Paper 1 - Islam Flashcards
1
Q
The Oneness of God BT
A
Beliefs about God:
- only one God: Tawhid (monotheistic religion)
- Shahadah shows belief of one god: ‘there is one God but Allah and Muhammad is is messenger’
- The only sin God will not forgive is shirk: Giving God-like qualities to any other being or thing
Supremacy of God’s will:
- God is the creator therefore nothing happens unless God allows it, good or bad.
- Supremacy of God’s will is an article of faith
- Muslims often add the words ‘If Allah wills’ (Inshallah) after they promise to do something, God controls everything
Influence of these beliefs:
- They only turn to God for help
- Live according to God’s will
- Accept bad things happen as they are meant to be a test from God
- They respect the prophets (not worship them)
- Only worship God
- They show there belief in daily life
2
Q
Sunni and Shi’a Islam BT
A
Sunni Islam
- When Muhammed died, Sunni Muslims believe that the Qur’an and the Sunnah had the authority to guide
- Elected Abu Bakar to be leader (Caliph) to make sure people follow Gods law, Caliph’s don’t make law’s they enforce them
- Sunni means followers of the Sunnah
Shi’a Islam
- Believe that Muhammed has named had cousin Ali as his successor, Ali and his supporters thought that the true leaders (Imams) had to be descendants of Muhammad chosen by God
- only accept sayings of Muhammed passed to Ali or his followers
- The Twelver branch of Shia Islam believes that there have been 12 Imams in total
- Muhammad al-Mahdi was the last Imam and kept alive and hidden somewhere on earth and will return with Jesus to bring justice and equality
- Imams rule justly and are also the only people who can interpret the Quran without fault for Shia Muslims
3
Q
Nature of God (God’s Qualities) BT
A
The Names of God:
- God revealed himself to people through Muhammad and the Holy Books, 99 names of God in Qur’an
- These names help understand God’s nature
- Help feel Gods presence
Qualities of God
- Immanent: Within all things and close to his people
- Justice and Fair: He treats people fairly and justly, and requires Muslims to do the same
- Beneficent: Source of all goodness. Life and the Earth is a gift
- Transcendent: Beyond and above all things
- Omnipotent: He is the creator. sustained and owner of all things. he is all powerful
- Merciful: He understands suffering, cares for them and forgives if they are truly sorry
4
Q
Angles BT
A
Beliefs about Angles
- one of the six articles of faith for Sunni Islam
- Angles are part of the unseen world, created of light
- They pass God’s word to prophets
- They are pure and sinless
- do not have free will
- live to please and worship God
- have power to take human form
Jibril (Gabriel):
- is an archangel, trusted messenger of God
- relayed Quran to Muhammad
- appeared to Muhammad when he was a child and purified his heart
- appeared to Muhammad when he was 40 and told him what God wanted him to do and guided him throughout his entire life
Mikael:
- High ranking archangel, angle of mercy
- rewards the righteous
- sends rain, thunder and lightening to earth
- warns anyone who is the enemy of God’s angels is also an enemy of God
Other Angels
- Record actions of humans in the book of deeds used on the day of judgement
- Guardian angels look after us till death
- angels of death and his helpers take souls to God
5
Q
Life After Death BT
A
Akhirah: belief in everlasting life after death
Life after death
- belief when they die they will have a conscious existence in the grave
- enter a state called barakah meaning barrier, waiting for the day of judgement
- while in the grave two angels will question them about their faith. This results in their rewards and punishments
- Others belief they will stay in their grave till judgment day comes
How does it influence Muslims
- accept suffering and know God will provide justice
- avoid sin and do the right thing
- Aware they are accountable for there actions
- Encourages responsibility of actions
Day of Judgement
- when God’s purpose for the universe has been fulfilled
- Israfil will blow trumpet to announce destruction
- God will forgive those who are truly sorry
Resurrection
- Israfil blows the horn again, everyone will be raised from the dead and judged by God
- The book of their life will be handed to them
Heaven
- if given book in right hand they will go to Heaven
- described as garden of happiness
- reward for those of faith and good deeds
Hell
- if given book in left hand they will go to Hell
- described as place of fire and torment
- punishment for those who reject God and do evil
- It is absence from God
6
Q
Prophethood [Risalah] and Adam BT
A
What is a Prophet:
- Prophets are God’s chosen people to bring the message of Islam to people
