Islamic Practices

Question 1

Five Pillars of Islam (Sunni)

Answer 1

Shahadah-“there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messanger”
Salat-Prayer 5 times a day
Zakat-Compulsory 2.5% to charity each year
Sawm- Fasting
Hajj-Pilgimage

Question 2

Shahadah

Answer 2

A statement of faith
"There is no deity except him" Quran
Whispered into a new born babies ear
Said at the call to prayer 5 times a day
Last words a dying person hears
"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messanger"

Question 3

Salat(Prayer)

Answer 3

Wudu-Washing before payer
5 times a day
Reminder of God, shows submission and unites Muslims (Jummah)
Rak’ah-Series of movements that makes up the prayer routine
During the night journey, Allah revealed to Muhammad that Muslims should pray continuously
“Worship your Lord until the last moment” Quran

Question 4

Zakat

Answer 4

2.5% of wealth
Quran instructs to give to those in need
Sign of purity
Our wealth is not ours and must be shared-We are stewards/khalifahs
“Allah will shade and shelter those who give charity” Quran

Question 5

Sawm(Fasting)

Answer 5

Fasting during the daylight during ramadan
Self-Discipline, spiritual reflection, Unites people, Lets people know how it feels to have no food or water and being grateful to Allah for what they have
This can be more difficult in the UK as they days are longer(up to 19 hours)
“But to fast is best for you” Quran

Question 6

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Answer 6

Sunni Muslims can take a pilgrimage to the Ka’ba in Makkah
Takes place in Makkah because Prophet Muhammad was born, received the Quran and returned there before his death
Also Ibrahim overcame a test from the Devil there
“You shall observe the complete rites of Hajj” Quran

Question 7

Stages of Hajj

Answer 7

Tawaf- Circling the Ka’ba 7 times
Walking between hills in memory of Hajar trying to find water for her son
Drinking from the Zam Zam well which appeared to Hajar
The wukuf-standing before God on the plane of Arafat remembering his forgiveness and mercy
Collecting pebbles
Throwing pebbles at pillars to show a rejection of the devil just as Ibrahim did

Question 8

Greater Jihad

Answer 8

The daily struggle to live as a good Muslim
Issues regarding living as a Muslim in Britan today and maintaining a Muslim lifestyle
Trying to be a better Muslim
Struggle with oneself
Following the Prophets example
“Strive hard against the unbelievers” Quran

Question 9

Lesser Jihad

Answer 9

A physical struggle or “holy war” in the defence of Islam
Never aggressive only defensive
Declared by a Muslim Leader
“Fight in the way of Allah” Quran

Question 10

Id-ul-Adha (the festival of sacrifice)

Answer 10

Also known as the greater Id, it celebrates when Allah apperared to Ibrahim in a dream and instructed him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience
The devil tried to tempt Ibrahim to spare his son and disobey Allah. As Ibrahim was about sacrifice his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead
This happens at the end Hajj but all Muslims celebrate it
“What reaches Him is piety from you” Quran

Question 11

Id-ul-Fitr

Answer 11

A big festival known as The festival of fast breaking following Ramadan
Muslims arent only celebrating the end of their fast but thanking Allah for the help strength and self control given to them during Ramadan
During Id-ul-Fitr Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and spend time with friends and family
It is obligatory to give some money to charity to be used to help poor people buy new clothes and food so they can celebrate too

Question 12

Ashura-The day of Remberance (Shia)

Answer 12

The day of ashura is marked by Muslims as whole but for Shia Muslims it is a major religious commemoration of the martyrdom in a battle at Karbala of Husayn, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad

Question 13

The Night of Power

Answer 13

The night of power marks the night in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad by Allah (27th day of Ramadan)
Muslims regard this as the most important event in history
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months” Quran
This is a time that Muslims spend praying and studying

Question 14

Ten Obligatory acts for Shia Muslims

Answer 14

Salat-Often just 3 times a day
Sawm- During Ramadan, 3 days spent mourning Ali’s death
Zakat
Hajj-Extra places to visit such as Karbala
Jihad
Khums-20% tax in addition to zakat
Amr-bil-maroof-Commanding what is just and directing others to good, aiming for peace
Nahil Anril Munkar – forbidding evil by discouraging people from doing what is wrong.
Tawalia-Love to God, Prophet Muhammad, 12 Imams and those who are honest and fair
Tabarra-Hatred towards who oppose Allah