GCSE : Islam Practices Flashcards
5 Pillars of Sunni Islam
- Shahadah - declaration of faith
- Salah - prayer
- Zakah - Charitable giving
- Sawm - Fasting
- Hajj - Pilgrimage
10 Obligatory Acts Shi’a Islam
- Salah
- Sawm
- Zakah
- Khums
- Hajj
- Jihad
- Amr-bil-Maruf
- Nahi Anil Munkar
- Tawallah
- Tabarra
Shahadah
Declaration of Muslim faith.
- In Shi’a Islam, they further believe that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin, was the true successor
Salah
- Daily Prayers
- 5 times a day
What is Ablution (wudu)?
Spiritual, ritual washing before prayer to bring about spiritual cleanliness.
Allows Muslims to fully focus on God during prayer, submits themselves to God.
Qur’an : “When you are about to pray, wash your faces and your hands”
If no water is available, one may do it with sand or dust.
When should Muslims pray?
Fajr - Just before sunrise Zuhr - Just after midday Asr - Afternoon Maghrib - Just after sunset Isha - Night
In which direction should Muslims pray?
Facing towards MECCA.
This way they can fully focus on one place associated with God
What is a Mihrab?
A symbol built into a Qiblah wall to identify the direction of Mecca
What is the Rak’ah?
Sequence of actions and recitations a Muslim performs during prayer
During prayer, what happens during standing?
Muslims recite first chapter from Qur’an
During prayer, what happens during bowing?
Muslims say in Arabic ‘Glory be to my God who is the very greatest’ three times
Bowing shows that they believe God to be great, respect
During prayer, what happens during returning to an upright position
Muslims make a recitation praising God
During prayer, what happens when they kneel with their forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes touching the ground?
- Prostration
- Shows complete obedience to God
- Recite ‘How perfect is my Lord the most high’
During prayer, what happens during sitting?
- “god is the greatest” is recited
During prayer, what happens during turning right and left?
- “Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of God” is recited
What is the Jummah prayer?
- Midday prayer every Friday
- Muslims expected to attend a Mosque for this prayer
- Imam delivers a sermon, reminding them of their obligations and duties to God
- “Hurry towards the reminder of God and leave off your trading” - Qur’an
How must prayer at home be conducted?
- Clean room
- With a prayer mat
- Conduct Wudu (ablution)
- Facing Mecca
What is the significance of prayer?
- What God has commanded them to do
- Recognises God as great
- Shows respect
- Social
- Strengthens relationship with God if they are seen to be doing their duties
What is Sawm?
Fasting during Ramadan
- Muslims cannot eat or drink during daylight hours
- No smoking or sex during daylight hours
Why is Sawm significant to a Muslim?
- Demonstrates their love for God
- Shows they can make huge sacrifices of their physical needs as evidence for their submission to God
- Cleanses Muslim’s souls and free it from harm
- Also reminds them of how the poor feel
- The greater awareness inspires Muslims to help the poor
- Some Muslims pay Zakah during Ramadan
When can Sawm be excused?
Health reasons, including
- Pregnant women
- Mothers nursing babies
- Children
- Ill people
What is the Night of Power?
A festival marking the beginning of God’s revelation of Muhammad by angel Jibril telling Muhammad the first verses of the Qur’an
“Read, in the name of your Lord who created”
“The Night of Glory is better than a thousand Months”
Significance of Night of Power?
“The night of Glory is better than a thousand Months”
Observing Night of Power gives Muslims the spiritual benefits of worshipping for a thousand months.
Muslims try to keep awake throughout these nights, devoting themselves to prayers and studying the Quran to submit themselves to God
What is Zakah?
- Third Pillar of Islam
- Giving Alms (money to the poor)
- For Muslims who have enough savings, it is compulsory to give 2.5% of their savings every year to help the poor
“God is well aware of whatever good you do”