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List and explain EACH of the five pillars.
Profession of Faith (shahada): "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God"
Prayer (salat): Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day (dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, after dark)
Alms (zakat): donate fixed amount of their profit to charity / needy (2.5%) and to the Mosque
Fasting (sawm): abstain from food/drink, smoking/sex between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan (9th month in Muslim calendar)
Pilgrimage (hajj): At least once in lifetime (if able), pilgrimage to Mecca (Saudi Arabia - holiest city because of Muhammad)
Explain what wudu is and what purpose it serves for Muslims in prayer.
Wudu is a purification process that every Muslim must perform before prayer.
cleansing parts of the body - washing your hands, mouth, nose, face, hair, ears, and feet.
Explain the differences between Muslim Sunni’s and Shi’ites.
Different beliefs on who Prophet Muhammad successor should be.
Sunni (Caliphs): successor elected through voting - the leader can be anyone.
Shi’ites: believe religious leaders should be related to the Prophet Muhammad by blood. (more fundamentalist and violent)
What importance does Abraham have to the Muslims?
Abraham fulfilled all the commandments and trials that Allah commanded onto him. Because of his faith, Abraham was promised by Allah to be a leader to all the nations of the world - made covenant.
What do Muslims believe about Mohammad?
Muhammad - final prophet of God - no other prophets after him.
What is the fastest growing religion in the world?
Islam
What does Islam teach about drinking and gambling?
They impair judgement, and can lead to behaviour that is contrary to Islamic teachings. lacks piety, righteousness, and moral uprightness.
What does Islam teach about the status of women?
A woman is independent. She can make any contract or bequest in her own name.
Why don’t Muslims use idols in their faith?
Muslims reject visual representations (icons, statues) of religious figures - form of idolatry.
Monotheistic fate - only worshiping God, not Muhammad - Muhammad smashed idol statues in the Ka'bah.
Identify and explain each milestone in Islam.
Aqiqah: name giving ceremony that takes place 7 days after birth / ability to choose family name, Muhammad’s names, or 99 names that describe God
Marriage: legally sanctioned union / contract with wishes about their relationship / NOT FORCED
Polygamy: provides opportunities for widows to marry / males only (allowed 4 wives) / must have permission from first wife
Divorce: most detestable in God’s eyes / Qur’an states to work through issues before divorce is proposed / initiated by 1 person
Death: burial should take place the same day / 3 day mourning period / 2 angels visit and ask about your life (good/bad deeds, faith, etc.)
Identify and explain each festival in Islam.
Ramadan: commemorates the month when the Qur’an was sent from heaven or guidance, declaration of direction, and means of salvation (the first verses were received by Muhammad) / strict fasting (abstain from food/drink, smoking/sex between sunrise and sunset)
Eid-al-Fitr: commemorates the end of Ramadan / large, community prayer service in the morning and then meals between friends and family
Eid-al-Adha: “Feast of Sacrifice” / commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for God / celebrated for 3-4 days / attend special prayers in major mosques, wear new clothes, exchange gifts
Al-Hijrah (1 Muharram): first day of month of Muharram / “Day of Migration” / Islamic New Year / commemorates the day Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina and set up first Islamic state
12 Rabi al-Awwal (The Prophet’s BDay): commemorates Muhammad’s birthday
The Night of Power (27 Ramadan): commemorates the day Angels came to Earth and visited Muhammad / spiritual retreat for the last 10 days of Ramadan / fasting and praying throughout the night, abstaining from sexual relations
-Definition of Islam
derived from Arabic word for SALAM (peace and surrender)
- the perfect peace that comes from surrendering to God
-Main symbol
-Star and Crescent Moon
-Way to heaven
Prayer in mosque, charity, following 5 pillars
-Who created the Ka’bah (2)
Abraham and his son Ismail, constructed the Ka'bah
-Holy City
Mecca holiest city - home of Ka'bah
What are the 5 pillars
Profession of Faith (shahada): "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God"
Prayer (salat): Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day (dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, after dark)
Alms (zakat): donate fixed amount of their profit to charity / needy (2.5%) and to the Mosque
Fasting (sawm): abstain from food/drink, smoking/sex between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan (9th month in Muslim calendar)
Pilgrimage (hajj): At least once in lifetime (if able), pilgrimage to Mecca (Saudi Arabia - holiest city because of Muhammad)
-Sabbath times
do not celebrate the Sabbath - day of prayer is Friday.
-Significance of main prophets
connection between Allah and humanity. - 25 named prophets in Qur'an,
-Imam
the person that leads Muslims in prayer
Mecca (modern Saudi Arabia):
Muhammad’s birthplace
ruling class opposed him and he had to leave
has Ka’bah
worshipped idols at first
lost crusade against Medina and converted to Islam
Medina (western Saudi Arabia):
groups from Medina came to Mecca and converted to Islam
Muhammad fled Mecca for Medina and started the first Islam community in Medina
birthplace of the Islamic community
Meaning of Qu’ran
the holy book for Muslims, revealed in stages to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years.
-Mystical Group of Muslims called and explain
Sufism: mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God
Describe the EARLY CHILDHOOD OF MUHAMMAD
Muhammad was born in Mecca
-His parents died when he was only six years old. During that time, Muhammad was cared for by his grandfather and when he passed away, Muhammad’s uncle, Abu Tabid, took care of him.
Describe the EARLY MARRIAGE OF MUHAMMAD
When Muhammad was a young adult, he worked as a camel driver. Muhammad worked for Khadijah who was a wealthy widow and merchant, and who later proposed to him.
describe how Muhammad searched for spiritual meaning
In a cave, met angel Gabriel, calling him the messenger of God. Was later guided by Gabriel to a rock in Jerusalem
- Muhammad rode his horse into heaven where he met the prophets and Allah.
Note 
Flashcard (102)