Islam

Question 1

Define: Muslim

Answer 1

a believer in Islam

Question 2

Define: Allah

Answer 2

The Arabic word for God; Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews, but some of the revelations are interpreted differently. The word “Allah” is a unique word because it is genderless

Question 3

Define: Umma

Answer 3

the Muslim community

Question 4

What are the names of the 5 pillars of Islam?

Answer 4

Shahada, Salah, zakah, sawm, Hajj

Question 5

What does the ‘5 Pillars of Islam’ refer to?

Answer 5

The 5 compulsory things Muslims must do throughout their life

Question 6

What holy site is in Mecca?

Answer 6

The ka’aba (cube). It is the holiest place in the holiest city, Reputedly built by Abraham. It contains the black stone that pilgrims come to kiss. They say the stone was white but turned black with the kisses of worshipers seeking forgiveness

Question 7

outline the implications of Tawhid for Muslim belief

Answer 7

Tawhid refers to the belief about Allah. It affirms that there is one true God.
Tawhid leads to a greater surrender to the will of Allah,
It reminds Muslims that they are accountable for their actions and for their use of worldly possessions

Question 8

Aqida meaning

Answer 8

an Arabic word meaning creed. It refers to the five basic articles of belief in the Qur’an

Question 9

What are the six articles of faith?

Answer 9

belief in Allah
belief in the prophets
belief in angels
belief in the scripture
belief in fate/predestination
belief in the day of judgment.

Question 10

Akhira

Answer 10

Muslim’s believe in a life after death which is known as “akhirah”

Question 11

what happens to those who die before the day of judgement?

Answer 11

Muslims believe that those who die before the Day of Judgment will have their souls taken by the angel Azra’il to “barzakh” . This is a place of waiting between the moment of death and the Day of Judgment.

Question 12

Fate/ predestination

Answer 12

Muslims understand that Allah is all knowing. Muslims also believe that nothing happens by chance or randomly. It all happens by design, with a purpose and it is Allah the creator who determines what will happen.

Question 13

Al-Qadr

Answer 13

The idea that all things happen through the plan of Allah is called “Al-Qadr”

Question 14

Shahada

Answer 14

• A person becomes a Muslim when he or she bears testimony to the core creed of Islam:
• This is a commitment to the path of Islam

Question 15

Salat

Answer 15

• The word ‘salat’ literally means ‘hot connection’. So, prayer in Islam is an act of worship that enables the individual to get close into the presence of God in a meditative state.
• Salat raises the awareness of being in the presence of God and hence prevents a person from doing wrongful acts.

Question 16

Zakat

Answer 16

• The minimum obligatory amount of alms (zakat) for a Muslim is 1/40 (2.5%) of excess personal wealth.
• Once collected, zakat can only be distributed to poor, needy and other rightful beneficiaries.
• By observing the command of God to pay zakat a Muslim acknowledges that he is not the true owner of the wealth and that he is only a temporary holder.
• Zakat bridges the gap between the rich and the poor.

Question 17

Sawm

Answer 17

• Muslims are required to fast consecutively for a whole month in the lunar month of Ramadan once a year.
• From dawn to sunset the practising Muslim abstains from eating, drinking and sexual relations while spending time in reflection, doing good deeds and being careful in one’s conduct.
• Fasting is the best form of true thanksgiving, which is to know that all sustenance comes directly from God, to acknowledge its value and to feel our own need and dependence on that sustenance.

Question 18

Hadith

Answer 18

• The term “hadith” means that which has been recounted or told.
• The hadith refers to the collection of traditions of the words and deeds of Muhammad.
• There are two types of hadiths: Prophetic Hadiths and Sacred Hadiths.
• The Sacred Hadiths or Hadith Qudsi are regarded as the most important. Hadith Qudsi are regarded as words from Allah which were communicated to Muhammad, however, these messages were passed on in the words of Muhammad.
• The process of authentication of a hadith involved tracing its emergence back to someone who had actually been with the Prophet.
• The hadiths have proved invaluable to Muslim communities in addressing an issue which is not explicitly covered by the Qur’an.
• However, Muslims do not regard the hadith as sacred as they do the Qur’an.

Question 19

Hajj

Answer 19

• Once in a lifetime pilgrimage to the holy lands is the fifth pillar of Islam obligatory for all Muslims who are rich and healthy enough to make the journey.
• Pilgrimage consists of visiting a number of sacred places, circling the Ka’bah and being present in the plains of Mt Arafat at a specific time in the lunar year.
• Hajj is about connecting to the monotheistic tradition and to realise that Islam is not a new religion but a universal religion.