5 Pillars Of Islam Flashcards
What are the 5 pillars of Islam
Shahadah
Salah
Zakah
Sawm
Hajj
What is Ibadah
For Muslims it’s nessacary to show religious commitment in obedience to god. Every action is a form of worship
By following the rules Muslims believe they can show obedience to the will of god
What is niyyah and taqwa
Muslims believe you must have the right intention (niyyah) in your worship of Allah but to also have gods consciousness(taqwa)
What does shahadah declare
Declares there’s no god but god
Concept of tawhid- Quran 3:18
When is the shahadah heard
First words whispered in a babies ear and last words of a dying person
Muslims soldiers have the words on their lips in battle
What is the importance of shahadah
States the central belief of Muslims of monotheism and tawhid
Discusses the rejection of polytheism and proves that Allah is a transcendant figure
Exhibits his authority and shows that no one can exist as his equal
Words of the shahadah are heard throughout the day in countless aspects of a Muslims life
What is salah
Muhammad called prayer the “pillar of religion”.
Praying 5 times a day
A physical, mental and spiritual activity drawing believers to god
What are examples of prayer
Quran 15:98-99 “so exalt with praise to your lord and be of those who prostrate to him
Quran 29:45 “prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing”
What is the preparation for prayer
Prayer begins with declaration of intent
Wudu- cleaning hands, nose, mouth, face, arms
Prayer mat faces Makkah
5 times a day- fajr (after dawn), Zuhr (midday), As’r (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset ) and Isha( after dark)
What is Jumu’ah
Friday is the day when Muslims come together in a mosque
What’s the importance of prayer
Constant reminder of presence of god
Shows submission to the will of god
Cleanses corruption in the world (Quran 29:45) and brings about peace
Unites Muslim community
What is zakah
Third pillar of Islam
Regular duty- give 2.5% of wealth every year and god will reward them
An obligation and form of worship- what value is it to pray for others if you arnt prepared to share with them?
When is zakah given?
Every year as a duty but also other times voluntary
There are many agencies today which distribute zakah to community projects like Islamic relief
What is sadaqah
Giving from the heart
A duty to pay zakah once a year but islam also teaches that voluntary giving is important too
What is the importance of zakah
-Giving is a sign of cleansing and purity: money can be corrupting- wealth can be evil because it cuts us off from god
A purifying influence giving the opportunity to share wealth
SOWA - Quran 2:110 ‘give zakah and whatever good you put forward for yourselves- you’ll find it with Allah’
Why is zakah important (2)
Humans are khalifas (stewards)-Gods representatives on earth
We don’t own it but looking after it for future generations
Our possessions arnt our own but a loan from allah meaning we don’t have an absolute right to spend money as we choose
Wealth is given to us by god for the benefit of the ummah. Duty is to share fortune
What is sawm?
Fourth pillar of Islam
Fasting during the month of Ramadan the ninth month of the Muslims Calander
This is holiest month- it’s dedicated to fasting, self discipline and spiritual reflection
Why is Ramadan special
It’s believed to be the first month in which the prophet Muhammad received the verses of the Quran
Quran 97:3 (nigjt is Better than 1000 months”
What do you do during Ramadan
Self control- abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn till dusk for months
Also abstain from evil thoughts, harmful actions and unkind speech
Importance of sawm
Commanded by Allah in the Quran and follows the prophet Muhammad
Brings people closer to allah as it reminds them of the mercy and blessings Allah has bestowed upon humanity
Helps Muslims identity with the poor and United the Muslim ummah
Who should fast
All adult Muslims, children only for a few days
Ill, pregnant or travelling are exempt (Quran 2:184)
What is hajj
The fifth pillar of Islam- only pillar Muslims Don’t need to carry out
Only compulsory for those who’re financially stable and are physically and mentally able to
Hajji (male) or Hajjah (female) for those who complete it
Why is Makkah important
Holiest city on earth
Place where ibrihim was commanded by god to sacrifice his son. Ibrihim overcome the devil and threw stones at him
Ibrihim built the Kaaba there
Prophet Muhammad was born there and received first revelations from god and returned there before his death
What are features of going to pilgrimage
Walking seven times between the hills of Mawah and Safa
This is known as Sa’l and serves to honour Hajar the mother of the great prophet Ishmail and her struggle to quench her thirst of her infant child
