Islam Practices

Created by

Ruby Aylett

Cards (69)

The Pillars of Islam
pillars uphold a house, therefore the pillars of Islam uphold the faith
keep the faith stable and strong (foundations of faith)
constant reminders of Allah and his gifts to humans
encourage discipline and thankfulness
unites the ummah
Muhammad did them
commanded in the Quran
develop taqwa (God consciousness)
a form of ibadah (worship in practice)
The Shahadah
Islamic statement of faith
"there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet"
said when a baby is born to welcome them to the ummah and thank Allah for the life
if possible, it is whispered in a dying person's ear to show how everything returns to 'The Creator' after death
said in front of 2 witnesses to convert someone to Islam
some Muslims say you do not convert, but you revert back to Islam - Allah is our creator, so we were all born worshippers of the true God
therefore when we 'discover' Islamic faith, we are actually returning to our original faith
The Shahadah
saying it unites the ummah as all Muslims (past, present and future) have said the same statement of faith
also known as the kalimah prayer
reflects beliefs in tawhid and monotheism - "there is no deity except him" 3:18
said before salah prayers
shows the importance of Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets
Shia Muslims add "and Ali was his friend" to the end
Purpose of Salah
communicate with Allah
adore/worship God
develop taqwa
confessing sins/asking for forgiveness
a sign of respect, devotion and thanks to God
"guard strictly the 5 obligatory prayers"
submission to the commands of Allah in the Quran
Muhammad said "prayer is the pillar of religion"
connects the worldwide ummah (past, present and future) as they are performing the same set prayers
"establish prayer... it prohibits immorality and wrongdoing" 29:45
"glorify your Lord with his praise and prostrate yourself" 15:98
asking for help (supplication)
follows in the footsteps of Muhammad
Salah
ritualised prayer facing Mecca
quibla is the direction of Mecca - mosques have a quibla niche (mihrab) or Muslims have a quibla app/compass
not personalised prayer (this is known as du'a, which is done separately to salah or added onto salah prayers)
du'a may be done in difficult times, such as fasting during Ramadan and can be said in any language
a muezzin makes the adhan (call to prayer), broadcasted from a loudspeaker or radio
salah encourages self-discipline and keeps Muslims in close contact with Allah - this gives them the strength to remain committed to living a good life
The 5 Prayers
Each prayer is performed at a specific time:
Fajr - dawn
Zuhr - midday
Asr - late afternoon
Maghrib - after sunset
Isha - between sunset and midnight
Salah - Washing
wudu (ritual washing) is performed so Muslims are spiritually clean
mosques have washrooms where washing occurs
the ritual involves washing your face, feet and hands 3 times under running water
niyyah (intention to worship) is stated before washing as wudu is an act of worship in itself
if there is no water, sand or dust can be used instead, and you can do tayammum (dry washing) as it is the symbolic act of preparing for prayer that is important
Salah - Preparing
shoes are taken off as a sign of respect to Allah
women cover their heads - "put your coverings on"
use a prayer mat/clean space
face Mecca using a quibla
state niyyah (an intentional effort to set time aside to communicate with Allah)
start the rakah (set actions)
Salah - Rakah
the cycle of movement in a prayer
each cycle involves saying 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is great')
whilst standing they say takbir (glory to God)
they then recite the first verse of the Quran - al Fatihah ('the opening')
sujud (prostration) is a physical submission to Allah - head touches the ground
bow, prostrate, sit back, stand, repeat
they say "peace be upon you, and God's blessing" once facing right, once facing left, to acknowledge the angels (Raquib and Atid)
Prayer at home
families tend to pray together (men, women, adults, children)
shoes are removed and heads are covered
ritual washing (wudu) takes place in the bathroom
some families have a room set aside for prayer
they know the direction of Mecca (quibla) by using a compass/app
they will know the times for prayer by downloading salah times or hear the adhan via radio or the mosque
Prayer in a mosque
worshippers take off their shoes
men and women have separate prayer halls and wudu rooms to avoid distractions
