RS - Paper 3C (Islam)

Topics: Muslim beliefs, living the Muslim life, Islamic philosophy, equality

Five Pillars of Islam

Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawn, Hajj

The Ten Obligatory Acts (& their meanings)

• The most important duties of a Shia Muslim: Salah, Zakah, Khums, Sawm, Hajj, Jihad, Amr bil-maruf, Nahi anil munkar, Tawalla & Tabarra

• Additions to Shia Islam:

• Amr bil-maruf = encouraging good actions

• Nahi anil munkar = discouraging evil actions

• Tawalla = association with good people (Eg. those who follow the ahl al-bayt (relatives of Prophet Muhammad)

• Tabarra = dissociation with enemies of Allah

What is the Shahadah & when is it performed?

• The first pillar = declaration of faith. Recited into the ears of a new born, repeated throughout life & at their burial.

"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah." (+Shi'a Muslims : "And Ali is the friend of God.")

What is Salah & what is done to prepare for it?

• The second pillar - daily prayers at 5 set times a day. Wudu (ritual washing) is done before prayer

What is Zakah?

• The third pillar - purification of wealth by giving 2.5% of wealth each year to poor. Muslims must meet the Nisab (minimum threshold of wealth) to partake.

What is Sawm & what does it involve?

• The fourth pillar - fasting during Ramadan, involving food, drink, pop music or anything that distracts from Allah

What is Hajj and what are its origins?

• The fifth pillar - once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca, tracing back to Allah's establishment of the Kaaba through Ibrahim.

What are Khums?

• An addition to Zakah for Shia Muslims - 20% of income goes to charity through the Grand Ayatollah

What is Jihad and what are the main types?

• The struggle against evil to be a good Muslim

• Greater Jihad (most important) - internal struggle to resisting evil)

• Lesser Jihad - Outward struggle to defend the faith (often through physical/militant means under strict conditions)

What are the origins and practices of Eid ul-Fitr?

Eid ul-Fitr = Festival of feast celebrating end of Ramadan

• It was started by Prophet Muhammad to thank Allah for the month of blessings

• New clothes are worn, feasts are prepared

  & the head of the family is expected to give money to the less fortunate

What are the origins and practices of Eid ul-Adha?

Eid ul-Adha = Festival of sacrifice commemorating Ibrahim's & Ismail's willingness to sacrifice for Allah.

• It was started by Prophet Muhammad and falls on the last day of Hajj

• Livestock is sacrifice and shared amongst the poor, new clothes are worn & families attend a special sermon at the Mosque

(Shia-only) What are the origins and practices of Eid ul-Ghadeer?

Eid ul-Ghadeer = commemorates the time they believe Prophet Muhammad declared Ali as the leader after him - dubbed the 'greatest eid' by Shia Muslims.

• They fast on this day, the 18th day of Dhu al-Hijjah

• A gathering is held at the Mosque where poetry is recited

What are the origins and practices of Ashura in Sunni Islam?

Sunni Muslims commemorate Allah freeing Musa and the Israelites from Pharaoh

• Muslims fast on Ashura for the forgiveness of sins

What are the origins and practices of Ashura in Shia Islam?

• Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson (Imam Hussain), who got murdered in the battle of Karbala, for refusing to pledge allegiance to leader Yazid

• Gatherings are held in the Mosque from the 1st day of Muharram to Ashura, where attendants wear black to symbolise mourning

• Millions of pilgrims go to Karbala to visit the shrine of Hussain

What is the significance of Ten Obligatory Acts? (+SOWA)

• Significance:

• Way of showing commitment to Islam

• Means for Shia Muslims to be blessed with afterlife

• Ease the suffering of the poor

SOWA: Surah 9:72 - '𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 ..., 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳... 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩'𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺.'

