5 Pillars of Islam

Question 1

What are the five pillars of Islam

Answer 1

Shahadah (declaration of faith)
Salah (Prayer)
Sawm (fasting during Ramadan)
Zakah (Almsgiving)
Hajj (pilgrimage

Question 2

Proof of the 5 pillars of islam

Answer 2

“O People! Listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your 5 daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford it” (Hadith)

Question 3

What are the 10 Obligatory Acts

Answer 3

Salah (prayer)
Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan)
Zakah (almsgiving)
Hajj (pilgrimage)
Jihad (struggle)
Khums (20% Islamic tax)
Amr bil Maruf (doing what is right)
Nahy anil munkar (prohibiting what is bad)
Tawallah (following prophet Muhammad)
Tabarra (disassociating from enemies of Muhammad)

Question 4

Shahadah

Answer 4

Declaration of faith
“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”
Shia: “+ and Ali is a friend of God”

Question 5

Salah - why

Answer 5

Why they pray:
Bring Muslims closer to God
Muhammad said to pray 5 a day
One of 5 pillars and 10 obligatory acts
God rewards those who fulfil their daily prayers
Unites ummah when they pray together
Prostration remind of God’s greatness and submission to the will of God.

Quote:
Qur’an says: “bow down in worship and draw close”

Question 5

Prayer - Jummah

Answer 5

Jummah is communal prayer, promotes ummah

Quote:
Hadith: “The best of days on which the sun has risen is Friday. On this day Adam was created, and on this day he was descended to earth”

Question 6

Salah - differences

Answer 6

Shia:
Use natural product to ensure they are praying on pure earth
Put arms by their sides
Pray 5 prayers at 3 times
Do not say ameen at end of prayer

Sunni:
Touch ground (believe messenger did this)
Some cross arms in front of them
Pray 5 prayers at 5 times
Say ameen at end of prayer

Question 6

Sawm - benefits

Answer 6

Believe they’re rewarded by God for fasting
Reminds them to be thankful to God for food they are able to eat
Gives them greater awareness of those who may not enough food to eat
May invite others to break their fast w them to share food or be generous w charity
Many Muslims pray, read Quran, visit mosque more as it is spiritual time of year to focus on faith

Question 6

Sawm - significance

Answer 6

One of 5 pillars and 10 obligatory acts
Ramadan is 9th month in Islamic calendar
No food, drink, smoke, sex
Ramadan is the month Muhammad first received revelations of Quran
Muslims will read Quran and study it
Helps them focus on god whilst facing challenges of fasting

Proof
Hadith: “Fast in the month of Ramadan”

Question 7

Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)

Answer 7

First time Jibril appeared to Muhammad to reveal Qur’an
Remembered as holy during ramadan
During this time, Muslims will offer extra prayers, ask for forgiveness, read and study Qur’an and pray at mosque

Proof:
Qur’an: “What will explain to you that the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.”

Question 8

Zakah

Answer 8

One of 5 Pillars and 1p Obligatory Acts
2.5% of Muslims’s saving, given each year to help others
Zakah means ‘that which purifies’ and believes that paying it purifies the rest of a Muslim’s money as blessed by God

Proof:
Qur’an tells Muslims to “pray the prescribed alms” (Qur’an)
Muhammad says in final sermon to “pay your wealth in zakah” (Hadith)

Question 9

Zakah - why

Answer 9

Muhammad said so
Qur’an says to pay alms
Purifies rest of Muslims money
Creates equality in society to help reduce poverty for those who receive money
Reminder that wealth has been given by God, not to be greedy or selfish.

Question 10

Khums in Shia

Answer 10

Some Shia don’t pay zakah as they believe it’s only for golf and silver coins
Some Shia follow Quranic instructions to give 20% of surplus income to those in needs (khums)

Proof:
Quran: “Know that one-fifth of your surplus belongs to God and the Messenger, to close relatives and orphans, to needy and travelers”

Question 11

Hajj

Answer 11

What is it:
Pilgrimage to Makkah during Dhul Hijjah
One of 5 Pillars and 10 Obligatory Acts
Requires Muslims to set rituals during pilgrimage

Significance:
Brings closer to God
Shows self-discipline and strength in belief
Means sins are forgiven and gives fresh start to life
One of 5 pillars and 10 Obligatory Acts
Reminds of Ibrahim’s importance as prophet
Promotes Ummah

Question 12

Process of Hajj

Answer 12

Ihram
Makkah - Tawaf
Maria and Sara - Sa’y
Arafat
Muzdallifah
Mina - Jamarat
Sacrificing an animal
Makkah - Farewell Tawaf

Question 13

Hajj - Ihram

Answer 13

First bath
Enter state of purity
Concentrate on prayer and worship

White symbolises purity
Everyone wears similar clothes - unity and equality
Shows everyone is equal before God

Question 14

Hajj - Tawaf

Answer 14

Circumambulation - Circle around Ka’aba 7 times anti-clockwise
Touch black stone or raise hand as they pass

Ancient Islamic relic
Believed to be only remaining stone from original
Believes come from paradise (God to Adam)

Question 15

Hajj - Sa’y

Answer 15

Going 7 times between hills
Collect water from spring of zamzam

Hagar (Ibrahims wife) searching for water for ishmail

Question 16

Hajj - Arafat

Answer 16

Stand before God and pray to Gods asking for forgiveness for themselves and all of humanity

Reminds Muslims of the Day of Judgement where they will stand before God and answer for their deeds
Muhammad gave last sermon on mount arafat

Question 17

Hajj - Muzdalifah and Mina

Answer 17

Collecting stones to throw at the Jamarat at Mina
Mina is throwing stones at Jamarat

Reminds Muslims of when Ibrahim threw stones at the devil that tried to tempt him to not complete the sacrifice of Ishmael
Today, throwing the stones at Jamarat presents getting rid of temptations and rejecting evil

Question 18

Hajj - animal sacrifice

Answer 18

If they can, pilgrims sacrifice an animal as part of the celebration of Eid ul Adha.
Leftover meat is given to the poor

Sacrifice remembers Ibrahim’s billing news to sacrifice his own son out of obedience to God

Question 19

Greater Jihad

Answer 19

Personal, daily struggle to be a good Muslim. It means completing religious duties and resisting evil, for example by:
Completing daily prayers
Fasting during Ramadan
Not winning by avoiding hard, deeds.