Islamic Practices Flashcards
What are the two different kinds of Muslims?
Sunni and Shia
Which is the biggest group of Muslims?
Sunni
What are the five pillars of Islam?
Hajj Zakah Sawm Salah Shahadah
Vocab
Prayer
Salah
Vocab
Fasting
Sawm
Vocab Charitable giving (alms)
Zakah
20% tax on your income after you have paid your bills.
Khums
Vocab
Pilgrimage
Hajj
Vocab
The struggle to maintain faith and defend Islam
Jihad
Vocab
Encouraging people to do what is good
Amr-bil-Maruf
Vocab
Discouraging people from doing what is wrong
Nahi Anil Munkar
Vocab
To be loving towards the friends of Allah including Muhammad and the Imams
Tawallah
Vocab
Dissociating from the enemies of Allah.
Tabarra
Vocab
The declaration of faith
Shahadah
What are the 10 obligatory acts that shia Muslims follow?
Salah Sawm Zakah Khums Hajj Jihad Arm-bil-Maruf Nahi Anil Munkar Tawallah Tabarra
Give for similarities between the pillars of Islam and the obligatory acts.
Salah (prayer)
Zakah (giving to charity)
Hajj (pilgrimage)
Sawm(fasting)
Describe two differences between the pillars of Islam and the obligatory acts
1) For Shi’a, the shahada isn’t as important. Tawallah (being loving towards Allah) is considered more important.
2) Shi’a believe that they should both discourage bad behaviours (Nahi Anil Munkar) and encourage good ones (Amr-bil-Maruf)
3) They also believe that they should dissociate from the enemies of Allah as this distracts them from doing good (Tabarra)
What does shahada mean?
It is the Muslim declaration of faith
It means ‘ there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is the prophet of Allah.’
Describe three occasions that the shahada might be said.
1) Daily prayers
2) into the ear of the new baby
3) If possible it is the last word that a Muslim says before they die
How would you become a Muslim?
Repeat the shahadah in front of witnesses
How do Shi’a Muslims change the shahadah?
They add an extra phrase at the end “and Ali is the friend of Allah.”
Why would a Muslim parent want to whisper the shahadah into their babies ears?
They want it to be the first word that the baby hears .This is so that he or she lives by them.
Why would a Muslim want their last words in life to be the shahada
Because it shows devotion and that Allah is always with you even when you die
How does the shahadah show Tawhid?
It says there is no God but Allah. this means that à la is the one and only, the most important.
How often do Sunni Muslims pray?
5 times
How often do Shia Muslims pray?
Three times
What does the Qu’ran Say about how often shi’a Muslims should pray?
Perform the prayer at the decline of the Sun, until the darkness of the night, and the Qur’an at Dawn.
Why do you Sunni Muslims pray five times a day?
Because Prophet Muhammad prayed five times a day so they follow what he did
What do Muslims do before they pray?
They perform wudu
Vocab
A set of cleansings before prayer
Ablutions
Qur’an reference
Describe Wudu.
You who believe, when you are about to pray, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, wash your feet up to the ankles and, if required, wash your whole body.
What is the religious reason for wudu?
It is for spiritual cleanliness. It reminds them they need to be clean and good people for Allah so that they can focus on him in their prayers
What Direction do Muslims face when they are praying?
They face Makkah.
Why do men and women pray separately in the mosque?
So that they don’t get distracted
Why do Muslims pray in the direction of Makkah?
Because it is where Mohammed lived and taught.
It is also the location of the Ka’aba
Vocab
The black box built for worship by Adam, rebuilt by Ibrahim and rededicated by Muhammad
The Ka’aba
How are prayer spaces set out in a mosque?
They are set out in rows
Are Muslims allowed to pray anywhere that they like such as on the ground?
No they should pray in a special place on a rug.
Describe how a Muslim would pray at home?
1) perform wudu
2) stand on their prayer mat
3) Women and girls pray at the back. Boys and men pray at the front
Why do airports have designated prayer rooms?
Because Muslims pray before and after going on a plane.
Describe one rak’ah.
