Practices: ISLAM Flashcards
The Five Pillars
the five most important duties for all Muslims; to believe; to pray; to give to charity; to fast and to go on pilgrimage
The Ten Obligatory Acts
ten important duties for Shi’a Muslims; which include the Five Pillars
Shahadah
the Muslim declaration of faith
Salah
prayer with and in worship of God; performed under conditions set by the prophet Muhammad
Wudu
ritual washing before prayer
Mihrab
a niche in the wall that indicates the direction of Makkah (Mecca)
Rak’ah
a sequence of movements in ritual prayer
Recitation
repeating a passage of text from memory
Prostration
kneeling with the forehead; nose; hands; knees and toes touching the floor; in submission to God
Jummah prayer
a weekly communal prayer performed after midday on Friday; which includes a sermon
Ramadan
the ninth month of the Muslim calendar during which Muslims have to fast from dawn to sunset
Fasting
not eating or drinking for a certain length of time; usually for religious reasons
The Night of Power
- 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
Zakah
purification of wealth by giving 2.5% of savings each year to the poor
Sadaqah
good actions or voluntary payments that are undertaken for charitable reasons
Khums
a 20% tax paid by Shi’a Muslims on their excess income
Hajji
someone who has completed Hajj
Jihad
a struggle against evil; this may be an inward personal struggle or an outward collective struggle
Greater Jihad
the personal inward struggle of all Muslims to live in line with the teachings of their faith
Lesser Jihad
the outward struggle to defend one’s faith; family and country from threat
Holy war
fighting for a religious cause or God; controlled by a religious leader
Id-ul-Fitr
a Muslim festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan
Day of Ashura
a festival that is important for Shi’a Muslims; in particular; who remember the battle of Karbala and death of Husayn on this day
