Living the Muslim Life

Question 1

What is the history of the Ten Obligatory Acts (3)?

Answer 1

-developed by the 12 Imams (descendents of Prophet Muhammed).
-the acts were presumably developed to differentiate Shi’a Muslims from Sunni Muslims.
-the acts were developed at a point before Sunni Muslims had accepted the Shahadah as the first pillar, so that is why it is not included in the 10 Obligatory Acts. However, it is still considered essential for becoming a Muslim.

Question 2

What are the 10 Obligatory Acts?

Answer 2

-Salah-prayer five times a day (Shi’a Muslims combine it into three).
-Zakat-2.5% annual earnings to charity.
-Sawm-fasting during Ramadan.
-Hajj-pilgrimage to Mecca.
-Khums-20% of annual earnings to the Imam.
Jihad-struggle in the way of Allah.
-Amr-Bil-Maroof-celebrating what’s right.
-Nahil-Anhil-Munkar-forbidding what’s wrong.
-Tawalla-expressing love towards Allah.
-Tabarra-expressing hatred towards evil.

Question 3

What are two quotes for the Ten Obligatory Acts?

Answer 3

-‘forbid what’s wrong’ (Nahil-Anhil-Munkar)
-‘enjoin what is right’ (Amr-Bil-Maroof)

Question 4

Why are the Ten Obligatory Acts important?

Answer 4

-by observing the acts. a muslim is following the example of the Prophet Muhammed and leading a good Muslim life.
-the acts were established by the 12 Imams. They were given authority so should be followed.
-Allah will punish those who do not fulfill the acts and Muslims do not want an afterlife in Jahannum.

Question 5

What are the purposes of the Ten Obligatory Acts(3)?

Answer 5

-guides Shi’a Muslims on how they should live their lives.
-helps them achieve the reward of Jannah (paradise).
-allows them to get closer to Allah in performing the actions he wants.

Question 6

What is the Shahadah and a quote?

Answer 6

-it is the decleration of faith.
-The Shahadah states, ‘there is no other God but Allah and Muhammed is his messenger’

Question 7

What are features of the Shahadah (3)?

Answer 7

-to become a Muslim, you must recite the Shahadah three times in front of a witness.
-A muslim father whispers the words of the Shahadah to their newborn baby.
-Muslims who are aware of the apporaching death will say the Shahadah.

Question 8

What are the purposes of the Shahadah(3)?

Answer 8

-it makes you a Muslim, to convert to Islam you must recite the Shahadah so it keeps the faith alive.
-reinforces the monotheism of the religion, stops people commiting Shurq (believing in any other God but Allah).
-it recognises the importance of the Prophet Muhammed.

Question 9

What is Salah and the history of it?

Answer 9

-praying five times a day.
-it originated when the prophets of Allah performed daily prayers commanded by Prophet Muhammed.

Question 10

What are features of Salah(3)?

Answer 10

-they perform Wudu (ritual washing with water).
-when praying to Allah, they always face Mecca (the holiest place of Islam).
-Muslims will pray when they hear the Adhan (call to prayer).

Question 11

What are three quotes about Salah and explain two of them?

Answer 11

-‘establish prayer’ Muslims should have prayers as part of their routine to help avoid sin.
-‘Worship your Lord’ Muslims must communicate with Allah to show him that he is worthy of their time and attention.
-prayers are said ‘so they may be guided’

Question 12

What are purposes of Salah(3)?

Answer 12

-they pray to get closer to God and strengthen their relationship with him.
-they pray to seek forgiveness from sin,this is because Allah is merciful.
-they pray to praise Allah. Prayer includes prostration, which shows Allah is worthy.

Question 13

What is the Jummah prayer (3)?

Answer 13

-it is a prayer done on Friday.
-all men must attend however women can also attend.
-it is performed just after noon.

Question 14

What is Sawm?

Answer 14

-fasting during Ramadan.

Question 15

What are features of Sawm(3)?

