A useful reference work in which many of the words commonly used in Da'wah conversations and talks have been complied in a dictionary style for both non-native speakers of English as well as native speakers.
Readers are invited to add their own words and definitions with examples according to the format used in the Da'wah Dictionary. It is deliberately called "Towards a Da'wah Dictionary" instead of "The Da'wah Dictionary" because it is still in its infancy and there is a lot to add to make it more comprehensive.
The Dictionary is especially valuable to non-native speakers and was
originally developed for the Da'wah Training Courses which Dr Bilal conducted
in Doha, Qatar.
abolish v. -to cancel, to put an end to or stop a law or system officially. Usage: The infanticide that was common amongst the Pre-Islamic Arabs was totally abolished by the Qur'an.
ablution n. - the ceremonial washing of parts of the body or of sacred vessels, etc. Usage: The Bible tells of how Moses used to make ablution before prayers and as Muslims we do the same.
abstain v. - to stop yourself from doing something you enjoy. Usage: Devout Muslims teach their children from a young age to abstain from sexual contact until they are married.
addictive drug n. - a drug which causes the user to become dependent upon it. Usage: God has forbidden the use of addictive drugs as they are harmful and destructive both to the individual and to the society as a whole.
adultery n. - the act of unlawful sex committed by married (or, according to Islam, formerly married) people. Usage: Adultery is a capital crime in most religions because it destroys not only the family but the whole society.
alcoholism n. - the compulsive drinking of alcohol. Usage: Alcoholism is so destructive that in Islam whoever sells it, carries it, pours it into a cup, serves it, buys it or drinks it are all cursed by God.
amputation n. - the removing of a body part (e.g. a hand or a foot). Usage: The amputation of the hand is an Islamic punishment applied mostly to professional thieves to maintain public safety and security.
annul v.- to cancel, to do away with. annulled v./adj. -nullified, cancelled. Usage: Marriages are not easily annulled in Islam, but when it is discovered that the marriage took place under false pretenses, it may be annulled.
apostasy n. - abandonment of (leaving from), or revolt (fighting) against one's own religion. Usage: One can never be forced into becoming a Muslim and thus apostasy in Islam is one of the worst sins.
arbitrary adj. - determined by chance, whim or impulse. Not limited to law. Usage: In Islam nothing in life is seen as arbitrary because Muslims know that God determines all things.
ascendant n.- a person who
ascends, going before a relative in regards to inheritance. Usage:
The Prophets Abraham and Jacob are the great-grand fathers of Prophet
Moses. They are his ascendants.
ascribe adj. - to explain as coming from a particular cause, source or origin; to link in the imagination or mind. See associate.
associate v. - to link in the imagination or mind. Usage: In Islam, belief in God's unity (Tawheed) means that one should not associate (ascribe) anything as a partner of God.
atheist n. a person who believes that there is no God. Usage: Atheists worship false gods by totally obeying their own desires and opinions.
authentic adj. - that you know is true or genuine. Usage: The Qur'an can be proven authentic while the Bible has been proven inauthentic by Bible scholars themselves.
To be continued.. next issue.
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