islam practices

describe what sawm is

obligation of Muslims to fast on Ramadan

describe what do Muslims do during sawm

• fast on Ramadan

• the fast is broken at sunset

• where many Muslims join together as a community to eat

• Muslims also given up vices such as smoking, eating and sexual activities

describe why sawm is important to sawm

• teaches Muslims self discipline and self restraint

• reminds people of their religion

• attains taqwa

describe what Hajj is

• Hajj is a pilgrimage that Muslims should do that least once in their life if they are able

• Hajj takes place from the 8th-12th of Zhul Hiljah (the last month on the Islamic calendar)

what do Muslims do during Hajj

• go on pilgrimage to Mecca

• perform ritual washing and put on Ihram clothing

• once at Mecca, they will circle the Ka’aba 7 times anti-clockwise whilst repeating the pilgrim prayer

why is Hajj important

• Muslims believe that Ibrahim was told to do this pilgrimage by Allah

• as everyone wears the same Ihram clothing, it demonstrates the equality of all humans in God’s eyes

describe what Shahadah is

• Shahadah is the Arabic term for the declaration of faith in one God and His messenger

• the translation of the Shahadah is: “I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”​

• the Shahadah is the most sacred statement in Islam and must be recited with full understanding and mindfulness of its meaning

why is Shahadah important

• belief in one Allah (tawhid) is an integral part of the Five Roots of Usul-al-Din (Shi’a) and the Six Articles of Faith (Sunni) and for Muslims to not believe in this is a shirk

• the second part of the Shahadah requires Muslims to acknowledge and testify to the belief in the Prophet Muhammad (risalah for Sunni, nubuwwah for Shi’a)

• the Shahadah is the first thing said to a newborn baby and the last thing said to a dying person

Shahadah - Sunni

“I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”​

Shahadah - Shi’a

“I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And Ali is the Friend of God”​

origins of Zakah

• giving alms

• began as a response to instruction in the Qur’an

• Alms is agreed upon Islam to be 2.5% of yearly salary

what do Muslims do in Zakah - Sunni

• give Zakah directly to the poor/charities

• some give it to the local Mosque for the Mosque to distribute

what do Muslims do in Zakah - Shi’a

• Shi’a split money between charities that support Islamic education

• Shi’a also support anyone who is descended from Muhammad

why is Zakah important

• by giving Zakah, Muslims are acknowledging that everything they own belongs to Allah

• giving alms allows Muslims to purify their souls

what is Id-ul-Adh

festival that lasts 4 days

what do Muslims do during Id-udl-Adh

• sacrifice an animal to remember Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ishmael

• 1/3 of the meat is eaten by close family

• 1/3 is eaten by relatives

• 1/3 is given to the poor and needy

why is Id-ul-Adh important

• it commemorates how Allah rewards those who obey him

• it also signifies the importance for Muslims to give to those who need it

what is Id-ul-Fitr

• believed Allah commanded Muslims to start this festival when Muhammad was living in Madinah

• Id-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan

what do Muslims do during Id-ul-Fitr

• attend set prayer times in the morning

• friends and family join together to share meals and exchange gifts

• Zakah-al-Fitr - donations are given to the poor

• Shi’a Muslims say a prayer to the Imams

what is the importance of Id-al-Fitr

• signifies the need for Muslims to show gratitude to Allah for giving them strength to fast, his guidance and his wisdom

• the festival is a symbol of faith and commitment to Allah

Jummah

Friday prayers in the mosque

Rak’kahs

• actions and ritual movements made during salah (prayer)

• consists of recitations, standing, bowing and prostration

Jihad

individual’s struggle against baser instincts and to built a good Muslim society

what do Jihadists see as necessary

• violent struggle

• in order to eradicate obstacles

• in restoring God’s rule on earth

• and defending the Muslim community

purpose of Lesser Jihad

• Lesser Jihad’s purpose is to:

• bring about a society

• where Muslims are free to follow Islam

4 reasons to justify Lesser Jihad

• in defence of Allah

• to restore Muslims’ freedom

• to gain freedom from tyranny

• until an enemy gives up arms

who must not be harmed during Lesser Jihad

• women

• children

• elderly

• the sick

• plants

• crops

what is Shahid

martyrdom

what is the reward for partaking in Lesser Jihad

a place in Jannah

describe Ashura

• festival which takes place on the 10th day of Muharram

• Sunnis - commemorate the Day of Nuh (Noah) and the day Musa was saved from the Egyptians by Allah

• Shi’a - solemn commemoration of the martyrdom of Husayn (Ali’s son)

how do Sunni Muslims commemorate Ashura

• donating blood for blood transfusions

• voluntary fast

• donating to charity

how do Shi’a Muslims commemorate Ashura

• self-flagellation

• cutting themselves

• pilgrimage

what is khums

religious tax

describe 2 contrasting beliefs about Shahadah

• it is the first thing spoken to newborns

• it is used in prayer