GLOSSARY

Faqîr: a poor person who has property more than his subsistence but less than what will make him rich in comparison with the level of richness (nisâb) prescribed by Islam. ‘Nisâb’ is the amount of money or property a person has, excluding what he needs for his subsistence. Nisâb is equivalent to 96 grams of gold or 672 grams of silver (in the Hanafî Madhhab). Faqîr also means a person who does not regard worldly property and who does not hesitate to give his property in the way of Allah. Also, a faqîr is a person who knows that he needs everything and who expects what he needs from Allahu ta’âlâ only. He asks from men, but expects from Allahu ta’âlâ.

Fard: an action, word or thought which Allahu ta’âlâ clearly commands in the Qur’ân al-kerîm. There are two kinds of fard: 1- Fard-i ayn has to be done by everybody, e.g. performing namâz. 2- Fard-i kifâya lapses from other Muslims when one Muslim does it.

For example, it is sunnat to greet a Muslim when meeting him by saying the prescribed Arabic word: “Salâmun alaikum.” And it is fard (Allah’s command) to respond to a Muslim who greets you. That is, you say, “Wa ’alaikum salâm.” If no one acknowledges the greeting they all will become sinful. If one of them greets back the duty will lapse from the others.

Fâtiha: first sûra in the Qur’ân al-kerîm.It is recited during every standing position when performing namâz. It is also recited for the souls of dead Muslims.

Fitra: alms that must be given when the month of Ramadân is over. About two kilograms of wheat or equivalent silver is given.

Halâl: action, word or thought permitted by Allahu ta’âlâ.

Hamd: thanking, praising and lauding. Also Hamd-u thanâ.

Harâm: an action, word or thought prohibited by Allahu ta’âlâ.

Hubb-i fillâh: loving for Allah’s sake. Hating, being hostile for Allah’s sake is called Bughdh-i fillâh