Yr 11 Islam Ethics

Question 1

Fundamental principle of Islam (x2)

Answer 1

• The fundamental principle is: Submission to Allah

- Islam means peace so ethics are based around building inner and world peace.

Question 2

Implications of Allah (x3)

Answer 2

• It reminds them of the greatness of Allah and the inferiority of man
• It provides guidance and peace of mind
• It forces them to stop their day and re-align/prioritise Allah above anything else (e.g. work)

Question 3

Examples of ethical teachings (x3)

Answer 3

• HUMANS ARE ALLAH’S CROWNING GLORY- The human body is sacred as it was created by Allah and should be respected to show love of Allah
• SEEK TREATMENT- There is no disease that for which Allah has not created a cure so Muslims are encouraged to discover and use treatments, which shows courage and compassion
• SUBMISSION- All Muslims should submit to Allah through every action, which shows love of Allah, humility etc.

Question 4

Outline the process of Jurisprudence (4 sources)

Answer 4

Muslims name four ethical sources to justify and determine human behaviour. These four sources make up the process of ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE

1 - Qur’an

2 - Hadith/Sunnah

3 - Ijima (Consensus)

4 - Qiyas (Analogy)

Question 5

Jurisprudence: 1 - Quran (x3)

Answer 5

• Revered, written without error, infallible

Allah’s revelation and laws must be followed

• Islam seeks to firmly implant in man’s heart the conviction that: He may hide himself from the whole world but not from God

Question 6

Jurisprudence: 2 - Hadith (x3)

Answer 6

• The Hadith contains eyewitness records of the Prophet Muhammad’s words, actions (sunnah actions)
• The Hadith shows how he exemplified the teachings and commandments of Allah in practice, and elaborate on the principles in the Qur’an to provide guidance for their interpretation and application in later times and societies
• If there is no answer or law in the Quran, a Muslim will turn to the Hadith for further guidance

Question 7

Jurisprudence: 3 - Ijima (Consensus) (x3)

Answer 7

• After consulting the Qur’an and the Hadith, if there is still some doubt relating to a moral issue, the Muslim community will consult the Consensus = Ijima
• This is a consensus of Islamic scholars and religious leaders
• A ruling can be sought from the umma, particularly those who are knowledgeable in Islamic law

Question 8

Jurisprudence: 4 - Qiyas (x4)

Answer 8

• Qiyas is measurements of analogies
• Qiyas can be used alongside Ijma
• It establishes a parallel between a moral teaching in the Qur’an or in the Sunnah and a new set of circumstances to help Muslims in the modern world
• E.g. The Quran prohibits the drinking of wine because of it’s intoxicating effects. A modern day issue today would be the taking of drugs. As the Quran doesn’t mention drugs specifically, qiyas would establish that Islam forbids the use of drugs because of their intoxicating effects in the same way they forbid wine.

Question 9

Importance of ethical teachings in determining halal and haram (x5)

Answer 9

• The system of Islamic jurisprudence is used to define what is permissible or forbidden by Allah
• A life following all things halal will receive reward in paradise and a life following things haraam will endure punishment
• HALAL: lawful as defined by Allah - covers every aspect of life
• HARAAM: any act or deed which is prohibited by Allah and will incur His wrath and punishment - covers every aspect of life
• Understanding differences helps to submit best to Allah: obligatory (fard or wajib) recommended (sunnah) permitted (halal) undesirable but not forbidden (makruh) forbidden (haram)

Question 10

Sharia Law (x3)

Answer 10

• Sharia is a pathway to submission, which leads to eternal salvation in the afterlife.
• It encompasses the whole of human life; religious and secular, individual and social.
• All secular activities become acts of worship if they are performed with pure and righteous intention.