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Home , Kiraman Katibin, Risalah (fiqh), Salah, Shahada, Tawhid

Islam Revision

BELIEFS AND TEACHINGS Muslim Someone who has submitted to The name of the followed by - the word Islam means peace Allah name of The oneness of God ‘Say He is Allah, the One, the eternal, the , he begot no one nor is he begotten. No one is comparable to him’. ● Eternal = Will last forever without end ● Absolute = Exists independently of all other things ● Begot/begotten = Allah has no children and he has no parents Monotheistic A religion that in only one God Key differences Origins and leadership between Sunni Sunni Muslims believe in the Shi’a Muslims believe that ’s successor should be ​ ​ and Shi’a authority of the Qur’an and one of his descendants. Whereas Sunnis believe the leader Muslims (following Muhammad’s should be elected. Shi’as also believe that there are 12 ​ teachings and deeds) as in total. It is believed that the twelfth and final known as interpreted by the four rightly the is still alive but hidden until he will return with guided Caliphs (Muslim leaders): to bring about fairness and justice. The leadership in Shi’a Islam ​ ​ , Umar, and . is known as The Imamate - they are a key source of authority ​ ​ for Shi’a Muslims. Beliefs Sunni Muslims have the 6 Articles of Shi’a Muslims have the 5 Roots of ‘Usul ad- 1. One God (Tawhid) 1. One God (Tawhid) 2. (Nabuwwah) 2. Prophethood (Nabuwwah) 3. Day of Judgement / Resurrection / 3. Day of judgement / Resurrection / Afterlife (Akhira) () 4. (Malaika) 4. in the justice of God 5. Holy books (e.g. Qur’an) 5. Belief in the Imamate 6. Supremacy of God’s will (Predestination/Qadr)

Imam Meaning 1 = a person who leads Islamic and gives and advice on how to live a good Muslim life (like a ) Meaning 2 = the title given to Ali and his successors (in Shi’a Islam only) God’s Immanent = the idea that God is present in and involved with life on earth ​ relationship with Transcendent = the idea that God is beyond and outside life on earth ​ the world Some atheists say that God is not transcendent at all - he just doesn’t exist. Their argument would be that if God did exist and if he was a loving God, then how could he allow evil and suffering to ​ ​ take place. The Nature of Omnipotent = the idea that God is almighty and has unlimited power ​ God Omniscient = the idea that God knows everything ​ Beneficent/Beneficence = the idea that God is benevolent and is a loving God ​ Merciful = the idea that God shows compassion and to humans even though he has the ​ power to punish them Just/Justice (Adalat in Shi’a Islam) = the idea that God judges humans fairly, rewarding the good ​ and punishing the bad Predestination The idea that God decides or knows everything that will happen, but humans still have free will. (Al-quadr) Sunni Muslims ● Believe that God has already determined everything that will happen. ● Humans can not change their destiny but do have some choice over how they behave. ● ‘Only what God has decreed will happen to us’ Qur’an ​ ​ Shi’a Muslims ● Believe that God knows everything that is going to happen but that he doesn’t decide it. ● God is omniscient and is beyond time. This is how he already knows what you are going to do. ● ‘God does not change the condition of a people’ Qur’an ​ ​ Akhira Although humans have free will. Muslims believe that they are accountable for their actions. They (everlasting life believe that there will be a day of judgement. On this day all Muslims will be resurrected and judged: ​ after death) Resurrection = rising from the dead to be judged by God ​ // = the state of eternal happiness in the presence of God (for extra marks, ​ why not refer to Firdaus which is the highest layer of heaven). ​ ​ / = the state of total separation from God after death and a place of punishment ​ ​ ​ Ka’aba The black cube-shaped building in the centre of the Grand in - holiest place in Islam ● Muslims circle 7 times around the Ka’aba – it represents the single point around which Muslim life focuses, the oneness of God. ● The Ka’aba is the direction of in daily prayers. ● Muslims make a spiritual journey to it, during pilgrimage many will make a once in a lifetime journey to that point so that the whole of their life is focused on God. ● The Ka’aba unites all different sects of Muslims. Risalah Messages from God are known as Risalah. These messages are communicated by angels to the ​ ​ prophets and recorded in the holy books. ​ ​ ​ Malaika (angels) Spiritual believed to: 1. Pass on God’s message to Prophets 2. Provide nourishment for the planet 3. Guardian angels - taking care of people 4. Recording in the book of deeds for judgement day Jibril () = The of who brought God’s message to prophets, particularly ​ Muhammad (pbuh) Mika’il () = The angel of mercy who rewards good deeds and provides nourishment ​ Kiraman Katibin = 2 angels called Raqib and Atid are on either side of you throughout your life. ​ They record in your book of deeds and present it to Allah on judgement day. (genie) = a created from fire who was allowed to mingle with Angels in the until he ​ rejected the command of God to bow before . He is known as Shaytan () - he tempts Muslims to do bad deeds. Prophets Adam is important because God gave him understanding, which he passed on to other humans ​ through his descendents. God revealed to Adam which food Muslims are allowed to eat, how to repent for wrong doings and how to bury the dead. (Ibrahim) is important because he was a man of faith who denounced the of idols, ​ rebuilt the Ka’aba and gave the message that there is only one God. He proved his devotion to God by being prepared to sacrifice his own son. Muhammad (the last and greatest prophet) is important because he received the final revelation of ​ Islam through the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). These formed the Qur’an. Holy books Qur’an = the most important holy book in Islam - believed to be the word of God revealed to ​ Muhammad via the angel Jibril. This is the ultimate source of authority and truth for Muslims. It is ​ also the main way that Allah reveals himself to Muslims. = the five books revealed by God to ​ = a holy book revealed to by God ​ = a holy book revealed to Jesus by God ​ = a holy book revealed by God to Abraham (they have been lost) ​

