Glossary of Arabic Terms
Ahadith (singular, hadith): news, reports. Documented traditions of the
teachings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, which were not in
the Quran but which were recorded for posterity by his close com-
panions and the members of his family.
Ahl al-hadith: Hadith People. A school of thought which first appeared
during the Umayyad period, which would not permit jurists to use
ijtihad (q.v.) but insisted that all legislation be based upon valid aha-
dith (q.v.).
Ahl al-kitab: People of the Book. The Quranic term for people, such as
Jews or Christians, who adhered to the earlier scriptures. Since the
Prophet and most of the early Muslims were illiterate, and had very
few-if any-books, it has been suggested that this term should
more accurately be translated: "followers of an earlier revelation."
Alam al-mithal: the world of pure images. A realm of the human psy-
che which is the source of the visionary experience of Muslim mys-
tics and the seat of the creative imagination.
Alim: see ulama.
Amir: commander.
Ansar: the Medinese Muslims who became the "helpers" of the
Prophet by giving the first Muslims a home when they were forced
to leave Mecca in 622, and assisted them in the project of establish-
ing the first Muslim community.
Batin: the "hidden" dimension of existence and of scripture, which can-
not be perceived by the senses or by rational thought, but which is
discerned in the contemplative, intuitive disciplines of mysticism.
Dar al-Islam: the House of Islam. Lands under Muslim rule.