- belief in prophets is known as Risalah
- method of communication between God and humans
- God gives instructions to prophets to teach people about how he wants them to live
- considered role models to believers
Prophet Adam
- first man of earth and first prophet
- Created from dust of the ground
- Father of human race
- God taught Adam the names of all things
- God asked Adam to teach the angles. The angels then bowed to him
- Iblis (The Devil) refused and was thrown out of paradise and he vowed to tempt humans to sin
- God created Eve (Hawwa) for Adam and they lived in the garden of Eden
- Iblis deceived them into disobeying God and eating from the tree
- they were thrown from paradise and brought sin into the world
7
Q
Prophet Ibrahim BT
A
Story of Ibrahim
- Ibrahim always wondered who created the universe
- He declared his belief in one God (Allah)
- worked to stop idol worship
- when everyone left the town, he took an axe and destroyed all the idols in the temple
- He left the axe around the neck of the biggest idol. He asked people why worship an idol that cannot speak, hear or defend themselves
- People tired to burn Ibrahim alive
- A miracle occurred and burned the chains and he walked out completely unhurt
- Many people began to follow God after this miracle
The Ka’ba
- small building in front of mecca
- house of god and holiest place in Islam
- Original built by Adam but was destroyed by the flood at the time of Noah
- Ibrahim and his son Ishmael rebuilt it on the same site
Ishmael
- Ibrahim had a dream to sacrifice his son to God
- Ibrahim’s willingness saved Ishmaels life and God swapped him with a lamb
- He was a man of faith
- During Id-ul-Adha, Muslims slaughter an animal to remember this
Hajj
- At Mine, they throw stones at the pillars in the same way Ibrahim threw stones at devil that tried to tempt him
- run between the two hills and drink Zamzam water, remembers story of Hagar, who searched for water for her and Ishmael and God rewarded her with a well.
- Mecca is sometimes known as the city of Ibrahim
8
Q
Prophet Muhmmed and the Imamate BT
A
Muhammad’s Life
- last and greatest prophet
- Born in Mecca, was an orphan and married a wealthy widow, Khadija at the age of 25
- Angel Jibril appeared to him with a message from God. For more than 20 years, Muhammad received further revelations from God making the Qur’an
Muhammad’s Preaching
- proclaimed God is one [Tawhid]
- challenged people of Mecca to give up cheating, gambling, drinking and idol worship
- Muhammad fled persecution with his followers to Madinah, This was the start of Hajj and the Ummah
- After the night journey, Muhammad gathered a tribe of 10,000 Muslims converts and conquered the city of Makkah in the name of Allah
The Night Journey
- Muhammad recorded this in the Qur’an
- angel Jibril took Muhammad to Jerusalem on a horse-like creature with wings, ascended into heaven
- spoke to God and the past prophets, Isa (Jesus) told people they should pray 5 times a day
9
Q
Holy Books BT
A
The Quran
- mixture of historical stories about the past prophets and advice on how to follow God
- Begins with a short prayer to God that is used in daily prayers
- Arranged in length of chapters
- Muslim children are encouraged to learn Arabic so they can read the Quran
Importance
- Word of God, foundation of faith, Most sacred text
- Final revelation with no errors or mistakes
- written in perfect Arabic
- Original is in heaven, so when Muslims read it they believe God is directly speaking to them
Torah (Tawrat) - revealed to Moses
Psalms (Zabur) - revealed to David (Dawood)
Gospel (Injil) - Revealed to Jesus (Isa)
Scrolls of Abraham (Ibrahim)
10
Q
5 Pillars of Islam P
A
The Five Pillars are central to Muslim practices. They are key to living a perfect Muslim life. They show obedience and dedication to God
The Shahadah
- foundation for other four pillars
- Other pillars are the Shahadah put into practice
- Makes you a Muslim and 1st pillar of Islam
Sunni:
‘There is no God but Allah and Muhmmad is his messenger’
Shia:
‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger and Ali is the friend of God
11
Q
Prayers
A
Sunni Muslims are required to pray during the day. Prayer times change because of the sun, therefore differs from winter to summer. Part of self discipline required in submitting themselves to God
Shia Muslims combine the Midday and Afternoon prayers and the sunset and night prayers, so they pray 3 times a day
How do Muslims prepare for prayer
- must be spiritually clean before they pray
- It is achieved by performing Wudu [ablution]
- washing is done under running water
- symbolises spiritual and physical cleanliness before you stand before God
- allows Muslims to focus on God
Prayer at home
