Islam - Five Pillars Flashcards
What does Shahadah mean?
Shahadah means witness.
What is the Shahadah?
It is the declaration of faith in the one God and that Muhammad is his messenger.
Where is the Shahadah contained?
The Shahadah is contained in the adhan or the call to prayer.
What must a person do to become a Muslim?
A person must say the Shahadah in front of two witnesses.
How does the adhan begin?
The adhan begins, ‘Allah (God) is the greatest … I bear witness that there is no God but Allah.’
What does reciting the Shahadah indicate for a Muslim?
It indicates a promise to carry out God’s will.
How many compulsory prayer times are there each day?
There are five compulsory prayer times a day.
What does Shahadah involve besides the declaration of faith?
Shahadah also involves ibadah, the desire to worship God and carry out the other four pillars.
How often is the adhan recited?
The adhan is recited five times a day.
What does the adhan serve as for Muslims?
It serves as a constant reminder of the significance of the Shahadah.
What is Salah?
Salah means prayer and is the second Pillar of Islam.
What is du’a?
Du’a is a personal prayer.
Towards where are prayers directed?
Prayers are directed towards the Ka’bah in Makkah/Mecca.
What must a Muslim do before prayer?
A Muslim must perform wudu, which involves washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, neck, behind the ears, and feet.
Where can prayers take place?
Prayers can take place in any clean place.
When must compulsory prayers be said each day?
Between dawn and sunrise (fajr), At noon (dhuhr), In mid-afternoon (asr), At sunset (maghrib), Before midnight (isha’a)
Where do women usually stand during prayer?
Women usually stand behind men.
Where can prayer at home take place?
Prayer at home may be held in any clean room where a point indicates the direction of Makkah/Mecca.
What starts the prayer?
Prayer starts with a series of prayer movements called rakat.
What are Jummah prayers?
Jummah or Friday prayers are held in the mosque.
Where are men encouraged to pray?
Men are encouraged to pray in a mosque.
Where do women pray?
Women pray at home or in a separate area from men.
Who leads the prayers?
Prayers are led by an imam or prayer leader.
Who calls the people to prayer?
The muezzin calls the people to prayer.
What do worshippers carry out during prayer?
Worshippers carry out their own prayers and rakat.
What does the imam do during formal prayers?
The imam gives the sermon or khutba.
What does the muezzin recite to summon worshippers for formal prayers?
The muezzin recites the iqama or ‘set up’ prayer.
How does the congregation carry out rakat?
The congregation carries out rakat shoulder to shoulder.
What might some mosques do at the end of formal worship?
Some mosques sing hymns and religious songs.
When can personal prayer or du’a take place?
Personal prayer or du’a may take place at any time.
What is Zakah?
Zakah or alms giving is the third pillar of faith.
What does Zakah mean?
Zakah means giving to charity.
What kind of act is Zakah?
It is an act of worship and a duty.
What does Zakah test?
It is a test to ensure that one is not selfish.
How often is Zakah to be paid?
Zakah is to be paid once a year.
How much should Zakah be?
Zakah should be 2.5 percent of a Muslim’s overall wealth.
To whom is Zakah money given?
Zakah money is given to the weak, the poor, schools, hospitals, and many other worthy social causes.
What does Islam forbid regarding loans?
Islam forbids usury or charging interest on loans.
What does Zakah remind Muslims of?
Zakah is a reminder that as everything belongs to God, material things are on loan to humans.
On what two principles of Shahadah does Zakah build?
It builds on witnessing to God in mind and action.
What does Zakah ensure?
It ensures the weak and marginalized in society are cared for.
How is it usual to give Zakah?
It is usual for a person to give Zakah in secret so they do not get false praise.
Why is usury considered wrong?
Usury is wrong because it exploits the weak and can create debt which benefits the rich at the expense of someone else’s life.
What does the Qur’an state about those who practice Zakah?
The Qur’an states that those who practice Zakah will be rewarded on the Last Day; just as they have shown mercy to others, so God will show mercy on them.
