Islam- practices

Question 1

5 pillars of Islam

Answer 1

Shahadah- declaration of faith
Salah- obligatory prayer
Zakat- compulsory giving
Sawm- fasting during Ramadan
Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 2

What is the importance of the 5 pillars?

Answer 2

• called Five pillars because they form the foundation of Muslim life
• provide a framework beliefs and actions that unite Sunni Muslims
• give structure to daily life

Question 3

Why are the 10 obligatory acts important to Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 3

• guide Shi’a Muslims in how to live their everyday lives
• unite all Shi’a Muslims and give meaning to their lives
• help Shi’a Muslims achieve the reward of paradise after death and avoid the punishment of hell

Question 4

Shahadah

Answer 4

There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger
- reminds Muslims of the oneness of God- Tawhid- viewed as a fundamentally important Islamic belief
- reminds Muslims of the importance of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an

Question 5

What is the importance of the Shahadah for Muslims?

Answer 5

• whispered into ears of new-born babies so it is the first thing they hear
• recited during the call to prayer and Salah
• repeated when someone wishes to convert to Islam
• said before death (demonstrate a commitment to the religion of Islam)

Question 5

Is Shahadah the most important pillar? 12 marker

Answer 5

Agree:
- declaration of faith- in order to be a Muslim and practice the other pillars, this pillar has to come first. It sums up the Islamic faith. It is the first of the five pillars- first words you hear as a Muslim. This suggests it comes before/underpins the other pillars. Lasy the foundation
- spoken throughout the day (e.g call to prayer) and throughout your life (At birth and just before death), showing its importance

Disagree:
- all the pillars are equally important, they are all duties that could be performed, one cannot be singled out from the others
- salah is more important as it happens 5 times a day and its about making regular communication with God, it is more practical.
Zakat is more important as it helps others in a practical way, doing things to help others as this is rewarded by God. Although contrast this: the reason your doing Zakat is because of the Shahadah (key first pillar, no God but Allah)

Question 7

Salah quotes

Answer 7

“turn your face in the direction of the sacred mosque”
“call on me and I will answer you”