Eduqas RS - ISLAM

Tawhid

‘Oneness’ in reference to God. The basic Muslim belief in the oneness of God.

Risalah

The term used of the messengers of God, beginning with Adam and ending with the Prophet Muhammad.

Halal

Actions or things which are permitted in Islam, such as eating permitted foods.

Haram

Any actions or things which are forbidden within Islam, such as eating forbidden foods.

Jihad (general)

Means ‘to strive’

Greater jihad

The daily struggle and inner spiritual striving to live as a Muslim.

Lesser jihad

A physical struggle or ‘holy war’ in defence of Islam.

Mosque (AKA ’masjid’)

A ‘place of prostration’ for Muslims, it is a communal place of worship for a Muslim community.

Shari’ah

‘Straight path’ - A way of life. Muslims believe God has set out a clear path for how Muslims should live

Shari’ah law

The set of moral and religious rules that put the principles set out by the Qur’an and Hadith into practice.

Ummah

Means ‘community’. Refers to the worldwide community of Muslims who share a common religious identity.

Meaning of ‘Islam’

Means ‘submission’ in Arabic. Also means ‘peace’.

Sources of authority

Qur’an, Hadith, Sunnah, Shari’ah, traditions, Imams, scholars and more.

Info on the Qur’an

• complete book of guidance for all human beings

• Was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad (through Jibril) over 23 years on Mount Hira

• Is the divine word of God.

• Most important source of authority in Islam.

• ‘Qur’an’ literally means to recite.

Quote for Jibril revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad.

2:97 - “Gabriel - it is he who has brought the Qur’an down upon your heart”

Info on the Sunnah

• Second most important source of authority

• Describes the customs, practices and traditions of Muhammad.

• Teaches the perfect path or model of how Muslims should live.

Info on the Hadith

• Contains the sayings of Muhammad.

  • Important for Muslims because Muhammad was not just a prophet but an outstanding character.

Quote that says that Muslims should obey the Kutub.

Hadith - “I have left among you that which if you hold fast to, then you would never go astray, clear things, the book of God and the Sunnah of his prophet.”

6 Articles of faith (Sunni)

MATNAK:

Malaikah

Akhirah

Tawhid

Nubuwwah (or Risalah)

Al-Qadr

Kutub

5 roots of religion (Usul ad-Din)

NATIM:

Nubuwwah

Adalat

Tawhid

Imamate

Ma'ad (Qayamat)

Nature of Allah

Allah is:

• One (Tawhid) ← most important

• Immanent (close by)

• Transcendent (beyond all things)

• Omniscient (all knowing)

• Beneficent (always kind)

• Merciful (always fair)

• Judge (on the last day)

• Creator (cause of all that exists)

Shi’a: special emphasis on adalat

Quote for Allah being immanent

50:16 - closer “than your jugular vein”

Quote for Allah being omnipotent

5:120 - “He has power over all things”

Quote for Allah being the creator

46:33 - “Who created the heavens and the earth”

Quote for Tawhid

3:18 - “There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise”

Quote for rejecting Allah having a son (Jesus)

112:3 - “He begetteth not, nor is he begotten”

Shirk

Worshipping something else other than God.

Quote to show the Qur’an is the best revelation

2:2 - “This is the Book about which there is no doubt”

Fitrah

The natural instinct all humans have, from birth, to know and worship God.

Taqwa

Having an awareness of God in every aspect of life. Often understood as a shield against wrongdoing.

Hanif

People who believed in one God before the Prophet Muhammad and rejected idol worship.

Quote to show Muhammad is the seal of the prophets

Hadith - “People, no prophet or messenger will come after me”

Info on Adam

• Father of the human race

• Formed from a handful of soil of many colours, representing the diversity of people on Earth

• Confessed sin and was forgiven, becoming the first prophet.

• He was created as God’s khalifah (representative of God on Earth)

  • It was his job to rule in the place of God.

• Build the first Ka’ba in Makkah

Info on Ibrahim

• Regarded as a hanif

  • Seen as one of the greatest prophets before Isa.

  • Known as father of monotheism

• Had two sons - Ishma’il (prophet to Arabs and Muhammad’s ancestor) and Ishaq (prophet to the Jews)

• Rebuilt Ka’ba after flood

• God instructed Ibrahim to sacrifice Ishma’il as a test. Ibrahim attempted to do it anyway, despite being tempted not to by Satan.

• Remember Hajar (wife) when running between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah in search of water.

Quote for Ibrahim being monotheistic

3:67 - “He was not one of the polytheists”

Info on Isa

• Seen as the successor to Musa (Moses)

• Given the Injil (gospels) and performed miracles

• Deny the idea of the Trinity, he’s a great prophet, not the son of God.

• Didn’t die after being crucified, as God couldn’t allow evil men to triumph over a prophet, instead was taken to heaven and will reappear in the second coming on Judgement Day.