mosques will have a quibla niche (mihrab) to show the direction of Mecca
they perform the rakah in a sequence - shoulder to shoulder with other Muslims (uniting the ummah) to show they are all equal before God
some Muslims may use prayer beads (subhah beads) to help them concentrate (these will have 99 beads to represent the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah)
men are expected to go to the mosque on Fridays ('day of congregation') for Jummah prayers and sermons
Salah in Shia Islam
Sunni and Shia pray 5x a day
however, Shia Muslims allow prayer 3x a day if it is necessary
this is because they believe Muhammad merged 2 prayers when at war in the Hadith
they are still praying 5x but combing 2
Sunni disagree and say Muhammad shortened them instead of merging them - "when you journey the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten prayer"
Shia Muslims use a turbah (a clay disc from Karbala) which they touch their head on when they prostrate
this is because Muhammad encouraged Muslims to pray on the earth in the Hadith
The Night Journey (621 CE)
Muhammad went from Mecca to Jerusalem
he ascended from a rock in Jerusalem into the heavens on a winged horse (buraq)
this rock is now known as the Dome of Rock and is the 3rd most sacred site in Islam and a place of pilgrimage
Muhammad went past previous prophets, including Adam, Isa, Ibrahim and Musa, which shows his authority and the fact that he is the Seal of the Prophets
stood in the presence of God (he did not see him as "no vision can grasp him")
at first, Allah told Muhammad to pray 50x a day
Muhammad (upon the advice of Musa) negotiated it down to 5
Jummah Prayers
communal prayers held on Friday after noon
the imam gives 2 sermons and rakah is performed
men have to go unless they are too old or ill
women can choose to pray at home
the Quran states that Friday is a sacred day of worship in a chapter called 'Al Jumah' meaning 'day of congregation'
"the best day in the sight of God is Friday, day of congregation" (Hadith)
"the call to prayer is proclaimed on Friday" 62:9
Purpose of Zakat
compulsory pillar - "give the obligatory zakat" 2:43
we are khalifahs (guardians) of God's planet and God's money and we should use it respectfully
allows Muslims to appreciate what they have and empathise with the poor
Muhammad paid zakat and is a role model for Muslims
unites the ummah as all life is equal (because it was made by Allah)
form of ibadah and develops taqwa
they will receive a "hundred fold" in the afterlife if they give to those less fortunate
"charity is meant only for the poor" 9:60
develops obedience, compassion and gratefulness
Purpose of Zakat
we are custodians of God's money and we should use it how he wants us to (by helping the poor)
Muhammad said "charity extinguishes sin" (Hadith)
helping others is a form of worship to Allah because he created everything
it is used to help both Muslims (in the ummah) and non-Muslims as everyone is a creation of God
Zakat
giving 2.5% of wealth to the less fortunate
can be paid to an imam, where it is distributed to those who need it or directly to a charity (e.g Muslim Aid/Islamic Relief)
zakat literally means 'purification' - by giving zakat, your remaining wealth is purified and the soul is purified through the act of giving
zakat money has been used through charities to respond to distaster appeals, such as Grenfell Towers (2017) which provided money, clothes, blankets, housing and legal representation
free adults should pay zakat if they can afford to do so
Zakat
if your wealth is below a certain level (nisab) you do not have to pay
if you cannot afford to pay, or if you are a child, you may 'give' by volunteering
Zakat al-Fitr is given in Eid ul-Fitr as compulsory extra charity at the end of Ramadan (month of fasting) to ensure everyone can afford to break the fast and celebrate
Sadaqah can be given on top of zakat - this is voluntary, but Islam teaches that voluntary giving is as important as compulsory giving
Sadaqah is any good deed done out of compassion/generosity, such as giving time, volunteering or donating to a charity
Zakat - Shia Muslims
same as Sunni Muslims
however, Shia will also pay khums as part of the Shia 10 Obligatory Acts
Khums literally means 'a fifth' so Shia give 20% of their savings to charities related to Islamic education and the poor
zakat/khums money can be used to help:
the poor/needy
travellers
orphans
widows
paying zakat collectors
those completing jihad
Purpose of Sawm
it is one of the 5 Pillars (obligatory)
Allah instructed it - "fasting is prescribed for you"