What is Sawm?
Sawm or fasting is the fourth pillar of faith.
What does Sawm mean?
Sawm means fasting.
When does Sawm occur?
It occurs during the month of Ramadan.
What are the rules for fasting during Sawm?
No food must be eaten from just before dawn until just after sunset. There must be no chewing of food, drinking, or smoking.
Who are excused from Sawm?
Children under 12, Pregnant women and those nursing babies. The sick, Those doing physically demanding work.
Why is Ramadan significant?
Ramadan is the month when the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad, and many Muslims try to read, reflect, and meditate on the whole of the Qur’an during the last ten days of Ramadan.
What is fasting considered in Islam?
Fasting is an act of worship and spiritual development.
What does fasting signify?
As it involves enduring hardship for the sake of God, it is a sign of obedience and devotion.
How does fasting benefit Muslims’ perspectives?
Fasting helps Muslims to appreciate the plight of the poor and become more generous.
What other actions are important during Ramadan?
Other good works or actions, as well as fasting, are just as important.
How does Ramadan help the Muslim community?
Ramadan helps develop spiritual unity or umma and common purpose with other Muslims.
What is Hajj?
Hajj or pilgrimage is the fifth Pillar of Faith.
What does Hajj mean?
Hajj means visitation of holy places.
How often does Hajj take place?
It takes place once a year for five days.
Who is expected to go on Hajj?
Every adult Muslim is expected to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the financial means, are healthy, and there is a safe route to Makkah.
What are the seven key moments of Hajj?
Preparation, Makkah, Mina, Mount Araft, Muzadlifah, Return to Mina, Return to Makkah
Preparation - Hajj
Men and women must be in a state of spiritual purity or ihram, ready to enter Makkah. Men wear two pieces of white cloth.
Makkah - Hajj
On the first day, pilgrims circle the Ka’bah seven times (tawaf). They then run between the two hills and the Zamzam well (sa’y).
Mina - Hajj
Pilgrims travel five miles to Mina for midday prayers, pray until the last prayers, and camp overnight.
Mount Arafat - Hajj
Pilgrims travel to Mount Arafat at sunrise, stand and confess their sins from noon to sunset (Wuquf), which ends with a sermon.
Return to Mina - Hajj
Pilgrims return to Mina, throw stones at the three pillars to drive out Shaitan (Satan), sacrifice a sheep or cow for Id-ul-Adha, and men often shave their heads.
What is someone who has been on a pilgrimage called?
Someone who has been on a pilgrimage is called a hajji (man) or hajjah (woman).
Muzdalifah - Hajj
Pilgrims travel to Muzdalifah and collect small stones.
Return to Makkah - Hajj
Pilgrims return to Makkah, perform one more tawaf and sa’y, and some visit Madinah to see the tomb of Muhammad.
What unique sense does Hajj give?
Hajj gives a unique sense of umma or Muslim unity, often attended by over 2 million pilgrims from all over the world.
Whose example does Hajj follow?
Hajj follows the example of Muhammad when he led the pilgrimage to Makkah in 629 C.E. and circled the Ka’bah.
What do the rituals of Hajj remind Muslims?
The rituals of Hajj remind Muslims that Islam is not a new religion, recalling how Ibrahim was tested by God to sacrifice Ishmael and how Hajar trusted in God to provide water for her son, Ishma’il.
What do the ceremonies on Hajj remind pilgrims of?
The oneness and majesty of God, Human sin and the need for repentance, The faithfulness of the prophets, Thanksgiving to God and sacrifice
What does Hajj also remind pilgrims of?
Hajj also reminds pilgrims how, despite their sins in Eden, Adam and Eve were forgiven by God and reunited after Adam confessed his sins on Mount Arafat.
What do many pilgrims say about Hajj?
Many pilgrims say that Hajj reminds them that life is a journey and that Hajj changes them spiritually to see life in relation to God in a dramatically new way.
