Origins
What does the word "Islam" mean?
Submission to the will of Allah
What is Tawhid?
The absolute oneness of Allah - there is no God but Allah and nothing shares in His divine nature
Over how many years was the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad and how many Surahs does it contain?
22 years; 114 Surahs
What does halal mean?
That which is permitted by Allah - covering all actions, conduct and behaviour that align with Allah's will
What is the Ka'ba and what is its significance in Islam?
The cube-shaped structure in Mecca believed by Muslims to have originally been built by Abraham and Ishmael as the first house of worship dedicated to the one God. It is the holiest site in Islam and the direction toward which Muslims face when they pray
What is the term for pre-Islamic Arabian society, meaning the Age of Ignorance?
Jahiliyyah
From what are angels created, according to the Hadith?
Light - "The angels were created from light" (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 71)
What is the difference between the Qur'an and the Hadith in terms of their authority and origin?
The Qur'an is the literal word of Allah - its author is strictly God. The Hadith records the sayings, actions and approvals of Muhammad - it clarifies and expands Qur'anic teachings but was compiled 100–150 years after Muhammad's death
Name the four sources of Islamic jurisprudence in the correct order.
1. The Qur'an 2. The Hadith and Sunnah 3. Ijma 4. Qiyas
Quote Surah 112 and explain which principal belief it demonstrates and why it is significant.
"He is Allah, the One, Allah is Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him" - this demonstrates Tawhid, the absolute oneness of Allah, which is the foundation of all Islamic belief and the basis of Islamic ethics
What title was given to Muhammad before he received revelation, meaning "the trustworthy"?
Al-Amin
Explain the belief of Akhira and how it guides Muslim adherents.
Akhira is the belief in life after death and the Day of Judgement. As Surah 17:71 affirms, all humans will be called together and judged justly - this motivates Muslims to live ethically knowing their actions have eternal consequences
Name the Five Pillars of Islam in order.
Shahada, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj
What is Qiyas and give an example of how it works.
Qiyas is reasoning by analogy - applying an existing ruling to a new situation. Example: the Qur'an forbids intoxicants; by analogy scholars extend this to drugs and vaping
What tribe was Muhammad born into and why was this tribe significant?
The Quraysh - the most powerful tribe in Mecca, responsible for the upkeep of the Ka'ba and the control of major trade routes across the Arabian Peninsula
What was the name of Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE and why is it significant?
The Hijra - it marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar and the transformation of Islam from a small persecuted group to a powerful religious force
What is the role of angels in Islam and name two specific roles they perform?
Angels (Mala'ika) are spiritual beings created from light who serve Allah. Their roles include: delivering revelation (Jibril delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad), acting as guardians protecting humans, and acting as record keepers, two angels record every person's good and bad deeds which will be presented on the Day of Judgement
Explain the significance of Salat and Zakat as expressions of submission to Allah.
Salat: the five daily prayers, requires Muslims to submit to Allah five times every day, structuring daily life around God and reinforcing the core Islamic belief of full submission. Zakat: the giving of 2.5% of annual savings to the poor, purifies wealth and expresses submission through selfless giving, reflecting the Qur'anic command in Surah 2:43 to "establish prayer and give Zakat"
Why does the order of the four sources of Islamic jurisprudence matter?
The order matters because no source can contradict a higher one, any ruling must always be consistent with the Qur'an above all else. The Qur'an is the literal word of Allah and therefore holds absolute authority. The Hadith clarifies but cannot contradict it, Ijma builds on both but cannot override them, and Qiyas can only reason by analogy from what already exists in the higher sources. This ensures that all ethical rulings ultimately reflect the will of Allah
What is the Shahada and when do Muslims recite it?
The Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith - "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger." It is recited in daily prayers, upon conversion to Islam and at birth and death, affirming Tawhid as the core of Muslim identity
Name the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs in order and identify the key contribution of each.
Abu Bakr: unified the community; Umar: territorial expansion; Uthman: standardised the Qur'an; Ali: faced division leading to the Sunni/Shi'a split
Name the five Books of Allah in order with the prophet each was revealed to.
Sahifa: Abraham; Tawrah: Moses; Zabur: David; Injil: Jesus; Qur'an: Muhammad
Describe what happens during Hajj and who is required to perform it.
Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform at least once in their lifetime. Some rituals include: wearing white ihram garments, performing tawaf around the Ka'ba seven times, travelling to Arafat for prayer.
Using the example of vaping, demonstrate how all four sources of Islamic jurisprudence would be applied.
Qur'an: Surah 4:29 prohibits self-harm; Hadith: encourages preserving health; Ijma: scholars may reach consensus it is forbidden; Qiyas: by analogy with alcohol and smoking, vaping is haram
What does In sha-Allah mean and which principal belief does it express?
In sha-Allah means "if God is willing" - it is used by Muslims when speaking about future plans and events, expressing trust in Allah's will. It reflects the principal belief of Qadar, divine decree and predestination, acknowledging that all outcomes are ultimately in Allah's hands