Living the Muslim Life

Importance of the Ten Obligatory Acts

• Developed by 12 Imams based on Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah

• Show commitment and connection to God

• Self-purification

• Eases others’ suffering and betters society

Amr Bil Ma’roof

Encouraging good actions

Nahil Anil Munkar

Discouraging evil actions

Tawalla

Associating with good people

Tabarra

Disassociating with evil people

Shahadah

Declaration of faith - 1st of 5 pillars

“There is no god except Allah. Muhammad is Allah’s Servant and Messenger.” + “Ali is the Friend of God.”

Importance of Shahadah

• Basic requirement that comes before other pillars

• Purifies you - all sins forgiven, humility and honour

• Emphasises the importance of Tawhid and Risalah

• Recited in many important events

Salah

Prayer five times a day - 2nd of 5 pillars

• Humans were created to worship Allah

• Highest form of worship - taught by all prophets

• Personal relationship with Allah + self-improvement

Conditions for Salah

• Aids to prayer: turbah, beads, compass, prayer cap

• Wudu

• At set times

• Face toward Mecca (qiblah)

• Rah’ah and recitation of set prayers

Salah at Mosque vs at home

• Mosque creates unity and strengthens bonds

  • More blessings

  • Follow certain rules in the House of Allah

  • Led by an imam

  • Jummah - Friday prayer - more blessings and sins forgiven

• Home is encouraged by Prophet Muhammad, led by HoH

Sawm

Fasting during the month of Ramadan

• Removes distractions and helps get closer to God

• Opportunity for reflection, gratitude and self-restraint

• Feel empathy for the poor and purify yourself

• Exempt people fast later or donate food

Laylat al Qadr

When Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of the Qur’an from Allah through Jibril

• During Ramadan, Muslims strengthen their faith in Allah

• Muslims believe they can receive great rewards for high devotion at the end of Ramadan

Zakat

2.5% of wealth paid to benefit society (given to state/mosque)

• Money becomes a source of goodness

• Heart and wealth are blessed

• Only paid if you meet the nisab

Khums

20% of wealth given by Shia Muslims to help Islam

• Originally given to Imam, now to the religious leader

• Used for religious causes primarily

Importance of charity

• Wealth is entrusted by Allah

• Serious consequences for misuse of wealth

• Serving others and helping society

• Form of worship that will be rewarded

Steps of Hajj

1. Ihram

2. Tawaf

3. Saey

4. Travel to Mina

5. Spend the day at Arafat

6. Travel to Muzdalifah

7. Animal sacrifice

8. Trim/shave head

9. Return to Kabah, Tawaf

Importance of Hajj

• Holiest place on earth

• All sins are forgiven

• Removes distractions from God

• Must be completed at least once

Origins of Hajj

• Kabah established through Ibrahim

• Saey based on Hagar’s search for help

Jihad

Striving to become a better Muslim

• Taught in the Qur’an

• Both types done by Prophet Muhammad

Greater Jihad

Resisting evil within oneself

E.g. helping the poor, improving your character, spreading faith

Lesser Jihad

Resisting evil through physical / military means

Conditions: extreme persecution / self-defence / removal of religious freedom / authorised by a Muslim leader

Eid al Adha

• Commemorates Ibrahim and Ismail, started by Prophet Muhammad

• Reminder to show devotion

• Animals slaughtered, new clothes

• Sermon and special prayer at the mosque

Eid al Fitr

• At the end of Ramadan, started by Prophet Muhammad

• Gratefulness for blessings

• Food, gifts, charity, new clothes

• Sermon and special prayer at the mosque

Eid al Ghadeer

• Only practised by Shia

• Celebrates Ali being declared as leader

• Fasting on the day

• Speech and poetry recitation at the mosque

Ashura

• Only practised by Shia

• Commemorates Hussain’s martyrdom

• Gatherings at the mosque, dressing in black, pilgrimage to Hussain’s shrine, self-flagellation, blood donation

• 40 day mourning period, 2 day fast encouraged by Prophet Muhammad