Living the Muslim Life Flashcards
Greater Jihad?
Muslim struggles with them-self to become a good Muslim. Struggle (especially in non-muslim country) to live a perfect muslim life: following all pillars and Shari’ah of Islam. =first struggle of Muslims is with themselves, to make themselves good muslims.
Lesser Jihad?
Muslim managed to make them-self a good Muslim and concentrate on making their community and whole world a perfect Muslim place. Most think done by peaceful means- making gov and laws Muslim and converting people to islam. Surah 2 says no force into religion- bans Jihad to make people Muslim.
But belief in Islam to fight to defend their faith- attacked duty to defend. Surah 2 says must fight if attacked, die on jihad go straight to heaven. Only in self defence not attacking.
Effects of teaching Jihad on a Muslims life?
Means life must be a struggle for Muslim. If muslim struggle to make themselves good muslim- trying to practise all five pillars and fulfil all regulations in shari’ah.
Perfect muslims struggle then to make world Muslim.
Meaning of Islamic birth rituals?
Born= adhan (call to prayer) must be recited in right ear and the aqama (call to begin to pray) in left. Done by father ensure name of God and need for prayer recorded in child’s brain.
Week after: naming ceremony aqiqa. Childs hair shaved and sum of money equivalent to hair weight given. Sheep/goat sacrificed to Allah 1/3 meat given to poor 1/3 relatives 1/3 for special meal home.
Wears special clothes prayers said and presents given.
Boys circumcised- prophets circumcised.
Significance of birth rituals?
Extra joy as obey will of Allah to have children and increase ummah. Following sunnah prophet. Remind muslims every child should have opportunity to grow as muslim.
Remind family/ community of responsibilities to help baby become good muslim.
Meaning of death rituals?
No loud crying- M said help devil enter house.
Relative dying: relatives with and saying shahadah/ recite special verses- M recommended- give grace to dying- die peacefully: no trouble on judgement.
Prepared for burial by close relatives of same sex.
Stomach squeezed out and wrapped in white cloth, leaving face uncovered.
Taken to mosque: janazah prayers: prayer leader stands in front of body= head pointing right, feet left of prayer leader facing qibla.
Burial asap within 24/48 hours.
Cremation not allowed, coffin buried towards qibla.
Prayers said as coffin lowered.
Third day of death relatives meet at deceased house read Quran/ special prayers.
40 days no celebrations.
Fortieth day- readings said again, mourning over.
Significance of Death rituals?
Praying for dead reminds Muslims will one day face Allah, death marks new life after death.
Simplicity of funeral not expensive/ extravagant: equality of all believers, especially in death.
Attitudes towards drugs/ alcohol?
No allowed to drink/ manufacture/ sell.
Qur’an bans alcohol- intoxicates/ clouds mind. All drugs banned. Allowed to take prescribed medicine.
Haram because=
Cause health problems, illegal in many countries, affect mind- prevent clear thinking, lead person losing control over actions.
Implications of law on dress in a western society?
Clothing not permit sexual attraction outside home. Cover whole body: neck- ankles, body not visible= baggy/ non transparent.
Men= knee length shorts, no silk/ gold, no jewellery, cover head with turban, prayer caps- respects Allah- represents Him.
Women= cover head/ hair- hijab. Face with slits- burka. Covering garment over clothes.
Muslims not allowed naked unless for medical purpose: school showers not allowed.
Problems of Muslim dress law in western society?
Problems with school uniform/fashion- peer pressure.
Prejudice/ abuse.
Mixed sex schools: P.E.
Feminists see it as oppressive/ unfair for women.
Women believe wearing hijab= interpreting teaching of Qur’an in most pleasing way for Allah.
Food laws in western society?
Can eat meat slaughtered: throat slit and blood drained whilst praying thanks to God. Cannot eat ordinary meat in Uk: as slaughtered by stunning.
Muslim meat= halal meat: halal butchers or Kosher meat.
No pork or animals that live on dead meat: crows hyenas shell fish.
Problems of food law in western society?
Non- halal meat in restaurants, school canteens.
Everyday products include non- halal meat extracts: crisps etc.
Difficulty finding halal butchers.
Riba in capitalist society? (Lending money at interest).
Those who lend/ borrow interest go to hell. Takes money from poor and gives to rich. Islam should do opposite.
Not have mortgages, or hire, or credit cards, no saving/ building societies, no current accounts charging/ giving interest rather than share in profits.
They have to form saving groups so houses bought one at a time: no mortgages- saving for things so can pay cash.
Only use banks which give share, not interest.
Riba gambling in capitalist society?
Prohibited in Qur’an: should not bet.
Involves luck/ chance, suggests something other than Allah controls human destiny- shirk/ deny tawhid.
Takes money from others rather than working it for self.
Problems of gambling in capitalist?
Not buy lottery/ raffle or gamble engaging. Debate in islam on whether all games of chance forbidden (monopoly etc) as Quran says muslims should not be involved in things dependent on luck.
