Islamic practices questions

Shahadah

The declaration of faith, the basic statement of belief in Islam, translating to 'There is no God but God (Allah) and Muhammed is the Prophet of God (Allah).'

Salah

Prayer, which Sunni Muslims are required to perform 5 times a day at set times.

Zakah

Charitable giving, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Sawm

Fasting, particularly during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

Pilgrimage to Mecca, which is required of Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they are able.

Ten Obligatory Acts

Duties for Shi'a Muslims that include all five pillars except Shahadah.

Khums

A 20% tax on income once all expenses are deducted, with half going to charity and half to Shi'a religious leaders.

Jihad

The struggle to maintain the faith and defend Islam.

Amr-bil-Maruf

Encouraging people to do what is good.

Nahi Anil Munkar

Discouraging people from doing what is wrong.

Tawallah

To be loving towards the friends of God, including Muhammed and the Imams.

Tabarra

Disassociating from the enemies of God.

Wudu

Ritual washing or ablution required for spiritual cleanliness before prayer.

Prayer Timetables

Used by Muslims to know when to pray based on their location.

Spiritual Cleanliness

The state of being spiritually prepared for prayer, achieved through wudu.

Mosques

Places of worship that have special rooms for washing before prayer.

Qur'an 5:6

A verse that outlines the instructions for ritual washing before prayer.

Shi'a Muslims

Muslims who follow a branch of Islam that includes the Ten Obligatory Acts.

Sunni Muslims

Muslims who follow a branch of Islam that requires praying 5 times a day.

Pilgrimage

A religious journey to a sacred place, specifically to Mecca in the context of Hajj.

Daily Prayers

Prayers that are part of a Muslim's daily life, including the recitation of the Shahadah.

Ali

Muhammed's cousin and son-in-law, considered by Shi'a Muslims to be the true successor of Muhammed.

Makkah

The holy city Muslims face while praying.

Mihrab

A semi-circular niche in the qiblah wall of a mosque indicating the direction of Makkah.

Qiblah

The direction Muslims face while praying, towards Makkah.

Imam

The person who leads the prayers in a mosque.

Rak'ah

A set sequence of actions and recitations in Muslim prayers.

Prostration

The act of kneeling with the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes touching the floor, showing obedience to God.

Jummah prayer

The special midday prayer on Fridays that male Muslims are expected to attend at a mosque.

Prayer mat

A mat used by Muslims to pray, often positioned to face Makkah.

2.5%

The percentage of savings that Muslims are required to give annually as Zakah if they have enough savings.

Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, recited during prayers.

Peace be upon you

The phrase recited by Muslims at the end of their prayers, blessing the angels on their shoulders.

Congregation

The gathering of Muslims for communal prayers.

Partition

A physical divider used to separate men and women during prayers in a mosque.

Sermon

A speech delivered by the imam after the Jummah prayer, reminding Muslims of their obligations.

God's will

The purpose and commands of God that Muslims strive to follow.

Obedience to God

The act of following God's commands, demonstrated through prayer and prostration.

Clean room

A suitable space for Muslims to pray at home, as long as it is clean.

Broadcast

The act of transmitting the imam's voice from the men's prayer room to the women's prayer room.

Prayer spaces

Designated areas in mosques for men and women to pray, often separated.

Nisab

The minimum amount of savings a Muslim must have before they are required to give Zakah.

87g gold

The value used to calculate the nisab for Zakah, equivalent to approximately £2200 in 2015.

612g silver

An alternative value used to calculate the nisab for Zakah, equivalent to approximately £200 in 2015.

Sadaqah

Voluntary charity given by Muslims at any time of the year, in addition to Zakah.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

Qur'an 2:215

A verse in the Qur'an that instructs Muslims on who should receive Zakah.

Qur'an 9:60

A verse in the Qur'an that specifies the categories of people who are entitled to receive Zakah.

Islamic Relief

A charity organization where Zakah can be donated directly.

Muslim Aid

Another charity organization where Zakah can be donated directly.

Fasting

The act of abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sex during daylight hours in Ramadan.

Obligatory fasting

The requirement for Muslims to fast during Ramadan, established since the seventh century.

Community support

The role of Zakah in strengthening communities by encouraging the wealthy to support the poor.

Prayer

Salah, which is linked to the practice of Zakah, as prayers should inspire concern for others.

Self-discipline

A quality taught by Zakah, helping individuals to overcome selfishness and greed.

Purification

The meaning of Zakah, which is believed to purify the soul.

