Pillars & Practice
Which is the most important Pillar of Islam?
Technically, all Five Pillars are considered obligatory, but the Shahada (the declaration of faith) is widely regarded as the most foundational — it's the gateway pillar that makes the other four meaningful.
What is a Surah? How many are there in the Quran
This is the term for a chapter of the Quran; there are 114 of them in total.
Who is Jibril (Gabriel)?
This is the name of the angel believed to have revealed the Quran to Muhammad.
What does Jihat mean?
To struggle, strive
What is the most important thing to do if you want to be called a practicing muslim?
Salah
What does Hadith actually mean?
Hadith (حديث) literally means “report,” “narration,” or “saying.”
What is Mecca? Who was born there?
This city, Muhammad's birthplace, is Islam's holiest city.
Who was the 3rd Khalifa?
What is Halal?
This term refers to things that are permissible or lawful under Islamic law, as opposed to "haram."
What does Zakat actually mean?
"Zakat" (زكاة) comes from the Arabic root z-k-w (زكو), which carries the dual meaning of "purification" and "growth" or "increase."
How many years was the Quran being revealed? How many years in all did it take?
Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over about 23 years.
What is the Hijra?
This migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE marks the start of the Islamic calendar.
Who was Ali to the Prophet A.S?
What does Sharia mean? What is the difference between Sharia and Fiqh?
Sharia (الشريعة) is an Arabic word that generally means “a way” or “a path.”
Sharia = the divine guidance/ideal path
Fiqh = human scholars' understanding and interpretation of that guidance
What is the Hajj?
This Arabic word refers to the obligatory pilgrimage to Mecca that able-bodied Muslims must undertake at least once in their lifetime.
When was the Quran revealed? How many years ago?
Qur’an began to be revealed approximately 1,416 years ago
How many children did Maryam (ISA a.s mother) have?
Maryam (Mary) had one child: Isa (Jesus)
Who was the 4th Calipha?
Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه)
What does Allah mean in Arabic?
It is traditionally understood as being related to الإله (al-ilāh), meaning “the God” or “the deity.”
What does Shahada actually mean?
"Shahada" (شهادة) literally means "testimony" or "witnessing" — it comes from the Arabic root sh-h-d, which relates to seeing, witnessing, or bearing witness to something.
What is Al-Fatiha mean?
"Al-Fatiha" (الفاتحة) means "The Opener" or "The Opening" — it comes from the Arabic root f-t-h (فتح), which means "to open." This short opening chapter of the Quran
What is Caliph (Khalifa)? Who were the The four Rightly Guided Caliphs ?
A Caliph (Khalīfa / خليفة) means “successor” or “one who comes after.”
Abu Bakr → Umar → Uthman → Ali
What direction do Muslims in New York face when praying toward Mecca?
Northeast (roughly 58° from due north) — the great-circle route over the North Atlantic, not due east- Slightly towards sunrise in summer time
What does ramadan, the word, actually mean?
"Ramadan" (رمضان) comes from the Arabic root r-m-d (رمض), which relates to intense heat — specifically the scorching heat of sun-baked ground or stones.
Over time, Muslim scholars also connected the name symbolically to the idea of burning — the notion that the fasting and devotion of the month "burns away" sins