Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

A report of the Prophet Muhammad's words, actions or approvals, used as a source of guidance by Muslims.

A male Muslim who has memorised the whole Qur’an; the corresponding female title is hafizah.

The Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, required once in a lifetime for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it.

Jewish religious law, developed through the Torah, rabbinic interpretation and legal tradition.

Permitted under Islamic teaching.

A perception-like experience without the corresponding external object or event being present.

A Japanese Buddhist festival celebrating the Buddha’s birth on 8 April.

An action that is forbidden in Islam.

An Arabic expression for ‘holy war’, used in this topic. It is not the Qur’an’s term for jihad, and many Muslims reject it as a description of Islamic warfare.

The historic Sikh gurdwara in Amritsar, Punjab, India, also known as the Golden Temple.

Self-centred ego: placing oneself above others rather than recognising one's relationship with God and humanity.

A sacred fire ceremony in which offerings are placed into the fire, accompanied by mantras.

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

The belief that a husband has a particular responsibility to lead his family. Christians who support this often interpret leadership as loving service rather than domination.

Eternal life in the presence of God, understood by Christians as a place or state of being with God.

A certification mark indicating that a food product meets kosher requirements.

Separation from God, traditionally associated with punishment after judgement; Christians differ over its nature and whether it is everlasting.

A teaching judged by the Church to contradict its established faith.

Violence or harm towards living beings.

An Indian law governing Hindu marriage and divorce, which permits divorce on specified grounds and remarriage once the legal requirements are met.

The state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945.

Sacred or connected to God.

The person of the Trinity through whom God is present and active in people's lives, helping them to grow in faith and follow God's will.

A war fought for a religious purpose or believed by its participants to have religious approval.

The week beginning with Palm Sunday in which Christians remember the events leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

An explanation given by a priest or deacon during Mass, helping the congregation understand the Scripture readings or other liturgical texts and their relevance to Christian life.

A place or service providing end-of-life care, including symptom relief and support for patients and their families.