GCSE Religious Studies: Edexcel B

ISLAM
LIVING THE MUSLIM
LIFE

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Living the Muslim Life in God Key Words

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 Sunni Five Pillars
Shahadah Muslim declaration of faith (1st pillar)
Minaret Tower beside mosque from which Muezzin The prayer caller who announced
call to prayer is announced the call to prayer five times a day
Adhan Call to prayer Polytheism Worshipping many gods

Salah Ritual prayer (2nd pillar)

Prostrated To put oneself flat on the ground Fajr Dawn prayer
showing submission
Zuhr Midday prayer As’r Afternoon prayer

Maghib Sunset prayers Isha Night prayer

Wudu Ritual washing before prayers Qibla Direction of the Ka’aba in Makkah

Raka The set actions in the prayer ritual Jummah Friday midday prayers
Plural: Rakat
Mihrab Alcove in mosques showing the Imam Prayer leader
direction of Makkah
Jami mosque Mosque appointed for Friday Khutba Sermon
prayers
Du’ah Personal prayer Subhah String of prayer beeds

Sawm Fasting (4th pillar)

Ramadan Month of fasting (9th month of Ifar The meal breaking the fast at night
Islamic year)
The Night of The night when Muhammad Layllat-al-Qadr The festival celebrating the Night
Power received the first revelation of the of Power
Qur’an
Suhur The meal just before fasting starts
at dawn
Zakah Charity tax (3rd pillar) 2.5% of income
Nisab The amount of income or wealth a Sadaqah Giving more to charity than just
Muslim needs to have before they Zakat
have to pay zakah
Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah (5th pillar)
Dhu-al-Hijjah The 12th month of the Islamic Ka’aba The House of God in Makkah
calendar when hajj takes place containing the black stone
Hajji Someone who has completed Hajj circumambulate Walk around, make a circuit

Ishma’il Son of Ibrahim and Hagar Hagar Mother of Ishma’il

Niyyah Intention of attending Hajj Ihram 1 )state of holiness.

Zamzam well The well in the courtyard in the
great Mosque given by God for
Hagar and Ishmail
Mina The place 10 km from Makkah
where pilgrims throw stones at
Satan and make sacrifice
Tawaf 7 circuits o the Ka’aba whilst on
Hajj
Waquf A standing prayer during Hajj
2) Clothes pilgrims wear on Hajj
Ma’sa The covered passageway between
the hills Marwa and Safa which
pilgrims run between
Arafat The plain and hill 18km from
Makkah where the central part of
Hajj takes place
Talbiya The hajj prayer which pilgrims say
constantly

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 Shi’a Ten Obligatory Acts
Khums Additional charity tax for Shi’a Jihad Struggle to be a good Muslim
(fifth) Muslims
Amir-bil- Always doing what is good Nahi anil Avoiding that which is evil
ma’ruf munkar
Tawalla Loving the relatives of the prophet Tabarra Hating those who hate Allah and
his chosen ones
Twelver 12 leaders chosen by Allah to be Furu Ad Din 10 branches of faith (another
Twelve Imams Muhammad’s successors name for 10 obligatory Acts)
Jihad
Greater Jihad The struggle to make yourself a Lesser Jihad To remove evil from society; to
good Muslim defend Islam
Ummah Muslim community Muslim law The four schools that interpret the
schools Shaari’ah for Sunni Muslims
Jihadi Someone fighting in a holy war Social justice The belief that all humans are
entitled to the same rights and
privileges
Hafram That which is not permitted Halah That which is permitted