Practice questions Give two words used to describe the nature of Allah (2 marks) ​ Name two angels mentioned in the Qur’an (2 marks) ​ Explain two ways in which a belief in Risalah influences Muslims today (4 marks) ​ Explain two ways in which belief in jannah influences Muslims today (4 marks) ​ Explain two Muslims teachings about adalat. (5 marks) ​ Explain two Muslim teachings about Akhirah. (5 marks) ​ ‘The Qur’an is more important than the other Muslim holy books’. (12 marks) ​ ‘Allah can not be all-powerful with all the suffering in the world today’. (12 marks) ​ ‘Predestination means that humans have no freedom’. (12 marks) ​

PRACTICES The Five Pillars Overview of the important practices for Sunni and Shi’a Muslims and Ten The most important duties for Important duties for Shi’a Muslims. ​ ​ Obligatory Acts Sunni Muslims 1. - Prayer ​ ​ 1. - Declaration 2. - Pilgrimage ​ ​ of faith 3. Sawm - Fasting ​ 2. Salah - Prayer 4. Zakah - Charitable giving ​ ​ 3. Sawm - Fasting 5. - 20% additional tax (½ to charity, ½ to religious ​ ​ 4. Zakah - Compulsory leaders) ​ charitable giving 6. - the struggle for faith ​ 5. Hajj - Pilgrimage 7. Amr-bil-Maruf - encouraging good deeds ​ ​ 8. Nahi Anil Munkar - discouraging bad deeds ​ 9. Tawallah - be loving to friends of God ​ 10. Tabarra - disassociating from enemies of God ​

