islam beliefs

Question 1

tawhid definition

Answer 1

muslim belief of the oneness of god

Question 2

risalah

Answer 2

prophethood
messengers of god; begins with Adam and ends with Muhammad

Question 3

halal

Answer 3

permitted
actions/things that are permitted within islam (some foods)

Question 4

haram

Answer 4

forbidden
actions/things that are forbidden within islam (some foods)

Question 5

jihad

Answer 5

to strive
greater jihad - daily struggle to live as a muslim and be disciplined
lesser jihad - holy war in the defence of islam

Question 6

masjid

Answer 6

mosque
place of prostration; communal place of worship

Question 7

shari’ah

Answer 7

straight path
muslims believe god has a set clear path for how they should live
set of moral/religious rules that put hadith/qur’an principles into place

Question 8

ummah

Answer 8

community
worldwide community of muslims sharing a religious identity

Question 9

why is the qur’an important

Answer 9

it is the divine law sent by god to guide human beings
it is the most important source of authority in islam

Question 10

what do muslims believe about the qur’an

Answer 10

• the word of god
• complete book of guidance for all humans
• was revealed to prophet muhammad thru angel jibril over 23 years
• it is the only uncorrupted holy book

Question 11

what is the sunnah

Answer 11

• the way of the prophet muhammad
• 2nd most important source of authority
• descs customs, practises and traditions of muhammad
• teaches perfect path of how muslims should live

Question 12

what is the hadith

Answer 12

• the sayings of the prophet muhammad
• comprises his sayings as he had deep devotion to god

“if you think of god, you will find him there before you”
“the warrior who truly fights for god’s cause is he who looks after a widow or old person”

Question 13

basic sunni meaning

Answer 13

one who follows the sunnah

Question 14

basic shi’a meaning

Answer 14

‘from the house of ali’ (close relative to Muhammad)

Question 15

what caused the split in sunnis and shi’as

Answer 15

after muhammad died (632) there were 2 people that muslims were appointing to be the new leader

sunnis: abu bakr - muhammad’s oldest friend, elected, the first of the 4 caliphs (successors), 6 articles of faith

shi’a: ali - muhammad’s cousin married to his daughter, leader should be a descendant, belief in imamate, 5 roots of religion (usul-al-din)

Question 16

what percentage of muslims are sunni muslims

Answer 16

87-90%

Question 17

what percentage of muslims are shi’a muslims

Answer 17

10-13%

Question 18

what do sunnis believe about islam

Answer 18

• religious guidance comes from god through qur’an and hadith
• shari’ah and islamic law
• no religious hierarchy: imams aren’t holy figures but just good teachers

Question 19

what do shi’as believe about islam

Answer 19

• god guided muhammad to appoint ali as his successor
• leadership of islam continues though imams divinely appointed from muhammad’s family
• last imam will appear at the end of the world as the mahdi (chosen one) to bring justice

Question 20

similarities and differences between sunni and shi’a muslims