Islam |
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
TERM |
DEFINITION |
Islam |
- From the Arabic word "salaam" meaning "peace"
- It means the complete submission of oneself to the will of Allah
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PRINCIPAL BELIEFS
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Students learn about:
The articles of faith explained in the Aqida as:
- Tawhid
- Angels
- Books of Allah
- Rusul
- Akhira
- Fate/predestination
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Students learn to:
Outline the implications of Tawhid for Muslim belief
Examine the role of the Books of Allah and prophecy in Islam
Outline the principal beliefs about Angels, life after death and fate/predestination |
Article of Faith |
Explanation |
Tawhid |
- The belief in the oneness of Allah as expressed in the Shahada
- Shahada - There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet
How does this affect Muslims in their lives and beliefs? |
Angels |
- They are the instruments of Allah's will; His messengers
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Books of Allah |
- Revelation (Allah revealing information about himself) through the prophets
- Four main books are:
- Torah of Moses
- Psalms of David
- Gospels of Jesus
- Qur'an (the final and most complete)
- The first three Books have been corrupted by human interpretation. The Qur'an is not translated and, so, cannot be effected by humans
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Rusul |
- These are the prophets of Allah, 28 in total
- Muhammad is the final prophet
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Akhira |
- Life after death - Everybody will be judged by Allah according to their actions on earth.
- Reward is Heaven, Punishment is Hell
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Fate/Predestination |
- Nothing will happen without the will and knowledge of Allah
- Everybody is given free will as a gift from Allah
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SACRED TEXTS AND WRITINGS
Syllabus Outcome |
Students learn about:
The Qur'an and Hadith |
Students learn to:
Identify the importance of:
Examine extracts from the Qur’an and Hadith which demonstrate the principal beliefs of Islam |
Most religions consist of the following, although not all traditions possess each of these characteristics.
| Text |
Importance |
| Qur'an |
- Literally means "recitation"
- Spoken to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel
- Provides a guide to life and information about Allah and his will
- Its primary message is the supremecy of Allah
- Divided into 114 chapters (sura) and about 6000 verses (ayat)
- It is written in Arabic and is not translated officially
- It is used by Muslims in prayer and to help decide shari'ah, guide the actions of adherents and provide a framework for Muslim ethics
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| Hadith |
- The traditional accounts of the sayings and deeds of Muhammad
- Sunna - the traditions of Muhammad
- The Sunna and Hadith are of secondary authority to the Qur'an but play a large role in Islamic life, as does the Qur'an
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CORE ETHICAL TEACHINGS
Syllabus Outcome |
Students learn about:
Islamic jurisprudence
- the Qur’an
- the Sunna and Hadith
- ijma’ – consensus among religious leaders
- qiyas – comparison with teachings of the Qur’an or Hadith
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Students learn to:
Outline the principal ethical teachings within Islam
Outline the process of Islamic jurisprudence
Describe the importance of ethical teachings in determining that which is:
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| Concept |
Explanation |
| Jurisprudence |
- Jurisprudence is the system of laws applied in a particular country
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| Shari'ah |
- Islamic law
- Differs among different Muslim societies
- Is enforced both politically and spiritually, among communities and individuals
- Is devised by a specific process (see below)
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| Five categories of behaviour in Shari'ah |
Fard - obligatory activities, e.g. adhering to the Five Pillars (see below) |
Mustahab - practices that are recommended but not compulsory, e.g. praying more than 5 times a day |
Mubah - things that are neither liked nor disliked; actions left for the individual conscience to decide, e.g. contraception |
Makrah - actions that are advised against but not forbidden, e.g. divorce |
Haraam - unlawful or forbidden things, e.g. eating pork, drinking alcohol
Halal - things that are allowed, permitted or lawful, e.g. praying five times daily |
| Jihad |
- Struggle against evil
- Greater Jihad - Internal struggle, fighting against temptations and things that are wrong
- Lesser Jihad - External struggle, fighting against oppression, for what is right in the eyes of Allah
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Process of Islamic Jurisprudence |
Qur'an |
1 |
Hadith and Sunna |
2 |
Ijma'
consensus among religious leaders
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3 |
Qiyas
analogies and comparisons with teachings of the Qur'an and Hadith |
4 |
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EXPRESSION OF FAITH
Syllabus Outcome |
Students learn about:
The Five Pillars as the expression of the faith of Islam
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Students learn to:
Outline each of the Five Pillars |
Pillar |
Outline |
Shahada |
- Belief
- "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his Prophet"
- To utter this with complete conviction is enough to make a person a Muslim
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Salat |
- Regular Prayer
- This is ritual prayer at least 5 times a day
- Dawn
- Midday
- Mid-afternoon
- Sunset
- Before bed
- Expression of one's love and gratitude to Allah
- Helps provide guidance and peace of mind
- Preparation involves wudu (ritual washing)
- Prayers are said while facing Mecca
- Personal prayer (Dua) can be performed any time
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Zakat |
- Charity
- Muhammad prescribed a minimum of 2.5% on money and posessions of those who had more than enough
- Given to help the faithful, e.g. widows, orphans and the poor
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Sawm |
- Fasting
- Occurs in the month of Ramadan (ninth monthof the Muslim year)
- Abstain fro eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse between sunrise and sunset
- Done to help discipline Muslims spiritually, to remind them of those without food and as a means of unity within the Umma (worldwide Islamic community)
- Children, elderly, ill and pregnant women do not fast
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Hajj |
- Pilgrimage to Mecca
- All muslims must make at least one trip in their lifetimes
- If they are able to financially and are in good health
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