Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A key terms

Jesus’ instruction to his followers to spread his teachings and make disciples throughout the world.

The personal struggle to become a better Muslim by resisting wrongdoing, improving character and doing good.

A traditional form of chant associated with the Roman Catholic liturgy, usually setting Latin sacred words to a single, unaccompanied melodic line.

A Sikh place of worship, where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and the community gathers.

A person whose life is guided by the Guru rather than by self-centred desires.

‘By the Guru’s grace’: the teaching that understanding God is made possible through the Guru’s guidance and grace.

An anniversary commemorating a significant event in a Sikh Guru’s life, especially a birth or martyrdom.

A teacher; in religious practice, a spiritual teacher who guides a disciple towards spiritual understanding and realisation.

The Sikh scripture, respected as the living Guru and the authority for Sikh belief and practice.

A small book containing Sikh prayers, used for daily recitation.

A report about the words, actions or approval of the Prophet Muhammad; hadiths help Muslims understand how to live.

The process of gathering Hadith reports into collections and examining their reliability.

An account of Muhammad’s speech at Khumm, understood by Shi’a Muslims as appointing Ali as his successor and by Sunni Muslims as affirming that Ali should be held in high regard.

The book containing the story, prayers and instructions used during the Pesach Seder.

The Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, with which Id-ul-Adha is closely connected.

Jewish law, which guides religious observance and everyday life.

Something permitted under Islamic law; the opposite of haram.

A collection of psalms of praise, Psalms 113–118, recited in Jewish worship on particular occasions.

A perception, such as seeing an image or hearing a voice, without a corresponding external stimulus.

The Japanese ‘Flower Festival’, celebrating the Buddha’s birth.

A person devoted to worshipping the one God rather than idols; the Qur’an describes Ibrahim in this way.

Something forbidden under Islamic law.

A historically significant Sikh gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab, India, also known as the Golden Temple.

Self-centred pride or ego that draws a person’s attention away from God.

A Hindu fire ritual in which offerings are placed into a sacred fire while prayers or mantras are recited.

The ceremony marking the end of Shabbat and its separation from the ordinary working week.

The husband's leadership within marriage in some Christian interpretations of Ephesians 5. Supporters describe it as responsibility for loving, sacrificial care rather than unrestricted control.