Islamic Practices

the Five Pillars

the five most important duties for all Muslims; they are seen as the fundamental practices of Islam on which everything else is built

The Ten Obligatory Acts

The most important duties of a Shi'a Muslim

Shahadah

The Muslims declaration of faith. It expresses the basic beliefs of Islam

"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah"

What is the Shahadah phrase?

Sincerely recite the Shahadah in front of Muslim witnesses

What do you have to do to become a Mulsim?

It is the first thing they hear when they are born and the last thing they say before they die

When is the Shahadah recited?

Salah

Prayer 5 times a day and Shi'a Muslims 3 times a day always towards Mecca

Wudu

Ritual washing before prayer to make themselves spiritually clean. It helps them to fully focus on God before prayer

The women and men are divided

What happens when entering a Mosque?

Shi'a Muslims combine midday and afternoon prayers

What is the difference between Shi'a Muslims and Sunni Muslims when praying?

Rak'ah

A sequence of prayer containing actions and recitations

The Jummah prayer

A special prayer held midday on Friday. Men are expected to attend the Mosque for this prayer

The importance of prayer

The actions of bowing and prostrating remind Muslims that God is greater than them, it unites Muslims around the world, it motivates them to do God's will, it helps them to be closer to God and they have been commanded by God to pray

Ramadan

The most important month in the Islamic Calendar as it is when the Angel Jibril started to reveal the Qur'an to Muhammad. Muslims focus on their faith by fasting, studying the Qur'an, giving to charity and trying to please God

Night of Power

The name for the night on which Muhammad received the first revelations of the Qur'an. Muslims try to stay awake throughout the night on the odd numbered days at the end of the month as this when the date is thought to be. They pray and study the Qur'an.

The importance of Ramadan

Self control, forgiven of sin, overcome selfishness, appreciate needs, think of less fortunate, focus on god

Sawm

Fasting during Ramadan

Children and people who are ill, breastfeeding or pregnant

Who are excused from fasting?

Zakah

This requires Muslims to give 2.5% of their savings to charity every year. Muslims believe that giving this helps to purify their souls by removing selfishness and greed

Khums

A 20% paid by Shi'a Muslims on their excess income, half of this goes to Religious Teaching and the remaining half goes to those in poverty

Jihad

Struggle to have maintain faith and defend Islam (one of the Shi'a obligatory acts)

Amr-bil-Maruf

Encouraging people to do what is good (one of the Shi'a obligatory acts)

Nahi Anil Munkar

Discouraging evil actions (one of the Shi'a obligatory acts)

Tawallah

Show love for God and people (one of the Shi'a obligatory acts)

Tabarra

Disassociation with enemies of god (one of the Shi'a obligatory acts)

Cross their hands

What to Sunni Muslims do when praying?

They pray on a Natural material some use a clay block to rest head on - in touch with nature

What so Shi'a Muslims do when praying?

Importance of Sawm

•There is a great amount of self-discipline required, shows absolute obedience and dedication to God, helps people appreciate what Allah has provided. Muslims also develop compassion for those in poverty,

Muslims should consider their behaviour towards others, Spend time in the Mosque focused on the spiritual side of life. It brings people closer to Allah

Importance of the Night of Power

Muslims believe that Allah will forgive their sins on this night and angels descend on the earth and spread peace on the night of power.

Sadaqah

Voluntary payment of charity or good acts of charity

Hajj

the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims are expected to make at least once in their lifetimes; one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Origins of Hajj

The story of Hajira and Ishmael, where they were stranded in the desert. Hajira ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa 7 times looking for water, then the angel created a fresh spring for Ishmael (Spring of Zamzam). Ibrahim is told to build monument, Kabba.