Answer 15

-no eating/drinking during daylight hours.
-Muslims will try to give up bad habits (e.g. drinking and smoking)
-Muslims will spend additional time im prayer and reflection.

Question 16

What are purposes of Sawm(3)?

Answer 16

-it teaches Muslims self-discipline.
-makes they more likely to give Zakat as they feel empathy for those in poverty.
-Sawm unites the Ummah as everyone fasts at the same time.

Question 17

What are two quotes about Sawm and explain one of them?

Answer 17

-‘fasting has been prescribed for you’
-fasting is compulsory and beneficial for your physical and spritual health.
-if Muslims do not give up bad habits, then ‘God is not in need of their leaving food and drink’ (Hadith)

Question 18

What are two features and a quote about Laylat Al-Qadr?

Answer 18

-celebrated on one night of Ramadan.
-Muslims will remember the time the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed.
-it is said to be ‘greater than a thousand months’

Question 19

What is Zakat and Khums?

Answer 19

-Zakat: 2.5% of annual earnings to charity.
-Khums: 20% of money to the Imam.

Question 20

What are three features of Zakat?

Answer 20

-2.5% of annual earnings to charity.
-it is given during Eid-Ul-Fitr.
-it is payed to the poor and needy.

Question 21

What are three features of Khums?

Answer 21

-it helps fund for mosques.
-it helps fund Muslim charities.
-20% of surplus income to the Imam.

Question 22

What are two quotes for Zakat and one quote for Khums?

Answer 22

-‘give in charity’
-Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and needy’
-Whatever you acquire,a fifth of it is for Allah’

Question 23

What are purposes of Zakat (3)?

Answer 23

-it is a sign of unity and supports the Ummah.
-Wealth is a gift from Allah that should be shared.
-Muslims believe it is what Allah wanted them to do, it is a good demonstration of Greater Jihad.

Question 24

What are purposes of Khums (3)?

Answer 24

-it is used to promote the religion of Islam through education (funding for mosques)
-it is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts so it is a duty.
-it gives special recognition to Prophet Muhammed and his descendants and leaders within Shi’a Islam.

Question 25

What is Sadaquah?

Answer 25

-Sadaqah is a voluntary contribution towards charity aside from Zakat.

Question 26

What is Hajj?

Answer 26

-it is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca

Question 27

What are three features of Hajj?

Answer 27

-Muslims go to Mount Arafat to ask for forgiveness.
-they throw pebbles at pillars to show Tabarra.
-they wear a white cloth to show equality.

Question 28

What are three purposes of Hajj?

Answer 28

-to show comittment to Allah, it demonstrates Greater Jihad.
-to unite with the Ummah (Muslim community).
-to seek forgiveness from sins in Mount Arafat.

Question 29

What are three benefits of Hajj?

Answer 29

-allows you to have access to Jannah as Muslims can seek redemption from sin in Mount Arafat.
-allows you to learn more about the history of the faith.
-shows commitment to Allah, demonstrates Greater Jihad.

Question 30

What are three challenges of Hajj?

Answer 30

-it may be very expensive. aeroplane tickets are expensive.
-it can be very dangerous, as people throw pebbles.
-the climate is very hot and since people are so close together, they can spread illnesses.

Question 31

What are two quotes about Hajj and explain it?

Answer 31

-‘a place of return’ Ummah will continue to travel to follow Prophet Muhammed.
-‘a place of safety’ they can gain redemption from sin which allows them access to Jannah (a place of safety and happiness)

Question 32

What is Greater Jihad?

Answer 32

-it is striving to resist evil withing oneself and to become a better person by doing good deeds.

Question 33

What is a quote for Greater Jihad?

Answer 33

-‘strive for his cause, so that you may prosper’
-this illustrates that those who are determined to act in a way tha pleases Allah,even when its difficult will be rewarded in Jannah (paradise)

Question 34

What are three categories of Greater Jihad?