Celebrations and Commemorations

Al-Hijra 1 Muharram, Islamic New Year’s Mawlid-al-Nabi The birthday of prophet
Day Mohammad
Lailat al-Miraj Mohammad’s night journey to Shirk The sin of associating other thins
Jerusalem and then to Heaven with God, the worst sin
Id-ul-Fitr Festival of breaking the Fast, it Id-ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice, it remembers
1st Shawwal marks the end of Ramadan 10th Dhu al- Ibrahim being tested to sacrifice
Hijjah Ishma’il
Id-ul-Ghadeer when Shi’as celebrate when Amir al- Commander of the faithful, a title
18th Dhu al- Mohammad appointed Ali as his Mu’minin given by Shi’as to Ali and his
Hijjah successor descendants
Husayn Mohammad’s grandson and Shi’as Yazid Leader of Umayyad army and 6th
3rd Imam Caliph of Sunni Islam
Ashura Day Shi’as remember when Husayn, Karbala City 100km southwest of Baghdad
10th Muharram was killed by Yazid at battle of and site of battle where Husayn
(1st month) Karbala was killed by Yazid

The 10 Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam

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Shi’a Muslims have a duty to follow the 10 Obligatory Acts (sometimes called the Furu ad Din (branches of Faith)

 They describe how a Muslim should live their life and how they should worship
 They were given by the Twelver , also called the Twelve Imams, who Shi’a Muslims believe were divinely
ordained (chosen by God) to be the political and spiritual successors to Muhammad after his death
 Shia Muslims differ in their views to Sunni Muslims on who should have been the leader after Muhammad
(PBUH) died. They believe it should have been Ali bin Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin
 Shia Muslims follow the Sunni Five Pillars of Islam, but add to them and have amended them slightly.

Shahadah: (not one of the 10 acts)

The Declaration of faith. It is slightly different for Shi’ites: “There is no god but God and Muhammad is the
Messenger of God. Ali is the Friend of God”.

1. Salah:
Shia Muslims will pray 3 times a day combining 2 of the prayers that Sunni Muslims say separately. They still perform
Wudu.
All Muslims are required to pray five times a day. However, Shi'a practice allows combining some prayers into three
daily prayer times. A Shi'a at prayer can often be identified by a small tablet of clay or wood from a holy place on
which they place their forehead whilst prostrating.
1. Shia Muslims pray three times a day and combine Maghrib and Isha salat whereas Sunni
Muslims pray five times a day.
2. Sunni Muslims fold their arms whereas Shia Muslims do not fold their arms during prayer.
4. Sunni Muslims touch their heads to the ground whereas Shia Muslims use a wooden block or
tablet of clay to rest their heads during prostration.
5. Shia Muslim scholars forbid the use of word ‘Amen’ during the prayer, because it is a Hebrew
word.
“Keeping up regular prayer is obligatory for the believers at prescribed times” Surah 3

2. Zakah:
Muslims must donate 2.5% of their excess wealth to the poor. Zakat is the third branch practiced among Furu al
Deen/ Branches of Faith in Shia Islam. The sole purpose of Zakaat in Shia Islam is to help the needy.
“Whatever you give in charity … will earn multiple rewards” Surah 30
There are two types of Zakaat in Shia Islam, one is Waajib/ Obligatory (MUST DO) and the second one is Mustahab/
Recommended (COULD DO).
3. Sawm:
Sawm or Fasting is in ninth month ‘Ramadan’. Fasting is second in the 'Furu al Deen' or Branches of Faith. A very
special night, mentioned in Holy Qur'an as 'Laylatul Qadr' occurs in Ramadan (when the first verses of the Qur’an
were given to Muhammad)

 Fasting is obligatory in Shia Islam, “You, who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, so that you may be mindful
of God” Surah 2
 Exceptions are unless you are: a traveller, old aged people, ill, pregnant, breast feeding, a child.
 Shia Muslims are required to fast from dawn, when the whiteness in the sky starts to spread (before sunrise)
and continue to till redness after sunset passes the top.
 During Fasting Shia Muslim are required not to indulge into any of these nine things or acts. The person who
fasts cannot: eat or drink; have sexual intercourse; masturbate; lie; inhale smoke; immerse his/her entire head
in water.

