Here are some suggestions for how to convey Islamic concepts in Sign Language. Some use ASL expansion techniques and some are signs from Saudi Arabia. I have picked these because Islam started in Mecca and Medina, which are both in that country. One difficulty with finding indigenous Muslim signs is that there are many Muslim countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, The Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen), unlike Judaism where one could simply adopt Israeli signs. I would be happy to add any suggestions from Deaf Muslims. You can contact me at dbartzur@earthlink.net

Adalah (عداله)

ALLAH (see below) JUST(ICE).

Adhan (آذان)

SUMMON + (2h)[loose 5], palms face each other, FOs up, hands descend and are clasped at the waist. For a film of the Saudi sign (meaning PRAY), see Pray / prayer.

Afghanistan

(1) [V] knocks the gathered fingers against the DS of the head. (2) (2h)[5:], POs > signer, FOs up, DH taps on NDH palm. (3) DH [A], PO out, circles out around DS ear 2x then becomes [5], PO > head.

Ahl al-Bayt (أهل البيت)

MUHAMMAD (see below) FAMILY.

alaihi asallam (After the mention of prophets: Moses, Jesus, Solomon, etc)

"PRAY" HE HAVE PEACE. Where the first sign is hands clasped together as in prayer, and the hands are shaken slightly back and forth.

Al-fatihah (سورة الفاتحة) - First chapter of the Quran and opening portion of the daily prayers

Kiss dorsum (back of hand), and then palm of [B] + [L], PO away, points upwards. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Al-fatihah. (< THANKS-BE-TO ALLAH)

Algeria (الجزائر)

(2h)[Y], POs > signer, FOs ><, hands twist at wrists so that FTs move parallel to the chest. For a film of this sign, see Algeria (الجزائر).

Allah (الله تعالي)

(1) GOD but mouth "Allah". (2) [1], PO away, FO up, ascends. For a film of this Saudi sign, see God Almighty.

Allahu akbar (نشيد وطني ليبي)

Point to Heaven + ADVANCED. I mouth the Arabic phrase.

Amr-Bil-Ma'ruf (Shia)

GOOD HAPPEN, ENCOURAGE.

Arabic (العربية)

[Y], PO away, FO up, hands moves from rt to lf (whether you are left- or right-handed) while twisting slightly. (< first Arabic fingerspelled letter in the word "Arabic")

astray, "sin" (الضالون)

(2h)[B], NDH PO > DS, FO away, DH PO > signer crosses over the NDH. For a film of this Saudi sign, see astray. (< outside of the straight path)

Bahrain (مملكة البحرين)

[As], taps ulnar (pinky) side of hand against the DS hip. For a film of this sign, see Bahrain (مملكة البحرين).

burkha (برقه. full body covering)

Cover forehead with DH [B] and mouth with NDH, coming in from the sides + CLOTHES. For veil only, see "hijab".

Dome of the Rock (قبة الصخرة) - Famous golden domed "mosque" in Jerusalem

[5:], PO down, touches top of [B], PO down, FO > DS, then DH rises. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Dome of the Rock.

Egypt (مصر)

(2h)[B] rise to touch FTs at an angle, like the peak of a pyramid. For a film of this sign, see Egypt (مصر).

Five pillars of Islam (أركان الإسلام)

(1) MUSLIM BELIEVE INDEX-LIST-OF-FIVE. (2) (2h)[B], palms face each other and hands descend at DS and then NDS + [bC], PO > NDS, FO up, moves forward + INDEX-LIST-OF-FIVE. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Pillars of Islam. (< PILLARS ISLAM LIST-OF-FIVE)

(1) Iman (إيمان) - Faith or belief in the Oneness of God (Allah) and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad

Touch heart with FT of [B^] + (2h)[B], DH PO > NDS, FO away, slides directly away on upturned palm of NDH. (< HEART STRAIGHT/RIGHTEOUS)

(2) Salah, Salat, Namaz ((صلا), Establishment of the 5 daily prayers)

See entry for "pray" + FIVE-TIME EVERYDAY.

(3) Zakah, Zakat (الزكاة) - Concern for and almsgiving to the needy

(1) ONE-FORTIETH. (2) [V], PO > signer is dragged along forearm from elbow, then [O^], PO up, FO away, moves away while rolling fingers to end in an [A]. If this is confusing, use the previous option. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Zakat. (< POOR-PEOPLE PAY-FOR)

(4) Sawm (صوم) - Self-purification through fasting (الصوم)

[Bb] wipes FT across mouth. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Fasting.

(5) Hajj (الحج) - The pilgrimage to Mecca

(2h)[O^], DH PO down, NDH PO up, hands revolve around each + [A] moves like throwing something and ends in an [L]. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Pilgrimage. (< worshippers walking around the Ka'bah and throwing stones at an obelisk, which is part of the Hajj)

Gabriel (جبريل)

[Bb] holds dorsum (backhand) against forehead + mime flapping wings. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Gabriel.

hadith (حديث نبوي)

MUHAMMAD STORY.

