islam practices

Question 1

what is the shahadah

Answer 1

muslim declaration of faith
“there is no god but allah and muhammad is his messenger”

Question 2

when should the shahadah be said

Answer 2

first and last thing a muslim should hear
said three times when converting to islam

Question 3

What are the 10 obligatory acts

Answer 3

Shia Muslims have these- contain 5 pillars in Sunni and others such as:
- encouraging what is good
- being loving towards the friends of god

Question 4

What is Shia khums?

Answer 4

Unique to Shia Muslims
In addition to zakah
20% of additional earnings
Half goes to religious leaders
Rest goes to poor

Question 5

What is salad

Answer 5

Prayer that Muslims should perform 5 times a day

Question 6

What is wudu

Answer 6

Ritual washing before prayer
Helps to spiritually purify for god

Question 7

Where should the direction of prayer be pointed

Answer 7

Towards gods city- Makkah

Question 8

What is jammah prayer

Answer 8

Special Friday prayer
Done at a mosque

Question 9

Why is prayer important for Muslims

Answer 9

God told them to do it
A way to come together and worship god

Question 10

What is a rak’ah

Answer 10

One full prayer sequence
Usually includes the shahadah and prostration

Question 11

What is zakah

Answer 11

The giving of 2.5% of wealth and earnings to the poor

Question 12

Quote for zakah

Answer 12

“Whatever you give should be for.. orphans, the needy, and travellers. God is well aware of whatever good you do”

Question 13

Who gives zakah

Answer 13

Only Muslims earning above the Nisab

Question 14

What is Sadaqah

Answer 14

Voluntary giving aswell as zakah

Question 15

Why is zakah important

Answer 15

Giving shows that all things belong to god and must be shared

Question 16

What is sawm

Answer 16

The month of the year during which Muslims fast in daylight hours

Question 17

What should be avoided in daylight hours in sawm

Answer 17

Food, drink, sex or other entertainments

Question 18

When is Ramadan

Answer 18

The 9th month of the Muslim calendar year
The month that Muhammad first started to receive the Qur’an

Question 19

What are the exceptions to fasting

Answer 19

Pregnant and breastfeeding women
People who are ill- diabetes
People who don’t are expected to make it up at a later date if they can

Question 20

What is the night of power

Answer 20

A special festival in the middle of Ramadan to remember the night allah started to reveal the qur’an to Muhammad
Muslims try and stay awake all night and pray

Question 21

What is hajj

Answer 21

Once in a lifetime journey fit and healthy Muslims take

Question 22

What is the origin story of Hajj

Answer 22

Ibrahim leaves his wife and son in the desert
Pray for help and his son finds a spring of water
Ibrahim told to build a shrine of god on the spot - the ka’bah - a place of purity and worship

Question 23

What is ihram

Answer 23

A state of mental and physical purity
Ritual washing and simple white clothing
All are equal in the eyes of god

Question 24

What happens on day one of hajj

Answer 24

Circle the ka’bah and recite the pilgrims prayer
Touch black stone

Walk in covered walkway between hills dads and Marwah 7 times
Well of Zamzam

Question 25

What happens on day two of hajj

Answer 25

Walk to Arafat- where Muhammad last preached
All day praying - forgiveness granted if you admit your sins
Reminder of judgement day

Question 26

What happens on day three of hajj

Answer 26

3 stone pillars - Jamarat-at mina
Represent the devil and temptation
Throw stones to reject the evil
Finish with the celebration of id-ul-Adha

Question 27

What is the significance of hajj

Answer 27

Deeply spiritual experience- more aware of gods continual presence in life
Self discipline developed
Importance of equality and unity between all
Reminds Muslims of all the examples of the prophets
it can lead to forgiveness of sin

Question 28

Which type of Muslim celebrates ashura

Answer 28

Shia

Question 29

Origins of ashura

Answer 29

Festival for all Muslims- day of atonement
Remembers the death of hussein at Karbala

Question 30

Meaning and importance of ashura

Answer 30

A day of mourning and sorrow
Hussein was Muhammad’s grandson
Fought against a much larger army - 70 men killed, women and children tortured

Tragic event and still remembered by Shia Muslims with grief

Question 31

How is ashura celebrated

Answer 31

Some men beat themselves to try and connect with husseins suffering

Some go on pilgrimage to the shrine in Karbala

Funeral like processions

Reenactments and plays to retell the story

Question 32

How is ashura celebrated in Britain

Answer 32

Large street processions in big cities

Men feel they should draw blood- encouraged to donate blood instead of beat themselves

Question 33

What are the origins of id-ul-fitr

Answer 33

Muhammad declared this as one of the two celebration days
It is the festival of breaking the fast, celebrated at the end of Ramadan

Question 34

Why is is-ul-fitr important

Answer 34

Thanking god for the strength and help given to fast a whole month

Thanking for the Qur’an which was revealed at this time

Question 35

How is id-ul-fitr celebrated

Answer 35

Gifts exchanged
Special clothes
Sermons
Big family meal
Prayers in the mosque
Homes decorated

Question 36

Origins of id-ul-adha

Answer 36

Celebrated at the end of hajj , remembers and honors ibrahim and his sacrifice

Question 37

Why is id-ul-adha important

Answer 37

Remembers Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his life
Shows how important obedience to allah is
Ibrahim was given a ram to sacrifice instead of his son so now Muslims sacrifice an animal to remember this - give leftover meat to the poor

Question 38

How is is-ul-adha celebrated

Answer 38

Big party at the end of hajj for those in Makkah
Cards and presents exchanged
Prayers at mosque
Animals slaughtered and meat donated