4. Hajj:
 A once in a lifetime pilgrimage to Mecca, for those who can afford it - “Pilgrimage to the House is a duty owed
to God, for those who are able” Surah 3
 It is similar to the Sunni Hajj, because the same rituals take place e.g circling the Ka’ba.
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 Shia Muslims also visit Medina and the tombs of: the Prophet, Fatima (his wife) and some of the 12 imams.

5. Khums:
This is 20% (literally one fifth of gain) and is applied to business profits and is payable at the beginning of the
financial year. The Qur’an says: “Know that whatever of a thing you acquire, a fifth of it is for Allah, for the
Messenger, for the near relative, and the orphans and the needy” Surah 8

50% should go to religious causes and poor descendants of the prophet. This includes religious leaders and scholars.
50% should go to the poor, orphans, and the homeless.

The purpose of Khums:

 To ensure the descendants of Muhammad are properly cared for
 To ensure religious leaders are cared for and independent of state control
 To provide support for mosques and religious schools and colleges
 To provide security for the poor

Shi’as pay Khums because:

 It is commanded by the Qur’an
 It is a way of supporting the descendants of Muhammad, who are given special reverence by Shi’a
 It is a way of supporting and spreading Shi’a Islam

The impotance of Khums (see under Zakat)

6. Jihad (To struggle/strive)

Lots of people think Jihad means Holy War – It doesn’t. It means to struggle or strive to please Allah. “You who
believe, be mindful of God and strive for his cause” Surah 5

Greater Jihad: Could be called Inner Jihad is the struggle against the evil within one's soul in every aspect of life in
order to become a better Muslim and please Allah. Greater Jihad shows submission to the Will of Allah.

Lesser Jihad: is the struggle against the evil of one's environment in every aspect of life. This is not to be mistaken
with the common misconception that this means "Holy War". Writing the truth (jihad bil qalam) and speaking truth
in front of an oppressor are also forms of Jihad.

7. Amr-bil-Maroof (commanding what is Good)

This refers to the Islamic responsibility that every Muslim has to encourage others towards the right path, and to do
good. Shia Muslims believe they should encourage what is good from all fellow humans to perform good moral
deeds, and to complete the obligatory actions. For some Shia Muslims it means following Shari’ah Laws (laws from
the Qur’an). “The believers, both men and women, support each other, they order what is right” Surah 9

8. Nahi anil-munkar: forbid what is evil.

It is very important in Shia Islam to forbid the evil. “do not become divided…when you were enemies and Allah
brought your hearts together…and you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does
Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided [to stop evil]”

This means you should resist temptation and not commit sins against Allah. You should also do what you can if you
see something evil happening:
1. If you capable, then stop the evil with your hand. Use your power, influence, status or force to stop bad
things from happening.
2. If you are incapable of stopping evil with your hand, then at least speak out against it.
3. Even if that is not possible by you, then at least hate it in your heart telling yourself that such an evil is
happening in front of my eyes and I am not able to do anything to stop it.

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9. Tawalla: expressing love towards good
This means, loving the Ahl al-Bayt (family of the Prophet) and those who follow the straight path of Allah. It can also
mean to love and associate with the Imams and the leaders of religion and to submit to their authority and love
between fellow believer. The Prophet said: "I do not ask you any reward for it except love of [my] close relatives”

10. Tabbara: moving away from evil

Means avoiding the enemies of God. This includes: people who stood in the way of the Imams (the 12 after
Muhammad – including Ali), Polytheists, people who are not believers.
“You who believe, do not take my enemies as your allies” Surah 60

The 10 Obligatory Acts are important today because:

 Unites the Shi’a Ummah

 Allows Shi’ites to worship together
 Brings Shi’a Muslims closer together
 Helps them with challenges
 Gives life meaning and purpose

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The Shahadah (Sunni 1st Pillar)
“There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”

This is the basic statement of the Islamic faith: anyone who cannot recite this wholeheartedly is not a Muslim.
When a Muslim recites this they are saying that Allah is the only God, and that Muhammad is his Prophet and that
they personally accept this as true.