Hajj (الحج)

(2h)[O^], DH PO down, NDH PO up, hands revolve around each + [A] moves like throwing something and ends in an [L]. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Pilgrimage. (< worshippers walking around the Ka'bah and throwing stones at an obelisk, which is part of the Hajj)

halal (حلال) - Muslim parallel to kosher

ALLAH + [B], PO > signer, FO up, touches FT to mouth, then moves away while closing to a [Bb]. For a film of this Saudi sign, see halal.

Happy New Year (عيد رأس السنة)

Index finger touches teeth + NEW. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Happy New Year.

hijab (حجاب, veil only)

Cover forehead with DH [B] and mouth with NDH, coming in from the sides.

'Id-al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) - Celebration of Ibrahim not needing to sacrifice his son, Ismail

[5^], PO up, descends down chest and closes to a [O^] + [B], PO down, FO away, slides over the top of [S], PO > DS, FO away. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Eid Al-Adha.

'Id al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) - Breaking the fast of Ramadan

[5^], PO up, descends down chest and closes to a [O^] + [Bb] wipes FT across mouth. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Eid Al-Fitr.

Imam (إمام)

DH [1], NDH [5] is held behind it. Both hands are PO away, FOs up, and the hands bow forward together twice. This is a Saudi sign, which you can see at إمام. but it is somewhat diffficult to see. For a clearer production, see Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) - Imam.

Iman (إيمان)

Touch heart with FT of [B^] + (2h)[B], DH PO > NDS, FO away, slides directly away on upturned palm of NDH. (< HEART STRAIGHT/RIGHTEOUS)

inshall

(1) GOD WILLING [mouth "inshall"]. (2) [1], PO away ascends + WILLING [mouth "inshall"].

Iran

[A dot] taps thumb 2x against palm of [B]. (< indigenous sign for "gasoline.")

Iraq (العراق)

[Bb] is held with thumbside against the forehead. For a film of this sign, see Iraq (العراق).

Islam (الإسلام)

[bC], PO > NDS, FO up, moves forward. For a film of this Saudi sign, see basis (Pillars) of Islam. "Islam" is the first sign.

jihad (الجهاد)

GO-TOWARDS-GOAL WORLD IMPROVE. The first sign is like GOAL, but the DH moves in a vertical circle trying to reach its goal.

Jordan (المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية)

[L], FO up, touches thumb to forehead. For a film of this sign, see Jordan - المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية.

Kaaba, Ka'bah (الكعبه المشرفة)

(2h)[O^], DH PO down, NDH PO up, NDH stays in place and DH revolves around it like worshippers walking around the Ka'bah.

khubatul jumu'a

(1) EVERY-FRIDAY WORSHIP. (2) FRIDAY WORSHIP.

khums (خمس)

ONE-FIFTH.

Kuwait (الكويت)

(2h)[H], POs ><, FOs away, DH slices back across NDH FT. For a film of this sign, see Kuwait - الكويت.

Lebanon (لبنان)

(2h)[index, middle finger and thumb], POs away, FOs up, close repeatedly, like the ASL sign for NO while descending and separating. For a film of this sign, see Lebanon - لبنان. (< cedar tree on flag.)

Libya (ليبيا)

FT of [B] stroke cheek without bending. For a film of this sign, see Libya - ليبيا.

Makkah, Mecca (مكة)

(2h)[B], PO > signer, FOs up, moves to and fro. For a film of this sign, see Mecca.

masjid, mosque (مسجد)

(1, ASL) [bC], PO away, FO up, taps against top of [S], PO down, FO away. (2) DH [bC], PO away, FO up, rests on the dorsum (backhand) of [B], PO down, FO > DS. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Mosque.

Medina (المدينة المنورة)

[1], PO away, FO up, touches ear and then moves > DS twice. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Medina.

minaret (مئذنة)

(2h)[C], POs ><, FOs -CL'tower' + (2h)[C] are cupped behind ears and the mouth is moved like a muezzin who is calling people to prayer.

Morocco (المغرب)

(2h)[B], POs > signer, FOs ><, hands are held with DH just above eyes and NDH just below. Hands make tiny symmetric circles in place For a film of this sign, see Morocco - المغرب.

Muhammad, Mohammed (محمد رسول الله)

[B], PO down, FO > NDS, touches chin and descends. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Mohammed Messenger of God. (< Muhammad's beard)

muezzin (المؤذن)

LEAD + (2h)[B] are held with palms facing away and thumbs against respective cheeks.

Muslim (مسلم)

[bC], PO > NDS, FO up, moves forward + AGENT.

Nahi-Anil-Munkar (Shia)

BAD HAPPEN, FORBID.

Night vigil prayer (قيام الليل)

This is too complex for me to describe, but to see it, go to Night vigil prayer (قيام الليل).

Nubuwwah

ALLAH APPOINT PROPHET. APPOINT is [5], PO away, FO up, closes to [F] while moving > NDS and striking palm of [B], PO away, FO up, with its thumbside.