Quote about Isa doing miracles

3:87 - “We gave Jesus … signs (miracles) and strengthened him with the holy spirit.”

Quote showing Isa didn’t die

4:157 - “And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.”

Info on Night of Power

• Known as Laylat-ul-Qadr

• In 610CE, while praying in a cave Jibril appeared before him and ordered him to recite the words that had miraculously appeared before him

• Celebrated on 27th day of Ramadan

• One of the holiest days of the Muslim year.

Quote for the significance of the Night of Power

97:3 - “The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months."

Hijrah

The migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. When they fought back into Makkah and succeeded, this acted as the foundation for lesser Jihad.

Importance of angels (general)

They are God’s messengers and his servants.

They have no sin and are therefore able to enter God’s divine presence.

Quote for importance of belief in angels

2:285 - “and his angels” - shows they are a non-negotiable part of Islam.

Sunni belief in angel free will

No free will.

Shi’a belief in Angel free will

Some free will, but not enough to lead them to sin or act against the will of God.

Shi’a belief in angel role in Ali being successor

An angel made it clear to the prophet Muhammad that following his death, Ali would be the next leader.

Angels have no free will quote

2:32 - “We have no knowledge except what You have taught us.”

Info on Jibril

Archangel responsible for revelation. Revealed Qur’an to Muhammad and Isa’s birth to Maryam.

Info on Mika’il

Archangel responsible for keeping the devil out of heaven and protecting worshippers. Brings sustenance for the body and soul and rainfall for the earth, to water the land.

Info on Israfil

Archangel who will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgement to announce the resurrection of all from the dead.

Quotes for the attitude towards the Qur’an

43:4 - “Mother of Books”

3:96 - “the guidance for the worlds”

4 other holy books

• Sahifah - scrolls of Ibrahim, now lost.

• Tawrat - Torah - revelation given to Musa

• Zabur (Psalms) - given to Dawud

• Injil (Gospel) - the teaching given to Isa

Attitudes to non-Qur’an Kutub

Originally true revelations, but weren’t properly preserved so are now corrupted and can’t be trusted as muhc as the Qur’an.

Quote showing that everyone will die

3:185 - “Every soul shall have a taste of death.”

Signs of the end of the world

• Second coming of Isa

• Appearance of the Mahdi

• False messiah will attempt to deceive the people

Mahdi

The long-awaited saviour who will come to rescue the world

Info on the Day of Judgement

• The dead will be raised from their graves

• All people will stand before God to be sentenced according to the way they have lived their lives

• A book with everything the person has done is presented. If the good > bad, its in right hand and goes to heaven, otherwise left hand and be damned.

• People cross over narrow Bridge of As-Sirat.

  • Those blessed successfully cross to Janna

  • Those damned will fall into Jahannam.

Quote on Book of Deeds

54:52 - will be read, in which “every small and great thing is recorded”

Niyyah

The honest intention to worship God.

Weighing deeds info

• Intention but unable to do good = +1

• Intention and carried out good = +10

• Intention but didn’t carry out bad = +1

• Intended and carried out = -1

Info on Munkar and Nakir

Ask 3 questions at the grave - “Who is your Lord?”, “Who is your prophet?”, “What is your religion?”

Info on Janna

Everything one longs for on Earth will be found in paradise: gardens, food gently flowing rivers etc.

Info on Jahannam

Place of terror and separation, without hope of return.

Quote on Jahannam

22:19 - “Poured upon their heads will be scalding water”

Quote for hell lasting forever

2:275 - “They will abide eternally therein”

Quote for a God of mercy being able to condemn people to hell

92:14-15 - “I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing. None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one.”

(basically God gave people plenty of chance to repent)

Quote for Allah being omniscient

64:4 - “God is Knowing of that within the breasts” (heart)

Attitude to good coming out of suffering

Islam teaches that painful experiences need to be viewed as opportunities for our own growth as human beings.

Muslim attitudes to free will

• We all have free will and are all accountable for our decisions on the Day of Judgement”

• God wants us to follow the straight path but it is up to us to make the right choices.

Sunni attitude to Al-Qadr

Everything is ordained by God and although humans have free will, nothing can happen without the will and knowledge of God.

Shi’a attitude to Al-Qadr

Allow more room for humans to use free will than Sunni.

Some reject it and say that God cannot be responsible for evil.

5 Pillars (Sunni)

Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj

Shahadah info

• Statement of faith and is foundational to Islam

• Emphasises tawhid

• Heard in the adhan (call to prayer), 5 daily prayers, first words whispered into new-born and last words a dying Muslim hears.

Attitudes to conversion vs reversion

Some argue that because God is our creator, we were all born as worshippers of the true God, so when we discover faith we return to out natural faith, not convert.

