S is for Sawm and Sunnah

sa‘āda
happiness, bliss, blessedness

sa‘ādatu’d dārayn
bliss here and in the Hereafter

as-sā‘a
the Hour (that will establish the Day of Judgment)

sā‘
a measure of weight, approximately 3 kg

Sab‘ al-Mathānī
The seven often repeated verses. Refers to Sūrah al-Fātiha, the first and the most important chapter of the Holy Qur’ān, which is recited in every rak‘a of Salāh (Prayer), as well as after Salāh, and at each Muslim gathering.
A rak‘a is a unit of Prayer to Allāh which consists of standing, a bowing, and two prostrations to Him in worshipping Him. Sūrah al-Fātiha is recited in the standing position

as-sabā
the easterly breeze; the mild and gentle breeze that comes from the east

sabab
cause, means (pl: asbāb)

sabaha
to swim. Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam recommended to teach boys swimming, horsemanship and archery

sabb
abuse, insult, cursing. This is one of the sins of the tongue. May Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā protect us against it, Āmīn (syn: shatm)

sabbaha
to extol Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

sabīl
way, road, public drinking fountain (pl: subul)

Sabīlillāh
Allah’s way. To spend fī Sabīlillāh is to spend in Allāh’s way

sābiq
the preceding, prior, one who came before, one who outstrips others in good deeds (pl: sābiqūn, sābiqīn, f: sābiqa, f. pl: sābiqāt)

as-Sabiqūn al-Awwalūn
the first and the foremost to accept Islām in the time of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam in Makka and Madīna

Sābir
Patient, one who bears hardship with patience (pl: sābirūn, sābirīn f: Sābira, f. pl: sābirāt)

sabr
patience in the face of hardship, steadfastness, consistency in obedience to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, patient avoidance of sin

Sa‘d u’d dīn
The good fortune of religion, a title bestowed upon a Muslim

sadaqa
voluntary giving of alms in the way of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, charity. Sadaqa is given in addition to zakāh (alms-due) which is obligatory. The giving of sadaqa might avert a calamity (pl: sadaqāt)

sadaqa jāriya
continuous charity. An example is any donation to promote learning, or having a well dug so that people can be provided with water

sadaqat u’s sirr
charity given in secret so that no one comes to know of it. This is preferable to manifest charity. However, charity given publicly is also commendable if the aim thereby is to encourage others to give in charity as well

sadaqAllāh u’l ‘Azīm
“Allāh The Exalted has said the truth”, said at the end of every Qur’ānic recitation

sādiq
an honest, truthful or sincere person (pl: sādiqūn, sādiqīn, f: sādiqa, f. pl: sādiqāt)

as-Sādiq al-Masdūq
Confirmed as the Truthful, one of the titles of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Sādiq al-wa‘d
Truthful to the promise, one who fulfils his promise, one of the titles of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

sadīq
friend (pl: asdiqā’)

sadr
bosom, breast, chest (pl: sudūr)

as-Safā
a small hill near the Ka‘ba in Makka

safā’
pure serenity, purity, sincerity

safā’ as-safā’
purity of purity

safaha
to greet with a handshake (is Sunnah, a Prophetic tradition)

safar
journey, refers to the journey of the heart when it begins to turn to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā by dhikr (His remembrance)

saff
a row in congregational prayer, also an army rank in battle. There is great heavenly reward in praying in the first row in congregation, and joining the jihād in the first rank in battle (pl: sufūf)

safīna
ship, boat

safīnatu’n najā
the boat of salvation. It refers to the Ahl al- Bayt, the Noble Household of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

sāfir
ambassador

Safī
Serene, Pure, Best friend (pl: asfiyā’, f: Safīya)

Safīyullāh
The Chosen One of Allāh, title of Sayyidinā Nabī Ādam ‘Alayhissalām

saghīr
small, little (f: saghīra, pl: saghāir)

sahāb
clouds

Sahāba
Companions of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam who saw him as believing Muslims and passed away as Muslims.
Muslims have to believe in the excellence of the Sahāba (Companions), think the best about them, and praise them just as Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā has praised them in the Qur’ān, and Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam has praised them in his Hadīth (Sayings). The Sahāba are role-models for Muslims to follow. They were soldiers by day and worshippers of Allāh by night. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives to make sure that Islām is preserved. They conveyed the Hadīth (Sayings) of the Prophet Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam to the Tābi‘ūn (Followers), the next generation. Their miracle was that they saw our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam with the light of īmān (faith). Companionship with the Prophet Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam so transformed their lives, that after the Prophets ‘Alayhimussalām, they became the greatest people in all human history who began to spread Islām to other countries. This process has continued so that by now, Islām has reached to all the corners of the world, Al-Hamdu Lillāh (All Praise is for Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā). Muslims love them and try to follow their example (s: Sahābī, f: sahābiya, f. pl: sahābiyyāt)

sāhib
companion, friend (pl: sahāba, ashāb; syn: sahābī)

Sāhib i’l ‘ayn i’l kamāl
the possessor of perfect insight, an attribute of our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Sāhib ar-Rātib
the Compiler of the Rātib; the title of someone who compiles a voluntary, regular, sequential invocation. It is the title of Imām ‘Umar ibn ‘AbdurRahmān al-‘Attās Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu who compiled the Rātib al-‘Attās as well as of Imām ‘AbdAllāh bin ‘Alawī al-Haddād, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu who compiled the Rātib al-Haddād

