Islam Flashcards
What does Islam mean?
What is Islam’s creed?
- Means “complete surrender” or “complete trust in God.”
- “There is no God but God, and Muhammed is his messenger.”
What did Muhammad say about poverty?
“I eat as a slave eats, and I sit as slave sits, because I am a slave of God.”
What does the name Muhammad mean? When and where was he born?
What is his title, and why was he given this title?
- “the praised one”
- 570 AD in Mecca.
- “Seal of the Prophets”, considered to be last in a long line of prophets.
How is he described in the Qu’an, and why is he described this way?
“A human being just like you,” bc he denied having surpernatural abilities.
* He did claim one miracle: altho he was illiterate, he received revelations through God in perfect Arabic.
Why is he considered a restorer?
Qur’an teaches that Christianity and Judaism have distorted pure monotheism, so he was sent to restore to restore pure monotheism and unity under God, which is considered to be the true religion.
What are Muhammad’s characteristics in the Qur’an?
Handsome, noble, humble, and kind. A model of humanity that Muslims emulate.
When asked which Islam is the best, how did Muhammad answer?
“The best Islam is that you feed the hungry and you spread peace among the people you know and the people you do not know.”
What are the sacred scriptures of Islam?
The Qur’an. Sunnah (Muhammad’s sayings, teachings, and practices) are documented by Hadith (the central source of Islamic theology).
What is Ramadan?
What does Ramadan commemorate?
A mandatory one month fast: abstinence from food, drink, sexual intercourse. Commemorates Muhammad’s first spiritual retreat when he was 40.
What happened during his first spiritual retreat?
Angel Gabriel appeared to him and insisted he recite.
On his third try, he recited the first words of the Qur’an (his first revelation); his revelations formed the basis of Islam.
Who did Muhammed share his revelations with?
Kadhijah (wife), who offered him her support, along with Ali (cousin), Abu Bakir (close friend), and freed slave Zayd.
What are the the Years of Sorrows? How old was he?
When Muhammad was 50 yrs old, he lost Kadhijah (wife) and Abu Talib (uncle). Persecutions from Aristocrats also increased.
How did Yathrib become Medina? What does Medina mean?
Muhammad did a favour for the people of Yathrib, and the city changed its name to Medina (“city of Prophets”), in honor of him.
What is Heigra? When did it take place?
Why is it important?
Muhammad’s migration from Mecca, his birthplace, to Yathrip (622 AD)
* Muslims star their calendar in this year.
When does M return to Mecca? What does Mecca become?
630 AD. Becomes center of Islamic piety/worship.
Why is Mecca important?
Qur’an states that
* Ishmael and Abraham built the Ka’bah (holy sanctuary) thru thru the instruction of God as a pilgrimage site.
* It was Adam and Eve’s first dwelling place
What does Medina become?
The political and spiritual center of Islam, also where Muhammad resides.
What happened in 633 AD?
Muhammad made his final pilgrimage to Kab’ah to demonstrate the rituals and rites that were to be followed after his death
What were Muhammad’s last words?
“You must know that a Muslim is the brother of a Muslim, and Muslims are one brotherhood.”
Who were the 2 candidates for leader after Muhammad’s death?
Who was actually elected?
What would eventually happen to the group and why?
2 possible candidates:
* Ali (Muhammad’s cousin, married to Fatima, his favourite daughter).
* Abu Bakr (close friend) was elected by group as first Caliph (political successor).
M gave unclear instructions on who should succeed him, causing mass chaos. Ali and Abu Bakr would eventually lead their own separate groups.
What does Qur’an mean?
“reading, reciting”.
What does the Qur’an emphasize?
Basic unity of all 3 Western religions as Abrahamic Religions, oneness of God, and monotheism.
What does the Qur’an generally consist of, in terms of Muhammad’s revelations?
It is the “pure word of God” (without fault, changes, mistakes) that M receives as revelations over a 20 year period.
When does the Qur’an become an authoritative text?
650 AD. This is the same version today.
