Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B key terms

Submission to Allah. The word shares an Arabic root with salaam, meaning peace.

Prejudice, hostility or discrimination directed against Muslims or people perceived to be Muslim.

A retreat in a mosque devoted to worship, Qur’an study, reflection and repentance, particularly towards the end of Ramadan.

The traditional name for the Angel of Death, who takes people’s souls at the time appointed by Allah.

Hell: the state of punishment and suffering after Allah’s judgement.

The structures at Mina at which pilgrims throw small pebbles to symbolise rejecting the devil and temptation.

A traditional account of Guru Nanak's life, including accounts of his religious experiences.

Paradise: the afterlife of peace and reward granted by Allah.

Repeated recitation of a mantra or divine name, often counted using prayer beads.

The leader of a Sikh takht, or seat of authority.

A statement presented by Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg at Assisi in 1986, explaining Jewish responsibilities towards nature through compassion, moral duty and care for God’s creation.

A state of deep meditative absorption and concentration. In the Maha-Saccaka Sutta, the Buddha describes progressing through four jhanas before attaining liberating knowledge.

A method of slaughter intended to kill an animal immediately and minimise its suffering.

The Angel of Revelation, known in English as Gabriel, who conveyed the Qur’an from Allah to Muhammad.

Striving or struggling in the way of Allah; it is not limited to warfare.

Liberation while still alive: union with God rather than a state that can only begin after death.

Compassion for living beings.

Spiritual knowledge or insight that overcomes ignorance about the true self.

The spiritual path of knowledge and discernment, directed towards understanding the true Self.

A Japanese Pure Land Buddhist tradition in which clergy may marry and have families.

God understood as the one who judges human conduct fairly, rewarding good and punishing evil.

God’s assessment of a person’s actions, associated with reward or punishment.

Friday congregational prayer, associated with a sermon called a khutbah.

A morally defensible reason for fighting, such as defending people against aggression or protecting innocent people.

Fair treatment of people, including protecting their rights and challenging oppression.

Being made right with God. Galatians 3:23–29 connects justification with faith in Christ.

A war considered morally justified because both its purpose and the methods used to fight it are just.