Glossary
GLOSSARY OF TERMS PERTINENT TO IRAN & THE PERSIAN GULF AREA: Most terms taken from Robert Baer’s book, The Devil We Know. They have been cross-referenced with Merriam-Webster for accuracy.
Islam – The religious faith of Muslims, based on words and religious system founded by the prophet Muhammad and taught by the Koran, the basic principle of which is absolute submission to a unique and personal god, Allah. Literally including all Muslims, their civilization and their countries where Islam is the dominant religion.
Shi’a – Muslims of the branch of Islam comprising sects believing Ali (son of Abu Talib and young cousin of Prophet Muhammad—warrior, knowledgeable judge, righteous leader of the Muslim nation) and the Imams are the only rightful successors of Muhammad.
Shiite –A Muslim of the Shi’a branch of Islam.
The Shi’a practice ijtihad—the exercise of independent judgment, in effect, ijtihad means that a trained Shi’a imam may interpret the Koran according to reason and precedent. In other words a strictly literal interpretation of the Koran is rare in Shi’a Islam. Ijtihad allows Shi’a Islam to adapt much better to the twenty-first century. Iran and parts of Iraq are Shi’a.
Caliph – pronounced ka-lef. A successor of Muhammad as temporal and spiritual head of Islam. Used as a title similar to priest or pastor.
Sunni – Muslims of the branch of Islam that adheres to the orthodox tradition and acknowledges the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad. Who are Sunni:
Sunni fundamentalist have one plan-of-action and that is to convert the world to Islam and in some cases this means the wholesale slaughter of anyone (man, woman, child) not agreeing to this religious doctrine. Another important word relevant here is takfiri – A dualistic Sunni militant who strictly divides the world into believers and non-believers. Nonbelievers are beyond the pale of the law, and the takfiri believes it is licit to destroy them. Osama bin Laden and his followers (Yemen, Saudi Arabia, parts of Iraq) are Sunni.
Koran – Also Qur’an. The book composed of sacred writings accepted by Muslims as revelations made to Muhammad by Allah through the angel Gabriel.
Imam – A Muslim leader of the line of Ali held by Shiites to be the divinely appointed, sinless, infallible successors of Muhammad. Any of various rulers that claim descent from Muhammad and exercise spiritual and temporal leadership over a Muslim region.
Ayatollah – A religious leader among Shiite Muslims—used as a title of respect especially for one who is not an Imam.