Islam - Beliefs and Practices Flashcards
What does Halal mean?
Actions of things which are permitted within Islam (such as eating permitted foods)
What does Haram mean?
Any actions or things which are forbidden within Islam (such as eating forbidden foods)
What does Shari’ah mean?
A way to life
God has set out a clear path
Shariah law is the set of religious rules that put the principles set by the Qur’an into practice
What does jihad mean?
To strive
Greater Jihad = daily struggle and inner spiritual striving
Lesser Jihad = A physical struggle or ‘holy war’ in defence of Islam
What does Shirk mean?
Worshipping statues + pictures
Worship things other than Allah
Believe in Allah and believe in other beings also (the Trinity)
Story of Muhammad
Married Khadijah (strong female role model)
Makkah = corrupt + gambling + drunkenness
Receives the Qur’an on the ‘night of power’ (Angel Jibril “recite”)
Battle of Badr
Muhammad wins + returns to Makkah
Dedicates Ka’ba to Allah + smashes 360 idols
Angels
Sunnis = created from light + no free will Shia = created w/ free will Jibril = Qur’an to Muhammad “Recite” Azrail = takes souls at death Raqib + Atib = records deeds Munkar = Questions us at death Mikail = protects believers from Satan
Islam beliefs about afterlife
Life is a test
Israfil = blow trumpet
Mahdi will return + signalled w/ Earthquakes/drunkenness/dishonesty
All deeds will be judged “every small and great thing will be recorded”
“Belief in Allah is the most important belief”
Agree = Tawhid/Islam founded at ‘age of ignorance’ + Muhammad stopped idol worship to establish ‘monotheism’/1st pillar of Islam is Shahadah (decl. of faith)/99 names to describe God “The Destroyer”/
Allah is immanent + omnipresent + a Creator/God created universe + impossible for humans to understand
Disagree = Angels are important/they’re messengers of God made of light/follow ex. of Prophet/Qur’an is guide to life/Shariah is Guide to life/follow teachings of Prophets is important
Describe as much as you can about Zakat
2.5% of earnings Goes to widows, orphans, the poor Shia pay Khums (extra tax) “The one who looks after the widow and the poor is doing God’s work” Muslim aid Money corrupts
What are the principles of the Greater Jihad?
Five pillars devotion Justice Rise above greed and selfishness Encourage what is right “If anyone saved a life, it’s as if he saved the life of the whole human race”
What are the principles of the Lesser Jihad?
Declared by Muslim Leaders
Example = 9/11
Condemned by Muslim Council of Great Britain
“Fight in the way of God”
What is Id-ul-fitr?
Starts after Ramadan Celebrate w/ family + friends Give money (Zakat/Sadaqah) Go to the mosque for special prayer Gifts Id Mubarak cards are given Decorations
What is Ashura?
SUNNIS When God parted the Red Sea Sacrifices made for sins SHIAS Commemorating death of Husayn They mostly celebrate Ashura Cut themselves + cover in blood
What is Id-ul-Adha?
Sacrifice Marks end of Hajj Listen to Id prayer Sacrifice = In Service of God Remembers Ibrahim’s commitment to God (Devil tempted him) Give gifts + food prepared
What is it important to celebrate festivals?
Celebrate w/ friends + family Marks key events (Christian Incarnation) Food Following example of religious leaders Tradition
Describe as much as you can about Shahadah
Declaration of faith Birth + death Monotheism (one God) Muslims say this to convert “There is no God but God” “There is no God except God and Muhammad is the Prophet of God”
Describe as much as you can about Salah
Prayers
Face to Makkah
Wudu= washing before prayer
Night journey = God was convinced to pray 5 instead of 50 times
Submission
“Prayer prohibits immorality and wrong doing”
Shia X3 / Sunni X5
Describe as much as you can about Ramadan
No swearing/smoking/drinking 9th calendar month Dawn till dusk (fast broken at Mosque) Commanded by the Prophet Suhur = meal before dawn United Muslims Mercy for the poor
What does the Hajj represent?
Ibrahim sacrificed son
Ibrahim resisted temptation from the Devil
Resisting temptation from Devil shown through stoning of pillars
Hajar searched for water + discovered Zam Zam Well
Muhammad was born
What do you do on the Hajj?
Circle Ka’ba X7 Walk between Sara and Mawah X7 (Hajar’s search for knowledge) Plains of Arafat - Forgiveness of sins Collect pebbles at Muzdalifah Stone Devil at Mina Shave heads + sacrifice
What do they wear in the Hajj and why?
The Ihram
State of Purity
White cloth/equality
