Islam Flashcards
Monotheism
Belief in only one god
Who is the Muslim god?
Allah
How does Allah communicate with humans?
Through angels, who pass His message on to the prophets
Predestination
God knows everything that will happen
Muhammad
Final prophet of Islam
Jesus was divine, Muhammad was just a
Normal human
Qur’an
Holy book and source of wisdom in Islam
What are the contents of the Qur’an believed to be?
The true Word of God given exactly as it was given to Muhammad
How is the Qur’an structured?
Made up of verses called ayahs
As well as the Qur’an, Muslims look to
Examples set by the prophet Mohammad in order to determine how to live their lives
Hadith
Record of prophet Muhammads sayings
Shari’a
Set of laws for Muslims to follow
Imam
Sunni religious leader
Mujtahid
Shi’a religious leader
Muslim belief - prayer
Required to pray 5 times a day
Muslim belief - fasting
Fasting during Ramadan helps muslims remember when God revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad
Makkah
The most holy place for Muslims where the Kaaba is located
Hajj
Pilgrimage to Makkah, muslims should do Hajj at least once in their life
Sunni and Shi’a
Main denominations of Islam
Why is there division between Sunnis and Shi’as?
Difference of beliefs on who should lead Muslims after Muhammad died
Who do Shi’as believe should have succeeded Muhammad as leader of the muslims?
Ali, first of 12 imams who led the faith
Who do Sunnis believe should have succeeded Muhammad as leader of the muslims?
Abu Bakr, Muhammads friend and father-in-law
What are the Muslim beliefs of Sunni’s?
Six Articles of Faith
Iman
Belief in the Six Articles of Faith
What are the Six Articles of Faith?
• Tawhid
• Malaikah
• Kutub
• Nubuwwah
• Akhirah
• Al-Qad’r
Tawhid
Belief in the oneness of God and the supremacy of Allah’s will
Mala’ikah
Belief in the angels of Allah
Kutub
Belief of the books of Allah
Nubuwwah
Belief of the messengers (prophets) of Allah
Akhirah
Belief in afterlife and Day of Judgement
Al-Qad’r
Belief that everything in the universe has been predestined by Allah
Quote to support Six Articles of Faith
‘Righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Scriptures and the Prophets…’
Muslim beliefs of Shi’a
Usul ad -Din
Usul ad-Din
Principles of Faith (Shi’a)
What are the 5 roots of Usul ad-Din?
- Al-Tawhid
- Al-Adl
- Al-Nubuwwah
- Al-Imamah
- Al-Ma’ad
Al-Adl
belief in divine justice
Al-Imamah
belief in imams
Al-Ma’ad
belief in the Day of Resurrection
What do both Sunnis and Shi’as believe in?
oneness of Allah, prophethood and the Day of Judgement
Who is the imam in Sunni tradition?
Person who leads prayers in the mosque
Who are imams in Shi’a tradition?
Successors of Prophet Muhammed
What are Shi’a Imams believed to be?
Infalliable and inspired by Allah
What is the role of Shi’a imams?
To interpret Shari’ah law and to explain any issues arising from it
What happened to the first 11 imams?
martyred
Where is the 12th imam believed to be?
in occultation waiting to reappear at God’s appointed time
What do Shi’as believe the 12th imam is?
a living, breathing human who no one can meet but he can choose to meet certain people
What are the signs that will precede the reappearance of the 12th imam according to Shi’a muslims?
- Second coming of Jesus
- 12th imam to appear in Makkah at the Kaabah
Which denomination believes that there is an objective framework of right and wrong?
Shi’a
What do Shi’as believe will happen on the Day of Judgement?
Allah will judge those who used their free will and send the righteous to heaven and the wicked to hell
Why do Shi’as argue against Al-Qad’r?
According to them, humans have free will which is why Allah can judge them. It would be wrong for Allah to send humans to hell for something that Allah has determined himself
What are all the key beliefs of Allah that Tawhid encompasses?
- infinite
- omnipotent and omniscient
- merciful and benevolent
- transcendent and immanent
- fair and just
How is Allah infinite?
He is without beginning or end, he was not created and cannot be destroyed
How is Allah omnipotent?
