1. ISLAM AND PROPHET MOHAMMAD (S.A.W.) Flashcards
By: Michael J. Diamond and Peter Gowing 1) MUHAMMAD, MESSENGER OF GOD 2) ARABIA BEFORE THE ADVENT OF ISLAM 3) PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.) 4) BASIC TENETS OF ISLAM (The Five Pillars of Islam)
What is the literal meaning of Islam?
to surrender oneself completely to God’s will.
Who is considered a Muslim?
one who practices Islam and surrenders to God’s will.
Is Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) considered divine in Islam?
No, he is not considered divine. He is the human messenger of God’s revelation.
Why do Muslims reject the term “Mohammedans”?
Muslims reject the term “Mohammedans” because it wrongly implies that they worship Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) rather than God alone.
Where was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) born, and when?
around 570 A.D. in Mecca, a commercial town
What significant event in Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s life marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar?
622 A.D., the year of the Hijra (emigration) from Mecca to Medina.
When was the first revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad?
around 610 A.D.
What was the religious situation in Mecca before Islam?
It involved the worship of spirits, idols, and multiple gods and goddesses.
What is the period of ‘Jahiliyyah’?
The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam, characterized by practices like infanticide and idol worship.
The period of ignorance before the advent of Islam, characterized by practices like infanticide and idol worship.
Jahiliyyah
Who were the ‘hanif’?
Hanif were monotheists who believed in one God, like Abraham in the Qur’an.
Were monotheists who believed in one God, like Abraham in the Qur’an.
hanif
What role did Mecca play before the rise of Islam?
center of pilgrimage, commerce, and a meeting place of many religions.
What accusation was made against Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) when he first started preaching?
He was accused of being possessed by spirits, like other people in Mecca who made strange pronouncements.
What hardships did Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) experience in his early life?
He was orphaned early in life, experiencing deprivation, poverty, and insecurity.
Who was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s first wife, and how did she influence his life?
His first wife was Khadijah, a wealthy widow who provided him with children, security, and happiness. She was also his first believer and supporter after his initial revelation.
Describe the first revelation that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) received.
While praying on a hill near Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) received a revelation from the Angel Gabriel, commanding him to “Recite!” This revelation is recorded in Surah 96:1-4 of the Qur’an.
What was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s initial reaction to the revelation, and how did he gain confidence in his role as a prophet?
His initial reaction was fear and apprehension, thinking he might be possessed. However, with the encouragement of his wife Khadijah, he eventually accepted his role as the Messenger of God.
How did the people of Mecca initially react to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s preaching?
The people of Mecca first laughed at him, then grew annoyed and angry, as his teachings threatened their vested interests.
the “community of faith” that followed Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), leaving behind their lives in Mecca to support and live under his guidance in Medina.
Ummah
What was the significance of the “Ummah” that traveled with Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to Medina?
The Ummah was the “community of faith” that followed Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), leaving behind their lives in Mecca to support and live under his guidance in Medina.
Why did Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) initially face Jerusalem during prayer, and why was this later changed?
Initially, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his followers faced Jerusalem during prayer, thinking of their religion as a continuation of Judaism. When the Jews rejected his message, the direction of prayer (Qibla) was changed to Mecca.
The victory at the ___ was seen as a sign of God’s approval of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s mission, consolidating his power and influence in Medina.
Battle of Badr
In __, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) negotiated an agreement with the Meccans to allow him and his followers to perform the pilgrimage the following year.
628 A.D.
What was Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s first act after the peaceful surrender of Mecca?
purify the Kaabah of its idols, leaving only the Black Stone, and proclaiming the oneness of God.
After Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.)’s death in __, his close companion and father-in-law, __, was appointed as __, the first leader to succeed him in ruling the Muslim community.
- 632 A.D
- Abu Bakr
- Caliph
What are the five (5) pillars of Islam/Basic tenets of Islam?
- The Profession of Faith (Shahada)
- The Five Times Daily Prayers (Salat)
- Alms giving (Zakat)
- Fasting (Saum)
- Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
What are the five (5) obligatory prayers?
1) Salat al-Fajr - The Dawn Prayer
2) Salat al Zufr - The Noon Prayer
3) Salat al-Asr - The Afternoon Prayer
4) Salat al-Maghrib - The Sunset Prayer
5) Salat al Aisha - The Evening Prayer
What does the Shahada declare?
“There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God.”
What is the third pillar of Islam, related to charity?
Zakat (Almsgiving)
How many times do Muslims pray daily?
5 times
How much wealth must Muslims typically give for Zakat?
2.5% of their wealth.
During which month do Muslims fast?
The holy month of Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
What is the significance of fasting in Islam?
It promotes spiritual discipline, self-control, and empathy for the less fortunate.
What is the name of the pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam?
Hajj
How many times must a Muslim complete the Hajj if able?
Once in a lifetime
The first pillar of Islam is (1)__ (The Profession of Faith). It represents the core belief in the oneness of God ((2)__) and the acceptance of Muhammad as God’s messenger. The Shahada states: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.”
1) Shahada
2) Tawhid
the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It is whispered into the ear of a newborn and repeated during prayers and throughout life. Reciting it with conviction makes one a Muslim, and it is the last phrase a Muslim should hear or say before death.
Shahada
The second pillar of Islam is (1)__ (The Five Daily Prayers). Muslims are required to pray five times a day facing (2)__. The prayers occur at specific times: dawn ((3)__), noon ((4)__), afternoon ((5)__), sunset ((6)__), and night ((7)__).
1) Salat
2) Mecca
3) Fajr
4) Zuhur
5) Asr
6) Maghrib
7) Isha
Before performing Salat, a Muslim must perform (1)__(__), which is a purification ritual. The face, hands, arms, and feet are washed, and one must be in a clean state of body and mind. The prayer space must also be clean, though a mosque is not required.
1) Wudhu (ablution)
The third pillar of Islam is (1)__(Almsgiving). Muslims are required to give (2)__ of their accumulated wealth and assets to those in need annually. Zakat purifies wealth, reminds Muslims of the blessings they have, and ensures economic justice by helping the poor and destitute.
1) Zakat
2) 2.5%
Are there any exceptions to fasting during Ramadhan?
Yes, exceptions include the sick, elderly, pregnant or nursing women, travelers, and children who have not yet reached puberty. Those unable to fast must compensate by feeding the poor or fasting at a later date.
The fifth pillar is (1)__ (Pilgrimage to Mecca). Every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage occurs during the Islamic month of (2)__ and involves a series of rituals over several days.
1) Hajj
2) Dhul-Hijjah
The (1)__, a cube-shaped structure in Mecca, is the holiest site in Islam. It is believed to have been built by the (2)__ and his son (3)__ as a house of monotheistic worship. During Hajj, pilgrims walk around it (4)__ times in a ritual called (5)__, symbolizing the unity of believers in the worship of the One God.
1) Kaaba
2) Prophet Abraham
3) Ishmael
4) seven
5) Tawaf