The Shahadah is part of the Adhan – the call to prayer of the muezzin from the minaret of the mosque.
It is also spoken into the ears of newly born babies and into the ears of dying people so that it is the first and final
thing people hear

This is important because…

 It is the foundation of the Islamic faith (the other 4 Pillars are based on this)
 All Muslims believe the Shahadah, so it unites the Ummah
 It is the starting point of their religion (if someone converts all they to do is recite the Shahadah in front of
witnesses)
 Accepting it shows submission in God
 It shows dedication to their faith(Repeating it at least 5 x day)
 Reinforces the 6 beliefs (Tawhid and Risalah)
 it shows that Islam rejects Christian beliefs about Jesus being the Son of God

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Salah (Sunni 2nd Pillar)
 Muslims must pray five times each day to show submission to God. “set up regular prayers: for such prayers as
believers should pray at stated times” Surah 4:103
 Originally Allah told Muhammad to Pray 50 times, but Moses told Muhammad to ask God is it could be 5 times
instead as it was more realistic. Muslims pray at the following times:
- Fajr – morning prayer
- Zuhr – midday prayer
- As’r – late afternoon prayer
- Maghrib – sunset prayer
- Isha – night prayer

 Praying is not only highly spiritual, but connects each Muslim to all others around the world, and to all those
who have uttered the same words and made the same movements (rakahs) at different times in Islamic history.

 People face Mecca when they pray (qibla), because the Ka’aba is there and it symbolises the unity of the
Ummah. “Turn thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque, that is indeed the truth” Surah 2:149

 Muslims do not pray for the benefit of Allah. Allah does not need human prayers because he has no needs at all.
Muslims pray because God has told them that they are to do this, and because they believe that they obtain
great benefit in doing so, it reminds them how to be a good Muslim.

 Muslims must remove their shoes and be clean before they pray.
They make sure of this by performing ritual washing, called wudhu.
This prepares their mind and also ensure the mosque stays clean.
“When ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands to
the elbow, rub your head nad your feet to the ankles” Surah 5:7

 They must also pray in a clean place

 The set prayer ritual (rakah) must be carried out, which involves prostrating yourself and touching forehead on
the floor and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is great). Each prayer time has a set number of rakah.

Salah in the home

 Many Muslims have a special room which is kept ritually clean for prayer
 They perform wudu In the bathroom and have prayer mats which are kept facing Makkah using a qibla
compass

Salah in the mosque

 It is preferable to be performed in a mosque “bow down your heads with those who bow down in worship”
Surah 2:43
 The worshippers stand in lines behind the imam, who leads them through the rakahs
 Most mosques have a separate area for women to pray. In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is common for
women to pray at home

Jummah prayers
“O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday, hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God
and leave of business: that is best for you if ye but knew! And when prayer is finished, then ye may disperse
through the land and seek the bounty of God” Surah 62:10

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Salah (Sunni 2nd Pillar) cont

 Many Muslims will go to mosque for Jummah (Friday midday prayers) at Jami mosques (appointed for
Jummah prayers)
 They must be attended by 40 adult males
 The imam leads the first two rakahs then preaches a sermon (khutba), giving advice on how to live a good
Muslim life, then leads the final rakah

Du’ah prayers - Muslims offer a Du’ah (a prayer of the heart) which is a personal prayer to Allah after set prayers.

Prayer is important because:

 It is commanded in the Qur’an “Establish regular prayer, for the prayer restrains from shameful and unjust
deeds” Surah 29:45
 It is a direct connection with Allah five times a day
 It shows obedience and submission (especially prostration)
 Allows Muslims to reflect on faith “remembrance of God is the greatest thing in life” Sura 29:45
 It shows the unity of the Ummah as every Muslim prays in Arabic, performing the same actions at the same
time and all facing towards Makkah
 It is a way of having their sins forgiven. The Hadith says “the five prayers remove sins as water removes
dirt”

