Practices: ISLAM

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

ten 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 of 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 the wall that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca)

Question 7

Rak’ah

Answer 7

a sequence of movements in ritual prayer

Question 8

Recitation

Answer 8

repeating a passage of text from memory

Question 9

Prostration

Answer 9

kneeling with the forehead; nose; hands; knees and toes touching the floor; in submission to God

Question 10

Jummah prayer

Answer 10

a weekly communal prayer performed after midday on Friday; which includes a sermon

Question 11

Ramadan

Answer 11

the ninth month of the Muslim calendar during which Muslims have to fast from dawn to sunset

Question 12

Fasting

Answer 12

not eating or drinking for a certain length of time; usually for religious reasons

Question 13

The Night of Power

Answer 13

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 14

Zakah

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Sadaqah

Answer 15

good actions or voluntary payments that are undertaken for charitable reasons

Question 16

Khums

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Hajji

Answer 17

someone who has completed Hajj

Question 18

Jihad

Answer 18

a struggle against evil; this may be an inward personal struggle or an outward collective struggle

Question 19

Greater Jihad

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Lesser Jihad

Answer 20

the outward struggle to defend one’s faith; family and country from threat

Question 21

Holy war

Answer 21

fighting for a religious cause or God; controlled by a religious leader

Question 22

Id-ul-Fitr

Answer 22

a Muslim festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan

Question 23

Day of Ashura

Answer 23

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