Shahada ● Translated in English as ‘there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger’. ​ ​ (declaration of ● It is said when a baby is born, it is included in daily prayers and it is usually the last phrase faith) said by a Muslim before death. ● The Shahada is a constant reminder to Muslims of the key principles of their faith. Salah Prayer creates an awareness of God and motivates Muslims to do God’s will. (prayer) ● (also known as Ablution) - ritual washing before prayer for spiritual and physical ​ ● Direction - Muslims pray in the direction of Makkah. The Qiblah wall in a mosque has a ​ (niche) pointing in the direction of Makkah. ● Imam - the person who leads prayer in a Mosque ​ ● Prayer mats - knelt on during prayer for spiritual cleanliness ​ ● Rak’ah - Daily prayers are made up of a sequence of actions and Qur’an recitations. This ​ includes (kneeling in submission to God) ● Jummah prayer - weekly prayer at midday on Fridays which includes a - men are ​ expected to attend, whilst for women it is optional but they may choose to pray at home due to their commitments to look after children. ● Places of prayer - where possible Muslims aim to pray in a Mosque. However, this is not ​ always possible, so some Muslims pray at home or in designated prayer rooms. When prayer is done in places other than a Mosque, Muslims still aim to use prayer mats, perform wudu and undertake Rak’ah. It is perfectly acceptable to pray in alternative places such as the home, especially for women whose role it is often to look after children and the home. Differences and similarities in the practice of salah: ● Both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims complete 17 sequences of prayer per day. ● Sunni Muslims pray 5 times per day: , midday, , , . They only combine prayers when travelling or during hajj. Sunni Muslims prostrate with their heads directly on a prayer mat. ● Shi’a Muslims combine some of the 5 prayers and so only pray 3 times per day. Shi’a Muslims pray on natural material such as rock or clay. Differences in Muslim views regarding the importance of prayer: ● Within Islam, some believers may see prayer 5 times a day as less important than others. For example, some might believe they honour Allah throughout all their actions (lesser Jihad) and so don't feel the need to pray so regularly. Sawm Fasting purifies thoughts and cleanses the soul to free it from harm. (fasting) ● Origins of Sawm/ (the 9th month of the Muslim calendar) - This is the month ​ during which the Qur’an started to be revealed to Muhammad. Muslims fast (don’t have food Takes place and drink) during daylight hours. during the ● Fasting - is not just to do with food or drink; smoking and sex is also forbidden during ​ month of daylight hours. Also, Muslims are expected to be charitable to the poor. Ramadan ● Benefits of fasting ○ Shows submission to God ○ Brings Muslims closer to God due to less distractions ○ Builds up self discipline ○ Fasting helps Muslims to sympathise with the poor. ● Exceptions - Some can be excused for health e.g. pregnant women, children, the ​ elderly etc. ● The night of power - the night during Ramadan that marks the beginning of God’s revelation ​ to Muhammad through the angel Jibril. ‘The night of is better than a thousand months’’. ​ () Meaning that there are great benefits by praying on the night of power. Zakah The giving of Zakah purifies of wealth of a Muslim person. (charitable ● Almsgiving / Giving Alms - is another word for zakah (charitable giving) ​ giving) ● Zakah - is the giving of 2.5% of wealth to the poor (for those who can afford to do so). ​ ● Origins of zakah - ‘But if they repent, establish prayer and pay the poor, they are your ​ brothers in faith’. Qur’an ​ ● Why give Zakah? - purifies wealth, reminds Muslims that all they own comes from Allah, ​ teachers self discipline, helps Muslims sympathise with the poor. ● Who receives Zakah? - The poor (those with no money) or the needy (those whose income ​ does not cover their expenses) ● - additional voluntary charitable giving paid by Sunni Muslims ​ Additional giving by Shi’a Muslims ● Khums - 20% tax only paid by Shi’a Muslims on excess income. This is given to fund the ​ leadership of Shi’a Islam. Hajj ● Pilgrimage - a journey to a holy site for religious reasons ​ (pilgrimage) ● Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to Makkah which should be made once in every Muslim’s life ​ ​ ​ time if they can afford it. ● Benefits of Hajj: ○ The sense of equality is a humbling experience. ○ It makes Muslims more focussed on their faith and on their prayers. ○ It affects how Muslims think about what is really important in life. ○ Having forgiven allows a clean start. Some of the actions undertaken on Hajj Significance of actions Entering into a state of (wearing plain white Shows equality between all Muslims - as will garment and praying). be the case on judgement day. Circling the Ka’aba 7 times in the Grand Mosque Circling the Ka’aba shows love for Allah. ​ ​ (the place of worship that Muhammad set up). Collecting stones in a place called Muzsdalifah. Getting ready to throw at Shayton in Mina Praying at (the place where Muslims pray for forgiveness for their sins. Muhammad gave his last sermon). Throwing stones at a structure represent Shaytan Muslims do this to show that they want to (the ). This happens in a place called Mina. reject bad temptations from the Shayton.

Jihad A struggle against for faith and against evil. Greater Jihad - the personal inward struggle of all Muslims to live in line with the teachings of their ​ faith (following the five pillars or ten obligatory acts) Lesser Jihad - the outward struggle to fight when commanded by a legitimate ruler, under the ​ conditions, and in ways, permitted by Qur’an and Shariah law. This is often referred to as a holy war. ​ ● It must be declared by a fair Muslim leader ​ ​ ● It must not be used to force people to convert to Islam ● It must only be used if there is a threat to Islam (the Muslim faith) ● It must not be used to gain land or wealth (greed) ● It must be a last resort - peaceful methods should have been tried first (e.g. negotiations) Festivals Id-ul-Fitr - a Muslim festival that celebrates the end of Ramadan (the end of the Qur’an revelations to ​ Muhammad). It is a day of celebration after the difficult month of Ramadan but also a day of reflection on the previous year. ● Muslims say special prayers in the Mosque. Imam’s preach about forgiveness and helping the poor. Best clothes are worn, houses decorated and food shared. Muslims greet each other on this day by saying ‘Id Mubarak’ meaning blessed celebration. ​ ​ Id-ul-Adha - a Muslim festival that celebrates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son for ​ God ‘O my son, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you’. The day reminds Muslims that ​ ​ they should submit to Allah and be prepared to make sacrifices for him. ● Muslims say special prayers in the Mosque. Imam’s preach about sacrifice on this day (linked to Abraham’s sacrifice). Sometimes a lamb is slaughtered and the meat split three ways between the family, relatives and the poor. Families join together for festive meals. Day of - Shi’a Muslims remember the death of Hussain (Grandson of Muhammad) in the ​ battle of on this day. ● Sunni Muslims fast for the day and give generously to charities and to the poor. Muslims pray on this festival but celebrations are usually more solemn. for celebrating Ways of celebrating Shi’a Muslims in particular, who remember the Shi’i Muslims take part in public displays of grief and the death of of Husayn and sorrow. Some even go as far as beating their (Muhammad’s grandson) on this day. Don’t forget own backs with chains but recently these that Shi’a Muslims believe that Muhammad’s practices have been condemned. successor should be a descendant of Muhammad. Sunni Muslims remember the who were Sunni Muslims fast for the day and give saved from the Pharaoh. It is a day of atonement generously to charities and to the poor. Muslims when sins are forgiven if repented. pray on this festival but celebrations are usually more solemn.

