Islam Practices Flashcards
1
Q
Shahadah
A
- The first pillar of Islam - a declaration of faith. This is when a Muslim states, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”. This should be the first and last thing a Muslim hears when they are born and about to die/have died
2
Q
Significance of the Shahadah
A
- Declares a Muslim’s belief in Tawhid (the oneness of God) and Risalah (prophethood)
- Reflects teaching in the Qu’ran (e.g. “there is no deity except him”)
- Shi’as do not have this as one of their obligatory acts but still recite the Shahadah with the addition of, “and I bear witness that Ali was the friend of God”
3
Q
Zakah
A
- Third pillar of Islam - it is prayer and is considered to be the most important way of worshipping God
- Salah occurs five time daily - just after dawn; just after midday; late afternoon; just after sunset and just after dark
- All Muslims pray towards the direction of Mecca and perform Rakah (actions) during the prayers such as prostration (bowing) before God to show their submission
- Muslims must prepare themselves for prayer by spending a few moments reflecting on their niyyah (intentions)
- Muslims ritually cleanse themselves before a prayer (Wudu)
4
Q
Significance of Salah
A
- Salah brings the Ummah together especially during Jumu’ah (congregational prayers)
- It helps Muslims in non-Muslim countries to feel part of the wider ummah as they pray in the same direction as other Muslims (towards Mecca)
- Allows Muslims to build a personal relationship with God, particularly through “Du’a”, which is a Muslim’s personal prayer on top of the existing five daily prayers
- Many Shi’as only pray three times a day
5
Q
Zakah
A
- Third pillar of Islam - giving to charity - Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth per year as they believe it is their duty to be charitable and God will reward them for their acts of giving
- Sadaqah are extra payments often in the form of charitable deeds
6
Q
Significance of Zakah
A
- Muslims are commanded by Qu’ran to give to those in need, widows, orphans or travellers
- Sign of purity as money is believed to have corrupting influence
- Muslims believe their wealth does not belong to them but is a gift from Allah as the Qu’ran states, “Spend from that which we have provided for you”
- Muhammad himself practiced Zakah
- Sunnis will pay Zakah to the government whereas Shi’as will pay their Zakah to religious leaders as well as additional Khum tax
7
Q
Muslim aid
A
Many Muslims donate Zakah or Sadaqah to charities such as this
- Muslim aid provides emergency relief to those suffering from natural disasters
- They also helped support those suffering after the Grenfell tower fire by providing donations to those left homeless after the fire
8
Q
Sawm
A
- Fourth pillar of Islam - fasting during the month of Ramadan (ninth month of Islamic calendar)
- During Ramadan Muslims refrain from eating food and drinking water, smoking and sex from dusk to dawn - they should also avoid evil thoughts and unkind speech
- Some Muslims argue fasting should be standardised as Muslims in the Middle East tend to fast at most for 15 hours whereas when fasting falls in British summertime, Muslims living there must fast for up to 19 hours each day during Ramadan
- Shi’as fast in the same way but also spend three days during Ramadan mourning the death of Ali
9
Q
Sawm significance
A
- Develops spiritual discipline and self control
- Falls on the month Muhammad is believed to have received the first revelation of the Qu’ran so Muslims use this time to focus on the word of God rather than bodily desires
- Strengthens ummah as Muslims families share food at suhur and iftar
- Helps Muslims identify with the poor
- God instructed Muslims to fast as seen in the Qu’ran, “decreed upon you is fasting … that you may become righteous”
10
Q
Hajj
A
- Fifth pillar of Islam - pilgrimage to Makkah/Mecca
- Qu’ran only commands it as a duty for those who have enough money to leave their home for a lengthy period and who are mentally and physically fit enough
- Hajji (male) or Hajjah (female) - special title given to those who have completed the journey - a great honour
11
Q
Significance of Makkah
A
- Makkah seen as the holiest city to Muslims as it is here that Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by God, in a dream, to sacrifice his son, Isma’il
- Ibrahim overcame a test when the devil appeared and tried to tempt him into denying God’s word - but Ibrahim threw stones to drive the devil away
- Ibrahim built the Ka’ba as a place of worship to the one, true God
- Prophet Muhammad returned to Makkah before his death to reclaim the city for God - therefore the route of Hajj pilgrimage takes believers to the sacred sites where many of these events are said to have taken place
12
Q
Significance of Hajj
A
- Hajj brings the ummah together all over the world - emphasises equality between all Muslims through wearing of the Ihram (white garments)
- Opportunity for Muslims to remember history of their faith by following rituals carried out by the prophet Ibrahim and his wife Hajar
- Muslims ask for mercy and forgiveness on mount Arafat and symbolise their own turning away from the temptations of the devil by throwing stones at the pillars representing the devil - this is known as Jamarat
- Muslims focus on the teaching of the Tawhid by circling the Ka’ba where Muhammad destroyed the idols of God
- Muslims celebrate together all over the world by performing festivals at the end of Hajj - Eid Ul Adha where an animal is sacrificed and its meat is often distributed to the poor
- Although Shi’as also perform Hajj, they may also perform pilgrimage to other Shi’a shrines at different times of the year such as to the grave of Ali
13
Q
Lesser Jihad
A
Holy war which allows force but only for self-defence
* “To those asgainst whom war is made, permission is given to fight” - Qu’ran
* Muhammad allowed his followers to fight in response to the Makkans who planned to wipe out all Muslims
14
Q
Greater Jihad
A
The struggle to be a Muslim: to perform the 5 pillars with devotion, to practise the path set by Muhammad, seek justice and fairness for all, to rise above greed and selfishness
* Muslims must therefore control their own desires, battle against laziness, encourage what is right and respect the beliefs of others
* “God, I seek your protection against … laziness” - Muhammad
15
Q
Muslim beliefs about festivals
A
- Islam believes in practising moderation so religious festivals aren’t about excess and partying, rather, they are more about community, thanksgiving, remembrance and celebration
- Festivals are occasions to worship and remember the presence of God