Sāhib u’l qadā
one who performs the five times daily obligatory Prayers (fard salāh) and as well makes up for previously missed fard salāh by performing them at the time of every fard salāh, one salāh at a time.
If someone has missed fard salāh over some period of time, say, through ghafla (heedlessness), he can make up for it by performing the qadā’ of salāt al-Fajr (dawn Prayer) before the salāt al-Fajr, the qadā’ of salāt az-Zuhr (noon Prayer) before or after the salāt az-Zuhr, the qadā’ of salāt al-‘Asr (mid-afternoon Prayer) before salāt al-‘Asr, the qadā’ of salāt al-Maghrib (sunset Prayer) after salāt al- Maghrib, and the qadā’ of salāt al-‘Ishā’ (night Prayer) before or after salāt al-‘Ishā’. If he has missed fard salāh over a period of one week, he would do this for a week to make up for it, and so on. This is a very convenient way of making up for all the previously missed fard salāh.
Those who newly accept Islām do not have to make up for missed salāh at the time they were not Muslim as their acceptance of Islām wipes out all previous sins and omissions

Sahīh
sound, rigorously authenticated. It is one of the categories of Hadīth. A Hadīth u’s-Sahīh is a Saying of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam that has an absolutely sound text and a very sound chain of transmitters. Such a Hadīth (Saying) is considered most authentic and so is universally accepted

as-Sahīhayn
the two most authentic collections of Hadīth, that is Sahīh al-Bukhārī and Sahīh Muslim

sāhil
sea-shore, bank of a river

sahl
easy, convenient. We have to make things easy for people and not impose difficulties on them

sahūr
the pre-dawn meal before the beginning of the day-long fast in the month of Ramadān. Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said that there is barakah (blessing) in this meal (syn: suhūr)

sahw
sobriety, acting sober, not revealing that one is intoxicated with the love of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

sa‘īd
blissfully fortunate; a pious Muslim who fulfils the rights of Allāh as well as the rights of others, for example, the rights of his parents, spouse, children, relatives, neighbours, Muslims and non-Muslims, and follows the sacred Muslim law fully and totally so that he becomes destined for eternal salvation; happy (pl: su‘adā’, f: sa‘īda)

sāil
questioner, beggar. We should not turn away the beggar empty handed

sā’im
one who keeps the fast (pl: sā’imūn, sā’imīn, f: sā’ima, f. pl: sā’imāt)

saj‘
rhythmical prose

sajda
prostration in Prayer to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, as the ultimate act of worshipping Him;
to prostrate oneself, forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes touching the ground, in worship of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā.
Who can do the sajda like Imām al-Husayn ibn ‘Alī Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu who was martyred while in sajda? (pl: sujūd)

sajda as-sahw
two additional prostrations in regular Prayer to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā to compensate for the forgetfulness in it of any wājib (necessary) part of Prayer. For example, if someone forgot to sit for tashahhud after two rak‘a in a three or four raka‘āt salāh, he has to do sajda as-sahw. However, if anyone forgets to perform a compulsory (fard) part of salāh, for example, if he forgot to perform the rukū‘, then the salāh is not valid, and sajda as-sahw cannot make up for it

sajda ash-shukr
prostration to thank Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā (for a special blessing or for averting a calamity). This is not done in salāh (Prayer) but is performed separately

sajda at-tilāwa
prostration to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā on reciting some specified verses of the Holy Qur’ān. There are 14 such specified verses in the Holy Qur’ān

Sājid
One who prostrates to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā in worship (pl: sājidūn, sājidīn f: Sājida, f. pl: sājidāt)

As-Sajjād
the worshipper of Allāh, one who prostrated a lot in the worship Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, a title of Zayn al-‘Ābidīn Sayyidinā ‘Alī ibn al-Husayn ibn ‘Alī, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

sakarāt al-mawt
pangs of death, at the time the soul is removed.
The pious pass away peacefully. Pangs of death expiate for sins or are a trial, which if passed successfully, raise one’s spiritual stature

Sakb
the name of the horse of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

sakhāwa
munificence, generosity (syn: sakhā’)

sakhī
generous (pl: askhiyā’)

As-Sakhra
“The Rock”. The rock on which stands the Dome of the Rock in Masjid as-Sakhra in Jerusalem, from where Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam ascended to the heavens on the night of mi‘rāj. Nearby, in the same Haram Sharīf (Noble Sanctuary) is Masjid al-Aqsā, the third most sacred masjid where Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam led all the Prophets ‘Alayhimussalām in Prayer on the night of mi‘rāj

as-Sakīna
peace of mind and security that comes with the realization that Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā is with you wherever you are, peace of mind, tranquility (bestowed by Allāh)

salaf
predecessor (pl: aslāf)

salaf as-sālih
the righteous predecessors, early Muslims, scholars in the first three generations of Muslims

salāh
the Prayer in Islām of worshipping Allāh Subhābahū wa Ta‘ālā.
Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā says in the Holy Qur’ān that He did not create mankind and the jinn except to worship Him (15:56), and Muslims always try their level best to live up to this teaching.
Our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said that what distinguishes a Muslim from a non-Muslim is salāh (Prayer). He said that the coolness of his eyes is in Prayer.

