5 Pillars Of Islam

Question 1

What are the 5 pillars of Islam

Answer 1

Shahadah
Salah
Zakah
Sawm
Hajj

Question 2

What is Ibadah

Answer 2

For Muslims it’s nessacary to show religious commitment in obedience to god. Every action is a form of worship
By following the rules Muslims believe they can show obedience to the will of god

Question 3

What is niyyah and taqwa

Answer 3

Muslims believe you must have the right intention (niyyah) in your worship of Allah but to also have gods consciousness(taqwa)

Question 4

What does shahadah declare

Answer 4

Declares there’s no god but god
Concept of tawhid- Quran 3:18

Question 5

When is the shahadah heard

Answer 5

First words whispered in a babies ear and last words of a dying person
Muslims soldiers have the words on their lips in battle

Question 6

What is the importance of shahadah

Answer 6

States the central belief of Muslims of monotheism and tawhid
Discusses the rejection of polytheism and proves that Allah is a transcendant figure
Exhibits his authority and shows that no one can exist as his equal
Words of the shahadah are heard throughout the day in countless aspects of a Muslims life

Question 7

What is salah

Answer 7

Muhammad called prayer the “pillar of religion”.
Praying 5 times a day
A physical, mental and spiritual activity drawing believers to god

Question 8

What are examples of prayer

Answer 8

Quran 15:98-99 “so exalt with praise to your lord and be of those who prostrate to him
Quran 29:45 “prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing”

Question 9

What is the preparation for prayer

Answer 9

Prayer begins with declaration of intent
Wudu- cleaning hands, nose, mouth, face, arms
Prayer mat faces Makkah
5 times a day- fajr (after dawn), Zuhr (midday), As’r (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset ) and Isha( after dark)

Question 10

What is Jumu’ah

Answer 10

Friday is the day when Muslims come together in a mosque

Question 11

What’s the importance of prayer

Answer 11

Constant reminder of presence of god
Shows submission to the will of god
Cleanses corruption in the world (Quran 29:45) and brings about peace
Unites Muslim community

Question 12

What is zakah

Answer 12

Third pillar of Islam
Regular duty- give 2.5% of wealth every year and god will reward them
An obligation and form of worship- what value is it to pray for others if you arnt prepared to share with them?

Question 13

When is zakah given?

Answer 13

Every year as a duty but also other times voluntary
There are many agencies today which distribute zakah to community projects like Islamic relief

Question 14

What is sadaqah

Answer 14

Giving from the heart
A duty to pay zakah once a year but islam also teaches that voluntary giving is important too

Question 15

What is the importance of zakah

Answer 15

-Giving is a sign of cleansing and purity: money can be corrupting- wealth can be evil because it cuts us off from god
A purifying influence giving the opportunity to share wealth
SOWA - Quran 2:110 ‘give zakah and whatever good you put forward for yourselves- you’ll find it with Allah’

Question 16

Why is zakah important (2)

Answer 16

Humans are khalifas (stewards)-Gods representatives on earth
We don’t own it but looking after it for future generations
Our possessions arnt our own but a loan from allah meaning we don’t have an absolute right to spend money as we choose
Wealth is given to us by god for the benefit of the ummah. Duty is to share fortune

Question 17

What is sawm?

Answer 17

Fourth pillar of Islam
Fasting during the month of Ramadan the ninth month of the Muslims Calander
This is holiest month- it’s dedicated to fasting, self discipline and spiritual reflection

Question 18

Why is Ramadan special

Answer 18

It’s believed to be the first month in which the prophet Muhammad received the verses of the Quran
Quran 97:3 (nigjt is Better than 1000 months”

Question 19

What do you do during Ramadan

Answer 19

Self control- abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn till dusk for months
Also abstain from evil thoughts, harmful actions and unkind speech

Question 20

Importance of sawm

Answer 20

Commanded by Allah in the Quran and follows the prophet Muhammad
Brings people closer to allah as it reminds them of the mercy and blessings Allah has bestowed upon humanity
Helps Muslims identity with the poor and United the Muslim ummah

Question 21

Who should fast

Answer 21

All adult Muslims, children only for a few days
Ill, pregnant or travelling are exempt (Quran 2:184)

Question 22

What is hajj

Answer 22

The fifth pillar of Islam- only pillar Muslims Don’t need to carry out
Only compulsory for those who’re financially stable and are physically and mentally able to
Hajji (male) or Hajjah (female) for those who complete it

Question 23

Why is Makkah important

Answer 23

Holiest city on earth
Place where ibrihim was commanded by god to sacrifice his son. Ibrihim overcome the devil and threw stones at him
Ibrihim built the Kaaba there
Prophet Muhammad was born there and received first revelations from god and returned there before his death

Question 24

What are features of going to pilgrimage

Answer 24

Walking seven times between the hills of Mawah and Safa
This is known as Sa’l and serves to honour Hajar the mother of the great prophet Ishmail and her struggle to quench her thirst of her infant child

Question 25

Features of going to pilgrimage (2)

Answer 25

Drinking from the Zamzam well remembers the spring shown to Hajar by the angel- commemorate Allahs miracle coming to the aid of Hajar

Question 26

Features of pilgrimage (3)

Answer 26

The wukuf- standing before god on the plain of Arafat on the Mount of Mercy remembering gods mercy and forgiveness
Climax of hajj is the annual festival of Id-ul-Adha: an opportunity for the community to join together to worship

Question 27

What’s the importance of hajj

Answer 27

Quran instructs believers to perform it going to the city of god where multiple significant events took place
Opportunity for the Muslim Ummah to join together in worship