Glossary
Abaya - one type of overdress. Can be pull-over style or with a front crossover opening. Often made of georgette or other soft, flowing polyester fabrics. Also see Jilbab.
Allah - Arabic for "God," thus used by Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews as well as by Muslims. Not a proper name for a particular deity. Often followed by the initials SWT, which stands for "subhana wa ta'ala," an expression of praise.
Amira hijab - style of pull-on hijab made of somewhat stretchy cotton-blend fabric. Has two pieces, a very wide tube headband that holds hair in place and a hood piece that covers the head and at least the upper part of the shoulders. Generally covers to the middle of the chest, but may be shorter or as long as fingertip-length. Originally popular in Syria, Amira hijabs are popular in the United States for their ease of wear and care, especially for athletic Muslims and for new hijabis.
Assalamu alaikum - Arabic greeting,
"peace be with you". Spelled many different ways, and sometimes
shortened to simply "salam" or lengthened to "assalamu
alaikum wa rahmatullah" to include the mercy of God upon the recipient.
The appropriate response is "wa'alaikum salam,"
"and peace with you."
Dikr beads - used in supplementary prayer to keep count of repetitions, similar to a rosary or Buddhist mala. The word "dikr" is Arabic for "remembrance".
Dupatta - long rectangular scarf that is often part of shalwar kameez outfits. Can be wrapped like a shayla.
Hijab - general term for the headcovering worn by Muslim women. The term is often used to refer to the square or triangular type scarf that is pinned beneath the chin, but the word can also refer more generally to any type of headcover. Called a "jilbab" in much of Southeast Asia (despite the more common usage of the word "jilbab" as defined below). From the Arabic for "curtain."
Hijabi - a woman who wears a hijab when in public. Similar term: niqabi, referring to a woman who habitually wears a face veil. In Arabic, muhajabah and munaqabah, respectively.
Ikat - type of dyeing process. Sometimes used to refer to the distinctive geometric patterns utilized in ikat work.
Jilbab - one type of overdress. Usually tailored, sometimes with pleats or shoulder pads, often with a front opening. Tends to be of heavier fabric than abayas, but the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Also see Abaya.
Keffiyeh - checked scarf worn by Arab men. This term is spelled various ways, and is also called "smagh" and "Palestinian scarf." Commonly found in red or black, sometimes in blue, rarely in green. Often held in place with a black rope-like band called an agal.
Khimar - generally, a sewn hijab with a triangular tieback underscarf. Typically refers to a longer garment (elbow-length or longer) that fits snugly around the face. Worn by women who want more coverage than the usual square hijab or shayla. This is the top part of two-piece prayer garments, minus the underscarf, and as a prayer garment is worn with an elasticized skirt or wrapped skirt/sarong.
Kufi - knitted cap worn by some Muslim men. In Indonesia, this hat is called a topi.
Milfeh - see Shayla.
Niqab - face veil, worn with a hijab. May cover the lower half of the face only, or the entire face with exception of the eyes, or may cover the face including the eyes. Niqab are held on with elastic, velcro or ties. Traditional styles may vary from those styles most commonly worn. A niqab that covers the whole face, with or without the eyes, is also called a burqa in Saudi Arabia (not to be confused with the well known Afghani style burqa, which covers the entire body).
Salat - obligatory formal prayer in Islam. Required five times a day.
Sarong - traditional Southeast Asian wrapped skirt. May be one long piece of fabric or may be sewn together at the ends to form a large tube. Worn by some men and women in Indonesia as part of their prayer outfit. Men's sarongs are also called izar in Southeast Asia, especially when worn for prayer.
Shalwar kameez - or "salwar kameez". An outfit consisting of a long tunic (kameez) worn over pants (shalwar), and sometimes comes with a dupatta, or very large rectangular scarf, in matching fabric. Traditional to northern India and Pakistan, but modern variations on the tunic/pants combination are found around the world.
Shayla - wrap style hijab. Usually a long rectangular piece wrapped by draping the fabric over the head with the shorter end hanging over one side of the chest, then the longer end is wrapped under the chin and over the head again, then the corner is tucked or pinned by the temple or cheek. The photo on the Welcome page shows one variation of a wrapped shayla with a black underscarf. Also called a milfeh; also see Dupatta.
Sura al-Fatiha - first chapter in the Qur'an. Recited during salat.
Tashahud - set of prayers praising Allah and asking for blessings upon Muhammad's followers. Part of salat.
Wudu - ritual washing, or ablution, in Islam. Required before salat.