Optional : Islam Flashcards

Question

What does the word Islam mean?

Answer 1

* The word Islam means obedience. * Muslims believe that they should peacefully surrender to the will of Allah in their lives and that following the will of Allah will bring peace.

Answer 2

* God is One and only. * There is nothing else like God. * No one can picture God and there is nothing to compare Him to.

Answer 3

* The Shahadah. * They say “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet.”

Answer 4

* In a Mosque, there are no images of Allah. * Believing in more than one God is a big sin. * This is the only sin that Allah will not forgive. * It is disrespectful

Answer 5

* Muslims will say ‘Inshallah’, which means God willing. * They are hoping that what they want to do is also the will of God, which would mean that it is a good thing for them to be doing.

Answer 6

* The 2nd half of the Shahadah says that Muhammad is God’s prophet. * Muhammad should NOT be confused with Allah. * Muhammad is respected as a prophet but not worshipped.

Answer 7

(Malaikah)

Answer 8

* They are the only beings who can receive the word of God directly. * Angels are one of the main six articles of faith for Sunni Muslims.

Answer 9

* Allah created Angels from Light. * They are purely spiritual beings who cannot sin as they do not have free will.

Answer 10

* Some angels guard and protect humans from birth to death. * Some note down all human behaviour in a book of deeds for the Day of Judgement. * The angel of death (Izra'il) has helpers who take people’s souls to Allah. * Some angels take people to paradise or hell after the judgement.

Answer 11

* Angels are fully involved in the lives of humans. * They can communicate with humans. * They can appear like humans if they are being sent with a message from Allah. * This happened to Ibrahim (Abraham) and Maryam (Mary)

Answer 12

* Jibril, who is known to Christians and Jews as Gabriel or Gavriel. * He is the most trusted angel to bring God’s message to people and in particular to Muhammad. * Jibril communicated God’s words (the Qur’an) to Muhammad.

Answer 13

* Mik'ail, known to Christians and Jews as Michael. * Angel of mercy who rewards good people for their behaviour on earth. * He's also tasked with sending blessings in the form of rain, lightning and thunder.

Answer 14

* Izra'il is the angel who will announce the Day of Judgment by blowing his trumpet. * Izra'il has helpers who take people's souls to Allah.

Answer 15

Many of the prophets in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles are shared by Islam too. * Abraham (Ibrahim) * Moses (Musa) * Jesus (Isa) * Adam

Answer 16

* Risalah is the belief that prophets bring the word of God to mankind. * Becoming a prophet is a gift from God.

Answer 17

Because Allah is so beyond human understanding, the prophets play an important role in helping mankind to understand God.

Answer 18

* Muslims believe that there have been over 120,000 prophets. * Only 25 of these prophets are mentioned in the Qur'an. * These important prophets are called messengers.

Answer 19

* Muslims believe that Adam was the first prophet. * He was the first man, created by God in his own image. * He is believed by some to have first built the Ka’aba, (House of God).

Answer 20

* The ancestor of Muhammad. * Ibrahim was tested by God and proved his faith by being prepared to sacrifice his first son, Ishmael. * Ibrahim rejected worshipping more than one God.

Answer 21

* All previous prophets prepared the way for Muhammad. * Muhammad is the greatest and final prophet * His teachings and practices in the Hadith are the basis of Islamic law. * Teachings given to Muhammad were organised and have been written to form the Qur'an.

Answer 22

* Some Sunni Muslims believe that as God’s will is supreme, He controls everything - including what everyone does. * However, free will is still possible as humans don’t know what Allah wants from them - humans find free will in working out what Allah wants.

Answer 23

* Allah knows everything that is going to happen * His knowledge does not impact human choice. * As a result of this belief, Allah will judge all people on the Day of Judgment for the choices they have made throughout their lives.

Answer 24

* Death is not the end of existence but the start of a new one. * After the body dies, Muslims believe that there is some form of consciousness even in the grave.

