2.5 Islam Key Practices: Duties & Festivals (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Flashcards
Exam code: 8062
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- Front2.5.1 Sawm
Define Sawm.
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Define Sawm.
Fasting between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan.
During which month do Muslims perform Sawm?
Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic year).
Which pillar of Islam is Sawm for Sunni Muslims?
The fourth pillar.
What food is often used to break the fast at sunset?
Dates.
What is the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr)?
The night the angel Jibril first appeared to Muhammad and began revealing the Qur'an.
Besides food and drink, name something Muslims must refrain from during daylight in Ramadan.
Smoking, listening to music or sex (and evil thoughts or unkind speech).
True or False?
Every Muslim must fast during Ramadan, without exception.
False.
Children, the elderly or ill, pregnant or menstruating women, nursing mothers and travellers are exempt.
Name two groups exempt from fasting during Ramadan.
Children (before puberty)
The elderly or ill
Pregnant or menstruating women
Nursing mothers
Travellers
Fasting develops spiritual discipline and ______, and empathy for the poor who feel hunger.
Fasting develops spiritual discipline and self-control, and empathy for the poor who feel hunger.
What is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset called?
Iftar.
How much of the Qur'an is read during Ramadan?
The whole Qur'an, often in daily sections over 30 days.
The Muslim calendar is ______, so Ramadan is not always at the same time of the solar year.
The Muslim calendar is lunar, so Ramadan is not always at the same time of the solar year.
How do Shi'a Muslims mark part of Ramadan differently?
They spend three days during Ramadan mourning the death of Ali.
Why does fasting help Muslims empathise with the poor?
Being hungry reminds them that the poor feel that way all the time.
Define Zakah.
Almsgiving — giving 2.5% of surplus wealth to charity; one of the Five Pillars.
What percentage of surplus wealth do Muslims give as Zakah?
2.5%.
Define Nisab.
The minimum wealth a Muslim must have before they are required to pay Zakah.
Define Sadaqah.
Voluntary giving of money or time to charity, beyond Zakah.
Define Khums.
The Shi'a practice of giving 20% ('a fifth') of savings to charity, in addition to Zakah.
How does Khums differ from Zakah?
Khums is an extra Shi'a payment of 20% of savings; Zakah (2.5% of wealth) is paid by all Muslims.
True or False?
The 2.5% Zakah figure is stated in the Qur'an.
False.
The 2.5% figure is not in the Qur'an; it was decided by Muslim scholars.
What does giving Zakah do for a Muslim's soul?
It purifies or cleanses the soul, removing selfishness and greed.
Name a charity through which Muslims in the UK might give Zakah.
Muslim Aid.
Muslims give Zakah because they see wealth as a ______ from Allah.
Muslims give Zakah because they see wealth as a gift from Allah.
In Shi'a practice, where does the Khums money go?
Half to Shi'a religious leaders and the rest to the poor.
By giving Zakah, the ______ (Muslim community) supports one another, as the poorest are given help.
By giving Zakah, the Ummah (Muslim community) supports one another, as the poorest are given help.
Define Hajj.
The Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah; the fifth pillar of Islam.
How often must a Muslim perform Hajj?
At least once in their lifetime, if healthy and able to afford it.
In which month does Hajj take place?
Dhu'l-Hijja, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.
Define Ihram.
The white clothing worn by all pilgrims on Hajj — a sign of equality and purity.
What title can a Muslim use after completing Hajj?
Hajji.
Why do pilgrims run seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwah?
To replicate Hajira's search for water for her son Isma'il.
What is the Zamzam well, and why do pilgrims drink from it?
The spring of water that sprang up for Hajira; drinking shows a Muslim's dependence on Allah.
What do pilgrims do at Mina?
They stone the Devil, as Ibrahim is said to have done, to show they reject the Devil.
Why is Mount Arafat significant on Hajj?
It is where Muhammad gave his final sermon; pilgrims pray there and hope for forgiveness of sins.
True or False?
Ihram clothing is worn to show a pilgrim's wealth and status on Hajj.
False.
The white Ihram clothing is a sign of equality and purity — everyone wears the same.
The prophet ______ was commanded to build the Ka'aba as a shrine dedicated to Allah.
The prophet Ibrahim was commanded to build the Ka'aba as a shrine dedicated to Allah.
Which festival do Muslims celebrate the day after Hajj?
Eid-ul-Adha.
Hajj begins and ends in the city of ______.
Hajj begins and ends in the city of Makkah.
Give one positive trait Muslims believe Hajj can develop.
Humility, inner peace, self-discipline, or a feeling of unity and equality (among others).
Define Jihad.
The struggle against evil, either as an individual or as the collective faith of Islam.
What are the two kinds of Jihad?
Greater Jihad and Lesser Jihad.
Define Greater Jihad.
The personal, inward struggle to live according to the teachings of Islam.
Define Lesser Jihad.
The outward struggle to defend Islam from threat.
Which type of Jihad do Muslims consider more important?
The Greater Jihad — the inward, personal struggle.
How is observing the Five Pillars part of Greater Jihad?
It is part of the daily struggle to purify the heart and devote one's life to Allah.
True or False?
Jihad justifies terrorism against innocent civilians.
False.
Most Muslims condemn terrorism; Lesser Jihad does not justify targeting innocent civilians.
According to Islam, who must declare a Lesser Jihad?
A religious leader, not just any politician.
Name a condition for a war to be justified in Islam.
It must be a last resort, for a just cause in Allah's name, never fought out of aggression, with innocents protected.
The Greater Jihad is the personal ______ struggle to live in line with one's faith.
The Greater Jihad is the personal inward struggle to live in line with one's faith.
Why did Lesser Jihad become important in the early days of Islam?
Because Muslims were being persecuted and needed to protect their freedom to practise their faith.
In Islam, a Just War must always be a ______, after every other means has failed.
In Islam, a Just War must always be a last resort, after every other means has failed.
Is Jihad only a Shi'a practice?
No — Jihad is one of the Ten Obligatory Acts for Shi'a Muslims but is also part of Sunni Islam.
Define Ashura.
A Muslim day of sorrow, most significant in Shi'a Islam, commemorating the death of Husayn.
Whose death does Ashura commemorate?
Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad (and son of Ali).
Where did Husayn die?
In battle at Karbala, in Iraq.
Why is Ashura especially significant for Shi'a Muslims?
Because Husayn was part of the Imamate — the divinely appointed successors of Muhammad.
True or False?
Ashura is a joyful festival celebrated by Shi'a Muslims.
False.
For Shi'a Muslims it is a somber commemoration and a day of mourning, not a celebration.
What colour do Muslims wear on Ashura?
Black.
How long is the period of mourning leading up to Ashura for Shi'a Muslims?
Ten days.
During Ashura, processions are often used as ______ against injustice.
During Ashura, processions are often used as protests against injustice.
What do UK Shi'a leaders encourage instead of self-harm on Ashura?
Donating blood.
Besides Husayn's death, what older event do Muslims also link to Ashura?
The 'day of atonement' — when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt (Moses's fast).
Fasting on Ashura is ______ (not compulsory), since Muhammad established Sawm during Ramadan.
Fasting on Ashura is voluntary (not compulsory), since Muhammad established Sawm during Ramadan.
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