Charity distribution

The process of giving Zakah directly to the needy or through collection boxes in mosques.

Recitation of the Qur'an

The practice of reading the Qur'an in daily sections during Ramadan.

Evening meal

The meal shared by Muslims after breaking their fast at sunset during Ramadan.

Extra prayers

The additional prayers performed by Muslims after the evening meal during Ramadan.

Night of Power

An important night in Ramadan marking the beginning of God's revelation to Muhammad, believed to be better than a thousand months.

Ka'aba

A sacred shrine in Mecca, built by Ibrahim, which Muslims face during prayers.

Dhul-Hijjah

The last month of the Islamic calendar during which Hajj takes place, specifically from the 8th to the 12th.

The Qur'an

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

Angel Jibril

The angel who revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad, instructing him to read in the name of the Lord.

The Well of Zamzam

The well that sprang up to provide water for Hajira and Ishmael, located in Mecca.

The Night of Glory

Another name for the Night of Power, emphasizing its significance in worship and prayer.

Purity of thought

A state of mind required during Ramadan to cleanse the soul and focus on spiritual matters.

Health exemptions from fasting

Categories of people, such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and the ill, who are not required to fast during Ramadan.

Community support for Hajj

Financial assistance provided by some communities to help poor Muslims fulfill their religious obligation to perform Hajj.

Awareness of the poor

The heightened consciousness of hunger and poverty experienced during fasting, motivating Muslims to help those in need.

Sacrifice of physical needs

The act of giving up basic needs during fasting as a demonstration of submission to God.

Odd numbered dates

The specific dates in the second half of Ramadan believed to be when the Night of Power occurs.

Three million Muslims

The approximate number of participants in the Hajj pilgrimage each year.

Ibrahim (Abraham)

The prophet who was commanded by God to take his wife and son to Arabia and build the Ka'aba.

Hajira (Hagar)

The wife of Ibrahim who, along with her son Ishmael, experienced hunger and dehydration in the desert.

Ishmael

The son of Ibrahim and Hajira, who is associated with the well of Zamzam and the origins of the Ka'aba.

Ihram

A sacred state entered by pilgrims before Hajj, involving ritual washing, praying, and wearing specific clothing.

Ihram clothing for men

Two sheets of white cloth wrapped around the body, symbolizing equality and purity.

Ihram clothing for women

Clothes of a single color that cover the entire body except for the face.

Pilgrims' prayer

A prayer recited by Muslims while circling the Ka'aba: 'Here I am. Oh Lord, at your service. Praise and blessings to you.'

Safa and Marwah

Two hills that pilgrims walk between as part of the Hajj rituals, linked to the story of Ibrahim, Hajira, and Ishmael.

Well of Zamzam

A well from which pilgrims collect water after completing seven circuits of walking between Safa and Marwah.

Arafat

The location where pilgrims gather on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijah to pray and where Muhammad preached his last sermon.

Standing at Arafat

An afternoon during Hajj when Muslims spend time praying at Arafat, believed to be a time when God forgives sins.

Mina

A place where pilgrims stop to pray and read the Qur'an on their way to Arafat.

Jamarat

Three stone walls in Mina that represent the devil and temptation, where pilgrims throw pebbles to reject evil.

Id-ul-Adha

A celebration that involves the sacrifice of an animal, marking the end of certain rituals during Hajj.

Hair cutting after Hajj

A ritual where men shave their heads and women cut a small lock of hair after completing Hajj.

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, built on the site of a smaller mosque by Muhammad in 622CE, containing his tomb.

Id-ul-Fitr

The festival marking the end of Ramadan, also known as the 'festival of breaking of the fast'.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Another name for Id-ul-Fitr, which has several other names including the Sugar Feast and the Sweet Festival.

Dhul-Hijah

The Islamic month during which Hajj takes place and significant rituals are performed.

Muhammad's last sermon

A sermon delivered by Muhammad at Arafat, significant in Islamic teachings.

49 small pebbles

Pebbles collected by pilgrims at Muzdalifah to be used for the ritual at Jamarat.

Celebration of Id-ul-Adha

A worldwide celebration involving the sacrifice of animals, commemorating the end of Hajj rituals.

Imam's sermon

A speech given by the imam during prayers, reminding Muslims to forgive disputes and help the poor.

Dhu al-Hijjah

The 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar.

Prophet Ibrahim

A prophet who was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael on God's command.

Greater jihad

A personal inward struggle for Muslims to live according to their faith's teachings.