GLOSSARY
For a number of these words more than one spelling is current, and for them variant spellings are given. These variations are due to two facts: first, that some writers prefer the more scientific and others the more customary rendering of Arabic words; and second, that pronunciation varies in different regions. There are some consonants in Arabic which are unlike any in English. No attempt will be made to indicate these. Vowels are pronounced as in the Romance languages. Accented a is the same as a in father, though somewhat flatter in tone; unaccented a is also long, but it is pronounced more hurriedly. Approximate phonetic pronunciation of a few of the following words is suggested in italic type, although as already noted it is impossible to convey an accurate idea of the sound of certain consonants.
Ah ma di'ya (ah-ma-dee'ya) . The name of a modern sect of Moslems who follow the teaching of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
Allah'. God; corresponds to the Jewish term Jehovah.
A mir', A meer' or E mir'. A ruler.
A zan'. The call to prayer.
Ca'liph Kha lif' (ka-leef') or Kha li'fah (ka-lee'fa). Leader; title of the head of the Moslem state.
Der'vish or Dar wish'. A member of a religious order or brotherhood.
Fa qir' or Fa kir'. A religious mendicant.
Ha dith' or Ha dis'. The Traditions; the authoritative collections of the sayings and deeds of Mohammed and his companions.
Ha'fiz. One who has learned the Koran by heart.
Ha'ji. One who has performed the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca.
Ha rem' (ha-reem'). The women's apartments in a Moslem household.
He gi'ra' or Hij'rah. The migration or flight of Mohammed to Medina.
Ib lis'. The devil.
Id. Festival. There are two great festivals: the festival celebrated after the pilgrimage with the sacrifice of sheep and camels in Arabia and cows in India, and the festival at the close of the fast of Ramadan.
