Descriptionary

Sikhism largely Indian religion, originally guided by gurus, but now authorized by the Sikh scriptures known as the Adi Granth. Sikhs believe in a formless God who is beyond human comprehension. Karma and reincarnation are accepted beliefs.

Trimurti the three forces of God; Brahma, the cre­ative force; Vishnu, the preserving force; and Shiva, the destructive force.

untouchables formerly, those peasants outside the caste system; physical contact with them would "pol­lute" a caste member and so they were avoided. Such discrimination still exists in rural areas. Also known as the Scheduled Caste or panchamas.

Vaishnavism worship of the god Vishnu, thought by some to be the Supreme Being.

Vaisya the third Hindu caste, ranking below Brah­mins and Kshatriyas. Specifically, merchants and busi­nessmen.

vedas Hindu scriptures.

Vishnu the god who preserves life, thought to be the Supreme Being by some followers.

Yama god of the underworld.

yoga a school of Hindu philosophy that combines mental and physical disciplines, noted for its medita­tion and system of exercises used to achieve spiritual well-being.

yogi one who practices yoga. ISLAM

adhan the call to prayers at dawn, midday, midaft- ernoon, sunset, and after dark.

Allah Supreme God; the same God as that pro­nounced by Moses and Jesus.

al-Rahim one of Islam's 99 Beautiful Names of God, meaning "the compassionate."

al-Rahman one of Islam's 99 Beautiful Names of God, meaning "the merciful."

ayatollah an authority and interpreter of Muslim law.

azan the call to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

Bismalah a call for Allah's blessing.

Black Stone in the courtyard of the great mosque at Mecca, a sacred stone kissed and touched by pilgrims.

Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, a domed shrine over the rock from which Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven.

Fatiha the first chapter of the Koran, used as a prayer on many occasions.

five pillars of Islam the five requirements of the Islamic religion: repeating the creed, praying five times per day, giving alms, fasting, and making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in one's lifetime.

hajj the pilgrimage to Mecca to visit several sacred sites, including the Black Stone.

halal a term similar to kosher in Judaism, meaning food has been judged fit to eat by Islamic dietary law; for example, an animal about to be slaughtered must be facing the direction of Mecca, and its blood must be completely drained before butchering.

imam the leader of prayer in a mosque.

infidel one who belongs to any faith other than Islam.

Jahannam Islamic term for hell.

jihad spreading the faith and fighting against the enemies of Islam. Also, a holy war.

Kaaba the stone sanctuary in Mecca that contains the Black Stone.

Koran the sacred text that contains the revela­tions of Allah as made to Muhammad. Also spelled Qur'an.

Lailat-ul-Bara'h the Night of Forgiveness, a Mus­lim festival devoted to forgiveness.

Lailat-ul-Qadar the Night of Power, a Muslim festi­val celebrating the giving of the Koran to Muhammad.

Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the most sacred city of Islam, where Muhammad, the prophet of God, was born.

minaret the mosque tower from which the faithful are called to prayer.

Moslem see Muslim.

mosque a building for Muslim worship.

muezzin the one who calls the faithful to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.

Muhammad the prophet of God or Allah; he received revelations from God and is the founder of Islam.

mullah a Muslim scholar who interprets Islamic law.

Muslim an adherent of the Islamic religion. Also spelled Moslem.

prayer mat a mat or carpet laid to face Mecca and kneeled on to conduct prayers. Also known as seg- gadeh.

purdah a term referring to the Koran teaching that women must keep their bodies covered and let only their faces and hands show in public to protect their virtue.

Qur'an see Koran.

Ramadan a month of daily fasting between sunrise and sunset accompanied by religious study. It is the ninth month of the lunar calendar.

Salam Alaikum "Peace be upon you," a common Muslim greeting.

Salat the prayers that must be recited five times per day to satisfy one of the five pillars of Islam.

Shiites Muslims belonging to the minority Shia sect.

shirk the most severe Muslim sin—putting anything on a par with Allah.

Siyam the Muslim requirement to fast during Rama­dan.

Sunnis members of the largest Islamic religious group who adhere only to the teachings of Muham­mad.

zakat the giving of alms, one of the five pillars of Islam.

Judaism

Adonai the name of the Lord, pronounced this way whenever the letters YHWH occur in the Torah.

amidah "standing"; the prayer recited at all Jewish services.

anti-Semitism discrimination against Jews.