Answer 25

While a Muslim is in the grave, Allah sends two angels to question them about their beliefs. If they answer correctly they will be shown the rewards that are to come. If they deny the articles of faith, they will be shown the punishments that will come to them.

Answer 26

* Only Allah knows when the Day of Judgment will be. * The angel Israfil will blow the trumpet. * The world as we know it will be destroyed. * Everyone who has ever lived will be brought back to life and judged by God. * People will be given new physical bodies and everyone will receive a record of their life story (written by the angels).

Answer 27

Heaven or paradise. .

Answer 28

Hell is a place of punishment and torture for those who rejected Allah and practised evil.

Answer 29

* Suffering as temporary. * This is because a reward of eternity in paradise will make things right for them.

Answer 30

1. Hajj (Pilgrimage) 2. Salah (Prayer) 3. Sawm (Fasting) 4. Zakah (Charity) 5. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

Answer 31

1. Salah (Prayer) 2. Zakah (Charity) 3. Sawm (Fasting) 4. Hajj (Pilgrimage) 5. Tawallah (To be loving towards the friends of God) 6. Nahi Anil Munkar (Discouraging people from doing what is wrong) 7. Amr-bil-maruf (Encouraging others to be good) 8. Jihad (Struggle to keep the faith and to defend Islam) 9. Tabarra (Avoid the enemies of God) 10. Khums (20% tax on income after all personal expenses)

Answer 32

The most basic belief for Muslims is about the oneness of God and that Muhammad is His prophet.

Answer 33

* If a person wishes to become a Muslim they must recite this phrase three times in front of witnesses. * Daily prayers. * Before a person dies they will try and say the Shahadah one final time.

Answer 34

They include an extra phrase about Ali.

Answer 35

* Yes * *'There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise'*

Answer 36

* Salah means daily prayers. * Prayer is important for Muslims as it strengthens their relationship with Allah.

Answer 37

* Prayer brings the Muslim community together in unified worship. * Wherever a Muslim goes he/she will recognise the prayers and will feel part of the community.

Answer 38

* Sunni Muslims pray 5 times a day * Shia Muslims pray three times a day. * The times for prayer are based on the hours of sunrise and sunset.

Answer 39

* Muslims always wash themselves before they pray * They pray in the direction of Mecca. * In Mosques, men and women pray separately * This prayer is led by the Imam.

Answer 40

1. Fajr - just before sunrise 2. Zuhr - just after midday 3. Asr - afternoon 4. Maghrib - just after sunset 5. Isha - night

Answer 41

* The daily prayers are composed of set recitations and action sequences. * The first chapter of the Qur'an is recited standing tall. * Three times “glory be to me Lord who is the greatest” is said in a bowing position. * Bowing shows humility and respect to God’s greatness. * Standing tall once again, a praise for God is said.

Answer 42

* Whilst kneeling, Muslims turn their faces so they are kneeling on the ground with face, hands and toes touching the floor. * This shows that a person has complete obedience to God. * In a sitting position, all say “God is the greatest”. * Muslims then turn their faces right and left saying “peace be upon you” as well as the mercy and blessings of God.

Answer 43

* Friday midday is a special time for Jummah prayer. * All male Muslims are expected to attend the Mosque. * The Imam will give a sermon. * This will include quotes from the Qur'an reminding Muslims of their duties to Allah and the community. * Schools and places of work will shut for the time of prayer and will reopen after prayers have concluded.

Answer 44

* Sawm is fasting during the month of Ramadan. * The focus in Ramadan is on fasting, charity and being subservient to the will of Allah.

Answer 45

* Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar. * Tradition teaches that it was during this month that the angel Jibril began to reveal the Qur'an to Muhammad. * This is a very important month for spiritual growth. * The Koran will often be divided into daily readings and completed during the 30 days.