Salāh u’d dīn
The righteousness of religion, name or title of a Muslim, for example, Salāh u’d dīn al-Ayyūbi, Rahmatullāhi ‘alayh who liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders

salāmah
safety, security

salām
peace, greetings of peace.
Salāh (Prayer) is concluded with salām as follows:
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullāh
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allāh.
Those who enter Paradise will be greeted with the greeting of salām (peace)

As -Salāmu ‘alaykum
“peace be upon you”, said when greeting a Muslim.
The response is: “wa ‘alaykum-u’s-salām wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh”, meaning “and on you be the peace and mercy of Allāh and His blessing”

as-salāt al-Ibrāhimīya
Supplication to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā to shower His peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, as well as on Prophet Ibrāhīm ‘Alayhissalām, and on their families and descendants

salāt ‘alā’n-Nabī
the invocation of peace and blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam. This is recited in salāh (daily Prayer), at other times whenever the Prophet’s name is mentioned and as a regular voluntary invocation.
Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā says in the Holy Qur’ān:
Indeed Allāh and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you believe! Ask for (Allāh’s) blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation (33:56).
Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā has appointed seventy thousand angels who shower blessings on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam at his rawda (Garden of Paradise) in Masjid an-Nabawī. Everday, a new group of seventy thousand angels is appointed to send blessings on him and this will continue till the Day of Judgment.
All that our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam ever asked us to do for him is to supplicate to Allāh to shower His blessings on him. He said that:
1. Whoever sends blessings on him once, Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā sends blessings on him ten times.
2. Those who send blessings on him in greater abundance will be nearer to him on the Day of Judgment.
3. Muslims should increase the invocation of blessings on him on Fridays (pl: salawāt)

salām ‘ala’r Rasūl
salutations on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam.
Those who visit Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam at his Rawda (Garden of Paradise) in Masjid an-Nabawī in Madīna, greet him as follows:
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā RasūlAllāh
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā HabībAllāh
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā Khayra Khalqillāh
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā Nūra ‘Arshillāh
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā Rahmatalli’l ‘ālamīn
Blessings and peace be upon you, O Prophetic Messenger of Allāh
Blessings and peace be upon you, O Beloved of Allāh
Blessings and peace be upon you, O the Best of Allāh’s creation
Blessings and peace be upon you, O the Light of Allāh’s Throne
Blessings and peace be upon you, O the Mercy for all the worlds.
When we Muslims enter our homes, we greet with “Assalāmu ‘alaykum” (peace be upon you). If no one is at home, the greeting is:
As-salātu wa’s-salāmu ‘alayka Yā RasūlAllāh
Blessings and peace be upon you, O Prophetic Messenger of Allāh.
The opening verses of the salāms on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam recited world-wide in Mawlid an-Nabī to celebrate his birth are:
Yā Nabī salām ‘alayka
Yā Rasūl salām ‘alayka
Yā Habīb salām ‘alayka
Salawātullāh ‘alayka
Salutations to you, O Prophet!
Salutations to you, O Prophetic Messenger of Allāh!
Salutations to you, O Beloved!
May the blessings of Allāh be on you!
These salāms are in the kitāb of Mawlid an-Nabī Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, composed by Imām al-Barzanjī, Rahmatullāhi ‘alayh

Sālih
Good; Pious, Righteous (pl: salihūn, sālihīn, f: sāliha, f. pl: sālihāt)

as-sālihāt
good deeds

sālik
a traveller, a spiritual traveller on the Path of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā (pl: sālikīn)

Sālim
Safe, Secure (pl: sālimīn, f: Sālima)

Salīm
Safe; Sound; Healthy (f: Salīma)

salla
to bless

sallallāhu ‘alā Muhammad
“may Allāh’s blessings be on Sayyidinā Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam”. When two Muslims are quarreling, this is recited in a loud voice and when they hear the name of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, they stop quarrelling, out of respect for this name

Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam
“may the blessings and peace of Allāh be upon him”. Recited after the name of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Salsabīl
a fountain in Paradise, name of a spring in Paradise

samā’
heaven, sky, firmament (pl: samāwāt)

samā’ ad-dunyā
terrestrial heaven

samā‘
audition, spiritual gathering with the recitation of religious poems conducted under the supervision of a shaykh (spiritual master)

samāh
forgiveness, generosity (syn: samāha)

samak
fish. When the men at home prepare a dish of fish for the whole family, don’t they really make it so mouth-watering! You are right! (pl: asmāk)

sāmit
the silent one. Our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam has advised us to speak the truth, say something useful or remain silent (pl: sāmitūn, sāmitīn)

samt
silence (to avoid the sins of the tongue)

sanad
a chain of narrators of a Hadīth (Saying) of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam.
It also means a certificate

sanah
a year (pl:sinīn)

sanam
idol. Idol worship is an unforgivable sin in Islām (pl: asnām)

sarf
grammar, etymology

sāqin
one who serves something to drink such as water, milk, coffee, tea or soft-drinks

sāriq
thief (has been cursed by Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā)

sāriya
an army which is not led by the commander in chief but by his deputy

satr
covering, concealing. Whoever conceals the faults of others, Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment

satr al-‘awra
to cover one’s private parts

satr al-‘uyūb
the concealing (by Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā) of one’s faults and sins