submitting to his wish of "worship me"
ibadah - it is a form of worship to the glory of Allah
develops appreciation for what Allah has provided us with
helps Muslims to empathise with the poor and develop taqwa
celebrates the revelation of the Quran on the Night of Power when Muhammad became prophet
follows Muhammad's example(he taught his early followers to fast)
brings people closer to Allah - a reminder of his mercy and blessing
unites the ummah
Those exempt from fasting:
ill
young
old
pregnant
menstruating
breast-feeding
travellers
Sawm
ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan
Muslims do not eat/drink in daylight hours
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar because it is the month Muhammad became prophet on the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr - 610 CE)
Muslims must refrain from haram actions e.g gossiping, smoking, swearing and make special effort to do halal actions e.g reading the Quran, giving to charity, praying
suhur is the meal eaten in the morning (before sunrise)
iftar is the evening meal to break the fast (after sunset)
traditionally, they break fast with a date as this is what Muhammad did
Sawm
at the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr
Muslims give Zakat al-Fitr as compulsory extra charity to ensure everyone can break the fast and celebrate
fidya is paid for deliberately missing a fast, but with a valid reason to do so e.g if you are exempt as you are still breaking fast - the amount paid should aim to feed the hungry 2 meals a day (£5 a day)
kaffarah is paid for deliberately missing a fast without a valid reason e.g if you purposefully eat or drink - Muslims can fast for an extra 60 days or feed 60 people each day that the fast is broken in this way
Sawm (including Shia Islam)
if you break a fast by accident, Allah will forgive you as one of his names is Al-Rahman (the all forgiving)
"if one of you be sick... you will fast the same number of days later on" 2:184
Shia Muslims fast the same way, but also spend 3 days during Ramadan mourning the death of Ali
Shia may end the fast a day later to ensure the full moon has arrived
Shia break fast at darkness rather than sunset
Purpose of Hajj
it is where the religion began, they can learn about the sacred history behind Mecca
trace in the footsteps of previous prophets e.g Muhammad and Ibrahim
Allah instructed Muslims to go to Mecca and visit the Kaba - "we made the House a place of return and security" 2:125
"the first House established for mankind is the one at Mecca" 3:96
it is one of the 5 Pillars so it is compulsory
Allah said "worship me"
to ask for forgiveness of sins on Mt Arafat (the closest you can be to God without dying) to cleanse and purify sins
to reconnect with Allah and start afresh
Why is Mecca important?
holiest city on Earth - Allah's city
has immense spiritual significance within Islam
where Ibrahim was tested by Allah and told to sacrifice his son
"pilgrimage to the House is a duty toward God"
where Ibrahim threw stones at the devil
where Hagar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa in search of water and found the zamzam well
Ibrahim built the Kaba in Mecca as a place of worship to the one, true God
Muhammad was born in Mecca and received the revelation of Allah (Quran) in Mecca on the Night of Power
route of Hajj takes believers to these sacred sites
Hajj
pilgrimage to Mecca at a set time of year with set rituals
must occur at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so
Hajj should occur on the 12th month of the Islamic calendar (Dhul Hijjah)
if a Muslims does the set action of Hajj, but at the wrong time of year, this is called 'umrah'
umrah will often include a trip to Medina and seeing other holy sites such as the prophet's house
Hajj - Day 1
on the first day, Muslims will circle the Kaba 7 times anticlockwise (tawaf) to remember how Muhammad smashed the idols in the Kaba and rededicated it to Allah
the Kaba is the centre of religion and the holiest place on earth - "it is full of blessing and is a centre of guidance" 3:96
the Quran speaks of the Kaba as being "a place of return and a place of security" 1:125
they will try and kiss the black stone on the wall of the Kaba (like Muhammad did) - this stone was allegedly white when it fell from Jannah and went black when tainted with human sin
Hajj - Preparing
state their niyyah and put on ihram clothing (2 white unseen sheets) to symbolise purity and equality in the eyes of Allah
some things are forbidden (haram) e.g sex, lying and smoking
