلَيْلَة الْقَدْر
- The Night of Power — better than a thousand months.
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- Eidعِيد
- Festival — the celebrations that follow Ramadan and Hajj.
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- Bismillahبِسْم الله
- “In the name of Allah” — said before every meaningful act.
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- Alhamdulillahالْحَمْد لله
- “All praise belongs to Allah.”
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- Subhanallahسُبْحَان الله
- “Glory be to Allah” — declaring His perfection.
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- Mashallahمَا شَاء الله
- “What Allah has willed” — said in appreciation and protection.
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- Inshallahإِن شَاء الله
- “If Allah wills” — a command of humility, not a soft no (18:23–24).
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Put the words into practice
Definitions are where reflection starts, not where it ends. Islamic journaling is muhasaba made visible on a page — and these 30 prompts turn terms like tazkiyah and shukr into tonight's self-accounting.