Answer 46

* Fasting takes place during daylight hours. * Muslims will get up very early to eat before sunrise. * In the UK this can be before 4 am in the summer. They will eat and drink enough to keep them going till sunset. * In the UK this can be around 9:30 pm in the summer. * The fast is broken often with a glass of water and a date. * After that, a meal is eaten with family and friends.

Answer 47

* Children will practice fasting but are not obligated until they have reached * Muslims who are not physically able to fast are not required to do so. * If they can make up the fasting at a later time they should. * Old people * Pregnant ladies

Answer 48

* The Night of Power is a festival with no fixed date during the month of Ramadan. * Tradition says it’s the night when Muhammad received his revelation. * Muslims will try to spend the entire night praying and studying the Qur'an.

Answer 49

* The Arabic word Zakah means to purify or cleanse. * The Qur'an is clear about who should receive Zakah: the poor and needy, and those in debt. * Charity

Answer 50

* If a Muslim can afford to, he/she must give 2.5% of their income to charity. * This amount is not written in the Qur'an, but Muslim scholars have taught that 2.5% is the right amount to give. * Because Ramadan is an important month for spiritual growth, many Muslims will save their money and give it during this month.

Answer 51

* Some of our possessions must be given to those who don’t have anything. * It teaches a person not to be selfish. * Using wealth in the way the Allah wants fulfils a religious duty and helps a Muslim remember Allah throughout the day.

Answer 52

* This can include giving personal time. * In Shi’a Islam, one of the Ten Obligatory acts is Khums. * The word means 1/5. * This duty obligates Shi’a Muslims to give 20% on excess of all earnings after personal spending has been deducted. * Some of the money collected goes to Shi’a religious institutions and the rest goes to poor families.

Answer 53

* Hajj should be made at least once in life. * Some wealthy members in a community might sponsor the less wealthy members. * It occurs during the final month of the Islamic calendar Dhul-Hijjah. * Between the 8th-12th, around 3 million people take this journey.

Answer 54

* Ibrahim was commanded by Allah to take his son Ishmael and his wife Hajira to Arabia, and leave them there with bread and water. * Hajira prayed to Allah for help. * Ishmael kicked the ground and water spurted out of the ground - Mecca developed around this water source.

Answer 55

* Allah commanded him to build a monument to him. * Ibrahim built the Ka’aba which became a place of worship and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage. * When Muhammad came back from Medina to Mecca he destroyed the idols that he been placed at the Kaba. * That journey back to Mecca is viewed as the first Hajj.

Answer 56

* Muslims must purify themselves through ritual washing, prayer, and wearing special Ihram clothing. * Men wear two sheets of white clothing (as a sign of purity). * Women have strict modesty laws, so they wear clothes that cover their bodies.

Answer 57

* It is transformative. * Time to build a stronger relationship with Allah. * They become more humble and less obsessed with material comforts. * They develop self-discipline

Answer 58

* The Ka’aba is circled anti-clockwise seven times. * Muslims try and touch the black stone as they walk around. * As they go around they say a short prayer: “here I am, oh lord, at your service. Praise and blessings to you”.

Answer 59

* They walk between the two hills (Safa and Marwah) this is done seven times. * They walk this circuit seven times. * Pilgrims collect water from the well of Zamzam.

Answer 60

* There is a 13 mile walk or ride to Arafat with a night stop over at Mina. * During the night, they pray and read the Qur'an as preparation for the next day’s rituals. * At Mina there are three walls of stone which represent the temptation and the devil. * On day 10 the stones are thrown at the walls which symbolises rejection of the devil and temptations.

Answer 61

* Arafat is the site of Muhammad’s last sermon. * Pilgrims believe that whoever completes standing the whole afternoon at Arafat will have their sins forgiven.

Answer 62

* Pilgrims return to Mecca and walk around the Ka-aba seven more times. * They return to Mina for two nights reflecting on the experience and thinking about Allah.

Answer 63

* The struggle of every Muslim to obey Allah. * Individual, inner struggle.