Importance of Hajj

Inner peace, closer to God, sins being forgiven, fulfils religious obligation, emphasises equality and unity, shows self-discipline and dedication and reminds Muslims of the good examples set by Prophets

Entering a state of Ihram

State of purity - ritual washing, prayer and clothing. Clothing - white cloth symbolises purity, unity and equality

Circling Ka'aba

Grand Mosque - circle the Ka'aba 7 times

Tawaf raising a hand towards the black stone. The Stone is an ancient relic from the first Ka'aba built by Adam

Walking between the two hills

Walk between the hills Sara and Marwah 7 times - collect water from ZamZam. Remembering Hajira's (Ibrahim's wife) search for water and the miracle

Standing at Arafat

Muhammad preached his last sermon here. Afternoon spent in prayer in hot sun. Physically draining - devotion to God. Forgiveness of sins

Throwing of pebbles at Mina

Walk to Muzdalifah and collect 49 stones to throw at 3 pillars. Pillars represent the devil - rejection of evil

Sacrificing an animal

Id-ul-Adha Festival - Ibrahim sacrificing Ishmael. Meat is given to poor

Importance of Kaaba

The Ka'aba represents the first house of Allah. •Built by Adam and then rebuilt by Ibrahim. It represents the oneness of God. Muslims Pray towards the Ka'aba. When Muslims Circle the Ka'aba it represents equality - often Muslims will also wear white to represent this

Greater Jihad

inward personal struggle to live life according Islam. This is considered the more important Jihad. It is one of the 10 obligatory acts for Shia Muslims

Lesser Jihad

The outward struggle to defend one's faith, family and country from threat.

Rules of Jihad

•Approved by religious leader to gain freedom and restore peace

•Fought in self defence

•Not use to gain territory or wealth

•Not to convert people to Islam

•Last resort - peaceful methods should have been used first

•Innocent people should not be harmed so certainly no Weapons of Mass Destruction

Id-ul-Fitr (End of Fasting) Eid

This is to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting and thank God for giving them the strength to complete the fast and for his wisdom and guidance. The fast is broken by eating dates. Muslims decorate homes and eat special food, sweets given to children. Muslims exchange cards and presents. They have time off work - they gather in Mosques to pray. And listen to sermons explain about Zakah.

Id-ul-Adha - End of Hajj

Celebrates the end of Hajj, special prayers are said on the meaning of sacrifice, and an animal is sacrificed and the meat is given to the poor.

Festival Ashura- SHIA

Shi'a Muslims perform plays and retell the story of the battle.. There is public mourning - Muslims wear black. In London thousands gather at the marble Arch.

Some flagellate themselves - although it is now encouraged that Muslims donate blood instead.

In Iraq many visit Husayn's tomb on pilgrimage.

Festival Ashura - Sunni

Muhammad asked some Jewish people why they were fasting on this day. They replied that it was to remember the escape of the Hebrew slaves in the time of Moses.

Many Sunni Muslims now remember this day as a "Day of Atonement" where sins are forgiven. Sunni Muslims do not accept the whipping of bodies.

10 obligatory acts of Shi'a islam

Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Kuhms, Hajj, Jihad, Amir-bil-Maruf, Nahi-Anil-Munkar, Tawallah, Tabarra

Arguments for "Charity is the most important duty for a Muslim"

•All Muslims must donate 2.5% of their savings to helping the poor. It is one of the five pillars called Zakah.

•Shi'a Muslims must Khums and is one of the 10 Obligatory Acts

•Muslims believe that the angels are recording all their good actions in their "book of deeds" so giving money to charity is a good deed that will be rewarded in the afterlife.

•Muslims believe that Allah is merciful. He is compassionate and Muslims must also try to help other people

•The Prophet Muhammad said that it was important to help others in many of his Hadiths

Arguments against "Charity is the most important duty for a Muslim"

•Some Muslims may live in poverty and are not able to give to charity - this does not mean they cannot serve Allah.

•Prayer (Salah), Muslims and pray 5 times a day. This is a good way to serve Allah as they will stay focused on him throughout the day - it is direct worship to him

•Fasting in the Month of Ramadan (Sawm) is a good way to serve Allah because it helps Muslims be compassionate / caring towards people who do not have enough food. It also shows commitment and dedication towards their religion.

•Reading the Qur'an is a good way to serve Allah because it has all the teachings needed for a Muslim to live a good life

•Following the teachings oh Muhammad - his way of life - The Sunnah is also a good way to serve Allah as he was the last and greatest of the prophets, given to communicate Allah's will to humans.

•Festivals are a good way to serve Allah and the religion