Quote for importance of Shahadah

Hadith - “Whoever says: there is no god but God enters Paradise”

Aims of prayer (salah)

• Constant reminder of God’s presence

• Show submission to the will of God

• To cleanse away the curruption of the the world

• To unite all Muslims (Ummah)

• To remove sins

Rak’ah

Sequence of movements which make up the prayer routine

Qibla

The direction Muslims pray, facing Makkah

Preparation for prayer

Starts with a declaration of intent (niyyah) as prayer must be a deliberate act, to set aside a few minutes to focus on God. Then, they practise wudu, washing hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet. This is an outward sign of the inner cleanliness needed to face God.

When do Sunnis pray

• Fajr - just after dawn

• Zuhr - just after midday

• As’r - late afternoon

• Maghrib - just after sunset

• Isha - after dark

Quotes showing importance of prayer

29:45 - “Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater”

15:82 - “be of those who prostrate [to Him]”

Info on Jummah prayer

• Happens every Friday in the mosque

• Midday (Zuhr) prayers

• Khutbah (sermon) is given by the imam

Du’a prayers

Personal prayers which can be said at any time of the day spontaneously.

Quote about missed prayers

“If one of you sleeps and misses a prayer, or forgets it, let him offer the prayer when he remembers.”

Why pray 5 times / day?

Night journey: Muhammad is woken from his sleep and taken on a winged horse to Jerusalem and up through 7 levels of heaven, to the presence of God. God reveals that Muslims must pray continuously, 50 times per day. However, Moses intervenes and says this is too much and then 5 times / day was a compromise.

Info on Zakah

• All Muslims should give 2.5% of their wealth every year.

• Qur’an tells Muslims to be generous and kind.

• Sign of cleansing and purity: Qur’an teaches that money can have a corrupting influence (shirk) so donating it is good for everyone.

Attitudes to wealth and property

• Wealth and property are given by God for the benefit of all humans

• Humans are khalifahs (stewards) and therefore should care for the world, possibly using our wealth.

• We should view our possessions as our own, on loan to us from God. Therefore, we don’t have the absolute right to spend our money as we chose.

Muhammad on Zakah

“The one who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for God’s cause”

Sadaqah

Voluntary charity beyond Zakah, emphasising generosity in aiding those in need.

Info on Sawm

• fasting during the month of Ramadan

• expected to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, sex, evil thoughts, harmful actions and unkind speech from dawn to dusk.

• Starts by the appearance of the new crescent moon in the sky, ends with Id-ul-Fitr.

• Suhur is eaten before dawn, and iftar meal breaks fast at dusk.

  • Meals are very social, bringing the community together.

• 27th day - Laylat-ul-Qadr (night of power) is celebrated)

• Over the month, in total, the whole Qur’an is recited.

Why do Muslims fast?

• Commanded in Qur’an

• follows Muhammad (sunnah)

• promotes self control

• brings people closer to god

• Reminder of mercy and blessings of God.

• Celebrates the Qur’an

Who is exempt from fasting?

• Ill people or those with medical conditions.

• those who are travelling

• pregnant or nursing women

Children from a young age start fasting for just a few days in a month

Quran quote on missing fasting

2:183 - “who ever among you is ll or on a journey [during Ramadan] - then an equal number of other days [are to be made up]

Issues with fasting in Britain

Muslims in middle east only have to fast for max. 15 hours, whereas in Britain it can go to 19 hours per day. Can be a problem for students doing exams in the summer months.

Conditions that means that Muslims must go on Hajj

• Have enough money to leave their homes for a lengthy period

• Are physically and mentally fit

Title given to those who have completed Hajj

Haji - male, Hajjah - female.

Significance of Makkah

Considered to be the holiest city on earth.

Where:

• Muhammad was born

• Muhammad recieved first revelations

• Ibrahim built the Ka’ba

• Hajar found the Zamzam well

• Muslims point when praying

Ihram

A state of spiritual purity that Muslims enter before Hajj by wearing special garments.

Issues with British Muslims undertaking Hajj

• Very far away

• Travel packages are extremely expensive

• Environmental impact of travelling goes against the ideas of humans being Khalifas.

The process of Hajj

1. Tawaf - cricling the Ka’ba 7 times

2. Walking 7 times between Mawah and Safa to remember Hajar searching for water

3. Drinking from the Zamzam well, to remember the spring that was revealed to Hajar by an angel.

4. Wukuf - Standing befre God on the Plain of Afrat at the Mount of Mercy, remembering God’s mercy and asking for forgiveness

5. Collecting pebbles at Muzdalafah

6. Hurling pebbles at pillars at Mina to show rejection of the devil, as Ibrahim did when faced with temptation

7. Camping at Mina, sacrificing an animal for Eid ul Adha

8. Men shaving their heads

9. Returning to Makkah to repeat the tawaf