minds and bodies must remain pure and people should behave with humility
Hajj - Day 1
Muslims will run/walk between the hills of Safa and Marwa (sa'ey) to remember Hagar's desperate search for water in the desert
Hagar and Ishmael were left for Ibrahim's test of love, obedience and trust in Allah
nowadays, the 'run' between the 2 hills is an air-conditioned corridor, with an expressway for the elderly and disabled
Muslims will drink from the well of zamzam (where the water sprung up from for Hagar and Ishmael)
Muslims camp overnight at the valley of Mina (8 miles from Arafat)
Hajj - Day 2
in the morning, Muslims travel to Mt Arafat for the 'day of standing', where Muhammad gave his Final Sermon (where he said "Hajj is Arafat") and where Adam asked for forgiveness for his sins
they will stand from midday to sundown, asking for forgiveness from Allah, praying and remembering Allah's mercy (wuquf - present) - this is the most important part of Hajj
this is meant to be a sign of dedication to Allah, and it is believed that this is the closest Muslims can get to Allah without dying
Hajj - Day 2
however, there are buses and monorails to transport Muslims the 12-20 km from Mina to Arafat (not showing dedication and hard pilgrimage to Allah)
on this night, Muslims sleep at Muzdalifah
Hajj - Day 3
Muslims collect 7 stones and stone 3 pillars (symbolising the devil) in Mina to remember Ibhrahim's rejection of the devil (when Satan tried to dissuade Ibrahim from following Allah's instruction to sacrifice his son Ishmael)
Ibrahim overcame the devil by throwing stones at him, symbolising Muslims overcoming their own temptations when they stone the pillars (this is known as Ramy/Jamarat)
at the end of Hajj, men may shave their heads and women may cut a lock of hair to represent new life and a new person (cleansed of sin) - "he will return as if born anew"
Hajj - Day 3
people will get the title 'hajji'
Muslims will celebrate Eid ul-Adha (the festival of sacrifice) to remember Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as a sign of love and trust in Allah
Muslims will sacrifice an animal (qurbani) to show how Allah replied Ishmael with a ram to sacrifice instead
the pilgrimage returns to Mecca to make the final 7 circles of the Kaba, completing the last rites of pilgrimage
the Talbiyah is a special prayer only said on Hajj/umrah
Shia Muslims will complete Hajj in the same way, but may also visit the shrines/graves of Shia imams
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Salah
Shia Muslims allow prayer 3x a day if it is necessary
this is because they believe Muhammad merged 2 prayers when at war in the Hadith
they are still praying 5x but combing 2
Sunni disagree and say Muhammad shortened them instead of merging them - "when you journey the earth, there is no blame on you if you shorten prayer"
Shia Muslims use a turbah (a clay disc from Karbala) which they touch their head on when they prostrate
this is because Muhammad encouraged Muslims to pray on the earth in the Hadith
they also pray with their hands by their sides
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Sawm
Shia Muslims fast the same way as Sunni Muslims, but also spend 3 days during Ramadan mourning the death of Ali
Shia may end the fast a day later to ensure the full moon has arrived
Shia break fast at darkness rather than sunset
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Zakat (Almsgiving)
same as Sunni Muslims but Shia also give khums
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Hajj
same as Sunni Muslims, but they may also visit Shia shrines and graves, especially the grave of Husayn in Karbala
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Khums
in addition to zakat, Shia Mulims give khums ('a fifth'), a wealth tax of 20%, to scholars, community leaders, charities supporting Islamic education and anyone who is in need and descendant of Muhammad
the Quran says "whatever you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah" 8:41
The 10 Obligatory Acts - Jihad
to struggle and strive in the name of Allah
the greater jihad is the daily struggle to be a better person (e.g being kind, khalifah of God's world, reading the Quran)
the lesser jihad is fighting using force against the enemy to preserve Islam (as a last resort), but they must avoid civilians, women, crops, children and places of worship
Muhammad said "we are finished with the lesser jihad, now we are starting the greater jihad"
fighting against the enemy is lesser, fighting against oneself is greater