He created the whole universe, controls everything in it and one day will bring the world to an end
How is Allah merciful and benevolent?
He helps humans by sending messengers in the form of the prophets to help people understand how to live a life following His will
How is Allah transcendent?
He is much greater than humans and beyond human understanding
How is Allah immanent?
He is ‘closer than their own jugular vein’
How is Allah fair and just?
It is believed that this life is a test and Allah will judge our actions on the Day of Judgement and either reward or punish us
How does belief in Tawhid affect the lives of Muslims?
It makes muslims give their whole lives completely to the will of Allah, seeking to become a servant of Him, meaning that a muslim will live his life in obedience to the commands of Allah
How does the belief in Tawhid disprove the Holy Trinity?
Christian understanding of God would be incorrect as they see God as three persons when really He is only one
How is following polytheistic religion committing Shirk?
because then it seems as if you are placing things equal to God
Why would it be reasonable to believe that Shi’a muslims do not fully believe in Tawhid?
Because they believe in the 12 imams who are considered semi-divine and therefore comparable to God
Quote to support Allah’s Mercifulness
‘In the name of Allah, the entirely merciful’
Quote to support the oneness of God
‘He is Allah, the One and Only’
Quote to support Allah’s omnipotence
‘God is the Creator of everything’
Quote to support that Allah knows everything
‘He is the Knower of the unseen and the seen’
Quote to support that Allah is fair and just
‘the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged’
Why would humans need Allah’s guidance?
Humans are limited in their knowledge unlike Allah
Apart from the Qur’an, what are the other books that were revealed?
Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Scrolls of Abraham
Caliph
Successor to Mohammad
Evidence to support imams.
‘And we made them leaders who guide people by our command’
Why do Sunnis not believe in divine justice?
they argue there is no objective right or wrong; everything Allah does is right simply because he does it
Who was the first prophet?
Adam
Who was the final prophet?
Muhammad
Evidence to support Risalah.
‘And for every nation is a messenger.’
What is the importance of Adam as a prophet?
He was Allah’s first creation. He was created out of clay in Allah’s image As he was Allah’s khalifah, angels bowed to respect him (except from Iblis). After being disobedient he was sent out of Jannah to live on Earth, but Allah promised to give him guidance. All humans are descendants from Adam and Hawwa (Eve).
What is the importance of Ibrahim as a prophet?
He was the father of the Arab people and of the prophets; he was a hanif. Allah tested his devotion by telling his to sacrifice his first born son, Ishmail. By showing he was prepared to follow Allah’s instructions, Allah provided a ram as an alternative sacrifice. His life is honoured as a commitment to the faith.
What is the importance of Ishmail as a prophet?
He was the son of Ibrahim and was left with his mother in Makkah at Allah’s request. When food and water ran out, miraculously water sprung where Ishamil kicked his heel. After his mothers death, Ibrahim visited Ishmail and they built the Kaabah together.
What is the importance of Musa as a prophet?
Musa became the leader of the Israelites under the guidance of Allah; he freed the Israelite slaves from the power of the pharaoh, causing his ruin. Allah revealed the Torah to Musa and gave him the Ten Commandments.
What is the importance of Dawud as a prophet?
He was the king of the Israelites. He did many heroic things such as killing Goliath, and scaring away the Phillistine army. The book of Psalms was revealed to him.
What is the importance of Isa as a prophet?
He performed many miracles in his life such as raising people from the dead. He foretold the coming of the prophet Mohammad. Sunni Muslims believe he is the Messiah.
What do Sunni Muslims believe about the Qur’an?
they believe the Qur’an has always been in existence, not necessarily in its written form and that it is eternal like Allah.
What do Shi’a muslims believe about the Qur’an?
they do not believe that the Qur’an is eternal and instead think that it was created by Allah. They also believe it can be added to by the imams.
What are other sources of authority in Islam?
- Sunna – Outline of Mohammad’s life
- Hadith – record of what Mohammad did
- Muslim lawyers and scholars
Nur
divine light
What are angels in Islam?
Beings made from Nur who carry out the will of Allah and so do not have free will. They praise Allah and are completely obedient to him so are free from sin. They are immortal and do not have physical needs so they are constantly able to serve Allah.