Ma’roof and Ma’roof - means doing good and just/fair actions. Anything that is allowed in Islam is referred to as ​ Munkar . ​ Munkar - means doing things that are wrong according to Shari’ah law. Forbidden practices are ​ referred to as . ​ ​

Practice questions Give two ways that Shi’a and Sunni prayers are different (2 marks) ​ Give two ways that Muslims celebrate Id-Ul-Adha (2 marks) ​ Name two holy sites visited on Hajj (2 marks) ​ Explain two of the reasons that Muslims give Zakah (4 marks) ​ Explain two benefits of Sawm (4 marks) ​ Explain two contrasting beliefs about Muslims understandings of Jihad (5 marks) ​ Explain how reciting the shahada might affect the life of a Muslim (5 marks) ​ ‘Shahada is the most important pillar of Islam’ (12 marks) ​ ‘Ramadan is not necessary as Muslims should always live an Allah-centred life’ (12 marks) ​ ‘Zakah is the most important pillar of Islam’ (12 marks) ​

Qur’an quote Link to key words - there are many more ways you can use these quotes too! ‘There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger’. Shahada, Tawhid, Monotheistic, ​ ​ Prophethood. ‘Say He is Allah, the One, the eternal, the absolute, he begot no one nor Tawhid, Monotheistic, is he begotten. No one is comparable to him’. ‘He made angels messengers with two, three, four pairs of wings’. Akhira, Angels (Jibril and Mika’il), Risalah ‘Muhammad is… the messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets’. Risalah, Prophets (Muhammad), Sunnah, ‘He who is the all-knowing, the All powerful, able to do anything’ Omnipotent, Omniscient, Supreme ‘Allah is with you wherever are’. Immanence, ‘Allah is above all comprehension’ ‘Those who believe and do good deeds... will have the gardens of Akhirah, Life after death, Heaven (paradise), paradise’. Adalat (justice and mercy) ‘Only what Allah has decreed will happen to us’. Predestination (Sunni) ‘Allah does not change the condition of people’ Predestination (Shi’a) God knows but doesn’t decide everything that will happen. “Prayer is the Key to Paradise.” Salah, Heaven ‘Garments of fire will be tailored for those who disbelieve’. Akhirah, Life after death, Hell, Adalat (justice and mercy) ‘This is the scripture in which there is no doubt containing guidance for Holy books, Qur’an, Angel Jibril those who are mindful of God.’ ‘You who believe, when you are about to pray, wash’. Salah, Hajj, Greater Jihad, ‘Establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow.’ Salah, zakah, rak’ah, Jummah prayers ‘The night of glory is better than a thousand months’. Salah, Ramadan, Night of Power ‘The says call on me and I will answer you’. Salah, Hajj, Greater Jihad, ‘Pilgrimage to the house is a duty owed to God’’. Hajj ‘God is well aware of whatever good you do’. Angels, Akhira, Zakah, Sawm ‘The person who struggles so that Allah’s word is supreme is the one Lesser Jihad serving Allah’s cause’. ‘O my son, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you’. Prophet Abraham, Id-ul-Adha ‘And He taught Adam the names - all of them.’ Adam received knowledge and names ‘There is no God but Allah, the creator of all things so worship him. He is Prayer/worship, Tawhid, , in charge of everything… he is all aware’. Supremacy, Omnipotent, Omniscient ‘God does not change the condition of people.’ Predestination, Transcendence ‘If you ever commit idol worship, all your works will be nullified, and you Idol worship will be with the losers.” “In the name of God, the Lord of mercy, the giver of mercy.” Merciful God, Forgiveness, Kindness “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not Lesser Jihad, Holy War transgress limits.”