1) hold hands up to ears to show that they are listening to Allah
2) saying “Allahu Akbar” God is the greatest
3) Prostrating themselves
Vocab
Doing the lowest bow possible
Prostration
What do Muslims do after they have performed their rak’ah?
They look to the right and left, Remembering
Give four reasons that Muslims pray
1)To show complete devotion to Allah
2) To show that Allah is a regular part of their daily lives
3) to show commitment
4)
5) To know that Allah is watching them to see whether they make the right or wrong choices
Vocab
The midday prayer every Friday
Jummah Prayer
Why do Muslims prostrate themselves during prayer?
To show how much more important and powerful Allah is than them.
Why is the Jummah Prayer special?
Because the leader at the mosque gives a sermon where he explains to the Muslim community how they can live their best life
Vocab
The Muslim leader at mosque
The Imam
Describe Zakah.
All Muslims give money to the poor. It is compulsory to give 2.5% of their savings during one year
Qur’an reference
Why did Zakah begin?
“ what ever you give should be for parents, Close relatives, orphans, The needy and travellers. God is well aware of what ever good you do.
Who has to pay Zakah?
Most Muslims follow the rule that:
If your savings are greater than £2200 then you have to give 2.5%
Vocab
Muslims can voluntarily give extra money to charity. what is this called?
Sadaqah
Give three reasons that Muslims give Zakah.
1) They acknowledge that everything they own comes from Allah.
2) They give to the poor to remember Allah and to give to those in need
3) It frees them from the desire of greed
Vocab
The month of fasting
Ramadan
When does Sawm take place during the Islamic calendar?
During the 9th month
What is the original reason for Ramadan
Muslims believe that Ramadan was the month when the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad
Vocab
This festival is celebrated during the second half of Ramadan
Night of power
What originally happened on the first night of power?
The night of power remember is the beginning of gods revelation to Muhammad
What did the angel Jibril say to Muhammad on the night of power
Read! In the name of your Lord who created a man from a clot of blood. Read! Your Lord is the most generous one who taught by the pen, Who taught man what he did not know.
What does the Qur’an say to explain how important the night of power is?
The night of glory is better than 1000 months
What happens during fasting?
Muslims fast during the daylight hours. They go without food and drink from sunrise to sunset. They get up very early to eat and then eat again after sunset.
There fast is broken with family and friends
What happens if you are too ill to fast during Ramadan?
You should make up for it by fasting on other days, later
What other things can Muslims not do during daylight, in Ramadan?
1) sex
2) smoke
3) think bad thoughts
If you fast during Ramadan, What does this show Allah?
1) It shows Allah how committed you are
2) It develops a self discipline Muslims need in their life to make sure they get to heaven
3) it shows you are willing to sacrifice your physical needs to show your submission to Allah
What is Hajj?
It is a pilgrimage to Makkah.
Every Muslim should try to do it at least once in their life.
Some communities provide financial support for those who couldn’t afford to go.
What country is Makkah in?
Saudi Arabia
Name a quote From the Qur’an about Hajj.
Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to Allah by people able to undertake it.
What is the story that tells how Hajj started?
Allah told Ibrahim to leave his wife and son with some supplies in the desert. After the food run out Ibrahim‘s wife ran between two hills call Safa and Mahwah to look for help. She collapsed on the ground. Ibrahim son (Ishmael) hit his foot on the ground and water began to gush up.
When Ibrahim returned he was told by Allah to build a special shrine called the Ka’aba.
Where the water had gushed up became known as the well of Zamzam.
After Mohammed was kicked out of Makkah because of his Islamic messages, he made a pilgrimage back to Makkah cleaning all the items from the Ka’aba and riding around it seven times anticlockwise.
Vocab
The Special state entered at the beginning of Hajj involving putting on simple white clothes and ritual washing
Ihram
What do the white clothes Ihram symbolise?
The equality of all Muslims whether rich or poor
Describe what happens on Hajj from the very beginning until a muslim reaches Arafat.
1) they circle the Ka’aba seven times anticlockwise
2) as they circle the Ka’aba,they pray
3) then they’ run’ between Safa and Mahwah seven times just like Ibrahim’s wife did when she was looking for water
4) they can collect bottles of water from the sacred Zamzam well
5) next they travel to Mount Arafat which is where Mohammed preached for the last time.
