islam practices Flashcards
What type of Muslims have the 5 pillars
Sunni
What type of Muslims have 10 obligatory acts
Shia
What are the 5 pillars of Islam
Shahadah salah sawm zakah hajj
What’s the shahadah
Declaration of faith - ‘there is no god but Allah and Mohmmed is his messenger’
Shia Muslims add ‘and Ali is the friend of God’ to show Ali was true successor of Muhammed
how does someone become a Muslim
sincerely recite the Shahadah in-front of a Muslim witness
What’s salah
Praying 5 times a day (Sunni) or 3 for Shia Muslims who combine the afternoon and night prayers
What’s Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims which have the physical and financial abilities to must do in their lifetime
What’s sawm
Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset
sex and smoking are also forbidden
What’s zakah
Giving away 2.5% of wealth to poor and needy once a year - only those with savings greater than a certain amount have to pay (nisab)
given directly to a charity or a mosque, who will distribute their money around
Quote for salah
‘Verily salah restraints oneself from shameful and unjust needs’
Quote for sawm
It was during the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind so any of you who is present that month should fast
Quote for zakah
Alms are for the poor and needy
Quote for hajj
A pilgrimage to the house is a duty owed to got by people who are able to undertake it
What are the ten obligitary acts
Salah zakah Kuhms jihad shahadah sawm amr bil maroof tawalia Tabarra zakah
what’s wudu
ritual washing, taken before Muslim prayer so they are spiritually clean. They clean their hands, feet and face under running water. If water isn’t available use of sand or dust is okay as it’s being spiritually clean, not physically.
Purification helps Muslims fully focus on God
what direction to Muslims pray
towards the city of Makkah. In a mosque the mihrab, a small niche in the qibla wall points to Makkah. Everyone praying in the same direction means Muslims are all focusing on one place associated with God
whats Jummah
a special prayer held every Friday at midday, all men are expected to attend and women may do so if they wish. After prayer the Imam will give a special sermon that reminds Muslims on their duties to God
why is prayer (salah) important
bowing action reminds Muslims that God is more important
unites Muslims around the world
Muslims have been commanded by God to pray
helps Muslims get closer to God
motivates Muslims to do God’s will
who are the exceptions to Sawm
children, people who are ill, pregnant or breastfeeding. However if able to they’re expected to make up for it later
why is Sawm important
self-discipline shows obedience and dedication to God
fasting inspires Muslims to help those in poverty who can’t afford to eat or drink
whats the night of power
when angel Jibril first appeared to Muhammed and started revealing the Qur’an. The date is unsure however it is known to be an odd numbered date in the second half of Ramadan. Muslims aim to stay awake these nights, worshiping and studying the Qur’an. Observing the Qur’an on the night of power is thought to have the benefit of worshiping for a thousand months
why is Zakah important
fulfilling a duty to God
helps strengthen the Muslim community by supporting the poorest and the weakest
encourages Muslims to have a good attitude towards money and spend it in a way which pleases God
type of purification which brings Muslims closer to God
whats Khums
Shi’a Muslims give an additional 20% of their savings - half goes to Religious leaders, half to charity
whys Hajj important
produces inner peace
brings a person closer to God
leads to a person sins being forgiven
fulfills a religious obligation
emphasises equity and unity
shows self-discipline and dedication to God
reminds Muslims of the good examples set by the prophets
whats Jihad
the struggle against evil
what’s greater Jihad and what does it involve
constant struggle that Muslims undertake to improve themselves spiritually and deepen their relationship with God by living accordingly to the teachings of Islam. Usually seen as more important that lesser Jihad
involves:
observing 5 pillars
studying Qur’an
Putting God first
avoiding temptation and negative traits e.g. greed & jealousy
helping those in need
whats lesser Jihad
the outward struggle to defend Muslims from threat - important in early Islam when Muslims were persecuted
consists of potential holy war which must be:
approved by religious leader
self defense as a response to threat
not excuse for gaining territory/ wealth
shouldn’t be used to convert people to Islam
last resort
can never be used to justify terrorists
what is Id-ul-Fitr
celebrates end of Ramadan, thanking God to give them the strength to fast
thanking God for giving his wisdom and guidance in Qur’an, first given during the month of Ramadan
how do Muslims celebrate Id-ul-Fitr
gather in large mosques/ areas to say special praters in which the imams sermon reminds Muslims to forgive any disputes and instead focus on helping others
exchange cards & presents
take time off
what Id-ul-Adha and how is it celebrated
celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God
marks the end of Hajj
special prayers are held in the mosque, sermon on themes of sacrifice
whats the day of Ashura
an important Shia festival that remembers the death of Husayn at the battle of Karbala. His death is seen as the struggle against injustice and oppression
how is Ashura celebrated
plays and stories are performed to help Muslim’s remember the events
take part in public grief and mourning, this made be done by Muslims cutting themselves to connect with Husayn’s death
however some religious leaders disapprove of this and encourage Muslims to donate blood instead
in Iraq some Muslims visit Husain’s tomb
many observe Ashura by fasting for the day to represent Husain’s suffering
