Islamic Practices

Question 1

Ten obligations (6 I need to know)

Answer 1

Salah, sawm, zakah, khums, hajj, jihad

“Forbid from sin and these it is that are the successful ones”

Question 2

Salah

Answer 2

Prayer

“When you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and hands…”

Question 3

Prayer at home

Answer 3

Many women who have young children pray at home. They must still perfrom Wudu and use a prayer mat facing Mekkah.

“if you do not see Him, know that He sees you”

Question 4

Jihad

Answer 4

Greater-personal inward struggle
Lesser-outward struggle

“The person who struggles so that Allah’s word is supreme is the one serving Allah’s cause”

Question 5

Hajj

Answer 5

Pilgrimage
Hajj should be made at least once during a Muslims lifetime. Starts and ends in Mekkah.

“A person who circles the Kabah 7 times…in the best from possible will have his sins forgiven”

Question 6

Zakah

Answer 6

Charitable giving
2.5% of earnings (if affordable) given to the poor

“test the rich people and provide for the poor”

Question 7

Shahadah

Answer 7

Declaration of faith

“When establishing a new community, a Muslim should first make the declaration of faith”

Question 8

Sawm

Answer 8

Fasting

“the rich may experience the pain and hunger”

Question 9

Id-Ul-Adha

Answer 9

Started by Muhammad. Celebrates the end of Hajj and Ibrahims willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

“This has been a trial which both had passed and now due a reward”

Question 10

Id-Ul-Fitr

Answer 10

Festival started by Muhammad. Celebrates the end of Ramadan.

“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed”

Question 11

Ashura

Answer 11

The day of remembrance and mourning of Hussayn’s death for Shi’a Muslims.

“the day of Ashura is a day of tragedy, grief and weeping”

Question 12

The 5 pillars

Answer 12

Shahadah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Hajj

Question 13

Khums

Answer 13

Important Muslim practice to Shi’a Muslims in addition to Zakah
20% of their earnings (if affordable)
10% to Shi’a religious leaders
10% to charity or poor

Question 14

What does Id-Ul-Fitr celebrate?

Answer 14

Marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims thank God for the strength he has given them to fast and for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad during this month

Question 15

How is Id-Ul-Fitr celebrated?

Answer 15

Celebrated 1-3 days. Gatherings in Mosques to say special prayers. Chance for Muslims to forgive differences or disputes with one another. Everyone wears best clothes and special foods are eaten. Presents and cards are exchanged.

Question 16

What does Id-Ul-Adha celebrate?

Answer 16

The festival of sacrifice. Celebrates the end of Hajj. Remembers Ibrahims willingness to sacrifice his son for God.

Question 17

How is Id-Ul-Adha celebrated?

Answer 17

Prayers in a mosque. Animals are slaughtered to remember Ibrahims sacrifice. Family keeps 1/3, give 1/3 to relatives and give 1/3 to the poor. Cards and presents exchanged. People make sure others aren’t celebrating alone.

Question 18

What do the 5 pillars do?

Answer 18

Support the main principles and beliefs of Islam (like how pillars support a building)

Question 19

When is Shahadah recited?

Answer 19

When a baby is born, daily prayers, if possible the last words of a Muslim.

Question 20

What do Shi’a Muslims add on the end of the Shahadah?

Answer 20

“and Ali is the friend of God”

This shows their belief that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law was the true successor of Muhammad

Question 21

How many times do Sunni Muslims pray a day?

Answer 21

5

Question 22

How many times do Shi’a Muslims pray a day?

Answer 22

3

Question 23

What is Wudu?

Answer 23

A ritual washing for spiritual cleanliness and to focus fully on God during their prayers

Question 24

What is Rak’ah?

Answer 24

Set of sequence of actions and recitations

Question 25

What is Jummah prayer?

Answer 25

Midday payer every Friday. All Muslims are expected to attend a mosque. They must leave their work or close their business to attend the Jummah prayer

Question 26

What must Muslims do if they pray at home?

Answer 26

Perform Wudu, use a prayer mat and face the direction of Mekkah

Question 27

Why is prayer important?

Answer 27

It is what God has commanded them to do. It creates a greater awareness of God. Prayers unites Muslims worldwide.

Question 28

Who might be excused from fasting?

Answer 28

Pregnant women, new mothers, children, people who are ill

Question 29

What is the Night of Power?

Answer 29

Marks the beginning of God’s revelation to Muhammad.

Question 30

How many months of worshipping is observing the Night of Power equal to?

Answer 30

1000 months

Question 31

What are the origins of Hajj? (Part 1)

Answer 31

Ibrahim was told by God to take his son, Ishmael and wife, Hahira to Arabia. Ibrahim was told to leave them on their own with food and water. The supplies ran out in a few days and they began to suffer. Hajira decided to run up and down 2 hills called Safa and Marwah and prayed to God for help. Ishmael struck his foot on the ground and water came gushing out. When Ibrahim returned he was told by God to build a shrine dedicated to him (Kabah).

Question 32

What are the origins of Hajj? (Part 2)

Answer 32

Many centuries later the people in Mekkah became used to worshipping idols. Muhammad journeyed form Madinah to Mekkah with a group of Muslims which is now seen as the first pilgrimage in Islam. Muhammad returned the Kabah to the worship of God alone.

Question 33

Steps of the pilgrimage:

Answer 33

Entering the state of Ihram, circling the Kabah, travelling to Arafat, throwing pebbles at Mina and returning to Mekkah

Question 34

Entering the state of Ihram

Answer 34

Before Hajj begins they must enter this state. This involves performing ritual washing, praying and putting on Ihram clothing. This is white cloth to show equality and purity

Question 35

Circling the Kabah

Answer 35

Pilgrims circle the Kabah 7 times in an anti-clockwise direction. They will try and touch the Kabah

Question 36

Travelling to Arafat

Answer 36

They will then walk along a walkway linking Safa and Marwah ( the hills in Ibrahims story) 7 times and walk 13 miles to Arafat. Halfway there they will stop for the night of Mina.

Question 37

Standing at Arafat

Answer 37

Pilgrims will continue their journey from Mina to Arafat. They will spend the whole afternoon praying under the hot sun. Islam teaches God will forgive the sins who complete standing at Arafat

Question 38

Throwing pebbles at Mina

Answer 38

Muslims will continue to walk and collect 49 small pebbles that will be used the next day at Mina. Mina has 3 stone walls which represents the devil and temptation called Jamarat. They will then throw there pebbles at these walls.

Question 39

Returning to Mekkah

Answer 39

The next day the pilgrims return to where they started and circle the Kabah a further 7 times.

Question 40

What does Hajj do?

Answer 40

Produces inner peace, shows self-discipline, shows equality and unity and leads to the forgiveness of sins