Islam - keywords

Question 1

Define Tawhid

Answer 1

The oneness of Allah

Question 2

What is a rasul?

Answer 2

A prophet

Question 3

Define Akhirah

Answer 3

Belief in life after death

Question 4

Define Iman

Answer 4

Belief in the Six Articles of Faith within the Sunni tradition

Question 5

What is Usul ad-Din?

Answer 5

Principles of faith in Shi’a Islam

Question 6

Define Caliph

Answer 6

Successor to Muhammad

Question 7

Define Imam

Answer 7

Successor to Muhammad (only in Shi’a Islam)

Question 8

Define infallible

Answer 8

Without error

Question 9

What is occultation?

Answer 9

The Shi’a belief that the twelfth Imam is living, but hidden, waiting to reappear at Allah’s appointed time. When he reappears he will come as a messiah to bring justice, peace and co-existence at the end of the world

Question 10

Define predestination

Answer 10

The belief that all events have been willed by Allah

Question 11

Define risalah

Answer 11

Prophethood. It is the means of communication between Allah and mankind through prophets, as well as books and angels.

Question 12

Define khalifa

Answer 12

Someone who acts for Allah on Earth. Adam was believed to be Allah’s khalifa

Question 13

What is Iblis?

Answer 13

The Islamic equivalent for Satan

Question 14

What is al-Jannah?

Answer 14

Islamic heaven

Question 15

What is Jahannam?

Answer 15

Islamic hell

Question 16

What is a hanif?

Answer 16

A believer in one god. Ibrahim was the first hanif

Question 17

What is Laylat ul-Qadr?

Answer 17

Also known as the Night of Power, this was when the first part of the Qur’an was revealed to Allah by Jibril.

Question 18

What is Lailat ul Miraj?

Answer 18

Also known as the Night Journey, this is when Muhammad is believed to have been taken to Jerusalem and his heart removed and purified from idolatry and doubt (instead being filled with wisdom). He is also believed to have spoken to previous prophets, e.g. Isa. During this journey, Musa and Muhammad discussed how often a Muslim soul pray (and they came to the conclusion of five times a day).

Question 19

Define Nur

Answer 19

Divine light

Question 20

Define al-Qad’r

Answer 20

Predestination

Question 21

Define Sifat

Answer 21

Allah’s foreknowledge of all things

Question 22

Define Barzakh

Answer 22

The period of waiting between death and the Day of Judgement.

Question 23

Define martyrdom

Answer 23

Being killed in the struggle for, or defence of, your faith.

Question 24

What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

i.e. define, don’t give the names of the pillars

Answer 24

The basic duties that all Muslims must perform

Question 25

What is Shahadah?

Answer 25

Declaration of faith

Question 26

What is Salah?

Answer 26

Prayer five times a day

Question 27

What is Zakah?

Answer 27

The giving of money (especially to charity)

Question 28

What is Sawm?

Answer 28

Fasting during the month of Ramadan

Question 29

What is Hajj?

Answer 29

The obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during one's lifetime

Question 30

What is a minaret?

Answer 30

A tower of a mosque

Question 31

What is an adhan?

Answer 31

Call to prayer

Question 32

What is the muezzin?

Answer 32

The person who gives the adhan

Question 33

What is the iqmah?

Answer 33

The second call to prayer in a mosque, letting worshippers know prayer is about to begin.

Question 34

What is niyyah?

Answer 34

A Muslim's intention to worship Allah with a pure heart. Symbolised by wudu.

Question 35

What is wudu?

Answer 35

The symbolic washing before prayer

Question 36

What is a rak'ah?

Answer 36

A complete sequence of prayer

Question 37

Define ummah

Answer 37

Unity of Muslims

Question 38

What is Jummah prayer?

Answer 38

Congregational prayer, which is seen to have more social and spiritual benefit.

Question 39

What is Du'a prayer?

Answer 39

A private prayer in which Muslims bring their concerns to Allah.

Question 40

Define nisab

Answer 40

The minimum net worth of an individual required to pay zakah

Question 41

Other than the Islamic obligation, what does zakah actually mean?

Answer 41

Purification. Zakah is believed to clear a believer's heart from greed

Question 42

What is sadaqah?

Answer 42

Further voluntary donations, other than zakah. This is considered to be charitable. There are no limits or guidelines for this.

Question 43

What are khums?

Answer 43

One of the ten obligatory acts for Shi'ites. An Islamic tax of 20% of a person's excess earnings.

Question 44

What is Id-ul-Fitr?

Answer 44

The Festival of Fast Breaking

Question 45

What is a Khutbah?

Answer 45

A sermon delivered by an Imam, during Id-ul-Fitr

Question 46

What is Id-ul-Adha?

Answer 46

The Festival of Sacrifice (commemorating the story of Ibrahim and Isma'il). Those who can afford to are required to offer an animal for sacrifice

Question 47

What is the bismillah?

Answer 47

A blessing said over an animal that is being sacrificed during Id-ul-Adha - "In the name of Allah the merciful, the compassionate"

Question 48

What is Id-ul-Ghadeer?

Answer 48

The day that Muhammad delivered his last sermon. Seen as a festival by Shi'a Muslims, as this is supposedly the day when Ali was appointed as the next successor. Hence, only Shi'ites celebrate this as a festival.