islam practices

Question 1

What are the Five Pillars?

Answer 1

• Shahdah, the declaration of faith
• Salah, prayer
• Zakah, charitable giving
• Sawm, fasting
• Hajj, pilgrimage

Question 2

What are the benefits of prayer/salah?

Answer 2

• It develops God consciousness (taqwa) and the desire to avoid sin and establish self-discipline as it ‘restrains outrageous and unacceptable behaviour’
• Believers can use it to ask for forgiveness, thank God for what they have done and gain good comments for their book on the Day of Judgement
• When all Muslims pray in the same way at the same time, a sense of belonging to the ummah (Muslims community) is developed
• Prayer is stated by the Quran as ‘obligatory for the believers at prescribed times’ and Muhammed and the prophets performed prayer so a believer can follow in their footsteps

Question 3

What is Zakah?

Answer 3

The third pillar of Islam, a religious duty of charitable giving

Question 4

explain two contrasting muslim beliefs about giving alms

Answer 4

• sunni muslims pay zakah annually, this is a charity donation of 2.5% of income paid to the poor
• shi’a muslims must also pay a 20% tax that contains alms, this is khums, half of which goes to shi’a religious leader and half to charity

Question 5

What are some of the quotes for zakah?

Answer 5

“alms are meant only for the poor, the needy, those who administer them…for God’s cause”
“know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah, for the messenger…and the orphans, the needy”
“whatever you spend with a good heart, give it to..orphans, the helpless, and travellers in need”

Question 6

explain the importance of zakah

Answer 6

• muslims believe that giving zakah helps them to purify their souls, by removing selfishness and greed, and helps bring them closer to god (moral development)
• money benefits both giver and receiver, muslims believe that the giver will receive a hundred-fold back in the afterlife and they should also feel the satisfaction of giving
• by giving zakah, muslims are fulfilling a duty and obligation to god, it is the third pillar
• it helps strengthen the muslim community by supporting the poorest and weakest
• it encourages muslims to have a good attitude towards money, and to use their wealth in a way that would please god

Question 7

explain the importance of khums

Answer 7

• gives special recognition to Muhammed, his descendants and leaders within shi’a islam
• used to help build islamic schools or projects chosen by shi’a leader
• helps those in need
• promotes islam through eduction
• it is one of the 10 obligatory acts

Question 8

What is sawm?

Answer 8

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan

Question 9

What happens during Sawm?

Answer 9

• During the whole month of Ramadan (the ninth Muslim month) no food or drink is allowed during the hours of daylight
• Because the hands and tongue should be fasting too, other activities are avoided including smoking, sex, telling lies, gossiping and sinful actions

Question 10

Who has to fast during Ramadan?

Answer 10

Fasting should begin once a Muslim reaches puberty, unless to do so would cause a ‘hardship’

Question 11

Who are exempted from fasting during Ramadan?

Answer 11

Exceptions are pregnant and breast-feeding women, the very sick or elderly, menstruating women, long distance travellers, the very poor and those undertaking a task that would make fasting dangerous

Question 12

What are those who are exempted from fasting expected to do instead?

Answer 12

Those who are unable to fast due to health reasons should feed a poor person twice a day and try to make up for their fasts later

Question 13

What are the benefits of Sawm?

Answer 13

• Develops self-control and discipline, as the spiritual strength develops and body’s demands are ignored
• develops devotion to god, brings muslims closer to him
• develops concern and sympathy for the hungry and those in need
• brings the islamic community together, unity with the ummah

Question 14

Why is sawm important?

Answer 14

• it is one of the five pillars and ten obligatory acts, it is a foundational practice for muslims
• helps muslims remember the importance of the Qur’an, which was first revealed during ramadan
• develops devotion to god and brings muslims closer to him, increases muslims’ appreciation for his provision and therefore develops gratitude
• it shows obedience to god and his will and develops self-control and discipline
• helps develop concern for and sympathy with the poor and understanding of the importance of charity (link to zakah)
• brings the muslim community together and strengthens their unity

Question 15

what are some of the quotes for sawm?

Answer 15

“fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God”
“fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a journey, then on other days”
“it was in the month of ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed…so any of you who sees in that month should fast”

Question 16

What is hajj?

Answer 16

Performing the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Question 17

why do muslims go to Mecca?

Answer 17

• it is the birthplace of prophet Muhammed
• it is the home to the ka’aba, the holiest place and the direction muslims face when they pray
• most sacred place on earth for Muslims, the ‘heart’ of islam

Question 18

What are the benefits of Hajj for Muslims?

Answer 18

• Enables the development of taqwa (God-consciousness) and strengthens their faith and relationship with God
• It develops self-discipline and dedication to God, it reminds them to resist temptation
• produces inner peace, teaches them patience and provides time to reflect
• It reminds them of important beliefs about their prophets and the good examples set by the prophets
• Enables forgiveness and preparation for the Day of Judgement
• It fosters a sense of belonging to the ummah and equality

Question 19

What are some of the quotes for hajj?

Answer 19

“pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed to god by people who are able to undertake it”

Question 20

What is Ihram?

Answer 20

• a state of purity that pilgrims must enter before hajj begins
• this involves performing ritual washing, praying, and putting on Ihram clothing which is white
• shows unity and equality that fact that everyone wears similar clothes
• strengthens feeling of commitment and community within ummah

Question 21

What is tawaf?

Answer 21

• circling the Ka’aba seven times in an anticlockwise direction
• demonstrates unity of all muslims together in submission to Allah
• shows love and devotion to Allah

Question 22

What is sa’y?