As-Sattār
The Veiler, Who covers up human sins and hides people’s faults, an attribute of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

sawā’
equal, alike, right, straight

sawā’ as-sabīl
the right path

sawād al-a‘zam
the great majority (refers to the Sunnī Muslims or the Ahl al-Sunna wa’l Jamā‘a), those who follow the pattern of life of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

as-sawm
fasting for Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘āla.
When we Muslims fast, we totally abstain from all food, drink and sexual relations from dawn to sunset. It is obligatory (fard) for Muslims to fast in the month of Ramadān, and it constitutes one of the arkān (Pillars) of Islām (syn: siyām).
In addition to fasting in the month of Ramadān, our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alalyhi wa Sallam also used to observe optional meritorious fasts for six days after ‘Īd al-Fitr in the month of Shawwāl; on the Day of ‘Arafa; on the Day of ‘Āshūrā’; for many, many days in the months of Rajab and Sha‘ān; on the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th of every month; and on Mondays and Thursdays. Some of his Companions wanted to fast more and more. He reminded them that besides the Huqūqullāh (the rights of Allāh), huqūq al-‘ibād (the rights of other people over oneself) have to be fulfilled as well, for example, the rights of family members, of relatives, of other Muslims and non-Muslims.
The following Hadīth informs us about the fast of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam:
Hadrat Abū Hurayra Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu reported that the Prophet Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam declared: “Avoid keeping continuous fasts”. The people said: “Prophetic Messenger of Allāh! You fast continuously”. He replied, “I am not like you. My Lord provides me with food and drink at night”. (Mālik)

sawt
voice, sound (pl: aswāt)

sawt al-ghannāi
melodious voice

sa‘y
the ceremony of walking and partly running seven times between the hills of Safā’ and Marwa in Makka during the Pilgrimage, just as our Lady Hājar ‘Alayhassalām did, searching for water for her son Ismā‘īl ‘Alayhissalām. She was the wife of Prophet Ibrāhīm, ‘Alayhissalām. Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā liked this effort of hers so much, that it became a rite of the Hajj (Pilgrimage)! Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is Supremely Great!). And the Muslims love her so much that they feel especially honoured to run those rounds. Allāhu Akbar (Allāh is Supremely Great!)

sayf
sword. Muslim flags usually have the sword as a symbol of pride in Muslim valour

Sayfullāh
the Sword of Allāh, the title of Hadrat Khālid bin al-Walid, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

sayyāhūn
these are the angels who spread out on the earth. When they see a gathering of dhikr (remembrance) of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, they join it

sayyi’a
a bad deed, a sin (pl: sayyiāt)

Sayyid al-Anbiyā wa’l-Mursalīn
“the Master of the Prophets and the Messengers”, a title of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Sayyid al-fursān
the Commander of the horsemen, the Commander of the cavalry, a title of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Sayyid ash-Shafī‘
the Chief Intercessor, refers to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam who will intercede with Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā on the Day of Judgment, imploring Him to forgive the sinners

Sayyid ath-thaqalayn
the Master of mankind as well as of the jinn, one of the titles of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

as-Sayyid
the noble master, refers to a descendant of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam (pl: as-sādāt, f: as-sayyida, f. pl: as-sayyidāt).
As-Sādāt as-sūfīya: The Awliyā’ Allāh (Friends of Allāh) whom Allāh has made noble, the noble sūfī masters, the noble spiritual masters who are sūfī saints.
As-sādāt al-‘Alawiyyīn: The Noble masters among the Bā ‘Alawī, descendants of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam. Muslims love them because of their noble lineage as well as because they follow the Qur’ān and the Sunnah. They are noble in descent, character and action

Sayyidunā
“our Master”, refers to Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam or to any one of his Companions or a shaykh (syn: Sayyidinā, f: Sayyidatinā: “our Lady”)

Sayyid ash-shuhadā’
the leader of all the martyrs, refers to Imām al-Husayn ibn ‘Alī, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

Sayyidunā ash-Shaykh
“our master, the shaykh”

Sayyidī
my master. This is a loving reference to one’s shaykh

Sayyid al-istighfār
the master supplication to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, begging Him for forgiveness. Its translation is:
O God, You are my Lord, there is no God but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I uphold Your covenant and Your promise to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in You from the faults of my own doings. I acknowledge the blessings You have showered upon me, and I acknowledge my shortcomings. So forgive me, for indeed, none forgives sins except You.

Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said: Whoever says this when he arises in the morning and (again) in the evening and then dies either that day or that evening, he will enter Paradise

sha‘āir
sacred sites, landmarks, indications

Sha‘āirillāh
landmarks set by Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, for example: the small hills of Safā’ and Marwa in Makka

shabāb
youth, young men

shadīd
severe. There is severe punishment in hell for those who commit crimes against human beings and against humanity

shafā‘a
intercession with Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā on the Day of Judgment. First, the Prophets ‘Alayhimussalām will intercede with Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā on behalf of the sinners, then the ‘ulamā (religious scholars), then the martyrs, then other believers

ash-shafā‘a al-‘uzmā
the greatest intercession on the Day of Judgment. This belongs to Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam for his ummah (world community of Muslims)

Shāfi‘ī
one of the four schools of Muslim law, that of Imām ash-Shāfi‘ī Rahmatullāhi ‘alayh

Shahāda
testimony, as in a court of law. To bear false witness (shahādat az-zūr) is one of the kabāir (major sins)

Ash-shahāda
the profession of faith, bearing witness, Muslim testimony of faith, the Declaration that no one is worthy of worship except Allāh and that Sayyidinā Muhammad is His Prophetic Messenger. This is the first and the most important of the five Pillars (arkān) of Islām

Ash-shahādatayn
twofold declaration of faith, in Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā and in His Beloved Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

shahīd
a Muslim martyr (pl: shuhadā', f: shahīdah).
Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam yearned to be martyred in jihād (battle) against oppressive non-believers.
We learn from the Holy Qur’ān that the martyrs are alive. The translation of a relevant verse is:
And do not say that those who are slain in the way of Allāh are dead; nay, they are alive, though you do not perceive (it) (2:154)

shāhid
witness (pl: shāhidūn, shāhidīn, f: shāhida)

shahr
month (pl: ash-hur)

Shahr al-harām
a sacred month in which warfare is forbidden. These are Muharram, Rajab, Dhu’l Qa‘da and Dhu’l Hijja

shahwa
lust, carnal desire, appetite (pl:shahawāt)

shā‘ir
poet (pl: shu‘arā’, f: shā‘irah)

shajā‘a
bravery, courage

shajara
tree

shajara an-nasab
genealogical tree

shākir
thankful (pl: shākirūn, shākirīn, f: shākirah)

shakk
doubt. To spread unwarranted doubt is the work of shaytān (the devil) and to cultivate yaqīn (certitude) is the job of a Muslim

Shām
the region comprising Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan

Shamāil
noble qualities; refers especially to the excellent moral attributes of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

ash-shams
the sun

Shams u’d dīn
The sun of religion, a name of a Muslim or a title bestowed upon a Muslim Shaykh (spiritual master)

shaqī
wretched, doubtful of obtaining salvation (pl: ashqiyā’)

shaqīq
full brother, having the same father and mother

shaqīqah
real sister, having the same father and mother

shaqq al-qamar
the splitting of the moon, a miracle of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

shaqq as-sadr
the splitting open of the chest. Angels came to split open the chest of our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, clean his heart, and fill it with nūr (spiritual light) when he was four years old and again on the night of his mi‘rāj (heavenly ascension)

Sharaf u’d dīn
The nobility of religion, the honour of religion, a title bestowed upon a Muslim Shaykh

sharaha
to expand, the opening of one’s heart by Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā to understand Islām and live as a Muslim

sharh
appreciative explanation (pl: shurūh). Various ‘ulamā (Muslim scholars) have written shurūh (appreciative explanations) on kutub (books) that were written or compiled by previous imāms and ‘ulamā. Some well-known examples of these are the appreciative explanations on:
1. Fiqh al-Akbar (The Muslim Doctrine), based on the Qur’ān and the Sunnah, written by Imām al-A‘zam Imām Abū Hanīfa.
2. Sahīh al-Bukhārī, and Sahīh Muslim, the Most Authenticated Sayings of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, compiled by Imām al-Bukhārī and Imām Muslim, respectively.
3. Ihyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn (The Revival of Religious Sciences) of Imām al-Ghazālī.
4. Dalāil al-Khayrāt (Proofs of Good Deeds), a Compendium of Salawāt on Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alalyhi wa Sallam, compiled by Imām al-Jazūlī.
5. Qasīda al-Burda (the Poem of the Prophet’s Mantle), composed by Imām al-Būsīrī.
6. Rātib al-‘Attās, selected supplications of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, sequentially arranged for regular recitation by Imām ‘AbdurRahmān al-‘Attās.
7. Rātib al-Haddād, selected supplications of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, sequentially arranged for regular recitation by Imām ‘Abdallāh bin ‘Alawī al-Haddād,
may Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā make us benefit from them, Āmīn

sharī‘a
the sacred law of Islām, the Islamic legal moral system based on the Qur’ān and Hadīth which governs the daily life of a Muslim. It encompasses all aspects of the Muslim faith, including beliefs and practices. The last sharī‘a is that of Islām which abrogates all previous sharī‘a. Muslims follow the sharī‘a to attain success here as well as in the Hereafter.
Money-worshipping capitalists never tire of screaming against the Islamic sharī‘a. They believe that just as they have given up on God, and taken to the worship of money, and to nudity and booze, Muslims should do the same. However, the money-worshipping capitalists have now been reduced to tears of helpless impotent rage as they see Muslims more and more devoutly attached to the God-given laws of Islām. Capitalists are serious about the worship of money and spreading nudity and booze, while Muslims are serious about worshipping Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā and following the religion of Islām. Soon this realization is going to dawn on all ordinary people world-wide, spontaneously leading them to reject capitalism and to accept Islām

