Islam Study Guide

Islam

Submission to God or Allah.

Qur’an

Islam’s primary sacred text, regarded by Muslims as the direct words of Allah.

Hijara

The emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Yathrib.

Sunna

The teachings and actions of Muhammad recorded in writings.

Umma

The community of all Muslims.

Shari’a

The divine law, derived from the Quran and the Sunna, telling Muslims how to live.

Five Pillars

Specific religious and ethical requirements for Muslims: the confession of faith, prayer/worship, fasting during Ramadan, wealth sharing, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Shahada

The confession of faith, the first of the Five Pillars.

Mosque

The Muslim place or building of worship.

Imam

The leader of the Friday worship service who directs the prayers and delivers a sermon.

Ramadan

A period during which Muslims fast, in accordance with the third of the Five Pillars.

Hajj

The journey to Mecca that all Muslims are required to take if they can afford it.

Ka’ba

The stone cubical structure in the courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca, regarded as the sacred center of the earth.

Jihad

The general spiritual struggle to be a devout Muslim.

Caliphs

The military and political leaders of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad after his death.

Sunni

The division of Islam practiced by most Muslims, named after the Sunna.

Shaykh

A teacher and master in Islam.

What is the root meaning of the name Islam?

The root meaning is submission or surrender.

Name two Islamic prophets besides Muhammad.

Abraham and Adam.

What are major misconceptions people have about Islam?

That it is a violent religion.

Why is Mecca significant for Muslims?

It's the hometown of Islam's Prophet Muhammad and where the Quran was revealed.

Who is the Prophet Muhammad?

He was born around 570 AD in Mecca and is regarded as the final prophet of Islam.

What is the purpose of Ramadan?

It serves as guidance and a means of salvation.

Why do many Muslims respect Jews and Christians?

They recognize shared human qualities, avoiding limiting God's nature.

True or False: Islam is a monotheistic religion.

True.

True or False: The Holy book for Islam is the Torah.

False, it is the Quran.

True or False: Abraham is the last and greatest prophet for Islam.

False, it is Muhammad.

True or False: Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are the holy cities for Muslims.

True.

True or False: Many Muslims believe they must meet the basic obligations known as the Ten Commandments.

False, it is the Five Pillars.

True or False: Islam is the second largest religion in the world.

True.

True or False: Passover is an important time for Muslims where they fast and pray.

False, it is Ramadan.

Who is Muhammad? What did he do for the Islamic faith?

Muhammad is the last prophet of Islam, born in 570 AD in Mecca, and he founded Islam.

What are the five pillars?

Shahada, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj.

Give an example of the pillar Shahada.

The declaration of faith.

Give an example of the pillar Salah.

Any of the five times of daily prayer.

Give an example of the pillar Zakat.

Going to worship in Mosques.

Give an example of the pillar Sawm.

Fasting during Ramadan.

Give an example of the pillar Hajj.

Pilgrimage to Mecca.