Book 2 - Sacred Writings

Question 1

Info on The Qur’an and its structure (7 points)

Answer 1

• Iiteral word of Allah, through Jibril
• “Recite” - “Mother of the Book”
• Most important book of the human race
• Every copy is a copy of the original in heaven
• 114 Surah, subdivided into ayahs
• All Surah start with bismillah (“In the Name of Allah”
• Al-Fatihah - opening prayer - first surah

Question 2

Oral tradition and Hafiz

Answer 2

• Received over 23 years - Muhammad told his followers and friends
• Qur’an memorised and spoke - no writing
• Hafiz - those who memorised the Qur’an, military leaders, rewarded a place in heaven

Question 3

Importance of the Qur’an (6 points)

Answer 3

• Revealed by Allah
• Given to Muhammad
• Major source of authority - infallible
• Basis of all Muslim belief and practices - heart of Shari’ ah law
• Shows us how to live - resulting in paradise or hell
• Allah’s final message to humankind

Question 4

Respect due to the Qur’an

Answer 4

*Must be pure (clean from the wudu)
*No speaking while reading
*No eating or drinking near the Qur’an
*Cannot be touched by a woman on her period
*Protected from dust and dirt
*Nothing placed above or on it
*Not touching the ground (stool - kursi)
*Reader facing Makkah

Question 5

Qur’an in Public Worship

Answer 5

*Friday readings of the Qur’an (Jumu’ah prayers), referenced during the khutbah (sermon)
*Public readings during Ramadan, 30 parts called Juz
*Read at funerals and Weddings (Surah 4)

Question 6

Qur’an in Private Worship

Answer 6

*Many Muslims read the Qur’an privately or in small groups
*Opened and read systematically
*Memorized or meditated on

Question 7

Key Principles of the Qur’an

Answer 7

*There is only one God, Allah
*Angels are his servants
*Day of Judgment and life after death
*Muhammad is the Final messenger of Allah

Question 8

Key Practices in the Qur’an

Answer 8

*The 5 Pillars of Islam (Salah, Shahada, Zakah, Hajj, Sawm)
*Food and Alcohol (haram food e.g pork)
*Usury and Gambling are forbidden (lending or borrowing of money for interest)

Question 9

The Hadith

Answer 9

*2nd most Important book
*Recorded actions (Sunnah) and words of Muhammad
*Used together with the Qur’an, to get clarification when the Qur’an is unclear
*Prophetic Hadith - words and sayings of Muhammad, showing he was wise, compassionate and humourous
*Sacred Hadith - Sayings of the Prophet linking back to himself
Allah revealed these words, greatest respect
*NOT infallible - can be discussed

Question 10

The Sunnah

Answer 10

*Collection of actions and examples from Muhammad
*Gives Muslim’s direction
*e.g how to pray, paying zakah, fasting in Ramadan or making a pilgrimage to Makkah