Islamic Practises Flashcards
What are the 5 pillars? Definition
The 5 most important duties for all Muslims. They are the fundamental practises of Islam on which everything else is built and are seen as the key for living a perfect Muslim life.
What are 10 obligatory acts? Definition
This combines the 5 pillars with some additional duties. These are followed by Shi’a Muslims.
What does shahadah mean?
This is the Muslim declaration of faith. Expresses basis believes of Islam.
What are the 5 pillars?
Shahadah- declaration of faith Salah- prayer Zakah- charitable giving Sawm- fasting Hajj- pilgrimage
What are the 10 obligatory acts?
Salah- prayer
Sawm- fasting
Zakah- charitable giving
Khums- 20% tax (half goes to charity and half to religious leader)
Hajj- pilgrimage
Jihad- the struggle to maintain the faith and defend Islam
Amr-bil-Maruf - encouraging people to do what is good
Nahi Anil Munkar- discouraging people from doing what is wrong
Tawallah- showing love for God and his followers
Tabarra- not associating with enemies of God
A quote about Shahdah?
“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”
Why is shahadah important to Muslims?
It expresses the core beliefs of Islam. It is recited many time during a Muslims life. If born into a Muslim family it is the first thing they hear and when they die if possible it is the last thing they say.
What is the differences in prayer between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims?
- Sunni Muslims pray 5 times a day and Shi’a pray three times a day.
- Shi’a combine the midday and afternoon prayers and sunset and night prayers, so they pray the same prayers but only 3x a day.
- Shi’a believe in using only natural elements when prostrating themselves so they place a clay tablet at the spot where their forehead will rest. (Differences in movements)
What should Muslims do when preparing for prayer?
Preform ritual washing (wudu) before they pray to make themselves spiritually clean.
How do Muslims preform wudu?
- wash their faces, hands and feet under running water
- mosques have 2 special rooms set aside fo this. One for women one for men.
- if water is unavailable Muslims can ‘wash’ themselves using sands or dust instead. This illustrates that they are becoming spiritually clean not physically.
Why is wudu important?
Helps Muslims to fully focus on God in their prayers.
What direction should Muslims face when praying?
Face the city of Mecca. (Makkah)
How is facing the city if Mecca achieved?
- In a mosque the mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca.
- This is a small niche in the qiblah wall, which is the wall that faces Mecca. They use this to face the right direction when they pray.
- they can also use a special compass to indicate the right direction.
Why do Muslims face the city of Mecca when they pray?
Praying in the same direction means all Muslims are focusing on one place associated with God.
How does prayer take place inside a mosque?
- led by the imam, who is positioned at the front of the congregation, facing mihrab.
- Men and women lady at same time but separately (separate places)
- the imam will lead the prayers from the men’s prayer room but his voice is is usually also broadcast in the woman’s room.
What are the 5 times Sunni Muslims pray?
Fajar: just before sunrise Zuhr: just after midday Asr: afternoon Maghrib: just after sunset Isha: night
What is the Jummah prayer?
A special prayer that is held at midday on Friday. Men are expected to attend the mosque for this prayer but Muslims are otherwise allowed to pray at home.
Why do Muslims view prayer as important?
God commanded Muslims to pray so it’s important for them to observe this pillar. Prayer unites Muslims and brings them closer to God.
What is rak’ah?
Set sequence of actions and recitations during prayer.
What are the steps of prayer? (What is the rak’ah?)
Can vary depending on what prayer it is.
- stand and recite the first chapter of the Qur’an.
- bow(to show respect to God) and recite in Arabic ‘Glory be to my Lord who is the very greatest’ three times.
- stand and make a recitation praising God.
- kneel with the forehead, nose, hands knees and toes touching the floor (prostration) shows complete obedience to God. Recite ‘how perfect is my Lord the most high’
- recite ‘God is the greatest’, first while sitting and then while prostrating.
Why is prayer significant to Muslims?
- actions of bowing and prostrating remind them that God is greater than them.
- motivates Muslims to do God’s will
- helps Muslims become closer to God.
- Muslims have been commanded by God to pray
- unites Muslims all around the world as they all pray in the same way.
What is Ramadan?
Most important month in Muslim calendar and is when the angel Jibril started to reveal the Qur’an to Muhammad. They focus their faith by fasting during daylight hours during this month as well as studying the Qur’an and giving to charity to try and please God.
What is the Night of power?
The night when Jibril first started to recite the Qur’an to Muhammed. They celebrate this night during Ramadan.
What are the origins of Ramadan?
The command to fast was revealed to Muhammad and can be found in the Qur’an.
‘It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind…so any one if you who sees in that month should fast’ (Qur’an 2:185)
-it has been obligatory for Muslims to fast during Ramadan since the seventh century.
What does Ramadan involve?
- Muslims get up every day before sunrise to eat and drink enough to keep them going until sunset.
- food, drink, smoking and sex are forbidden during daylight hours.
- fast is broken at sunset. Evening meal is often shared with family and friends often followed by extra prayers and readings from the Qur’an.
What exceptions mean some people can’t take part in Ramadan?
- children and people who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding.
- people who can’t fast can make up for it later if they can.