Answer 64

* Concerned with fighting injustices (e.g poverty and illness) * The struggle to defend Islam against outside threats. * This may be peaceful, e.g. evangelising * Non-peaceful jihad warfare can only be used as self-defence. * Jihad against civilians (non-soldiers; i.e. children, the sick or the elderly) is unlawful.

Answer 65

* Eid al-Adha * Eid al-Fitr

Answer 66

* Commemorates complete obedience to Allah * Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son to Allah when God intervened. * It lasts 4 days

Answer 67

* People often exchange presents. * Muslims attend a service in mosques, which focuses on the importance of obedience to Allah. * Muslim families often sacrifice an animal and divide it into three parts: one to their family, one to their relatives, and one to the poor.

Answer 68

* Marks the end of Ramadan. * Celebrates the completion of the fourth pillar by fasting.

Answer 69

* There are prayers and a sermon either in or outside the mosque. * There is a meal to break the fast and family and friends exchange presents.

Answer 70

* This festival is mostly important for Shi’a Muslims * Sunnis think of it as a day of atonement.

Answer 71

* The ten days leading up to Ashura are a period of mourning. * Shi’a Muslims wear black during this period.

Answer 72

* Commemorates the death of Husayn. * He died in battle * A Passion narrative has developed around his death. * Fasting on Ashura is not compulsory as Muhammad decreed that Muslims should observe sawm on Ramadan.

Answer 73

* Shi'as believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib was appointed by Allah to be the religious authority after the Prophet

Answer 74

* In 632CE on Muhammad's return with his followers from Mecca, some important Quranic verses were revealed. * The verses were revealed when Muhammad and his followers reached Ghadir Khumm.

Answer 75

* The Qur'an is divided into surahs (chapters) * The chapters are made up of verses known as ayat (signs).

Answer 76

The Qur'an is the revealed word of God.

Answer 77

The hadith is the record of the way that the Prophet Muhammad lived his life.

Answer 78

* The hadith is a record of how Muhammad lived. * It is the record of the verbal traditions of what the Prophet said or did. * The Hadith is made up of inspired sayings and is considered important

Answer 79

* The Qur'an is used for public and private worship and is seen as a handbook for life. * In Arabic it is read from right to left.

Answer 80

* The Qur'an must be kept on the highest shelf in a house. * The Qur'an must be wrapped in silk cloth to keep it clean * It must never be placed on the floor. * Muslims must not talk, eat or drink when reading the Qur'an.

Answer 81

* During the month of Ramadan in 611CE, Muhammad was meditating in a cave. * The angel Jibril order him to read, but Muhammad could not. He asked him three times and as Jibril continued to speak Muhammad repeated the words.

Answer 82

* The religious law of Islam, derived from the religious principles of the religion. * Based on the teaching of the Qur'an and Hadith

Answer 83

The development of the Shari'ah through human interpretation (ijtihad) of the Quran and the Sunnah.

Answer 84

* The imam in the Shi'a tradition is a man of God. * Imams have been chosen because they are perfect examples and role models for humanity who are free from committing sin.

Answer 85

* Leads all formal prayers in a mosque * An imam is usually attached to a mosque and they are the ones who give the sermon and lead the Friday prayers. * The name 'imam' is also used to mean a religious scholar or authority.

Answer 86

* The mosque has a function for the community * A place of prayer. * A school where children learn Arabic and how to recite the Qur'an is attach to the mosque. * Prayer halls are used for also teaching and funerals but not weddings. * The mosque may also have a mortuary for laying and preparing the dead. * It may also have community rooms, kitchens and is sometimes used as a law court.

Answer 87

Used to express belief in mosques and other places in Islam.

Answer 88

* Islam is against idolatry. * There are no pictures, statues or images in a mosque. * Shirk is the terrible sin of regarding something as equal to Allah. * To make an image of Allah would be shirk and to make an image of anything living would be an insult to Allah.

Optional : Islam Flashcards

To help learn the content from Islam for the optional world religions module. (114 cards)