1.rak`ah: a "unit" or "cycle" of prayer, consistingof standing and reciting Surat al-Fatihah, bowing, standing upright again, then kneeling and prostrating twice. Prayers consist of two, three or four rak`ahs.
2.sadaqah: charity.
3.Sahabah: the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH).
4.Sahabi: singular of Sahabah.
5.sahih: with reference to ahadith, sound, authentic.
6.salaf: the early generations of Muslims, i.e., the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) and the generation immediately following them.
8.salat: the "formal" prayer which is to be offered five times daily.
9.shari`ah: Islamic law
10.Shawwal: the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, immediately following Ramadan.
11.shirk: polytheism, the sin of associating anything in worship with Allah. This is the only sin for which there will be no forgiveness: if a person dies as a mushrik, he is truly doomed.
12.sirah: biography, specifically that of the Prophet (PBUH).
13.siwak: a small stick which comes from a specific tree and is used as a toothbrush. In the West, siwak may be purchased at Islamic bookstores and halal grocery stores.
14.subh: another name for fajr (early morning) prayer.
15.suhur: the pre-dawn meal eaten before fasting.
16.tabarruj: wanton display, flaunting oneself in contradiction to the Islamic rulings on dress and modest behaviour.
17.Tabi`i: (literally "follower") a member of the generation of Muslims following the Sahabah, may Allah be pleased with them. A Muslim who met or saw a Sahabi is described as a Tabi`i.
18.tahajjud: voluntary prayer that is performed at night between the times of `isha' and fajr.
19.tajwid: correct recitation of Qur'an, following precise rules of pronunciation and articulation.
20.takbir: saying "Allahu akbar."
21.taqwa: piety, "God-consciousness." Taqwa involves constant awareness and remembrance of Allah, and conscious efforts to adhere to His commandments and abstain from whatever He has forbidden