‘Abdu’lláh-i-Ubayy
A prominent opponent of Muḥammad; called “the prince of hypocrites.”

Abraham
See Genesis 11-25;  ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions ~ pages 12-13. Scholars give 2100 B.C.-2000 B.C. as his dates. Regarded by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Friend of God, the Father of the Faithful.

Abú-‘Abdi’lláh
Designation of the sixth of the Shí‘íh Imáms, Ja‘far-i-Ṣádiq (the Veridical), great-grandson of Imám-Ḥusayn. Died A.D. 765, poisoned by Manṣúr, the ‘Abbásid Caliph.

Abú-‘Ámir
An opponent of Muḥammad; a monk.

Abú-Jahl
Literally, the Father of Folly; so styled by the Muslims. An implacable enemy of the Prophet Muḥammad.

A.H.
Anno Hegirae, “in the year of the Hegira”; used to indicate that a date falls within the Islamic era, which began in a.d. 622 with the emigration of Muḥammad from Mecca to Medina.

‘Alí
The son-in-law of the Prophet, the first of the twelve Imams and, according to Shí‘íh Islám, the rightful successor of Muḥammad.

Alif. Lám. Mím.
These and other disconnected letters appear at the head of twenty-nine súrihs of the Qur’án.

al-Madínah
Literally, the city, so called as giving shelter to Muḥammad; known in ancient times as Yathrib. The burial place of Muḥammad; second only to Mecca in sanctity.