Islam Flashcards
(17 cards)
- What is hijra?
Hijra is the migration/journey made by the prophet Muhammed and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib (later renamed to Medina).
- What is the status of Jesus (Isa) and Moses (Musa) in Islam?
They are both considered important prophets/messengers of God. Jesus/Isa was sent to guide the Children of Israel with a new scripture, Al Injil(the Gospels), but he was not God’s son or God incarnate. Moses/Musa is considered a prophetic predecessor to Muhammed and was sent to guide the egyptian people.
- Where was Muhammed given the recitations? Who gave them to him?
It was the year 610 A.D and Muhammed was alone in an area near Mecca. Suddenly the Angel Gabriel showed himself to Muhammed. He commanded Muhammed “RECITE!” to which Muhammed responded that he was unable to read. Gabriel recited three verses which now were in the heart of Muhammed forever. During the span of 10 days there revelations kept coming.
- What is umma?
Umma is the faithful Islamic Assembly, which Muhammed began to build in Medina in 622. The word is used today also to express a world wide Muslim religious community. The word itself is an Arabic word for people, community or nation.
- What is the Hadith?
The Hadith is a record of Muhammed’s life, actions and deeds. A saying in the Hadith are called a sunnah. These sunnah were transmitted by word of mouth through the centuries after having been memories by Muhammed’s companions and followers. Many consider the Hadith to be a supplement or clarification of the Quran. It also clarifies issues pertaining to the Islamic jurisprudence. Jurisprudence means a legal system.
- Why and when did the major division in Islam occur?
After the death of their prophet Muhammed the muslims were faced with an issue, who would take his place as the leader of the community. This division is a result of people not agreeing who’s the real successor of Muhammed. Were one group believed it would be a person within Muhammed’s bloodline and the other believed it should be the person best suited, most knowledge and expertise.
- Explain some important events in the life of Muhammed.
Birth Marriage to Khadijah The first revelation, he is commissioned the messenger of god. Muslim emigration to Abyssinia Battle of Badr Death
- Explain Muhammed’s Night Journey.
Traveled on a horse- like animal, name. He met Adam, Eve, God and other prophets. He traveled seven heavens.
- What is the difference between “Muslim Jesus” and “Christian Jesus”?
Isa is considered a prophet, and a very important one, but he is not considered to be the son of God or God’s incarnate. He has many titles in the Quran, the most common one being Al-Masïh (Messiah), but he is at times referred to as “Seal of the Israelite Prophets”. It is believed that he will return near the Day of Judgement, but not as a prophet, since Muhammed was the last prophet. In Christianity on the other hand, Jesus has a different role. He is still a prophet, but he is also considered to be the son of God or that he is one with God. Isa is also not believed to have been killed on the cross and resurrected, which Christians firmly believe he was.
- Why do you think that Islam expanded as quickly as it did?
Women, slaves, minorities and many others were being oppressed in many areas of Arabia and as Islam spread it started to unite and bring people together, it gave everyone something to bond over and it even helped some people with their rights. I also believed it spread rapidly as Mecca was a big trading city back then and people who went back and forth were influenced each other’s culture and believes and as islam was mainly localized here many visitors were also influenced by this new religion and its teachings. The religion also spread as the Muslims conquered many areas and they brought their religion with them.
- What is the thought behind the Quran not being able to be translated?
A translated Quran is not ‘the same Quran’ as the original Quran was written in arabic and if you were to translate it you could possibly change the words of God and you could also interpret it differently from what it’s intended to. What the quran contains are the words of God and they cannot be changed.
- What is the difference between the great Jihad and the lesser Jihad?
How is this translated into society today?
The Lesser Jihad, also called the outer Jihad, deals with external matter. An example of this would be the Holy War. This was a military struggle which involved all Muslims.
The Greater Jihad, commonly known as the inner Jihad, concerns internal matter. This could be seen as very individual. An example of this would be personal self-improvement issues.
- What happened at the battle at Badr?
Why was this battle important for the Muslim community?
It was the first major battle between the Muslims and the Quraysh, the most powerful tribe in Mecca. For the first 13 years of Islam the muslims did not fight quraysh, despite intense persecutions. Later on Muhammad received a revelation giving the muslims permissions to pick up arms and fight back, the encounters between the two groups were now smaller raids and fights. The battle of Badr itself was a raid gone wrong where the Quraysh had sent troops to protect the caravans which the muslims were gonna raid. The different armies fought and even though the muslims were outnumbered they ended victorious. Year 624.
It was important as they were told that their victory was a result of God’s intervention, sending thousands of angels to fight by their side, the view of God helping them was further supported by verses in the Quran. The battle also was also of importance as it established the Muslim community as a formidable force in Arabia.
- What are the five pillars of Islam?
Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith.
Salat: performing ritual prayers in the proper way five times each day.
Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the poor and the needy.
Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca.
- What is the Ka’ba? Why is it of significance for the Muslim community?
The Ka’ba is a cube shaped building which is located in the centre of the most sacred mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It’s considered to be ‘the house of god’ and muslims are supposed to be face the Ka’ba from any point of the world when they’re praying. This is also the place which they pilgrimage towards, where they then perform a specific ritual - this pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of islam.
- What is Sharia? How do you think Sharia works today?
A Sharia is law within the Islamic legal system. It is taken from the Koran as well as Fatwas. Sharia is seen as the code for Muslim life and how one should live. Examples of this would be praying, fasting and donating to the less fortunate.
- What is qibla?
Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba. The Kaaba is the sacred building at Mecca. During Salat muslims are supposed to be praying towards qibla. In most mosques, there’s a wall niche(mihrab) to show the qibla.