Sharīf
a descendant of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, through Sayyidinā ‘Alī Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu and Sayyidatinā Fātima, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhā; Distinguished, Noble, Honourable (pl: shurafā’, f: Sharīfa)

sharr
evil, bad

shart
precondition in Islamic law (pl: shurūt)

Shawāhid al-Haqq
evidences of truth, the evidences in the creation of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā which bear witness to the Creator

shawq
yearning, longing (to meet Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā)

shay’
thing. Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā is the Creator of each and everything and has power over it

shaykh
spiritual guide, spiritual master (pl: shuyūkh, mashāyikh)

ash-shaykhān
the two shaykhs, refers to Imām al-Bukhārī Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu and Imām Muslim Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

shaykh al-Islām
a spiritual master in Islām, a title of respect bestowed upon a shaykh, for example, Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalānī Rahmatullāhi ‘alayh, who wrote the sharh (Appreciative Explanation) of Sahīh al-Bukhārī

shaykh al-mashāyikh
The shaykh of shaykhs. For example: Shaykh al-mashāyikh al-Habīb ‘Umar bin Ahmad bin Sumayt, Naf‘anAllāhu bih, of Comoro Islands

shaykh al-murabbī
spiritual master who trains you in Islām

shaykh at-tahkīm
a shaykh to whom one surrenders command over all of one’s affairs

shaytān
the devil (pl: shayātīn)

shifā’
healing, cure

shimāl
north, it also means the left side (syn: shamāl)

ash-shi‘r
poetry. Our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said that there is wisdom in some poetry

shirk
idolatry, polytheism, the unforgivable wrong action of attributing any partner to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā and worshipping it or them along with Him

ash-shirk al-asghar
minor polytheism. An example of this is riyā’ or showing off in worship in order to earn praise

shub-ha
dubious, doubtful (pl: shubuhāt).
If some businesses have some harām mixed up with them, it might raise a doubt whether to work for such businesses or not. For example, a research company might be conducting research on things that are halāl (permitted) such as spring water, as well as things that are harām (prohibited), such as beer. Those who have the greatest amount of scrupulousness (warā’) will avoid such businesses completely. Such Muslims are purely committed to spiritual progress and to the Hereafter. Some who attempt to be as scrupulous as is possible for them, will request the management of the company to be allowed to do research except about the things that are not permitted in Islām. Such Muslims try to follow sacred Muslim law within a survival strategy. Those who lack scruples, will agree to do research on beer as well. This a weakness for which they should beg forgiveness of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

shuhh
greed.
Ordinary people all over the world accuse capitalists of being greedy. Capitalists employ neo-conservative economists to argue that there is no such thing as greed. Capitalists want to remove words like greed and selfishness from the English dictionary. They talk of self-interest rather than selfishness, and they argue that self-interest is a great virtue, the implication being that capitalists are the most virtuous people! So who is buying their argument, what with bribery, kick-backs, stock options, insider trading, junk bonds, fraud, cooking of books, currency speculation and money laundering, to mention just a few of the great virtues of capitalists!

shujā‘
courageous, one of the attributes of our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

shukr
thankfulness. Muslims say “Jazākallāh” (may Allāh reward you) to express thanks

shukran
thank you!

ash-shukru Lillāh
all thanks-giving is for Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

shūrā
consultative decision-making prescribed by Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

shurb
drink, spiritual delight

shurūq
sunrise

sibāb
abuse. A Muslim should never abuse another Muslim

Sibghatullāh
the colouring of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā. May Allāh colour us with laudable attributes, Āmīn. One way to achieve this is to worship Him with greater devotion and to obey His Commandments with greater commitment and enthusiasm

sibt
grandson

as-sibtayn
the two grandsons, refers to the two grandsons of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, that is Imām al-Hasan Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu, and Imām al-Husayn Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

siddīq
one who is perfectly truthful and affirmative of the truth (pl: siddiqūn, siddīqīn, f: siddīqah)

As-Siddīq
the sincere friend, the title given to Sayyidinā Abū Bakr as- Siddīq, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu, who was the first Khalīfa in Islām

As-Siddīqah
the truthful, a title of Sayyidatinā Maryam ‘Alayhassalām (the Blessed Virgin Mary, peace be upon her), and the mother of faithful believers, Sayyidatinā ‘Āisha Rady Allāhu ‘Anhā

siddīqūn
'true saints'. The very highest among saints (syn: siddīqīn)

sidq
truthfulness

sidq an-niyya
sincere intention. What counts before Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā is the sincerity of intention in doing a good deed

