Five Pillars Of Sunni Islam Flashcards
What are the 5 pillars of sunni Islam
Shahadah
Salah
Zakah
Sawm
Hajj
When is the shahadah
Throughout the day it is announced in the adhan (call to prayer)
Recited in each of the 5 times of prayer
It is the first words whispered into a new born babies ear and the last words spoken into the ears of the dying
Soldiers have it on their lips in battle
Why is the shahadah important
States central belief of Muslims in one true God who is one
It shows Muslims reject polytheism or atheism
It denies the Christian belief in trinity
Reciting it means conversion to Islam
What is salah
Second pillar of Islam
Duty of all Muslims to pray 5 times a day facing Makkah a physical mental and spiritual activity that draws believers close to God
Includes a sequence of movement (rak’ah) following a set pattern
Set pattern of salah
1) stand quietly reciting prayers from the Quran
2) bow low, with hands on knees
3) prostrate on the floor in submission to God
4) kneel with feet folded under body
5) stand reciting prayers once to the right and once to the left
When is salah performed
After preparation (entering Gods presence requires respect and reverence) after declaring intention (niyyah) to deliberately focus on God
After wudu (washing specific parts of body ; hands mouth nose face arms head and feet
Outward signs of inner cleanliness needed 5 times a day
What are the times of day salah is performed called
Fajr (after dawn)
Zuhr (midday)
As’r (afternoon)
Maghrib (sunset)
Isha (after dark)
On Fridays at the mosque for jumu’ah (congregational) prayers
Why is salah important
Reminds believers to give thanks for Gods blessings
Sign of submission to Gods will
A constant reminder of gods presence
Cleanses the corruption of the world
What is zakah
The third pillar of faith
2.5% tax of wealth
The practice of charity may be spent on giving money to the poor the needy and travellers
A duty to share good fortune received and not hoard it selfishly
It is closely associated with prayer and is an obligation and a form of worship
When is zakah given
Every year as a duty but also at other times voluntarily as (sadaqh) which is any good deed
Done out of compassion or generosity
Why is zakah important
God will reward believers for their acts of giving
It is a sign of cleansing and purity
It is an opportunity to share wealth as well as offering people a means of purification
All humans are khalifahs so are stewards or trustees of the world
What is sawm
The fourth pillar of faith
Fasting during the month of Ramadan
A time of dedication to self discipline and spiritual reflection
It is refraining from eating drinking smoking and sexual activity from dawn till dusk for one month
It is also abstaining from evil thoughts harmful actions and unkind speech
What special meal is eaten before dawn
Suhar
What is the meal at dusk to break fast called
Iftar meal often including dates and water before a bigger shared meal
Activities done by Muslims during Ramadan
Gather at the mosque for extra night prayers (which include reading sections of the Quran so that the whole thing is read by the end of the month)
All Muslims attend the 27th day of Ramadan
What is the 27th day of Ramadan called
Laylat ul qadr (night of power)
When is sawm performed
Bay all Muslims during the month of Ramadan
Between sunrise and sunset each day
Ramadan comes with the new moon
Those who are I’ll or are travelling are exempt but they must make it up later
Why is sawm important
Commanded by God in the Quran
Follows the example of Muhammad
It celebrates God giving the Quran to humans
It brings people closer to God
Reminder of Gods mercy blessings
It helps Muslims identify with the poor
Promotes self discipline and helps to inspire and refresh personal faith
Unites Muslim communities
What is hajj
The fifth pillar of the faith
Pilgrimage to Makkah lasting 5 days
The only pillar not compulsory (although it is for all able to make the journey and pay to go there)
It is the ambition of a lifetime for many Muslims
It begins with state of ihram (purity)
Dedicating oneself to humility and prayer and wearing special clothes (two white unseen cloths for men plain ankle length for women
When is hajj performed
At least once in a lifetime during the month of Dhul Hijjah the twelfth Islamic month
Why is hajj important
Quran instructs believers to perform it
It is going to the city of god where great events took place (ibrahim told to sacrifice isma’il and he overcame the temptation, hajar searched for water and found it because of an angel, the kaba was built there, Muhammad was born there and received the first revelations, Muhammad reclaimed the city for God before his death)
it is an opportunity for the Muslim community to join together in worship
Why might some Muslims in Britain find it hard to perform sawm
Because others around them are not but it is still expected of them
Why might some Muslims in Britain find hajj hard to perform
You have to take time off school or work and where people may not be supportive of why it is being done but they will still plan to fulfil it one day
What is Tawaf
Circling the ka’ba seven times
Meaning = getting closer to the black stone by the ka’aba which ibrahim built