What do angels do?
They record all that humans do and say, ready for the Day of Judgement.
What is angel Jibra’ils duty?
The chief angel who brought Allah’s message to Mohammad and all the other prophets
What is angel Izra’ils duty?
Known as the angel of death and is responsible for the ending of each person’s life by taking their final breath.
What is angel Israfils duty?
The angel of the Last Judgement and he will blow the trumpet to announce the Day of Resurrection
What is angel Mika’ils duty?
guardian of heaven
Evidence to support angel loyalty.
‘And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens’
If everything is predestined by Allah, this means humans have no free will. Why is this problematic?
- If Allah is responsible for human action, then he is also responsible for evil and suffering, so how can he be merciful and benevolent?
- Humans are judged fairly on the Day of Resurrection based on their own actions, so how can it be that everything is planned by Allah?
Barzakh
period of waiting between death and Day of Judgement
What will be decided on the Day of Judgement?
Those who died a Muslim will be rewarded and will be admitted to paradise forever. Those who are not Muslim will be sent to the fires of hell.
Martyrdom
Being killed in the defence of your faith
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
- Shahadah – declaration of faith
- Salah – prayer 5 times a day
- Zakah – giving of money
- Sawm – fasting during Ramadan
- Hajj – obligatory pilgrimage
What are the 5 times to pray in the day?
- Fajr – between dawn and sunrise
- Zuhr – midday
- Asr – late afternoon
- Maghrib – after sunset
- Isha - night time
Adhan
Call to prayer
Adhan
Call to prayer
Wudu
ritual washing that a Muslim must do before Salah prayer
Jummah
Male congregational prayer made every Friday during Zuhr
Ummah
Unity of Muslims
Evidence to support Wudu.
‘Allah loves those who turn to him and who care for cleanliness.’
Du’a prayer
Private prayer where a Muslim will bring their special concerns to Allah
Evidence to support private prayer.
‘I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon me’
Zakah
Purification; obligatory charity donation
What determines wheteher a Muslim can afford to pay Zakah?
Nisab - the minimum net worth of an individual required to pay zakah
Why is Zakah helpful?
It is a way of making society fairer and showing practical concern for those in need.
Khums
Islamic tax on 20% of a persons savings paid by Shia’s
Madrasah
Muslim Schools
Sawm
Fasting in Ramadan
Who is exempt from fasting in Ramadan?
- Sick people
- People who are travelling on long journeys
- Pregnant women
- Menstruating women
Why are the final 10 days of Ramadan considered to be especially important?
The hadith says it was during this time the Night of Power occurred
Taraweeh
Prayers said every night at the mosque during Ramadan
Eid-Ul-Fitr
Festival of Fast Breaking (ramadan)
Muttaqi
a person fully obedient to Allah
Taqwa
the development of obedience to Allah
What are the effects of Sawm on the believer?
- Belief that sins will be forgiven by Allah
- Helps to appreciate the needs of others
- Helps to be completely obedient to Allah
What are the requirements before beginning Hajj?
- Wudu must be performed beforehand
- Muslim men must wear Ihram which is symbolic of their humility before Allah
- Everyone becomes an equal status
- No sex, takes away from focus of Allah
What are the effects of Hajj on Muslims?
- Greater sense of Ummah among the pilgrims
- Relieved of their weight of sin
- Drive them on to being more obedient Muslims
Eid-Ul-Adha
Festival of Sacrifice, happens at end of Hajj every year and remembers the time when Allah provided a ram for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead of his son.
What is the significance of Eid-Ul-Adha?
Demonstration of Muslims’ wilingness to make sacrifices for Allah and to be thankful to Allah for his provision.
Eid-Ul-Fitr
3 day festival of fast breaking at the end of Ramadan
Greater Jihad
the inner struggle that a Muslim strives with to control bad desires and intentions
Lesser Jihad
an outer struggle to create a good and fair Muslim society
When is greater jihad reached?
When many negative qualities have been overcome, such as greed and anger
Munkar
Striving against doing wrong
Maruf
Seeking to do good
Kafir
anyone who isn’t a Muslim
Evidence to support defensive war for lesser jihad.
‘Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you’