Sidrat al-Muntahā
a tree over the seventh heaven (the remote lote-tree)

sifah
attribute, quality (pl: sifāt)

as-Sifāt
The Attributes of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

sifāt al-hasana
good qualities

Sihāh sitta
the six most authentic books of Hadīth Sharīf that is Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Sahīh Muslim, Jāmi‘ at-Tirmidhī, Sunan Abū Dāwūd, Sunan An-Nāsāī and Sunan Ibn Mājah

sihha
good health, correctness, truth, soundness. Good health is a blessing from Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā for which we should be thankful to Him

sihr
magic, witchcraft (one of the kabāir, major sins)

sijn
prison

silat al-rahim
taking good care of kith and kin, maintaining the ties of kinship

silāh
weapon. Besides faith, bravery is the greatest weapon that Muslims have in battle (pl: asliha)

silm
peace (propagated by the Muslims)

as-Silm
“The Peace”, refers to the religion of Islām in the Holy Qur’ān

silsila
a chain; the chain of genealogical descent of the shaykh; or the chain of the teachers of the shaykh, from one shaykh to another, finally traced back to Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

as-Sīn
China. “Seek knowledge as far as China”, said the beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

sinn
tooth. The teeth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam were wounded in the Battle of Uhud (pl: asnān)

sīrah
biography, refers especially to the biography of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Sirāj ad-dīn
The light of religion, a name or title of a Muslim

as-Sirāt
The bridge stretched over Hell on the Day of Judgment, which all must attempt to cross as one of the manifestations of the Judgment. The most pious Muslims will cross it with the speed of lightening, or as fast as the wind, while some will cross it at walking pace, others will cross it with difficulty, and the grave sinners will stumble and fall into hell. May Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā protect all the Muslims, Āmīn

as-sirāt al-mustaqīm
“the Straight Path of Islām”. May Allāh always keep us on the Straight Path of Islām, Āmīn

sirr
mystery, secret, the depth of the heart, innermost being, an individual's centre of consciousness (pl: asrār)

sirr al-asrār
the secret of secrets, the mystery of mysteries

sirr al-Fātiha
the spiritual mystery of Sūrah al-Fātiha, the first and the greatest chapter of the Holy Qur’ān

sittun min Shawwāl
six days in the month of Shawwāl. It is a Prophetic tradition, and thus a meritorious optional good deed to fast any six days in the month of Shawwāl after ‘Īd al-Fitr

siwāk
twig of the arāk tree used to clean one’s teeth, toothstick. It is a Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) to use it to brush one’s teeth before the five times daily salāh (Prayer). It is also called miswāk

sū’
evil. We have to repel evil with goodness

su’āl
request, question. In Islām, we also learn about the proper manners of asking a question and of replying.
Any perplexing questions we have, are all answered in the Qur’ān and Hadīth

as-Subbūh
The All-Glorious (an attribute of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā)

Subha
string of prayer beads (pl: subuhāt)

Subhāna Rabbiyal ‘Azīm
Glory to my Lord, the Greatest. This is recited three times in the daily Prayer (salāh) when bowing before Allāh

Subhāna Rabbiyal A‘lā
Glory to my Lord, the Most High. This is recited three times in the daily Prayer (salāh) in sajda (prostration to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā)

Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā
Glorified and Exalted is He (Allāh)

SubhānAllāh
“Glory be to Allāh”, exclaimed in jubilation or appreciation. Everything that is in the heavens and the earth declares the Glory of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā.
Among the many different ways of glorifying Allāh are the following:
1. SubhānAllāhi wa bi Hamdihi
Glory be to Allāh with His Praise.
2. SubhānAllāhi’l ‘Azīm wa bi Hamdihi
Glory be to Allāh, the Incomparably Great, with His Praise.
3. SubhānAllāh
wa’l Hamdu Lillāh
wa lā ilāha Illallāh
Wallāhu Akbar
Glory be to Allāh,
and all Praise is for Allāh,
and none is worthy of worship but Allāh,
and Allāh is Supremely Great.
4. SubhānAllāhi wa bi Hamdihī
SubhānAllāhi’l ‘Azīm
Glory be to Allāh with His Praise,
Glory be to Allāh, the Incomparably Great.
5. SubhānAllāhi wa bi Hamdihi
SubhānAllāhi’l ‘Azīm
‘adada khalqih
wa Ridā nafsih
wazinata ‘Arshih
wa midāda kalimātih
Glory be to Allāh with His Praise
Glory be to Allāh, the Incomparably Great,
as many times as His creation,
to the extent of His pleasure,
equal to the weight of His Throne,
and as much as the quantity of the ink used to write His words.
6. SubhānAllāh ‘adada mā khalaqa fi’s samā’
SubhānAllāh ‘adada mā khalaqa fi’l ard
SubhānAllāh ‘adada mā bayna dhālik
SubhānAllāh ‘adada mā huwa Khāliq
Glory be to Allāh as many times as His creation in the sky,
Glory be to Allāh as many times as His creation on earth,
Glory be to Allāh as many times as what is in-between,
Glory be to Allāh as many times as He is the Creator.
The following supplication glorifying Allāh is usually recited at the conclusion of a Muslim gathering:
7. Subhāna Rabbika Rabbi’l ‘Izzati ‘ammā yasifūn
wa salāmun ‘ala’l Mursalīn
wa’l Hamdu Lillāhi Rabbi’l ‘ālamīn
Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honour, (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him).
And peace be upon the Prophetic Messengers.
And all Praise is for Allāh, the Lord of the worlds (37:180-182)

Suffa
a verandah attached to the beloved Prophet Muhammad’s masjid in Madīna where his Companions who were materially poor used to stay and sleep

