Islamic Studies iGCSE Edexcel: Section C (Living the Muslim life today)

3.1a) the nature and role of Shahadah for Muslims

- Shahadah is the declaration of faith

-First pillar of islam as it is the difference between Muslims and non-Muslims

-As this enables muslims to bear witness to Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (pbuh)

3.1b) the importance of reciting Shahadah for Muslims

- It is the foundation of our belief as reinforces belief in Oneness of Allah and accepting Muhammad (pbuh) as the last prophet

- prevents us from performing shirk if we testifying that Allah is the One and Only God

-Accepting Muhammad (saw) as the last messenger, so they can obey the message he delivered ie the Quran and Sunnah

3.1c) how the Shahadah is used in practice

-said in order to accept islam (for reverts)

- It is repeated in Salah

-recited in the Adhan

-first words whispered to a new-born baby

- last words said before death

3.2a) the nature and significance of Salah for Muslims

-Salah is prayer towards Allah

-obligatory on all Muslims above the age of puberty

-Prayed 5 times a day in order to remember Allah

- allows us to submit to Allah and make dua to Him

3.2b) the importance of Salah in the life of Muslims

- makes us wary of Allah as we remember Him throughout the day which prevents us from doing bad deeds

- strengthens Tauheed as submitting to Allah which brings us closer to Him

- allows us to be humble in front of Allah

- keeps us pure as we must make wudu, "cleanliness is half of faith"

- gives us the opportunity to be grateful and ask for forgiveness

3.2ci) how Salah is performed - ablution (Wudu)

- making niyat

- wash both hands to the wrists three times

- rinse mouth thrice and wash nostrils thrice

-wash the whole face from forehead to the chin

-wash both arms up to the elbow three times

- wipe wet hands through hair

- clean both ears

- both feet are washed to the ankle

3.2cii) how Salah is performed - times

- Salah is performed five times a day

- Fajar: starts after the break of dawn ( when a white line can be seen at the horizon) and ends at sunrise

-Zuhur: at noon when shadows of things cease to decrease and ends at Asr

-Asr: In late afternoon when everything's shadow is double the height and ends at Maghrib

-Maghrib: starts at sunset and ends at Isha

-Isha: starts from the disappearance of the red glow on the horizon and ends at midnight

3.2ciii) how Salah is performed - directions

- prayer must be performed after purifying oneself through wudu or ghusl

- then it is necessary to cover the Awrah (certain parts of the body)

- Muslims must face the Ka'ba during every prayer

3.2civ) how Salah is performed - movements and recitations

-Niyat: make intention of prayer

- Takbeer: saying Allahu Akbar while raising hands to the shoulders

-Qayam: standing upright and reciting Surah-e-Fatiha and any other Surah

-Ruku: bow down and place hand on your knees and say "Subhana Rabi al-Adhim"

-Qayam: stand up again and say "Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah"

-Sujud: prostrate and say " Subhana Rabbiyal- A'la"

- sit up and perform second Sujud

- repeat for each rakat

- say salam to end prayer

3.2d) Salah in the home and mosque and at Friday (Jummah) prayer

- Salah performed at the mosque in congregation has more reward then praying at home (27 times)

- to pray in congregation you must follow the imam who leads the prayer

-stand shoulder to shoulder to other prayers and leave no gap

- Salat-ul-Jummah is a special congregational prayer performed each Friday

- there are two adhans, after the first one four rakats of sunnah prayer are offered

-then the Imam delivers the Khutba (Sermon) and everyone must listen to it attentively

- then two fard rakats must be offered with the imam

3.2e) exemptions from Salah

- children under the age of puberty

- women on their period

- the unconscious

- people who are insane or suffer from sever mental illnesses

3.3a) the nature, role, significance and purpose of fasting during Ramadan

- Ramadan is the 9th month of the islamic calendar

- fasting is made obligatory during this holy month

- allows Muslims to purify themself and ask for forgiveness

- teaches muslims patience and self control by giving up all things that are Haram and even things that are Halal such as eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset

-unites the ummah as everyone observes the fast

- brings us closer to Allah as the Shaytan is locked up

3.3b) those who are exempt from fasting

- pregnant women

- the sick

- travelers

- women on their periods

-prepubescent kids

3.3c) the importance of Laylat al-Qadr for Muslims today

- The Night of Power

- Night that the Quran was first revealed, our main source of guidance

- established Islam as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received the first revelation

- more blessed than a thousand nights

- angels come down to earth

3.4a) the nature and purpose of Zakah

-Zakat is a compulsory tax of 2.5% of a Muslims whealth given each year

- it can be given to the poor, the needy, zakat collectors, new muslims, to free captives, to debt collectors, to travelers or in the way of God

- It purifies our wealth

- helps the community

3.4b) the nature and purpose of Khums

- Khums is the tax paid by Shia Muslims and is 20% of their wealth

- "Know that whatever spoils you take, one-fifth is for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and ˹needy˺ travellers,"

