Glossary

Baraka – lit. ‘Blessings’ - A form of blessing, that is derived from a divine origin (God, Allah) and passed on to others as a spiritual reward/benefit.

Hubbat As-Sawdah – Black seed (Nigella sativa) is a flowering plant native to Asia and the Mediterranean. Its seed has been used to make medicine for thousands of years and is known in Prophetic / Islamic medicine as ‘seeds of blessings’

Ruqyah - Ruqyah in Islam is spiritual healing, using the recitation of Qur’an, seeking of refuge and supplications from God/Allah that is used as a means of treating spiritual ailments and afflictions.

ZamZam - The name Zamzam originates from the phrase meaning "stop flowing". It was a phrase repeated by Hajar during her attempt to contain the spring water, in Makkah, Arabia. Today the holy water is globally known as the ZamZam water, a natural flowing spring in Makkah that serves the pilgrims in the sacred Mosque.

Shifa – Shifa is an Arabic word with a shared root with Hebrew, meaning to heal, healer and healing.

Wardah - Wardah is an Arabic word that means flower, rose. More commonly used to refer to rose/s.

Zanjabil – Zanjabil in Arabic is referred to Ginger.

Qarfah – In Arabic to refer to Cinnamon .

Yansun – used in Arabic to refer to Star Anise spice.

Kurkum – Is the Arabic term used to refer to Turmeric. 

Fawakiha - Derives its name from the Arabic word for fruits. Used in classical sense, people often used it to representing the desired result of tasting the "fruits" of understanding in Islamic seminary.

Maghreb – refers to ‘West’ also spelled Maghrib references the region of North Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Classically it included ‘Al Andalusia Spain, and now comprises essentially the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plain of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya.

Balqees - The story of Bilqīs, as the Queen of Sheba is known in Islamic tradition, and appears in Qur’an as an opulent ruler of Saba’ Egypt who was then ruled over by the Prophet Solomon(as).

Mughal - The term Mughal comes from the word Mongol, as the first Mughal emperor Barbur d.1530 could trace his bloodline back to Chinggis Khan via his mother. But the Mughals of India were mostly ethnic Turks not Mongolians.

Burtuqal – an Arabic term meaning Orange. As the ruling Umayyads go forth in conquering the historic kingdom of Leon (711) they bring ‘Burtaqaal’ and other rich spices to the region. Today the European country Portugal is a derived term from the Arabic Burtuqal.

Sultan - Sultan is a classic term in Arabic to mean Strength / Authority. Classically it is a title used by kings, or sovereign especially of a Muslim state.

Narkel– is a sub-continent term used to refer to Coconut. Used mainly in Bengal, Sri Lanka and India.

Qahwah - 'Qahwah' is the Arabic term for the hot beverage coffee.