Five Pillars of Islām
What is the Shahādah in Arabic with English translation?
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ
I testify that there is no god but Allāh, and I testify that Muḥammad (ṣall-Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and messenger
What are two of the du‘ā's before studying with meaning?
رَبِّ زِدْنِىْ عِلْمًا
Oh my Lord, increase me in knowledge
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي
My Lord! Open my heart, and make my task easy for me, loosen the knot in my tongue so that they may understand my speech
What do we call the Angels who write down what we do (placed on our shoulders)?
Kirāman Kātibīn (the one on the right shoulder writes the good deeds, and the one on the left shoulder writes the bad deeds)
What are we supposed to say and do when we see another Muslim?
Give Salām first or reply to their Salām, smile, shake their hands and say the du‘ā' for shaking hands, and hug if one is comfortable with the person. Be kind and gentle. If you are rude and mean, people will not like you. Be good to your parents, relatives, orphans, the needy, neighbors near and far, and travelers. The good servants of Allāh are those who walk gently on earth and say ‘peace’ when others talk rudely to them. Do not make fun of others, and do not call each other by bad names.
Allāh commanded men to lower their gaze from women and women to lower their gaze from men. We are told not to go near ḥarām relationships. This includes flirting, texting, or even touching. Allāh planned everyone's lives out, and so for us to follow Shayṭān's path and disobey Allāh would make us sinful. We have to control ourselves and wait for the right time, which is through marrying someone who fears and worships Allāh, and maintains good character.
What is Ḥajj?
Pilgrimage to Makkah, worshipping Allāh with specific steps in hopes of making Him happy and erasing our sins. Only those who can afford to go and are healthy enough have to perform Ḥajj.
What are the du‘ās when entering and exiting the bathroom with meaning?
اللَّهُـمَّ إِنِّي أَعُـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنَ الْخُـبْثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ.
O Allāh, I seek protection in You from evil and the evil ones (or, from the evil male and female Jinn)
غُفْرَانَكَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنِّي الْأَذٰى وَعَافَانِي
I seek forgiveness and pardon from You. All Praise be to Allāh, who has taken away from me discomfort and granted me relief
Who are the four main angels in Islām, and what are their responsibilities?
Jibrīl (‘alayhis-salām): revelation of scriptures
Mikā‘īl (‘alayhis-salām): causing rainfall and supplying provisions to Allāh's creatures
‘Izrā‘īl (‘alayhis-salām): taking lives under Allāh's command
Isrāfīl (‘alayhis-salām): blowing the trumpet on the Day of Resurrection (once to destroy everything in the universe, and once to bring everyone back to life)
What are we not allowed to do when talking about other people?
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Leave that which makes you doubt for that which does not make you doubt, for truthfulness is certainty and tranquility, while lying is doubt and confusion."
Do not backbite, gossip, or slander. If someone did something, either advise them gently or do not speak bad about them. Do not lie about others. Do not call anyone any names or insult them behind their backs.
Why is interest (ribā) ḥarām?
Allāh has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. Interest is money that is not earned, but forced to be paid. It is what the Jewish love to use and abuse, but it is wrong. It is how our banking system works because of the Jews. Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Shayṭān into insanity.
What are the four main books revealed, and which prophet revealed each of them?
Mūsā (‘alayhis-salām): Tawrāh (Torah - Old Testament)
Dāwūd (‘alayhis-salām): Zaboor (Psalms)
‘Īsā (‘alayhis-salām): Injīl (Gospel)
Muḥammad (ṣall-Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam): Qur'ān
What are the du‘ās when entering and exiting the Masjid?
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ
O Allāh! open for me the doors of Thy mercy
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
O Allāh! I beg of Thee Thy Grace
What are Jinns?
Like humans, the jinnāt eat, drink, procreate, and die. They possess some special abilities that humans do not. For instance, they can fly and sometimes demonstrate amazing strength and speed. Not all jinnāt are evil. Like humans, jinnāt were created with one main purpose: to worship Allāh. Jinnāt are not ghosts, genies, spirits, or the souls of dead people. They were created from a smokeless flame. They can see humans, but humans are not supposed to be able to see them. As shapeshifters, jinnāt are able to take on any physical form, including that of humans and animals, though they rarely do this. Although jinn can take various forms, they are almost always invisible to humans.
How do we remain humble as Muslims?
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allāh, Allāh will exalt him.
Never think of yourself as better than anyone else. Shayṭān did that, and he is what is he is today because of that. No matter what your grades are or strength or looks are like, never talk down on anyone and make yourself look perfect and greater than others.
What is extravagance in Islām?
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Eat, drink, give charity, and wear nice clothes, as long as it does not involve extravagance or arrogance." Do not spend more than you have to. Lamborghinis and Rolex watches are not a necessity. Dozens of purses and makeup products are not a necessity. Save your money, give charity, and take care of your responsibilities.
What is Zakāt, and how much does a qualified person have to pay in Zakāt annually?
Zakāt is charity given to the poor, and it is 2.5% of one's savings for a whole year (at least approximately 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver, or the cash amount of it).
What are the du‘ās before and after eating?
بِسْمِ اللهِ وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللهِ
In the name of Allāh, and with the blessings of Allāh
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَ
All praise is for Allāh who has fed us and provided for us, and made us Muslims
Who is Iblīs?
Iblīs is also known as Shayṭān, the rejected one. A jinn who became a devil after disobeying Allāh when He commanded the Angels to bow down to Ādam (‘alayhis-salām). He thought he was better since humans are created from clay and jinnāt are created from a smokeless flame. He is cursed for life and will remain in Jahannam forever. He was very smart and was good once upon a time, but he let arrogance and pride destroy his life. He challenged Allāh that he would misguide His creations, and that is mainly why a lot of people are not Muslims or not good Muslims.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; whenever he promises, he breaks it; and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays his trust.
What does it mean to be grateful in Islām?
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Riches do not mean having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment. Thanksgiving Day is not the only day to be thankful for everyone and everything. It is everyday.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "He who does not thank people, does not thank Allāh.
"If you are grateful, I (Allāh) will surely increase you [in favor]." [Qur'ān 14:7]
Which month is it in the Islāmic calendar? What happened in the month of Ramaḍān?What do we do in the month of Ramaḍān?
9th month of the Hijrī calendar.
The Qur'ān was revealed.
We fast from Fajr to Maghrib, stay away from sins even more, do more good deeds, and offer 20 rak‘ats of Tarāweeḥ Ṣalāh after ‘Ishā Ṣalāh.
What are the du‘ās before and after sleeping?
اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْـمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا
O Allāh, in Your name, I live and die
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذي أَحْيَانَا بَعْدَ مَا أَمَاتَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ
All praise is for Allāh who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the resurrection
What are angels created from and how are they?
They are created from light, before humans and jinnāt. They were created to worship Allāh and obey His commands. They cannot do anything wrong no matter what. Their wings (hundreds of them) can expand to hundreds and thousands of miles long, covering planets and beyond.
How do we be helpful as Muslims?
Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of this world, Allāh will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allāh's cause. So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him]. And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him]. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. Help your parents at home or whenever they ask for anything. Keep your house clean as well as the House of Allāh. Be kind and caring to your siblings and neighbors.
How do we remain clean in Islām?
Shaving the pubic hair, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, trimming the mustache, keeping the beard long but nice, always being in the state of wuḍū', showering once daily, and wearing cleaning clothes.
"Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." [Qur'ān 2:222]