Islam Practices Flashcards
Why are the five pillars important?
they are fundamental practices of Islam on which everything else is built on and are seen as the key to living a perfect Muslim life
What is the ten obligatory acts?
the five pillars combined with some additional duties and is followed by twelver shia muslims
What is Shahadah?
the muslim declaration of faith and expresses the basic beliefs of Islam
What are the five pillars?
-Shahadah (the declaration of faith)
-Salah (prayer)
-Zakah (charitable giving)
-Sawm (fasting)
-Hajj (pilgrimage)
What are the ten obligatory acts?
-Salah
-Sawm
-Zakah
-Khums (20% tax where half of it goes to charity and the other half to religious leaders)
-Hajj
-Jihad (the struggle to maintain the faith and defend Islam)
-Amr-bil-Maruf (encouraging people to do what is good)
-Nahi Anil Munkar (discouraging people from doing what is wrong)
-Tawallah (showing love for God and people who follow him)
-Tabarr (not associating with enemies of God)
What is the phrase that is Shahadah?
‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah’
What are the extra words that shia muslims add to the phrase of Shahadah?
‘and Ali is the friend of God’
What is Shahadah considered?
the foundations for the other four pillars
What does someone have to do to become a muslim?
sincerely recite the Shahadah in front of muslim witnesses
When a baby is born into a muslim family what is the first thing they hear?
the Shahadah is whispered into their ear
How many times a day do sunni muslims pray?
5 times a day (just before sunrise, just after midday, afternoon, just after sunset and night)
How many times a day do shia muslims pray?
3 times a day (just before sunrise, combined just after midday and afternoon, and combined just after sunset and night)
What is wudu?
ritual washing before they pray to make themselves spiritually clean
What way do muslims face when they pray?
the city of Makkah
In a mosque what indicated the direction of the city of Makkah?
the mihrab (a small niche in the qiblah wall)
If water is not available, how can wudu be performed?
they can ‘wash’ themselves with sand or dust instead because it represents being spiritually clean and not physically clean
Why is wudu important?
the purification of wudu helps muslims to fully focus on God in their prayers
Why is facing Makkah when praying important?
praying in the same direction means that all muslims are focusing on one place associated with God
What is rak’ah?
a set sequences of actions and recitations
What is the Jummah prayer?
a special prayer that is held at midday on Friday, which men are expected to attend at the mosque
What does prayer do?
unite muslims and brings them closer to God
How is rak’ah included in prayer?
each prayer consists of a certain number of rak’ah
At the end of the Jummah prayer what happens?
the imam will give a sermon that reminds Muslims about their duties to God
What is the significance of prayer?
-the action of bowing and prostrating remind muslims that God is greater than them
-muslims have been commanded by God to pray
-it helps muslims to become closer to God
-it motivates muslims to do God’s will
-it unites muslims around the world as they all pray in the same way
Why is Ramadan the most important month in the Islamic calendar?
it is the month where angel Jibril (Gabriel) started to reveal the Quran to Muhammad
What do muslims do during Ramadan?
-fast
-study the Quran
-give to charity
-try to please God
What is the Night of Power?
the night when angel Jibril (Gabriel) first started to recite the Quran to Muhammad
Since when has it been obligatory for muslims to fast during Ramadan?
the seventh century
How does fasting work?
muslims get up everyday before sunrise to eat and drink enough to keep them going until sunset and fast is broken at sunset
What is forbidden during fasting?
food, drink, smoking and sex during daylight hours