What is the significance of Shahadah? (+SOWA)

• Serves as a remind of their commitment to the faith

• Reward is promised for putting Allah & his Prophet first

SOWA: Surah 4:69 : "Whoever obeys Allah and his Messenger will be among those he has blessed"

What is the significance of Salah? (+SOWA)

Significance:

• To communicate directly with Allah

• The first question Allah will ask on Judgement Day is about Salah

SOWA: Surah 15:98-99 -> "Celebrate the glory of your Lord and be among those who bow to him"

What is the significance of Zakah? (+SOWA)

Significance:

• All acts of charity will be rewarded by Allah

• It is important for Muslims to create a harmonious society that doesn't forget the less fortunate

SOWA: Surah 9:60 -> ‘Alms are meant only for the poor and needy…’

What is the significance of Sawm? (+SOWA)

• Exercising self-discipline to become spiritually stronger

• Ramadan is the month that Laylat al-Qadr (night of power) took place

• Helps appreciate God's gifts, which may be taken for granted.

SOWA: Surah 2:183, 185 -> "Fasting is prescribed for you ... so you may be thankful"

What is the significance of Hajj? (+SOWA)

• Hajj offers a fresh start to life throught the forgiveness of sins

• Demonstartion of unity & equality within Islam

SOWA: Surah 22:27-30 -> 'Proclaim the Pilgimage to all people'

What is the significance of Khums? (+SOWA)

• Prophet Muhammad said it is better to give than to recieve (Hadith)

• Failure to do so means wealth is unpure

• Helps spread Shia tradition

• Better access to education when used to build schools

SOWA: Surah 8:41 -> One fifth of your battle gains belongs to Allah"

What is the significance of Jihad? (+SOWA)

• Allah is pleased with those who aim to improve themselves

• Quran teaches about the need to resist evil in oneself & society

SOWA: Surah 6:153 -> " This is my path, leading straight, so follow it"

What are the six articles of faith?

= The central beliefs of Sunni Islam, based on the Quran & the Hadith of Gabriel:

Belief in:

1. Tawhid - oneness of God

2. Malaikah - angels

3. Kutub - holy books

4. Nubuwwah - prophets

5. Akhirah - afterlife & Day of Judgement

6. Al-Qadr - predestination

Why are the Six Articles of Faith & Five Roots of Usul al-Din important?

• 6 articles: mentioned in the Kitab al-Imam Hadith, forms foundation of Sunni Islam

• Both: Pleases Allah + helps stay on the right path

What are the five roots of Usul al-Din?

= The central beliefs of Shia Islam:

• Tawhid - oneness of Allah

• Adalat - divine justice of Allah - everyone treated as they deserve

• Nubuwwah - the prophets - role models

• Imamah - Imams - divinely appointed descendants of Muhammad

• Mi’ad - day of judgement & resurrection - fate of afterlife decided by Allah

What are the characteristics of Allah?

• Immanent

• Transcendent

• Omnipotent

• Beneficent

What are the 2 types of revelation?

1. General revelation = how Allah reveals himself in a way that’s available to everyone - natural world

2. Special revelation = aka Wahy - direct communication to chosen individuals, often through angels

Did revelation continue after Prophet Muhammad? Give divergent Muslim viewpoints

It stopped because:

• Allah sent the last message (Qur’an) through angel Jibril

• There’s no need to add to something that is complete & flawless

It didn’t stop because:

• The aim of Wahy is to bring believers closer to Allah as a spiritual gift

• Prophet Muhammad said that a Mujaddid (reformer) would appear in the ummah (Muslim community) at the head of each century

What are visions

= (aka Ru’ya) A spiritual experience where you see something vivid and personal, giving knowledge from/about Allah

Why are visions important? (+ give a Quranic example of one)

• Establishes proof of Allah

• Inspired believers to increase their faith

Eg: When angel Jibril …

How do Muslims see human rights in relation to their duties to Allah?

