Flashcards

• how many times a day do Shi'a Muslims prays?

  3 times

  they combine midday and afternoon prayers and then sunset and night prayers
• what are the five pillars?

  - shahadah

  - salah

  - zakah

  - sawm

  - hajj
• why are the 5 pillars important for Muslims?

  - show faith in Allah

  - show devotion to Allah and the religion

  - follow in Muhammad's footsteps as he was a role model

  - gives Muslims a sense of identity with other Muslims

  - follow Allah's word in the Qur'an

  - helps Muslims get to Al'Jannah
• what are the 10 obligatory acts?

  - salah

  - sawm

  - zakah

  - khums

  - hajj

  - jihad

  - amr-bil-maruf

  - nahi anil munkar

  - tawallah

  - tabarra
• why isn't the Shahadah part of the 10 obligatory acts?

  Shi'a Muslims believe the Shahadah is reflected in the other duties
• what is the Shahadah?

  'There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah
• what do Shi'a Muslims add to the Shahadah?

  'and Ali is the friend of God
• when is the Shahadah said?

  - when a baby is born in his/her ear

  - in the daily prayers

  - in front of Muslim witnesses (how you become a Muslim)
• why is the Shahadah important?

  - expresses the core beliefs of Islam

  - first pillar -> provides the foundation for the other pillars
• how many times a day do Sunni Muslims pray?

  5 times
• how many times a day do Shi'a Muslims pray?

  3 times
• why do Shi'a Muslims pray less often than Sunni Muslims?

  they combine midday and afternoon prayers and then sunset and night prayers
• what are the different prayers Muslims say?

  - fajr: just before sunrise

  - zuhr: just after midday

  - asr: afternoon

  - maghrib: just after sunset

  - isha: night
• why don't Muslism pray during sunrise/noon/sunset?

  it is forbidden as can be mistaken as worshipping/praying to the Sun Gods
• what are the difference between Shi'a and Sunni Muslims in prayer?

  sunni:

  - 5 times

  - cross hands when standing

  shi'a:

  - 3 times

  - do not cross hands

  - touch their forehead to a wooden block/clay brick from Karbala (holy city)
• why is prayer important?

  - one of the 5 pillars

  - God commanded Muslims to do it in the Qur'an

  - helps to keep your mind focused on God throughout the day

  - unites all Muslims together (pray at the same time in the same direction)

  - bowing and kneeling before God shows that God is more important than them (obedience)

  - follow Muhammad's example
• what must Muslims do before prayer?

  - take off their shoes

  - cover their heads

  - perform wudu

  - make sure their prayer mat is facing the qibla
• how do muslims perform wudu?

  - wash under running water

  - they wash their faces, hands up to elbows and feet up to ankles

  - there are special rooms set aside for this (man + woman)

  - if water isn't available they can 'wash' themselves using sand or dust instead (spiritually clean)
• why do Muslims perform wudu?

  helps them to fully focus on God in their prayers
• how do Muslims face the right direction in prayer?

  - the mihrab (small niche in the qiblah wall) indicates the direction of mekkah

  - they can use a special compass
• why is it important to face Mekkah in prayer?

  they are all facing the same direction and focusing on one place associated with God
• what does the number of rak'ah depend on?

  which prayer it is in the day
• what are the actions for rak'ah?

  - stand: recite the first chapter of the Qur'an

  - bow: recite in Arabic 'Glory be to my Lord who is the very greatest' three times

  - stand: make a recitation praising God

  - kneel with forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes touching the floor (prostration): recite 'How perfect is my Lord the most high'

  - while sitting, then prostrating: recite 'God is the greatest
• who is expected to attend jummah prayer?

  men (women may do so if they wish)
• what happens after Jummah prayer?

  the Imam will deliver a sermon that reminds Muslims of their duty and obligation to God
• how do Muslims pray at home?

  - must perform wudu (don't need a special room)

  - need a clean space (many use a prayer mat)
• what is the most important month in the Islamic calendar?

  - 9th month

  - Muhammad started to receive the revelations of the Qur'an
• what happens during ramadan?

  - recite the Qur'an daily

  - before sunrise: get up to eat and drink

  - at sunset: break fast

  - evening meal shared with family and friends followed by extra prayer and readings from the Qur'an
• what are you not allowed to do during daylight hours during Ramadan?

  - eat

  - drink

  - smoke

  - have sex
• who is excused from fasting?

  - pregnant women

  - breastfeeding women

  - children

  - those who are ill

  - expected to make up for it later
• why is sawm important?

  - shows self-discipline -> obedience + dedication to God

  - inspires Muslims to help those in poverty who can't afford enough to eat or drink

  - cleanse and purify their souls

  - focus in God (rather than temptation and greed)
• what does the Night of Power celebrate?

  the beginning of God's revelation to Muhammad
• when does the Night of Power happen?

  - no one knows the exact date

  - sunni = 27th night of Ramadan

  - shi'a = 23rd night of ramadan
• why should Muslims observe the Night of Power?

  - gives the benefits of worshipping for a thousand nights

  - so Muslims spend this night praying and studying the Qur'an
• who worked out how much Muslims should give for zakah?

  - muslim scholars

  - the Qur'an doesnt say exactly how much to give
• why is zakah important?

  - a duty given by Allah in the Qur'an

  - helps Muslims to not be greedy + to learn to share with others who are in need

  - ensures that the rich support the poor
• who should give zakah?

  only Muslims with savings greater than a certain amount (the nisab)
• who is zakah given to?

  - donated directly to a charity

  - collected by a mosque
• who does Khums go to?

  - half goes to religious leaders

  - half goes to charity/the poor
• how do Muslims give sadaqah?

  by giving up their time to volunteer