Worship in Islam Flashcards
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Fasting, and Hajj.
Describe Shahadah and its significance.
the proclamation of belief in one God and Muhammad as His prophet.
It serves as a basis for converting to Islam.
Explain Salat and its requirements.
Salat is prayer conducted five times a day. Muslims must pray at specific times, and ritual ablutions are performed before prayer
What is Zakat, and how is it practiced?
a form of charitable giving, where individuals donate 2.5% of their wealth to support holy sites and the poor. Boasting about Zakat is discouraged, and it can be done privately.
Describe Sawm (Fasting) and its significance.
Fasting during the month of Ramadan involves abstaining from eating, drinking, sex, and tobacco from dawn to dusk. Exceptions are made for individuals with disabilities, illness, or pregnant women.
Explain the significance of Hajj and its requirements.
Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca performed in the 12th month of the lunar calendar. It is mandatory once in a lifetime, conditions permitting.
What are some other important rituals in Islam?
- male circumcision
- praying at marriage ceremonies
- whispering the Shahadah in the ear of someone dying
-funeral rituals–embalming is forbidden
Why did early Western studies of Islam misunderstand the significance of physical rituals in worship?
They saw the physical rituals in Islam as ‘empty’ actions without deep faith, missing the holistic nature of worship.
What is the holistic nature of worship in Islam?
Involves a combination of physical posture, form, verbal utterance, intention, and a deep sense of the sacred which work together to engage body, mind, and soul in worship.
What did Malcolm X worry about as he learned how to pray as a Muslim?
The extreme discomfort he experienced trying to move his Western-trained body into the physical position required in Islamic prayer.
What is niyya?
Intention–a mental focus that makes worship, not rote physical movement but submission to God
Why is niyya considered a challenging concept to comprehend?
It is challenging because it involves cultivating a specific mental state or focus during worship
How does the necessary physicality of Islamic worship affect an individual Muslim?
For a Muslim living in Canada finding a place to pray during the day can be very challenging given the reality of school or work.
A Muslim in a country like Egypt probably would not have this struggle.