Oman (سلطنة عمان)

[5], PO > signer, FO > NDS, puts thumb under chin. For a film of this sign, see Oman - اسلطنة عمان.

Palestine (فلسطين)

[5], PO > NDS, touches shoulder with thumb and closes to an [S], one finger at a time. For a film of this sign, see Palestine - فلسطين.

Paradise (الجنة)

(2h)[S], PO > signer, FO up, ascend and open to (2h)[5]. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Paradise. (< LIGHT.)

pray (يصلي / الصلاة)

(2h)[loose 5], palms face each other, FOs up, hands descend and hands overlap each other at the waist. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Pray / prayer.

prayer niche (صلاة المتخصصه)

Cup hands behind ears + [N dot], PO down, FO away, "stands" behind [C dot], PO > signer, FO > DS.

Qayamat

ALLAH JUDGE (2h)#ALL WILL, where the third sign is (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].

Qatar (قطر)

[X], PO > NDS, FO up, descends slightly while opening to a [1]. For a film of this sign, see Qatar - قطر.

Quran, Koran (القرآن الكريم)

BOOK ALLAH. For a film of this Saudi sign, see القرآن الكريم.

radhia allahu anhu (After the high Kaliphs: Abu Bakar, Omar, Othman, Ali)

"PRAY" HE MAKE ALLAH HAPPY.

Ramadan (رمضان)

[Bb] wipes FT across mouth + MONTH.

salaam alaikum(u)

Salute to the side and then touch your heart. To see a video of this sign, go to imandeaf-serrdeaf.

Salah (صلا)

(2h)[loose 5], palms face each other, FOs up, hands descend and are clasped at the waist [PRAY] + FIVE-TIME EVERYDAY.

Salat

(2h)[loose 5], palms face each other, FOs up, hands descend and are clasped at the waist [PRAY] + FIVE-TIME EVERYDAY.

sallahu alaihi asallam - After the mention of Muhammad

PRAY HE HAVE ALLAH 'S PEACE.

Saudi Arabia (المملكة العربية السعودية)

[H], PO > signer, FO > NDS, touches DS of forehead. For a film of this sign, see Saudi Arabia - المملكة العربية السعودية.

Sawm (صوم)

[Bb] wipes FT across mouth. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Fasting.

Shahadah (شهادتان, "There is none worthy of worship except God and Muhammad is the messenger of God.")

ONLY ALLAH WORTH WORSHIP. HIS-Allah's MESSENGER WHO? MUHAMMAD. [A more literal translation would be that "There is no god but The God (allah = al + ilah), and Muhammad is the messenger of The God".]

Shia (الشيعه)

(1) S-H-I-A. (2) Hands are held rigidly at sides. (< gesture used when praying)

Sudan (السودان)

[A dot], PO > signer, FO > NDS, strokes at the corner of the mouth. For a film of this sign, see Sudan - السودان.

Sunna (السنة النبوية)

[B], PO down, FO > NDS, touches chin and descends + (2h)[B], DH PO > NDS, FO away, slides directly away on upturned palm of NDH. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Sunna of the Prophet. (< MUHAMMAD STRAIGHT [path])

Sunni (أهل السنة و الجماعة)

(1) S-U-N-N-I. (2) Hands are folded at elbows. (< gesture used when praying)

Syria (سوريا)

[straight M], PO > signer, touches FTs to palm of [B], PO > DS, FO away from signer. For a film of this sign, see Syria (سوريا). (< "straight M" is actually the Arabic letter "sin", the first letter in "Syria".)

Tabarra

MUHAMMAD FAMILY THEIR ENEMY, CURSE, where the last sign is [5:] is held against mouth and is brought out as a shaken fist.

Tawalla

LOVE MUHAMMAD FAMILY.

Tawhid (التوحيد)

ALLAH ONE*.

The Orthodox Caliphs (الخلفاء الراشدين)

This is hard to explain, so I suggest you look at the link provided, but if it is not there: DH [S], PO > signer, FO > NDS, NDH curls around DH from above. DH opens to a [4], while the NDH is still curled around the dorsum. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Righteous Caliphs. (< FOUR FRIENDS [of Allah])

Tunisia (تونس)

Thumb of [bC], PO > NDS, FO away, touches forehead. For a film of this sign, see Tunisia (تونس).

Turkey (Türkiye)

[bC] moves up and down at forehead.¹ (< crescent moon on flag.)

United Arab Emirates (دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة)

[bC] brushes FT against cheek from ear to chin as if outlining the beard. For a film of this sign, see United Arab Emirates (دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة).

Yemen (اليمن)

[Y], FO > NDS, rubs palm against midchest while moving up and down. For a film of this sign, see Yemen (اليمن).

Zakah (الزكاة)

(1) ONE-FORTIETH. (2) [V], PO > signer is dragged along forearm from elbow, then [O^], PO up, FO away, moves away while rolling fingers to end in an [A]. If this is confusing, use the previous option. For a film of this Saudi sign, see Zakat. (< POOR-PEOPLE PAY-FOR)