• There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, comprising 19.6% of the world population (CSIS report, 1800 K St, NW, Washington, DC, 20006)
  
• Islam is growing 21.2% faster than Christianity
  
• "Muslims in America already outnumber Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Mormons, and they are more numerous than Quakers, Unitarians, Seventh-day Adventists, Mennonites, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Christian Scientists, combined. Many demographers say Islam has overtaken Judaism as the country's second-most commonly practiced religion." (US News, 7/20/98)
  
• "There are nearly 2000 mosques nationwide as well as numerous Islamic day schools and Sunday and weekend schools." (Omar Khalidi, "Mosque," in Wade Clark Roof, Contemporary American Religion. New York: Macmillan, 2000)
  

According to a survey released April 26, 2001, by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington, DC: (Click Here to download the complete report)

• The total number of mosques in the US increased 25% between 1994 and 2000
  
• Average attendance of mosques during that same period increased 94%
  
• About 34% of regular participants at the typical mosque have joined within the last five years
  
• On the average, one in three regular participants (29%) is a convert to Islam
  
  But other studies contest these facts and indicated that these statistics are much exaggerated. This study was conducted by the University of Chicago after CAIR had published their findings.
  
  

ABRAHAM - Father of the three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam ABU BAKHR / ABU BAKR– the first Caliph and successor to Muhammad ADHAN– call to prayer AHL AL-KITAB – “People of the Book.” Qur’anic reference to Christians, Jews, Sabaeans and Zoroastrians. AL-ADHA– “sacrifices.” Also a feast holiday on the Muslim calendar. ALI – cousin of Muhammad revered by Shi’ites. ALIM – a recognized scholar of the Qur’an and hadith. ALLAH – “the God.” Arabic name for God. ALLAHU AKHBAR – “God is great.” AL-WAHHAB – founder of the Wahhabis which led to the creation of the Saudi state in Arabia AYAT – lit., “sign.” A verse in the Qur’an. BISMILLAH – “In the name of God.” CALIPH – “successor.” A title given to the rulers of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad. DHIKR – “recollection (of God)” DIN – “religion” FARD – religious duty FATIMA – daughter of Muhammad FATWA – legal opinion FIQH – “understanding.” The science of legal interpretation. GABRIEL – the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad HADITH – lit., “new.” Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad. There exist various notable collections of hadith, such as al-Muwatta, al-Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca HANAFIS – a school of law named for Abu Hanif HANBALIS – a school of law named for Ibn Hanbal HAQQ - TRUTHHEGIRA – “migration.” The flight of Muhammad in 622 AD to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. HEZBOLLAH – the “Party of Allah.” Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem HOLY WAR – “jihad.” The act of striving to preserve or impose the religion of God. ID AL-FITR – feast at the end of Ramadan IFTAR – breaking of the fast after sunset IHRAM – cloth worn by the pilgrim to Mecca IJMA– consensus of the scholars IMAM– a Muslim religious leader INJIL– Arabic title for the holy book given to Jesus. INTIFADA - “awakening,” or “uprising” ISLAM – “surrender” ISNAD – the chain of authority of hadith JIHAD – “to strive for the faith.” Commonly referred to as a holy war to preserve or impose God’s religion. JINN– spirits JIZYA– poll tax judgment: heaven and hell KA'BA – lit., “square.” The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A structure believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham, and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage of all Muslims. KHADIJA – first wife of Muhammad KHARAJ – land tax KHUTBA – sermon during the Friday prayer MADHHAB – religious-legal school MADRASA – “school” MAHDI – “the rightly guided one” who will appear before the Last Judgment MALIKIS – a school of law named for Malik ibn Anas Mary, mother of Jesus MASJID – mosque. The common place of prayer. MATN – text of hadithMecca – The birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city in Islam, and is where the Ka’ba is located. Medina – The city 260 miles north of Mecca, where Muhammad took refuge in 622 AD. Muhammad built the first mosque in Medina and was buried there. MIHRAB – niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca MINARET – tower from which the call to prayer is made MINBAR – pulpit used for the Friday sermon MOSQUE – The common place of prayer MU'AWIYA – The Muslim leader who forced Ali out of the Caliphate. This began the division in Islam, with Mu’awiya leading the Sunni sect. mufti – legal scholar MUTA – temporary marriage pilgrimage (hajj) QADAR – “destiny” QADI– religious judge QIYAS – “analogy” QUR'AN – “recite.” The book that was revealed to Muhammad and is the basis of the Islamic faith. QURAYSH – the tribe from which Muhammad came. RAKA – bodily positions in ritual prayer RAMADAN – The month of fasting for Muslims, during which all Muslims who are able should abstain abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. RAY – “opinion” RIBA – usury SAHIH – a “sound” HADITH SALADIN (or, Salah al-Din) – Defeated the Crusader army in 1187 during the Third Crusade, returning Jerusalem to Islamic rule. SALAT– the prayer that is practiced by Muslims five times a day. SAWM– the fast during the month of Ramadan. During this month a Muslim should abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. SHAFI'I – intercessor on Judgment Day SHAFI'IS – a school of law named for al- SHAFISHAHADA – “confession.” The Muslim’s testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger. SHARI'A – “law.” Islamic law that governs daily life. SHARIF – “noble” SHI'AT ALI – “Party of Ali.” Shai’, or Shi’ite sect of Islam. SHI'ITE – “followers.” The name of the sect that followed Ali after Mu’awiya forced him from the Caliphate. SHIRK – the sin of blasphemy against God SHURA - council SIRAT – bridge over hell to be crossed at the Last Judgment SUFI – A Muslim mystic. SUFISM – A mystic sect of Islam. SUNNA – “tradition.” The deeds of Muhammad that serve as the example followed by the Sunni community. SUNNI – “followers of the path.” The name of the sect who followed Mu’awiya after he forced Ali from the Caliphate. SURA – A chapter of the Qur’an. There are 114 suras. TAHAJUD – night prayer TALAQ – divorce TARAWIH – prayers offered after the breaking of fast of Ramadan TARIQA – “path” TASFIR – Exegesis of the Qur’an. TASIN – beginning of sura TAWRAT – Arabic title for the Torah. TILAWAT – recitation of the Qur’an ULAMA– legal scholars Umayyad/Umayyads UMMA – the Muslim community URF – customary law UTHMAN - Uthman ibn ‘Affan was chosen as the third Caliph in 644. Wahhabis WAHID – “one” WAQF – a foundation or trust given for the establishment of charity or education. WUDU - ablution ZABUR – Arabic title for the Psalms of David. ZAKAT – almsgiving