Swahili Religious Terms

Abstract

arrived, they rejected some of these terms and adopted others for their translations of works on Christian theology. The difficulty in assessing the similarity in meaning between the Islamic term and a concept known in Christian theology arises from the fact that the logical basic content of the word may be the same while the sentimental overtones or the cultural applicability of a word may be entirely different. Consequently, two terms may have the same philosophical definition and yet have entirely different meanings. The following is a list of some of the most important Swahili religious terms. They are important for one of two reasons: either they are extremely frequent in Swahili literary or colloquial usage, or else their meaning is a special one and requires some explanation in order to be properly appreciated. ADHABU 'Punishment', in hell or in the grave. When a person has been buried, as soon as the mourners have left the graveyard, two angels will arrive and question the dead man regarding his beliefs and deeds. 'Who is your God? Who is your prophet?' To this he should reply la ilaha illa Allahu wa Muhammadu Rasulu 'llahi 'There is no God but Alah and Muhammad is His Prophet.' This is the most important part of the examination; if the dead man also has a good record of praying and fasting, he will further be left in peace. But if he cannot remember this formula, it shows that he did not care to learn about God, and the two death angels will come with iron rods, glowing hot, and castigate him with these, until the day