Religious Studies key terms

Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, whom Shi’a Muslims recognise as the first Imam and Muhammad’s rightful successor.

The honour of being called up during the synagogue’s Torah reading to recite the accompanying blessings.

The Arabic word for God, used by Muslims to refer to the one God.

A story in which particular characters, objects or events represent other things, giving it a deeper meaning.

Money or goods given to people in need.

Giving food, robes, money or other support to monks or the monastic community.

Divine decree or predestination: belief that everything is within Allah's knowledge and sovereign will.

Selfless concern for other people’s welfare, rather than acting for personal benefit.

A Buddha associated with the western Pure Land, towards which the deceased’s head may be positioned in Japanese Pure Land funerals. Also known as Amitabha Buddha.

The central Jewish ‘standing prayer’, consisting of blessings which praise God, ask for God's help and express thanks.

The Buddha on whom Pure Land Buddhists place their faith, believed to reside in Sukhavati and help beings towards enlightenment; also called Amida.

The Muslim duty to encourage others to do good and follow Allah’s guidance.

The Shi'a obligatory act of encouraging others to do what is right according to Islam.

Meaning ‘nectar of immortality’, the mixture of water and sugar prepared with scriptural recitation and a double-edged sword for Sikh initiation. It signifies spiritual renewal.

A Sikh who has undergone Amrit Sanskar and belongs to the Khalsa.

A Sikh who has received amrit through Amrit Sanskar and belongs to the Khalsa.

The Sikh initiation ceremony in which a person receives amrit and joins the Khalsa, accepting its discipline.

The Sikh initiation ceremony through which a person joins the Khalsa, the community of initiated Sikhs.

The sacred pool surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where pilgrims may bathe while seeking spiritual cleansing.

A comparison between two things used to suggest that something true of one may also be true of the other.

The Sikh marriage ceremony, meaning ‘blissful union’, conducted in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Buddhist teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.

A spiritual being created by Allah who worships Him, obeys His commands and carries out assigned tasks. The Arabic plural for angels is malaikah.

Rage or hostility that controls thoughts, words or actions; also called krodh.

The murderer in a Buddhist story who abandoned violence after meeting the Buddha, became a monk and eventually attained Enlightenment.

Impermanence: the Buddhist teaching that things dependent on conditions change and do not remain permanently the same.

The use of animals in scientific research, including studying diseases and testing possible medicines or the safety of substances.