Islamic practices

Question 1

what are the 5 pillars of Islam

Answer 1

• Shahadah
• Salah
• Zakah
• Sawm
• Hajj

Question 2

why are the 5 pillars important to Muslims

Answer 2

• supports the key principals to the religion

- seen as a way to be a perfect muslim

Question 3

what are the ten obligatory acts

Answer 3

• salah
• sawm
• zakah
• kums
• hajj
• jihad
• amr-bil-Maruf
• Nahi Anil Munkar
• Tawallah
• Tabarra

Question 4

what is Shahadah

Answer 4

• basic belief of Islam is expressed in the Shahadah

- there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah

Question 5

when is Shahadah said

Answer 5

• when a baby is born

- when a person dies

Question 6

how is the Shi’a Shahadah different

Answer 6

• add ‘ Ali is the friend of God ‘ that shows the belief that Ali was the true successor

Question 7

what is Salah

Answer 7

the daily prayers completed by Muslims

Question 8

when do Sunnis pray

Answer 8

5 times a day

• Fajr sunrise
• Zuhr just after midday
• Asr afternoon
• Maghrib just after sunset
• Isha night

Question 9

how do Muslims prepare for prayer

Answer 9

wudu

- spiritual cleansing to be respectful for Allah

Question 10

why is it important for Muslims to pray towards the same place

Answer 10

Mecca

- all Muslims are physically and mentally focusing on one place associated with God

Question 11

when does Sawm happen

Answer 11

happens in the month of Ramadan because it was believed that the Qur’an was revealed to Muhammed during Rammadan

Question 12

what do Muslims give up

Answer 12

food, water, sex and smoking

Question 13

give a quote for Wudu

Answer 13

wash your faces and your your hands up to the elbows

Question 14

why do Muslims fast

Answer 14

• focuses on God
• requires self-discipline
• shows their commitment to God
• reminds them of people less fortunate than themselves

Question 15

give a quote for salah

Answer 15

your Lord says call on me and i will answer you

Question 16

what other things can Muslims do through Ramadan

Answer 16

fasting reminds Muslims of the less fortunate and this creates awareness for the inequalities people face so Ramadan is an opportunity to give to charity

Question 17

what is Zakah

Answer 17

giving money (alms) to the poor

Question 18

how much money do Muslims give away every year

Answer 18

2.5% of annual earnings

Question 19

why do people give Zakah

Answer 19

• reminds them that everything comes from God
• frees people from greed and selfishness
• helps to purify and cleanse the soul

Question 20

give a quote about Zakah

Answer 20

• Alms are meant only for the poor, the needy

- God is well aware of whatever good you do

Question 21

what is the significance of Zakah

Answer 21

• fulfilling a duty imposed by God
• gives Muslim a good attitude towards money
• strengthens communities

Question 22

what is Khums

Answer 22

a practice by Shi’a Muslims in addition to giving Zakah

Question 23

what is Hajj

Answer 23

a pilgrimage made for religious regions and should happen at least once in a Muslims life

Question 24

what are the origins of Hajj

Answer 24

• Prophet Ibrahim was told by God to take his wife and son to Arabia then he was told to leave them on their own but they ran out of supplies so Hajira ran up two hills and prayed and Ishmel struck his foot into the ground and water gushed out. Then God told Ibrahim to build a shrine (the Ka’aba)

Question 25

what is Ihram

Answer 25

a sacred state that involves ritual washing, praying and putting on Ihram clothing

Question 26

what does the Ihram clothing represent

Answer 26

equality and purity

Question 27

what happens at the Ka’aba

Answer 27

circle it 7 times anti-clockwise

Question 28

what happens at Arafat

Answer 28

walk along the walkway between the hills of Safa and Marwah after completing 7 circuits they return to the Ka’aba then walk to Arafat

Question 29

what happens at Mina

Answer 29

there are three stone walls called Jamarat that represent devil and temptation. Pilgrims throw pebbles at the walls to show rejection of evil

Question 30

what is the importance of Hajj

Answer 30

• brings deep spiritual transformation
• teaches sincerity and humility in a persons relationship with God
• produces inner peace

Question 31

give a quote about pilgrimage

Answer 31

pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to God

Question 32

what is Jihad

Answer 32

the struggle against evil

Question 33

Greater Jihad

Answer 33

personal inward struggle for all Muslims to live in line with teachings of faith

Question 34

Lesser Jihad

Answer 34

outward struggle to defend Islam from threat

Question 35

what is Id-ul-fitr

Answer 35

• festival of breaking fast

- marks the end of Ramadan

Question 36

how do they celebrate Id-ul-fitr

Answer 36

• celebrated between 1-3 days
• gather in mosques and pray
• wear special clothes, decorate homes, special food is eaten and processions take place

Question 37

why is Id-ul-fitr celebrated

Answer 37

thanking God for the strength he has given them throughout Ramadan

Question 38

what is Id-ul-adha

Answer 38

celebration that remembers and honours the prophet Ibrahim for being willing to follows Gods command and sacrifice his son

Question 39

how is Id-ul-Adha celebrated

Answer 39

• prayers in a mosque
• animals are slaughtered to remember Ibrahims sacrifice
• if animals cant be slaughtered money is given to the poor

Question 40

what is Ahsura

Answer 40

the remembrance of Husayn, Son of Ali

Question 41

how do Shi’a muslims celebrate Ahsura

Answer 41

• some cut or beat themselves to remember the suffering of Husayn
• plays are performed
• processions

Question 42

how do Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura

Answer 42

celebrate the day when the Israelites were freed from Egypt