Islam Flashcards
Define: Muslim
a believer in Islam
Define: Allah
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
Define: Umma
the Muslim community
What are the names of the 5 pillars of Islam?
Shahada, Salah, zakah, sawm, Hajj
What does the ‘5 Pillars of Islam’ refer to?
The 5 compulsory things Muslims must do throughout their life
What holy site is in Mecca?
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
outline the implications of Tawhid for Muslim belief
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
Aqida meaning
an Arabic word meaning creed. It refers to the five basic articles of belief in the Qur’an
What are the six articles of faith?
belief in Allah belief in the prophets belief in angels belief in the scripture belief in fate/predestination belief in the day of judgment.
Akhira
Muslim’s believe in a life after death which is known as “akhirah”
what happens to those who die before the day of judgement?
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.
Fate/ predestination
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.
Al-Qadr
The idea that all things happen through the plan of Allah is called “Al-Qadr”
Shahada
- 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
Salat
- 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.
Zakat
- 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.
Sawm
- 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.
Hadith
- 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.
Hajj
- 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.