Answer 22

• walking seven times between the two hills of Safa and Marwah
• pilgrims then collect water from the well of Zamzam
• remembers Hajira, Ibrahim’s wife, searching for water, and the miraculous appearance of the well of Zamzam
• shows dependence on God

Question 23

What is the significance of throwing pebbles at mina on hajj for muslims?

Answer 23

• the walls represent the devil and temptation
• pilgrims throw pebbles at the walls to show they reject evil and the temptation to sin

Question 24

why is hajj pilgrimage important for muslims?

Answer 24

• Qur’an says it is obligatory for all muslims who are physically able and can afford it
• hajj is seen as a powerful demonstration for the unity of the ummah, with muslims from different denominations and countries converging in one place for the purpose of worship and fulfilling requirement of faith
• it means muslims can see the ka’aba, the house of god, for themselves, strengthening their faith and relationship with god
• it is an opportunity for sins to be forgiven and demonstrate their submission and devotion to Allah

Question 25

What is jihad?

Answer 25

Jihad means to struggle

Question 26

What are the two forms of jihad?

Answer 26

Lesser and greater jihad

Question 27

What is greater jihad?

Answer 27

An inward, personal struggle. The duty of every Muslim is to live a good life, be faithful to god and obey the commands of islam.

Question 28

What is lesser jihad?

Answer 28

An outward, collective struggle. Carried out according to strict rules for the purpose of deferring islam.

Question 29

what are some examples of greater jihad?

Answer 29

- following the five pillars - working for social justice - studying the Qur'an - doing good deeds - attending mosque regularly - resisting temptation, greed, envy

Question 30

what are some examples of lesser jihad?

Answer 30

- fought for a just cause, Muhammed himself fought in holy wars - fought as a least resort - authorised by accepted muslims authority - minimum amount of suffering should be caused - aims to restore peace and freedom

Question 31

what are some quotes for jihad?

Answer 31

"this is My path, leading straight, so follow it, and do not follow other ways" - greater jihad requires muslims to follow God as best as they can "those who have been attacked are permitted to take up arms because they have bee wronged - God has the power to help them" - lesser jihad e.g Holy Wars

Question 32

explain the importance of shahadah

Answer 32

- it expresses the core beliefs of Islam and is considered to provide the foundation for the other four pillars, which tell a Muslims how to live according to the beliefs expressed in the Shahadah - reminds muslims of tawhid which is viewed as a fundamentally important islamic belief - shared between both sunni and shi'a muslims - shi'a muslims add an extra phase to the shahadah: "and Ali is the friend of God". This shows their belief that Ali, Muhammed's cousin and son-in-law, was the true successor to Muhammed - to become a muslim, a person only has to sincerely recite the shahadah in front of muslim witness, hence it is important in the initiation into islam - simple yet profound statement expressing a muslim's complete acceptance and commitment to islam - reminds muslims of the importance of prophet Muhammed and the Qur'an

Question 33

how many times do sunni muslims pray a day?

Answer 33

5

Question 34

how many times do shi'a muslims pray a day?

Answer 34

3

Question 35

explain how muslims prepare for prayer, and why this is important

Answer 35

- perform ritual washing (wudu) before they pray, to make themselves spiritually clean - if water isn't available, muslims can wash themselves using sand or dust instead, this illustrates the fact that wudu is about becoming spiritually clean, not physically clean - the purification of wudu helps muslims to fully focus on god in their prayers

Question 36

explain why prayer is important to all muslims

Answer 36

- it unites muslims around the world, as they all pray in the same way - it motivates muslims to do god's will - the actions of bowing and prostrating remind muslims that god is greater than them - it helps muslims to become closer to god

Question 37

what is the night of power?

Answer 37

the night when jibril first started to recite the Qur'an to Muhammed, Muslims celebrate this might during Ramadan

Question 38

what are the ten obligatory acts?

Answer 38

- salah - sawm - zakah - khums - hajj - jihad - amr-bil-Maruf - Nahi Anil Munkar - Tawallah - Tabarra

Question 39

what is khums?

Answer 39

20% tax, half goes to charity and half to religious leaders

Question 40

what is jihad?

Answer 40

the struggle to maintain the faith and defend Islam

Question 41

what is amr-bil-Maruf?

Answer 41

encouraging people to do what is good

Question 42

what is nahi anil munkar?

Answer 42

discouraging people from doing what is wrong

Question 43

what is tawallah?

Answer 43

showing love for god and people who follow him

Question 44

what is tabarra?

Answer 44

not associating with the enemies of god

Question 45

explain the importance of the five pillars

Answer 45

- they form the foundation of muslim life and provide a framework for beliefs and actions - unites sunni muslims - they give structure to daily life - they bring sunni muslims closer to god and ensure they focus on him everyday - they help muslins achieve the reward of life after death in paradise

Question 46

state some quotes for salah

Answer 46

"remember god often so that you may prosper" "prostrate and draw near to god" "turn your face in the direction of the sacred mosque" "I created mankind to worship me" "call on me and I will answer you"

Question 47

what is the difference between sunni and shi'a muslims understanding of salah

Answer 47

- sunni muslims pray five times a day: at sunrise, noon, afternoon, sunset and night - shi'a muslims can pray three times a day, they may offer the noon/afternoon prayer together, and the sunset/night prayer together

Question 48

how do muslims prepare for prayer?

Answer 48

- perform ritual washing (wudu) before they pray, to make themselves spiritually clean - muslims watch their faces, hands and feet under running water - the purification of wudu helps muslims to fully focus on god in their prayers

Question 49

what is Id-ul-Fitr?

Answer 49

a muslim festival that celebrates the end of ramadan

Question 50

what is Id-ul-Adha?

Answer 50

a muslim festival that celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, and marks the end of hajj