Sūfī
a Muslim who exclusively seeks the pleasure or nearness of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, musk-scented with the love of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam; a Muslim who has completely purified his body as well as his heart, making his character beautiful and noble; a Muslim who is a master of spiritual states and stations, and on istiqāma (steadfast moral excellence) whom Allāh loves

Sūfiyya
sūfī way of life, based on the Qur’ān and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).
It also means the sūfī masters or the people of tasawwuf. For example, we have:
1. Anwār al-sūfiyya: The spiritual lights of the sūfī masters.
2. Jawāmi‘ ādāb al-sūfiyya: A compendium of the proprieties of the sūfī masters.
3. Mashāyikh al-sūfiyya: Sūfī spiritual masters.
4. Risāla al-sūfiyya: A Treatise about sūfī masters.
5. Tabaqāt al-sūfiyya: Biographies of the sūfī masters, generation after generation.
6. Tārīkh al-sūfiyya: The history of the sūfī masters.
7. Tarīqa al-sūfiyya: The spiritual path of the sūfī masters.
8. Zuhhād al-sūfiyya: sūfī ascetics

suhba
association, companionship (for example, with a shaykh)

suhuf
scriptures, scrolls. Refers to the Revelations from Allāh which Nabī Ibrāhīm ‘Alayhissalām, and Nabī Mūsā ‘Alayhissalām received (s: sahīfa)

sujūd
prostrations to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā as the ultimate act of worshipping Him

sujūd al-qalb
the prostrations of the heart before Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

sukūn
calmness

sulh
peace, reconciliation

sulh al-Hudaybiyya
the Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyya which Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam signed with the non-believers of Makka

sultān
authority, power, ruler, sultan (pl: salātīn)

sultān al-awliyā
the sultān of the sūfī saints, a title of ghawth al-a‘zam Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir al-Jīlānī Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

sultān al-Hind
the sultān of India, the chief of all the sūfī saints of India, a title of Mawlānā Mu‘īnuddīn Chishtī Rahmatullāhi ‘alayh, of Ajmer

sultān al-muqarrabīn
the sultān of those drawn near to Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, the title of Sayyidī wa Murshidī wa Imāmī al-Habīb Ahmad Mashhūr bin Tāhā al-Haddād Rady Allāhu ‘Anhu

sulūk
behaviour, travel, journeying on the spiritual path to attain the love of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā

Sunan
Collections of Sayings of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam. Examples are: Sunan at-Tirmidhī, Sunan an-Nāsāī, Sunan Abū Dāwūd and Sunan Ibn Mājah

Sunnah
the pattern of life of the beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam which comprises the norm and example for his followers; what the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam said, did or approved of. After the Holy Qur’ān, the Sunnah is the second most important source of Muslim law.
Some of the Sunnahs of Prophet Muhammad Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam are:
1. To have the best manners and character.
2. To encourage teaching and learning.
3. To be charitable.
4. To be cheerful and smiling.
5. To be the first one to greet.
6. To be brave.
7. To keep a beard, as was the tradition of all the Prophets ‘Alayhimussalām before him.
8. To wear an ‘imāma (turban).
9. To enter the Grand Masjid in Makka through Bāb as-Salām (the Door of Peace).
10. To be truthful, trustworthy, and scrupulously honest.
11. To intend good and to be sincere.
12. To bear difficulties with great patience.
13. To be neat and tidy.
14. To brush the teeth before every salāh (Prayer).
15. Not to be extravagant or wasteful but to be contented with little.
16. To forgive and be magnanimous.
17. To exert the utmost, especially in inviting non-believers to Islām, to put complete trust in Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, and to leave the outcome to Him

Sunnah wa’l Jamā‘a
the orthodox majority of Muslim scholars

Sunnī
a Muslim who follows the Sunnah or tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, and accepts the Khilāfa of the Khulafā ar-Rāshidūn, that is Sayyidinā Abū Bakr as-Siddīq, Sayyidinā ‘Umar al-Fārūq, Sayyidinā ‘Uthmān Dhu’n Nūrayn, and Sayyidinā ‘Alī al-Murtadā Rady Allāhu ‘Anhum; adheres to any one of the four schools of sacred Muslim law of the Imāms of madh-hab, that is, Imām Abū Hanīfa, Imām Shāfi‘ī, Imām Mālik and Imām Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Rady Allāhu ‘Anhum. Throughout history, the Sunnīs have always formed the largest majority of all Muslims, about 90 per cent. The interpretations of other sects and their sub-sects have always inevitably faded away into insignificance

sūq
market. A Muslim’s heart is tied to the masjid rather than the market (pl: aswāq)

as-sūr
the Trumpet to be blown on the Day of Judgment by the Angel Isrāfīl ‘Alayhissalām, to herald it

Sūrah
a chapter of the Holy Qur’ān. There are 114 sūrahs in the Holy Qur’ān

surūr
happiness, joy. For example, the joy of learning to swim, of serving one’s parents, of listening to the advice of your grandma, of being in a gathering with your shaykh, of praying Salāt at-tarāwÄ«h, of fasting in the month of Ramadān, of doing tawāf, of entering Masjid an-Nabawī, of doing Dhikr of Allāh Subhānahū wa Ta‘ālā, and of reciting Mawlid an-Nabī Sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa Sallam

Al-Fātihā!