- acceptable to pray at home
- room must be clean and suitable
- use prayer maths and position it at Mecca
- Women find it useful to pray at home especially if they have children to look after
Prayer in mosque
- Mosques have special carpets that look like rows of prayer mats facing mihrab
- prayers led by Imam who is at the front but also facing the mihrab
- Men and Woman are separated by a curtain or they pray in separate rooms
Direction of prayer
- face city of Mecca every prayer
- means they are physically and mentally associated with God
- all mosque’s have mihrab which shows direction of Mecca
12
Q
Prayer (Jumma)
A
Jumma Prayer
- midday Friday prayer is considered special
- All male Muslims are expected to attend: women can if they want, Imam delivers a sermon to remind Muslims of their obligations and duties to God
- Muslims must leave work and close their businesses to attend
Importance Of Prayer
- Prayer gives greater awareness of God
- action of bowing reminds Muslims God is great and in authority
- Reciting from the Quran reminds Muslims of its importance
- Unites Muslims worldwide as they all pray the same way
- Motivates them to follow God’s will and seek forgiveness
- One of the five pillars
- God commanded them to pray
13
Q
Zakat (Almsgiving)
A
- Giving money to the poor
- It is compulsory to give 2.5% of savings
- It is an instruction in the Quran, does not specify how much we should give, percentage was worked out later by scholars
- Only Muslims with greater saving than the nisab (a figure) are required to give Zakat
- frees people from desire and teaches self discipline and honesty
- helps purify the soul, removing selfishness and greed
- duty of God
- sign of true Muslim
- Gives good attitude towards money
- teaches people to share
- strengthens the community by making the rich support the poor
Khums
- Important to Shia Muslims and given in addition to Zakat
- Originally Muslims were required to donate 20% to the leader representing the sate of Islam
- Today, it is still 20% but half the money goes to Shia religious leader and the rest to the poor
14
Q
Hajj: Origins and importance
A
What is Hajj?
- a pilgrimage, Muslims should make it once in there life’s, provided that they are wealthy and healthy
- religious obligation to all Muslims, not a holiday
- occurs in the last month of Islamic calendar
Why is Hajj Important
- Completed one of the five pillars
- Once completed you become a Hajji
- Deep spiritual transformation making them a better person
- Reminds them of the faith of Ibrahim
- Leads to forgiveness of sins
- produces inner peace
- Emphasis unity and equality - clothing and tents at Mina
- Shows self discipline. Physically and mentally demanding
- Teaches sincerity and humility in a relationship with God
- Aware that God is watching them
Origins of Hajj
- Ibrahim was told by God to take his wife and son to Arabia and leave them there with some food and water
- They ran out of supplies, Hagar ran up up and down Safa and Marwah before collapsing, she prayed to God for help which caused water to spring from the ground
- Ibrahim was told by God to build a shrine to him - this became the Kaba
- Centuries later, the city of Makkah was established. Over the years Mecca was corrupted [idol worship] and was not restored until Muhammad returned from Madinah and returned people back to belief in one God
15
Q
Hajj: Where and Why
A
Preparing for pilgrimage
- before Hajj pilgrims enter a sacred state called Ihram, It involves ritual washing, praying and putting on Ihram
- sign if equality and purity
- Women wear single colour that cover their whole body apart from face
Mecca
- Begins at the Kaba, circle the Kaba 7 times and touch the black stone or raise their hands to acknowledge it
- Muslims circle the Kaba and recite ‘here I am Oh Lord, at your service. Praise and blessings to you’
Hills of Safa and Marwah
- walk around a covered walkway linking the hills of Safa and Marwah
- do this walk 7 times
Mecca
- Muslims return to Mecca to collect bottles of water from the well of Zamzam
Arafat
- This is where Muhammad preached his last sermon
- spend the whole day praying in the hot summer sun
- the heat from the sun is a reminder of what judgement day will be like
- Teaches that God will forgive sins
Muzdalifah
- Muslims then walk to Muzdalifah, where they spend the night
- On their way to collect 49 small pebbles to be used at Mina
Mina
- there are three stone walls, called the Jamarat
- represent the devil and temptation
- they throw the pebbles they have collected at the walls to show they reject the devil
Mecca
- The following day Muslims return to Mecca and circle the Kaba more times
Eid-Ul Adha
- sacrifice an animal
- Pilgrims will then cut their hair