Answer 34

-striving with the soul: aming to improve one’s character through the Five Pillars such as giving up bad habits during Ramadan.
-striving with the tongue: speaking the truth and telling other about Islam through social media or in a conversation.
-striving with the pen: writing about, or in defence of your beliefs such as writing articles about your faith, defending your faith in a blog.

Question 35

What is Lesser Jihad?

Answer 35

-is striving to resist evil in the world through physical/military means. This includes fighting an enemy in war.

Question 36

What is a quote about Lesser Jihad and explain it?

Answer 36

-‘fight in God’s cause against those who fight you but do not overstep the limits’
-this illustrates that Lesser JIhad can only be used to resist evil and not unless it is in self-defense/defense of Islam.

Question 37

When is Lesser Jihad allowed and what did Prophet Muhammed do to stop persecution?

Answer 37

-Lesser Jihad is allowed if persecution reaches an extreme level, religious freedom are being taken away, and you cannot target innocent civilians and cannot start a war.
-Prophet Muhammed sometimes took action against people who persecuted Muslims and those who wanted to put an end to Islam.

Question 38

Why is Jihad important to Muslims?

Answer 38

-it demonstrates their commitment to Allah and that they are faithful in spite of challenges.
-it helps them to become better people and develop their character like fasting during Ramadan helps them develop self-restraint and discipline.
-it ensures that persecution doesn’t continue. Therefore, lesser Jihad gives Muslims the right to protect themselves.

Question 39

What are three reasons as to why Greater Jihad is more important than Lesser Jihad?

Answer 39

-it’s about becoming a better Muslim, this is more important as Allah will judge us based upon our own faith.
-Greater Jihad can be shown by an Muslim (through Salah + Sawm) but not all Muslims need to physically fight for Allah’s cause.
-The Prophet Muhammed advocated Greater Jihad, he said first and foremost, you need to improve your own soul/mind. ‘strive for his cause’

Question 40

What are three reasons as to why Lesser Jihad is more important than Greater Jihad?

Answer 40

-religious beleifs needs to be protected which can sometimes only be done with violence. Sometimes, Greater Jihad is not enough and action is needed to protect people’s rights.
-if people are being persecuted,lesser Jihad is more important as we need to stop others hurting us, ‘fight them until there is no more persecution’

Question 41

Why do Muslims have celebrations and commemmorations?

Answer 41

-to remember historical events in the religion (Eid-Ul-Adha)
-to unite the Ummah and bring it together to celebrate.
-they are a time to thank God for what they have (Eid-Ul-Fitr).

Question 42

What is the history,activities, significance and quote about Eid-Ul-Fitr?

Answer 42

-it was started by the Prophet Muhammed to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
-they have special celebratory meals, exchange gifts and homes are decorated.
-it celebrates the end of fasting, unites the Ummah and it gives thanks to Allah for the strength he has given them during Ramadan.
-‘on this day of ours, our first act of worship is the offering of prayer’

Question 43

What is the history,activities,significance and quote about Eid-Ul-Adha?

Answer 43

-it remembers the story of Ibrahim being willing to sacrifice his son for Allah.
-it celebrates the end of Hajj, give money to the poor and sacrifice an animal.
-it reminds Muslims to show devotion to Allah and trust him.
-‘he was of our believing servants’

Question 44

What is the history,activities,significance and quote about Eid-Ul-Ghadeer to Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 44

-it commemmorates Prophet Muhammed choosing Ali as his successor.
-they fast,gather at the mosque and poetry is read about the event.
-it illustrates the importance of Ali within Shi’a Islam and how he was the rightful successor. it remembers a key event in the history of the religion.
-‘Ali will be the leader’

Question 45

What is the history,acitivites,significance and quote about Ashura to Shi’a Muslims?

Answer 45

-it remembers the martyrdom of Hussein (grandson of Prophet Muhammed) who went against an aggressive leader (Yazid) and was killed.
-there is a day of mourning, Muslims (Shi’a) will wear black ans there is a voluntary day of fasting.
-it remembers a key event in the religion, period of mourning and reflection.
-‘fast on Ashura to commemmorate this righteous day’