Islam

• Immanent


  God is always close by. The Qur’an says that God is closer to each one of us than the veins in our necks.
• Transcendent 


  God is beyond all things, not limited by the rules of nature.
• Omniscience 


  God has all knowledge; nothing can be hidden from him.
• Omnipotent 


  God has unlimited power. The Qur’an teaches that is was God ‘Who created the heavens and the earth’.
• Beneficent 


  God is always kind; he loves us.
• Merciful 


  God is always fair; he forgives us if we are sorry.
• Judge 


   On the last day, God will be our judge.
• Creator 


  God is the beginning; he is the cause of all that exists.
• Submission to Allah 


  5 pillars- Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm
• Greater Jihad 


  The personal struggle to do what is right for Allah
• Qur'an 


  The divine book was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Allah’s final revelation to humankind.
• Hadith 


  the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Sunnah 


  the actions of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Revelation 


  A message sent by God and ‘revealed’ or shown to humans
• Sunnah 


  Means 'the clear trodden path'. Actions of Prophet Muhammed which Muslims want to follow to be like him. It includes what he ate, what he wore, and how he spoke to people. As his Prophethood progressed it became how to pray, how to perform hajj and how to set up an organised Muslim community.
• Hadith 


  Saying of Prophet Muhammed. Is not a holy book as it does not contain the words of Allah. Through Muhammeds life his closet friends witnessed his actions and after he died they shared stories about what he did. Eventually they were passed down orally and were written down.
• Qur'an 


  When Muslims need advice or guidance in their lives, they turn to the Qur’an which is their holy book. It is written in Arabic and Muslims believe that no part of the Qur’an can be changed or rewritten as it was given to Muslims directly from Allah. The Qur’an is divided up into chapters, these are called surahs and verses called ayat. There are 114 surahs in the Qur’an. They are arranged from the longest to the shortest except for the first one. Each chapter starts with the words: ‘In the name of Allah, the most merciful and the most kind.’
• Allah's first revelation to Muhammad occurred

  610 CE
• The Night of Power


  The event when the Angel Jibril appeared before Muhammad and ordered him to recite the words that had miraculously appeared before him
• The Night of Power is now one of the holiest days of the Muslim year and is on the 27th day of Ramadan
• Revelations to Muhammad


  1. Sometimes he heard a voice speaking to him

  2. Sometimes they happened during prayer

  3. Sometimes they took place when he was going about his everyday life
• Revelations to Muhammad were believed to have continued for 23 years
• Respect for the Qur'an 


  Wrapped up in cloth when it’s not used, Kept in the highest point in the room when not being used to show the importance of Allah’s words, placed on a stand (the kursi) when being read so that it doesn’t touch the floor, Muslims must be in the right frame of mind when they read it, They must wash their hands before it’s touched/read, They mustn’t eat or drink around it, They mustn’t gossip or speak inappropriately around it 
• Qur'an as a sacred text


  It is a sacred text and a complete book of guidance for Muslims. Considered to be the direct words of Allah and so must be learned in Arabic to fully understand it. Most Muslims learn to recite this off my heart (hafiz)
• What is taught in the Qur'an 


  How to pray, how Muslims should treat other people, how Muslims can have a good life, advice on how to be kind to people, warns about being wasteful, shows the importance of keeping promises, prohibits adultery, gives rules about haram and halal.
• Shahadah - First Pillar


  Declaration of Faith - 'There is no God but Allah and Muhammed is his messenger'. The acceptance of this shows submission to Allah. It is spoken into the ears of newborn babies and should be spoken as the final words before death. The first part of the Shahadah shows Tawhid the 'oneness' of Allah as it says that Allah has no equals. It is spoken throughout the day as it is in the Adhan and part of Salat. It is the central belief in Islam and shows Muslims reject polytheism and unpins all beliefs held by Muslims.
• Reasons for Prohibition of Images

  God is the 'one' and this idea cannot be represented in an image, any images may lead to Shirk. It is considered disrespectful as Allah is so great and beyond human understanding.
• Salat - Second Pillar

  Compulsory prayer preformed by Muslims 5 times a day. Salat involves both words and actions. This helps Muslims to focus their body and minds on Allah during prayers.

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• Prayer times 


  Muslim prayers are said just before sunrise (fajr), just after midday (zuhr), in the afternoon (asr), just after sunset (maghrib), and in the evening - but before midnight (isha).
• Adhan


  Call to pray from the Minaret of a Mosque by a Muezzin. This tells Muslims that it is time to prepare themselves to pray. E.g. getting in the right state of mind as well as being physically ready.
• Finding a place to pray 


  Prayer is a special act for Muslims so they can’t just do it anywhere. Muslims usually pray on a prayer mat - this ensures the place is clean and is understood to ‘separate’ them from the ordinary world. It is also placed in the direction of Mecca.
• Wudu 


  Muslims will take their shoes off when they enter a Mosque - this is done to keep the Mosque clean. Before they enter the prayer hall, they have to perform a ritual wash (wudu). Wudu has a specific order and is symbolic of preparing oneself, mentally and spiritually, to come before Allah. They wash their hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet. This is an outward sign of inner cleanliness they should feel to pray to Allah
• Niyyah

  Prayer begins with a declaration of intent - niyyah. This is where Muslims state what they are about to do and enter into a state of ‘God-consciousness’.

  It marks the start of Muslims being ready to focus on Allah.
• Prayer hall 


  Many mosques have special carpets that look like separate rows or prayer mats, facing the mihrab. This gives each person a suitable space to carry out their prayers properly. Prayers are led by an Imam, who is positioned at the front. Men and women pray in separate spaces. The voice of the imam is often broadcast in the women’s prayer room at the same time, so that he can lead their prayers along with the men’s.
• Direction of prayer 


  Muslims should face the holy city of Makkah. This means that all Muslims are physically and mentally focusing on one place associated with God, in the same way that all Muslims should focus every part of their lives to God. All mosques have a mihrab, this is a semicircular niche built into the qiblah wall. This shows the exact direction of Makkah from the mosque. Muslims face this to pray.
• Rakat 


  The sequence of movements - Standing, bowing and prostrating.
• Jummah

  Friday is the day when Muslims join together at the Mosque for prayer.

  Muslim men are expected to gather at the Mosque for Midday prayers.

  Women may attend the Jummah service but often choose to stay at home to pray. At the start, there is time for personal prayers (du’ah)

  Then follows the khutbah (sermon) which is read in the language of the community. The Imam then leads two rak’ah (compulsory prayers). At the end Muslims can make du’ah if they wish.
• Du'ah

  These can happen at any time and are personal prayers between the individual and Allah

  They are ‘spontaneous’ opportunities for them to ask for help or guidance. They may thanks Allah, ask for help, ask for forgiveness or request a blessing or guidance. They may also use prayer beads.
• Zakat - Third Pillar 


  Purification of wealth by giving money to charity is an act of worship. Muslimas give 2.5% of their earnings to those in need every year. Believe those who give to others will be rewarded by Allah. Shows signs of cleansing and purity and shows Muslims want to help Allah's creation. Zakat can be used for the poor, travellers, those in need and Muslim aid. It cannot be used for clearing debts, funeral expenses or building Mosques
• Why is Zakat important?

  Muslims are fulfilling the duty imposed by God. Gives Muslims a good attitude towards money and they learn to share it. It strengthens communities by making the rich support the poor and it links with slat as prayer should make Muslims feel concerns for the poor