Though Huququllah

• Duties reflect Allah’s principles

• Moral/ethical foundation that governs how Muslims interact with others

Name the Arabic term for responsiblities to Allah (+ give examples)

Huququllah; eg. performing the 5 pillars

Name the Arabic term for responsiblities to human beings (+ give examples)

Huququl-ibad; eg. making sure everyone’s rights are upheld & treating others fairly

How does Huququl-ibad emphasize Muslims' social responsibility towards human rights?

Though Huququl-ibad:

• Ensures Muslims stay accountable for how they treat others

• Encourages Muslims to contribute to community welfare

Give a quote from the Qur’an that teaches not to let hatred prevent justice

“…do not let hatred of others lead you away from justice…”

(Quran, Surah 5:8)

How do Traditionalist and Contextualist views differ in their approach to human rights in Islam?

• Traditionalist view - prioritises Sharia law & Islamic principles over modern human rights

  • eg. believe homosexuality conflicts with Sharia law

• Contextualist view - advocates for applying human rights in a way that respects culture/religion

  • eg. many universal human rights were grnted by Islam far before the UDHR

Explain how Muslims may respond to non-religious arguments about human rights

• UDHR’s lck of focus on Allah risks deviation from true morality

• The Qur’an teaches Muslims to support human rights

Outline 2 Muslim teachings on the causes of inequality

• Greed → social/economic inequality

  • the Qur’an warns to “not consume another’s wealth unjustly” (Surah 2:118)

• Ignoranc/lack of education → perpetuates discrimination

  • Hadith teaches “seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim”

Outline 2 Muslim teachings/practices that reflect equality

• Practice: Hajj - display of unity across all Muslims

• Teaching: men and women are equally responsible for bettering society

  • “The believers, both men and women, support each other” (Surah 9:71)

What are Islamic solutions to inequality?

• Believing Day of Judgement - inspires you to not treat others poorly

• Look to Prophet Muhammad as universal role model for how to act & live

Explain 2 Muslim teachings about religious freedom (+SOWA)

• Nobody can be forced to enter or leave the faith

  • “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah 2:256)

• Muslims must show upmost respect for other faiths, as the prophets (eg. Muhammad have taught)

  • Required as Nubuwwah (prophets) & Kutub (holy books) are two of 6 articles of faith

What are some divergent Muslim responses to a multi-faith society? (+SOWA)

• Exclusivist view: Islam is God’s true chosen and chosen religion & that other faiths contained erroneous holy books

  • (Surah 2:135) - urges believers to follow Islam and reject other religions paths (such as Christianity or Judaism)

• Inclusivist view: Other Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Judaism) still hold some truth and their believers could also go to Jannah

  • “The believers, the Jews, the Christians…will all have their rewards with their Lord” (Surah 2:62)

How might Muslims respond to non-religious views on religious freedom?

• Disagree: Moral framework - true freedom involves living in Islam’s moral framework; without, it could lead to moral relativism & ethical ambiguity

• Agree: Peaceful society - Islam teaches to do what is most peaceful, including letting people choose their religion freely

  • “There is no compulsion in religion”

What are 2 Muslim teachings about prejudice/discrimination?

• Treat everyone equally and with respect

• Humans were created different so we many develop a better understanding of each other

  • “We made you…into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another” (Surah 49:13)

Why is discrimination/prejudice wrong in Islam?

• Disrupts peace- discrimination prevents a peaceful harmonious society & perpetuates hate

What are 2 Muslim teachings about racial harmony?

• Every life is special and sacred, regardless of race - aka. The sanctity of life

• In Muhammad’s final sermon, he teaches that no race is superior & Allah only cares about piety (being religious) & good deeds

  • “All mankind is from Adam and Eve” (The Final Sermon)

How and why do Muslims work for racial harmony?

• How: Hajj - reflects unity and equality across all Muslims, regardless of race

• Why: They’ll be held accountable on Judgement Day for promoting racial harmony

How does Malcolm X’s teachings reflect Muslim teachings about racial discrimination?

• Malcolm X’s Hajj experience changed his view on white people and him more accepting of all races