- it can be given to the poor and needy as well as religious leaders, Imams or descendants of the Prophet that are in need

3.4c) the importance of Zakah and Khums for Muslims

- helps us give to the community

- which can unite and strengthen the Ummah

- purify our own whealth

- prevents us from being too in love with worldly belongings

3.4d) the global importance of giving support to those in need

- less inequality as wealth gets distributed through society

- less crime

- more love is shared between the community as people are in habit of giving to each other

- stronger sense of community

3.5a) the nature, role, origins and significance of Hajj

-Hajj is pilgrimage to Mecca performed in the month of Zulhijjah

- Hajj is an act that can help forgive all off our sins

- as it involves complete submission to Allah

- it was observed by the Prophet(pbuh) as well

- Follows the Sunnah of Ibrahim(as), his son Ismail(as) and wife Hajjar

3.5b) key actions performed during Hajj

3.5c) the importance of Hajj for Muslims

- complete submissions to Allah

- allows us to not care about worldly desires by leaving our comfortable life

- unity as Muslims from all around the world clad in white come to the same place for the same purpose

- allows us an opportunity to repent for all our sins

- allows us to pray for the After Life

- gives us an understanding of the lifes of the prophets

3.5d) benefits and challenges of attending Hajj for Muslims

Benefits

- closeness to Allah

- forgiveness of sins

- learn patience and submission to Allah

- unites the Ummah

Challenges

- physically and emotionally challenging

- not everyone can afford it

3.5e) exemptions from the performance of Hajj for Muslims

- children

- people who cannot afford it

- people who are mentally impaired

3.6a) the origins, meaning and significance of jihad in Islam

-jihad means to struggle or to strive

-refers to struggling against evil as an individual or as the collective fellowship of islam

3.6b) the distinction between the greater (inner) jihad and the lesser (outer) jihad

- Greater Jihad: inward jihad or the struggle within one's self to stay away from temptations to disobey Allah

-Lesser Jihad: outward jihad to defend islam from threats for example in the battle field

3.6c) the importance of the greater jihad in the life of Muslims

- to avoid doing sinful behavior

- to continuously improve the quality of our faith

- to do good deeds

- to be closer to Allah

3.6d) the conditions for declaration of lesser jihad, including reference to Surah 2: 190-194 and 22:39

- it must be only declared by a fair religious leader

- it cannot be used to make people convert to islam

- it must be in response to a threat

-it must not be used to gain territory or wealth

- it must be performed as the last resort

3.7ai) the origins and activities of the Islamic festivals - Eid-ul-Adha

- 10 of Dhul Hajj

- commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim(as) when he was ready to sacrifice his own son because of the will of Allah

- and animal: goat, sheep, cow or camel is sacrificed

- time for celebration between family and friends

3.7aii) the origins and activities of the Islamic festivals - Eid-ul-Fitr

- 1st of Shawal

- marks the end of Ramadan and hence fasting

- reward for fasting throughout Ramadan

- people celebrate by spending time together and sharing gifts and meals

- Zakat-ul-Fitr is given which is zakat for each member of the family

3.7aiii) the origins and activities of the Islamic festivals - Ashura

- 10th of Muharram

- Sunni Muslims fast to remember the day that Musa(as) and Bani Israel escaped the Pharaoh

- it is also a day of sorrow, due to the martyrdom of the Prophet (pbuh)'s grandson Hussain(as) and his family who were brutally murdered at the hands of the ruler Yazid

- Shia muslims spend this day in mourning

3.7b) the meaning and significance of the Islamic festivals for Muslims

- festivals promote a sense of unity in the community

- helps remembers key events: sacrifice of Ibrahim (as) as martyrdom of Hussain

- islam promotes happiness and celebration

-reward for fasting

3.8a) the significance of marriage in Islamic life

- to follow the example of the Prophet (pbuh)

- to share love and companionship with someone

- to have children and raise the next generation of muslims

- to have relations within the boundaries of Allah

3.8b) Muslim teachings about marriage

3.8c) Muslim teachings about the purpose of families

3.8d) ceremonies relating to birth and death and their meaning

Birth

- when a child is born Adhan must be called in his ear

-Taheek: rub dates on the baby's gums

- the hair must be removed and it weight in silver must be donated this is called an Aqiqah

- If a boy he must be circumcised

-an animal is sacrificed

Death

- Janaza takes place

- the body is given ghusl

- it is then shrouded in white fabric called the Qafan

- then Janaza prayer is performed by either in the mosque or next to the grave

- no sujood in janaza prayer

- body is buried facing the qibla

- janaza must take place quickly

3.8e) the importance of procreation in the strengthening of the Ummah

3.9a) Muslim beliefs about the nature of leadership and the responsibility of religious and political leaders

3.9b) the challenges faced by leaders of Islam in the modern world

3.9c) the challenges and responsibilities of citizenship for Muslims

3.9d) the Prophet and His successors as models of leadership