Key Definitions
The Qu'ran
The 5 Pillars/Prayer
Random
Your Opinion
100
'Oneness' in reference to God. The basic Muslim belief in the oneness of God.
Tawhid
100
The Qur'an means ______ or reading. The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Jibral (Gabriel).
Recitation (recite)
100
Adhan is the what?
Call to prayer
100
What is Zakah?
giving a portion of one's income, usually one fortieth, to help the poor. This creates a bond between rich and poor and helps Muslims to purify their wealth and keep away from greed. It is usually paid once a year.
100
Why do Muslims prohibit images of Allah or any human figure?
Shirk, it is a sin to worship or liken an image or person to Allah.
It is more important to value his qualities than appearance. E.g. creator, merciful, forgiving.
200
The term used for messengers of God, beginning with Adam an ending with the Prophet Muhammad.
English and Arabic words.
Prophethood or Risalah
200
What are 3/5 the qualities of Allah according to the Qu'ran?
Beneficence = All good
Immanence = Throughout the universe
Merciful = All forgiving/ compassionate
Omnipotence = All powerful
Transcendence = Beyond the universe
200
What are the main features of a Mosque (Masjid)?
Any of the following...
- a prayer hall for congregational prayer
- a dome
- a minaret
- separate men and women's area for prayer
- washing facilities
- carpet marked with prayer spaces
- Mihrab or alcove indication the direction of prayer
- Minbar platform from which sermon is preached
- Clocks to indicate times of prayer
200
Akhirah – the belief in everlasting life after death. What do Muslims believe about reaching this place?
Muslims believe that this life is merely preparation for the eternal life or Akhirah. Every act of good and bad that a Muslim does is recorded by Allah, so they must act in a way that benefits them in Akhirah.
200
"Imams are the most important people in a Muslim community." Do you agree?
- they set an example of how to live as a good Muslim
- Muslim parents have an important role in a Muslim community
- Imams are the most important people because they lead communal prayer
- All Muslims are equal before Allah - no one is more important
- Imams have an important role in mosque school
- Imams are able to give advice to other Muslims
300
Associating other beings or things with God. It's a sin.
Shirk
300
Although Muslims treat the Hadith with enormous respect, can you explain why you think it is not regarded as sacred in the same way as the Qur'an?
Quran = most important because
- Muslims believe it is the complete book of guidance (final revelation)
- was revealed by God to Muhammad over 23 years
- guides their daily lives
- Muslims are able to read the Qur'an individually
Hadith = not as important because
- words of prophet Muhammad
- different collections of sayings accepted by different Muslim groups
300
What are the religious and moral benefits of Muslims receive by observing Ramadan?
- fasting for a whole month is a religious duty, act of obedience and submission
- helps feel spiritually fulfilled
- everyone does together, unites and strengthens the Muslim community (Ummah)
- it's when Muhammad received the Qur'an
- identify with the poor, create empathy
- encourages self-control, bad thoughts and deeds
300
Salat is the obligatory Muslim prayers, performed five times each day by Muslims. It is the second Pillar of Islam. Why is prayer important to Muslims?
- Prayer sets the rhythm of the day
- A universal Muslim ritual, not only highly spiritual, but connects each Muslim to all others around the world and throughout history
- Prayers of body, mind and soul
- Muslims don't pray for God's benefit, they believe that they obtain great benefit in doing so.
- Muslims pray direct to God
300
"Men and Women are equal in Islam"
any of these points could be considered and evaluated...
- Men and Women have different roles in Islam
- Men and women are equal but have different roles
- In practice men appear to have more rights than women
- Men are allowed to have up to four wives; women may only have on husband
- In a number of Muslim countries women do not have equal rights to men
- In some Muslim counties women have achieved more equal rights
400
What does Islam mean?
Submission or peace in Arabic
400
Angels are mentioned in the Qur'an, Muslims believe that Angels communicate God's/Allah's message, can you explain and give examples of the importance of Malaikah (Angels).
Angels are important because...
- they are messengers from Allah
- belief in angels is one of the 6 articles of faith
- Gabriel revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad
- some prophets were visited by angels
- they are mentioned many times in the Qur'an
Examples: Mika'il (Michael) archangel that keeps the devil out of heaven, Israfil (Raphael) archangel who blows the trumpet on the Day of Judgement etc
400
"The Sahadah is the most important pillar for Muslims." Discuss.
Most important because
- expression of faith
- states the Muslim belief in Allah and prophet Muhammad
- it is the first pillar
- other pillars are physcial actions rather than belief
Not most important
- All the pillars are equal
- the Shahadah only contains 2 main Muslim beliefs
400
The Ten Obligatory Acts are followed by Twelver Shi’a Muslims. These combine some of the Five Pillars of Islam and jihad, which applies to all Muslims, so it is the final five acts that distinguish Shi’a practice from Sunni tradition.
What are the additional acts?
- Jihad (the struggle to keep belief in Allah and follow his rules, defend islam)
- Khums (20% tax)
- Amr-bil Maruf (encouraging people to do good)
- Nahi Anil Munka (discouraging others from doing wrong)
- Tawallah (showing love)
- Tabarra (not associating with God's enemies)
400
Explain two ways in which the Ka’aba is important in the Muslim Hajj (pilgrimage).
- it is the most sacred/holiest place in Makka
- the hajj begins and finishes at the kabaa
- Walking around the Ka'bah with thousands of others represents the Muslim belief in the equality of all Muslims.
500
________ relates to the state of purity and equality before God (Allah) which Muslims enter before going on Hajj.
Ihram
500
"Muhammad was no more than a messenger." Discuss.
- Muhammad brougth the Qur'an - they only complete source of knowledge from Allah
- there are no translations or distortions
- he is the Seal of the Prophets as he gave the final words to humanity
- he gave a perfect example how to live (unlike other prophets)
- seen as an inspirational leader in battle, fighting against polytheism
However
- no different to other prophets, simply a messenger
- He lived a fairly ordinary life
- it is a sin to associate partners with Allah = there are no pictures of Muhammad indicating he is equal to Allah
500
During Prayer having Niyat/Niyyah is the most important aspect of prayer. Discuss.
Most important
- with intention there is no value in prayer
- must have complete focus on the Oneness of Allah
- public statement, shows obedience
- public declaration or reaffirmation of faith
Not as important
- there is no single moment of intention, should be focused throughout
- difference between public declaration and intent to pray
- many aspects to focus on eg purity, obedience and personal will to worship allah
500
What is the difference between Greater and Lesser Jihad?
Greater jihad is about making the effort to be a good Muslim through a personal struggle to improve spiritually. It is a duty and an act of worship.
Lesser jihad is about defending Islam from threat. Some people still take up arms against anybody they see as an enemy of Islam. However, many Muslims believe that lesser jihad is of less relevance today than in the past, when Muslims were being persecuted.
500
What is the main difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Following Muhammad's death there was a debate about who should be his successor.
Majority (Sunni) believed that his rightful successor was his father-in-law and close friend, Abu Bakr, but a small group (Shia) believed the Prophet Muhammad's successor should be Ali ibn Abi Talib, his cousin and son-in-law and father of his grandchildren.