6) they think about how fiery and horrible Hell will be on the day of judgement.
7) If you know that you have done wrong and are determined not to do it again,Allah will forgive you at Arafat.
Describe what happens on Hajj after you have been to Mount Arafat.
1) muslims collect stones at Muzdalifah, just like Mohammed did
2) at Mina, muslims will throw their stones at walls and stone pillars which represent the devil and temptation.
3) an animal,usually a sheep, is sacrificed and eaten as a celebration
4) pilgrims then return to Makkah to circle the car about seven more times
5) then they reflect on Allah and his blessings before Hajj ends
Why do Muslims throw their stones at walls and stone pillars when they are on Hajj?
To represent the devil and temptation
Give four reasons that Hajj is so important to Muslims.
1) It teaches Muslims to be humble
2) it gives them a sense of inner peace
3) It shows self-discipline as it’s a physically and mentally demanding pilgrimage
4) It makes Muslims better people as they are more aware of à la and that he is there with them all the time and watching them
How did Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha start?
When Mohammed made his pilgrimage back to Makkah he was told there were two non-Muslim festivals that the people in the city celebrated.
He explained that Allah had appointed to other days which are better to celebrate.
Which festival is celebrated at the end of Ramadan?
Id-ul-Fitr
What does Id-ul-Fitr celebrate?
They are celebrating the end of the whole month of fasting
They are giving thanks to Allah for providing his guidance and wisdom in the Qur’an.
How do Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Fitr?
They gather together in masks to say special prayers for the festival.
A man gives a sermon about forgiving and forgetting differences and arguments and encourages them to think about the pool
Everybody wears their best clothes. Homes are decorated and special foods are eaten
They give cards and gifts or money.
Many Muslims are allowed time off school and work.
Festival is also the opportunity to give Zakah and Khums
Vocab
The Festival of sacrifice
Id-ul-Adha
What is the story behind Id-ul-Adha?
It remembers an honour is the prophet Ibrahim he was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael for Allah. He had been told to do this through a recurring dream sent by Allah. As Ibrahim was just about to carry out the sacrifice, Allah prevented it and gave Ibrahim a sheep instead.
This festival happens at the end of Hajj.
It is celebrated by all Muslims whether they are on pilgrimage or not.
How do Muslims celebrate id-ul-Adha?
In Britain they visit family and friends enjoy special meals and have special prayers at the mosque. The Imam gives a sermon celebrating Ibrahim’s commitment.
Sacrificing animals is not allowed in Britain so British Muslims buy an animal from a Muslim slaughter house. They keep a third of the animal, give a 3rd to family and friends and give the final 3rd to the poor.
Because this is tricky in the UK, many Muslims choose to give money to charity instead
What is Ashura?
Sunni Muslims Sometimes celebrate are sure to remember Moses freeing the slaves from Egypt or Noah leaving the Ark after the flood.
Shi’a Muslims remember the death of Husayn during Ashura.
Why was Husayn important to the Shi’a Muslims?
Husayn was the son of the first Shi’a Imam and was Muhammad’s grandson.
When the Shi’a people were attacked by a Sunni Caliph’s army, Husayn was killed in battle.
Hey surviving friends and family mourned for him writing poems and retelling the story of his death. He is seen as a martyr, someone who was killed for their beliefs
Vocab
Struggle against evil
Jihad
What is greater jihad?
This is the personal inward struggle all Muslims live in line with Islam
What is lesser jihad?
It is the outward struggle to defend Islam from threats.
How do Muslims perform greater jihad?
They tried to observe the five pillars of Islam which bring them closer to Allah
They may learn the Qur’an by heart which requires discipline and patience
Others focus on helping the poor and needy, focusing on Zakah
What is the purpose of greater jihad?
It is the purify your heart from all evil traits including avoiding temptation such as drugs, alcohol, greed and jealousy.
When was Lesser jihad more important?
In the early days of islam, when Mohammed and his followers were regularly attacked because of their faith
Give five conditions that a Holy War in Islam must meet
1) It can only be declared by a fair religious leader
2) it cannot be used to make people convert to Islam
3) It must be in response to a threat to the faith
4) it must not be used to gain territory or Wealth
5) it must be the last resort-All peaceful methods must have been tried first
What do Muslims believe about the psalms?
