Muslim Practices

Question 1

The Five Pillars

Answer 1

The five most important duties for all Muslims; to believe, to pray, to give to charity, to fast, and to go on pilgrimage.

Question 2

The Ten Obligatory Acts

Answer 2

Important duties for Shi’a Muslims, which include the Five Pillars.

Question 3

Shahadah

Answer 3

The Muslim declaration of faith.

Question 4

Salah

Answer 4

Prayer with and in worship to God, performed under conditions set by the prophet Muhammad.

Question 5

Wudu

Answer 5

Ritual washing before prayer.

Question 6

Mihrab

Answer 6

A niche in a wall that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca).

Question 7

Qiblah Wall

Answer 7

The wall in a mosque that contains the mihrab.

Question 8

Rak’ah

Answer 8

A sequence of movements in ritual prayer.

Question 9

Recitation

Answer 9

Repeating a passage of text from memory.

Question 10

Prostration

Answer 10

Kneeling with the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes touching the floor, in submission to God.

Question 11

Jummah Prayer

Answer 11

A weekly communal prayer performed after midday on Friday, which includes a sermon.

Question 12

Ramadan

Answer 12

The ninth month of the Muslim calendar, during which Muslims have to fast from dusk to sunset.

Question 13

Fasting

Answer 13

Not eating or drinking for a certain length of time, usually for a religious reason.

Question 14

The Night of Power

Answer 14

(1) The night when the first revelation of the Qur’an was made to Muhammad. (2) The festival that marks the start of God’s revelation to Muhammad.

Question 15

Zakah

Answer 15

Purification of wealth by giving 2.5% of savings each year to the poor.

Question 16

Sadaqah

Answer 16

Good actions or voluntary payments that are undertaken for charitable reasons.

Question 17

Khums

Answer 17

A 20% tax paid by Shi’a Muslims on their excess income.

Question 18

Pilgrimage

Answer 18

A journey by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons; an act of worship and devotion.

Question 19

Hajj

Answer 19

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) that every Muslim should try to make at least once in their life.

Question 20

Ka’aba

Answer 20

The black cube-shaped building in the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Mecca); the holiest place in Islam.

Question 21

Hajji

Answer 21

Someone who has completed Hajj.

Question 22

Jihad

Answer 22

A struggle against evil; this may be an inward, personal collective struggle.

Question 23

Greater Jihad

Answer 23

The personal inward struggle of all Muslims to live in line with the teachings of their faith.

Question 24

Lesser Jihad

Answer 24

The outward struggle to defend one’s faith, family, and country from threat.

Question 25

Holy War

Answer 25

Fighting for a religious cause or God, probably controlled by a religious leader.

Question 26

Id-ul-Fitr

Answer 26

A Muslim festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Question 27

Id-ul-Adha

Answer 27

A Muslim festival that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

Question 28

Day of Ashura

Answer 28

A festival that is important for Shi’a Muslims in particular, who remember the battle of Karbala and death of Husayn on this day.