Islamic Practices Flashcards
Ten obligations (6 I need to know)
Salah, sawm, zakah, khums, hajj, jihad
“Forbid from sin and these it is that are the successful ones”
Salah
Prayer
“When you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and hands…”
Prayer at home
Many women who have young children pray at home. They must still perfrom Wudu and use a prayer mat facing Mekkah.
“if you do not see Him, know that He sees you”
Jihad
Greater-personal inward struggle
Lesser-outward struggle
“The person who struggles so that Allah’s word is supreme is the one serving Allah’s cause”
Hajj
Pilgrimage
Hajj should be made at least once during a Muslims lifetime. Starts and ends in Mekkah.
“A person who circles the Kabah 7 times…in the best from possible will have his sins forgiven”
Zakah
Charitable giving
2.5% of earnings (if affordable) given to the poor
“test the rich people and provide for the poor”
Shahadah
Declaration of faith
“When establishing a new community, a Muslim should first make the declaration of faith”
Sawm
Fasting
“the rich may experience the pain and hunger”
Id-Ul-Adha
Started by Muhammad. Celebrates the end of Hajj and Ibrahims willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
“This has been a trial which both had passed and now due a reward”
Id-Ul-Fitr
Festival started by Muhammad. Celebrates the end of Ramadan.
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed”
Ashura
The day of remembrance and mourning of Hussayn’s death for Shi’a Muslims.
“the day of Ashura is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping”
The 5 pillars
Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Hajj
Khums
Important Muslim practice to Shi’a Muslims in addition to Zakah
20% of their earnings (if affordable)
10% to Shi’a religious leaders
10% to charity or poor
When is Id-Ul-Fitr?
End of Ramadan
What does Id-Ul-Fitr celebrate?
Marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims thank God for the strength he has given them to fast and for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad during this month
How is Id-Ul-Fitr celebrated?
Celebrated 1-3 days. Gatherings in Mosques to say special prayers. Chance for Muslims to forgive differences or disputes with one another. Everyone wears best clothes and special foods are eaten. Presents and cards are exchanged.
When is Id-Ul-Adha?
10th day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah
What does Id-Ul-Adha celebrate?
The festival of sacrifice. Celebrates the end of Hajj. Remembers Ibrahims willingness to sacrifice his son for God.
How is Id-Ul-Adha celebrated?
Prayers in a mosque. Animals are slaughtered to remember Ibrahims sacrifice. Family keeps 1/3, give 1/3 to relatives and give 1/3 to the poor. Cards and presents exchanged. People make sure others aren’t celebrating alone.
When is Ashura?
10th day of the month of Muharram
What is Ashura celebrating?
The day of remembrance. Shi’a Muslims remember the death of Hussayn-the grandson of Muhammad.
How is Ashura celebrated?
Some Shi’a Muslims will beat themselves to shed blood. This is done in an attempt to connect with Hussayns sufferings and death. Plays performed to remember the story of his death.
What do religious leader encourage Shi’a Muslims to do instead of hurting themselves?
Donate blood
Who is Ashura more important to?
Shi’a Muslims
What do Sunni Muslims remember on Ashura?
The day of atonement - the day the Israelites were freed from Egypt
What do Muslims in the Uk do instead of killing an animal for Id-Ul-Adha?
Buy an animal from a slaughterhouse
What was revealed during the month of Ramadan? Who was it revealed to?
The Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad.
Which 2 festivals do Sunni and Shi’a Muslims celebrate?
Id-Ul-Adha and Id-Ul-Fitr
What do the 5 pillars do?
Support the main principles and beliefs of Islam (like how pillars support a building)
When is Shahadah recited?
When a baby is born, daily prayers, if possible the last words of a Muslim.
What do Shi’a Muslims add on the end of the Shahadah?
“and Ali is the friend of God”
This shows their belief that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law was the true successor of Muhammad
How many times do Sunni Muslims pray a day?
5
How many times do Shi’a Muslims pray a day?
3
What is Wudu?
A ritual washing for spiritual cleanliness and to focus fully on God during their prayers
Where do Muslims face when they pray?
Mekkah
What do all mosques have?
Mihrab built into the quiblah wall which shows the direction of Mekkah
What do Muslims use when praying?
A prayer mat
Do men and women pray together?
No they are separated into different rooms
What is Rak’ah?
Set of sequence of actions and recitations
What is the special Friday prayer called?
Jummah Prayer
What is Jummah prayer?
Midday payer every Friday. All Muslims are expected to attend a mosque. They must leave their work or close their business to attend the Jummah prayer
Who is more likely to pray at home?
Women if they have young children to look after
What must Muslims do if they pray at home?
Perform Wudu, use a prayer mat and face the direction of Mekkah
Why is prayer important?
It is what God has commanded them to do. It creates a greater awareness of God. Prayers unites Muslims worldwide.
Who might be excused from fasting?
Pregnant women, new mothers, children, people who are ill
What is the Night of Power?
Marks the beginning of God’s revelation to Muhammad.
How many months of worshipping is observing the Night of Power equal to?
1000 months
What are the origins of Hajj? (Part 1)
Ibrahim was told by God to take his son, Ishmael and wife, Hahira to Arabia. Ibrahim was told to leave them on their own with food and water. The supplies ran out in a few days and they began to suffer. Hajira decided to run up and down 2 hills called Safa and Marwah and prayed to God for help. Ishmael struck his foot on the ground and water came gushing out. When Ibrahim returned he was told by God to build a shrine dedicated to him (Kabah).
What are the origins of Hajj? (Part 2)
Many centuries later the people in Mekkah became used to worshipping idols. Muhammad journeyed form Madinah to Mekkah with a group of Muslims which is now seen as the first pilgrimage in Islam. Muhammad returned the Kabah to the worship of God alone.
Steps of the pilgrimage:
Entering the state of Ihram, circling the Kabah, travelling to Arafat, throwing pebbles at Mina and returning to Mekkah
Entering the state of Ihram
Before Hajj begins they must enter this state. This involves performing ritual washing, praying and putting on Ihram clothing. This is white cloth to show equality and purity
Circling the Kabah
Pilgrims circle the Kabah 7 times in an anti-clockwise direction. They will try and touch the Kabah
Travelling to Arafat
They will then walk along a walkway linking Safa and Marwah ( the hills in Ibrahims story) 7 times and walk 13 miles to Arafat. Halfway there they will stop for the night of Mina.
Standing at Arafat
Pilgrims will continue their journey from Mina to Arafat. They will spend the whole afternoon praying under the hot sun. Islam teaches God will forgive the sins who complete standing at Arafat
Throwing pebbles at Mina
Muslims will continue to walk and collect 49 small pebbles that will be used the next day at Mina. Mina has 3 stone walls which represents the devil and temptation called Jamarat. They will then throw there pebbles at these walls.
Returning to Mekkah
The next day the pilgrims return to where they started and circle the Kabah a further 7 times.
What does Hajj do?
Produces inner peace, shows self-discipline, shows equality and unity and leads to the forgiveness of sins
