5 Pillars of Sunni Islam

Question 1

What is ibadah? (3)

Answer 1

1. Worship carried out with niyyah
2. Islam teaches that every action should be a form of worship b/c Islam is a way of life
3. The Five Pillars are all forms of ibadah that Muslims believe show their obedience to the will of God

Question 2

Name all the Five Pillars.

Answer 2

1. Shahadah
2. Salah
3. Zakat
4. Sawm
5. Hajj

Question 3

What is shahadah? (4)

Answer 3

1. Muslim declaration of faith, saying “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet”
2. Said to be the basic foundation of Islam
3. Muslims believe there is no conversion to Islam, but instead a reversion to our natural faith, as we are all born as worshippers of the one true God, Allah.
4. “Whoever says ‘there is no god but Allah [Shahadah]’ enters Paradise” - Prophet Muhammad

Question 4

What is salah? (1)

Answer 4

Praying 5 times a day b/c worship must have a constant presence throughout life.

Question 5

Describe the importance of prayer. (4)

Answer 5

1. Muhammad said prayer is the “pillar of religion” - reminds Muslims to give thanks to God and draws believers closer to Him.
2. Muslims practice wudu before praying - ritual washing of the body in a particular order to show the inner cleanliness needed to face God.
3. Prayer begins with niyyah - Muslims must choose to enter a state of “God consciousness” to thank/praise Him and ask for forgiveness.
4. Muslims must pray facing Mecca in the direction of Qibla, prostrating themselves in a room that is safe and clean e.g. a mosque

Question 6

Give the 4 aims of prayer.

Answer 6

1. Constant reminder of God’s presence
2. Shows submission to God’s will
3. Cleanses corruption and sin
4. Unites all Muslims

Question 7

Explain the two types of prayer.

Answer 7

1. Friday Jumu’ah (congregational) prayer - Muslim men pray together at midday while the women pray at home. A khutbah is given by the imam.
2. Du’a (personal) prayer - prayers made in your own time.

Question 8

What is zakat? (3)

Answer 8

1. Giving 2.5% of you wealth away as charity payments to the poor.
2. An obligation to share the wealth given to us by God - b/c humans are khalifahs, none of our possessions are ours, and are instead loaned to us by Allah
3. Islam teaches that money is corrupting so giving is seen as cleansing and purifying.

Question 9

Why is gambling seen as sinful? (1)

Answer 9

It makes us rely on chance rather than God to provide

Question 10

What is sawm? (3)

Answer 10

1. Fasting during Ramadan, which is believed to be the holiest month b/c it’s when Muhammad received the first verses of the Qur’an - this month is dedicated to self-discipline and spiritual reflection.
2. When fasting, Muslims abstain from all food and drink, evil thoughts/actions/speech, smoking and sec from dusk til dawn for 29 days. Restrictions lifted after dark.
3. Meals are eaten together as a community

Question 11

Why do Muslims fast, and who should do it? (7)

Answer 11

1. It’s in the Qur’an
2. Follows the example of Muhammad
3. Brings ppl closer to God and reminds them of His blessings.
4. Helps to identity with the poor
5. Promotes self-control
6. Unites the ummah
7. All adult Muslims must fast, except for those ill or travelling. Young children may fast for just a few days.

Question 12

What is hajj? (3)

Answer 12

1. Pilgrimage to Mecca - only compulsory for those who have enough money to leave their house for a long time, and are physically + mentally fit.
2. Hajj (male) and Hajjah (female) are titles given to those who complete the pilgrimage.
3. The pilgrimage lasts 5 days

Question 13

What is the spiritual significance of Mecca? (2)

Answer 13

1. Ibrahim was commanded by God to sacrifice Ishma’il, overcame the devil’s temptations and built the Ka’ba as a place of worship here.
2. Muhammad was born, received his revelations from God and reclaimed this place as a city of Allah.

Question 14

Explain what happens during Hajj. (11)

Answer 14

1. Pilgrims enter a state of ihram to dedicate themselves to humility and prayer by putting on special white garments.
2. Tawaf - circling the Ka’ba 7 times
3. Walk between the two hills of Mawah and Safa 7 times
4. Drink from the Zam Zam well
5. Wukuf - stand before God on the plain of Arafat and remember God’s mercy; most important part of Hajj.
6. Collect pebbles at Muzdalafah
7. Throw the pebbles at the Pillars of Mina like Ibrahim threw rocks at the devil
8. Camp at Mina and sacrifice an animal
9. Men shave their heads when Hajj is complete
10. Return to Mecca to repeat the tawaf
11. Annual festival of Id-al-Adha takes place and is celebrated by all Muslims - the entire ummah worships God together.

Question 15

Define the following key terms:

1. Niyyah
2. Qibla
3. Khutbah
4. Khalifah
5. Ihram

Answer 15

1. True intention to worship God
2. The direction of the Ka’ba
3. Sermon
4. Stewards; God’s representatives on earth
5. Sacred state of purity