Living the Muslim life (N)

Question 1

The Ten Obligatory Acts

Answer 1

Only Shi’a. Purposes, guide lives, closer to Allah, achieve paradise, unite Shi’a. Acts: Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Hajj, Khums, Jihad, Amr-bil-Maroof (commandment), Nahi Anil Munkar (forbid evil), Tawalla (love), Tabarra (avoid evil).

Question 2

The Shahadah

Answer 2

First Pillar. Basic belief, for both Sunni and Shi’a. Statement of faith, demonstrates loyalty. Purposes, profess faith, first thing newborn hears, before death, throughout day. Shi’a adds Ali Tawid.

Question 3

Salah

Answer 3

Second Pillar. Compulsory prayer, five times (five-in-three Shi’a). Nature, ummah. History, prophets. Before, wudu (cleanse). Performed anywhere clean. Friday, Jummah service (mosque). Face Mecca.

Question 4

Zakah and Khums

Answer 4

Zakah (Sunni), third Pillar, obligatory charity, 2.5% wealth. Purification, benefit poor, sharing Allah’s gift, judged, unity (ummah), frees greed. Khums (Shi’a), religious tax, 20% surplus, half ummah/poor. Helps projects, poor, teaching, Obligatory Acts.

Question 5

Sawm

Answer 5

Fourth Pillar, fasting in Ramadan, ninth month, no eating/drinking/evil/smoking/sex. Exempt, elderly, children, pregnant, travelling, physically/mentally unable. Laylat al-Qadr commemorates Muhammad (revealed Qur’an), remembers gift, opportunity for forgiveness.

Question 6

Hajj

Answer 6

Fifth Pillar, annual pilgrimage, Mecca, obligatory once. Nature, five days, Muhammed born/lived there. Role, closer to Allah, follow Muhammad. Patience (struggle), reflection. Benefits, closer/commitment to Allah (al-Jannah), ummah. Challenges, physically/financially fit, crowded. Performed, ihram (robes), Tawaf (circling Ka’bah), Mount Arafat (read).

Question 7

Jihad

Answer 7

Jihad, personal struggle. Greater, inner, study Qur’an, deeds, attending mosque, resist temptation. Lesser, outer, defend Islam, non-violent/violent, justified, last resort, minimal suffering, surrender ends. Understandings, greater > lesser.

Question 8

Celebrations and commemorations

Answer 8

Commemorations, strengthem ummah, common beliefs. Festivals, Id-ul-Adha (Sunni + Shia, Hajj’s end, Ibrahim’s sacrifice), Id-ul-Fitr (Sunni + Shia, Ramadan’s end, thank Allah), Ashura (Sunni + Shia, fasting, mourning Noah + Moses), Id-ul-Ghadeer (Shia, celebrate Imam Ali)