They are a book of songs in the old Testament of the Bible.
Muslims believe that they were revealed to David who was a prophet
What do Muslims believe about the scrolls of Ibrahim?
Allah revealed these books to Ibrahim, Who wrote them into scrolls
What do Muslims believe about the gospel?
The gospel is believed to be a book which was revealed to Jesus. Muslims believe that Jesus is a prophet of Allah.
They believe that the gospel is lost but it’s messages can still be found in the Bible.
Vocab
The oneness of Allah.
Tawhid
Vocab
Believes in one God only
Monotheistic
Tawhid shows two key aspects to Allah. What are they?
1) there is only one God, Allah. No other God exists.
2) Allah is one whole being. He does not have equal parts or sections. This makes it quite different to the Christian belief in a Trinity.
Muslims reject any idea of a Trinity
What is a Muslim’s most important duty?
To declare faith in the one God regularly
Do Muslims except that Jesus is the son of God?
No because this would go completely against Tawhid.
Which sin is completely unforgivable in Islam?
Attributing gods quality to an object, statue, building, picture etc
This is why Muslims will never draw pictures of Allah.
Why is Islamic art based on patterns shapes and calligraphy or passages from the Qur’an?
Because Muslims will never attribute gods qualities to objects,statues, buildings, pictures etc so they can’t draw pictures of Allah
Name two ways that a Muslim knows which direction to pray in?
1) there is a niche in the wall that faces Makkah.
2) They can use a special compass if they aren’t in Mosque.
Explain how Muslims prepare for prayer and why this is important.
They perform ritual washing before prayer called wudu (or ablutions). The purification of wudu helps Muslims to fully focus on God in their prayers.
Name 2 of the Ten Obligatory Acts and describe what they are.
Jihad-the struggle to maintain faith and defend Islam.
Tawallah-showing love for God and people who follow him.
Explain 2 contrasting ways in which Prayer is practised in Islam.
Shi’a Muslims pray 3 times a day because it is only stated in the Qur’an that we should pray 3 times. Sunni Muslims believe that they should pray 5 times a day as Muhammad did. Muhammad is the main role model in Islam so Muslims would want to follow him.
Explain 2 Muslim beliefs about the Night of Power. refer to scripture or another source of Muslim belief and teaching in your answer.
When the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad through Jibril. It is in the second half of Ramadan so it is when they are completely dedicated to Allah and reciting the Qur’an.
Observing the Night is thought to give Muslims the benefit of worshipping for a thousand months. The quote: ‘The Night of Power is better than a thousand months’.
Give 2 differences between Zakah and Khums
Zakah is given directly to those who are in need. However, half of the Khums is given to the religious leaders and half is given to charity or the poor.
Zakah is given by both Shi’a and Sunni Muslims and it is 2.5% of their savings. However, Khums is given by only Shi’a Muslims and is 20% of their savings.
Explain why the Ka’aba is important to Muslims
It is used as a way to remember the actions of the prophet Ibrahim and his family, who rebuilt the Ka’aba. It is the holiest place in Islam.
describe what must happen before Hajj starts, and what this signifies
Pilgrims must enter the state of Ihram. This involves performing a ritual washing, praying and putting on Ihram clothing.
Men dress in 2 sheets of white cloth and women wear a single colour(usually white as well).
This signifies that everyone is equal and entering a state of purity.
Explain 2 ways in which a belief in greater jihad influences Muslims today.
It allows Muslims to help and care for those in need. As this is what Allah would want. It follows the five pillars of Islam and 10 obligatory acts.
It allows Muslims to study the Qur’an and show that they are putting Allah before everyone else.
Describe the origins of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha.
Id-ul-Fitr: The festival was started by Muhammad after he arrived in Madinah, having fled from persecution in Makkah.
Muhammad told the people in Madinah that God had set aside two days of celebration.
Give 2 ways in which Shi’a Muslims observe Ashura.
They perform plays and reenactments to tell the story of Husayn’s death.
Many Shi’a Muslims take part in public expressions of grief and mourning.