Similarities and Differences between Muslim and Christian worship

Similarities
 Du’ah and Christian personal prayer is the same thing
 Weekly worship in a place of worship with a sermon
 Congregation say a prayer together (even in non-liturgical Christian worship all say the Lord’s prayer
together)

Differences

Muslim Worship Christian Worship

Must perform wudu before worship No ritual washing though some Roman Catholics
sprinkle themselves with holy water as they enter
church
Must face Makkah for Salah Can face any direction though most Catholic,
Orthodox and Anglican churches face east
Worship in Arabic Worship in own language
Men and women worship separately Worship together
Special day for worship is Friday Special day for worship is Sunday
Should perform Salah 5 x day Only required to go to church on Sunday, but
expected to pray every day
Must perform rakah Only liturgical worship has set rituals
No music Usually have music
No pictures or statues in mosque Only has visual stimuli (crosses, stained glass
windows, statues of Mary and the saints)

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Sawm (Sunni 4th Pillar)
Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During the 29/30 days of
Ramadan all adult Muslims must give up the following things during the hours of daylight: Food or drink of any sort,
Smoking, sexual activity. “Fasting is prescribed to you… that you may learn self restraint” (2: 183)

Families have two special meals a day, the iftar to break the fast at night and suhur just before dawn

Muslims who are physically or mentally unwell may be excused some of these, as may those who are under twelve
years old, the very old, those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, menstruating, or travelling.

If an adult does not fast for the reasons above they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation
to the poor instead.

As part of Ramadan, extra prayers are said and 1/30 of the Qur’an is read each day so that the whole Qur’an is read

There are many good reasons for this fast, including:

 Obeying God (it is the fourth pillar)
 Learning self-discipline
 Becoming spiritually stronger
 Appreciating God's gifts to us
 Sharing the sufferings of the poor
 Giving thanks for the Holy Qur'an, (God’s greatest gift for humanity) which was first revealed in the month of
Ramadan.
 It unites and strengthens the Ummah
 It brings Muslim families together and strengthens their bonds

Laylat al-Qadr – Night of Power/Night of Destiny (27th Ramadan)

The Night of Power is celebrated remembering Muhammad receiving the first revelations of the Qur’an. This
happened during the final period of Ramadan(last 10 days). Although Muhammad couldn’t read or write, he was
ordered to “recite” by the angel Jibril and learned it off by heart.

All Muslims try to attend mosque to celebrate this. Some Muslims, often retired people stay in the mosque for the
final 10 days of Ramadan, fasting, praying and studying the Qur’an day and night. They believe this brings a special
closeness and relationship to Allah.

Muslim beliefs about Laylat al-Qadr

 praying on this night is the best prayer (better than 1000 months)
 Praying in mosque on Night of Power can bring forgiveness of all a person’s sins
 It is the night when Allah determines everyone’s destiny A Shi’a Hadith says “Allah the Glorified and Exalted
determines in this night each and every event to occur during the next year to any and all of his creation”

Laylat al-Qadr is important to Muslims because:

 At the point, Muhammad realised he has been chosen

 It remembers and celebrates when the Qur’an was given to mankind
 Some Muslims believe it was the day Muhammad made his Night Journey to heaven (al Mi’raj) when God
gave him details of Salah
 It is the night we Moses and Joshua died and Jesus was taken to heaven

Id ul Fitr is when Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan and have a massive feast and celebrations (see later notes)

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Sunni 5 Pillars - Zakat (3 rd pillar)
Zakat means purifying your wealth for the will of Allah; to acknowledge that everything we own belongs to Allah and
to work towards the improvement of the Muslim Ummah (community).

Zakat is 2.5% of one year’s total excess wealth. This amount is then distributed to the poor by Islamic governments in
Islamic countries or organisations in non Islamic countries.

“You shall give the due alms to the relatives, the needy, the poor, and the travelling alien, but do not be excessive,
extravagant” (Surah 17: 26-29)

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has said “Whoever pays the zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him”.

If a Muslims gives more than 2.5% it is called “sadaqah”.This is voluntary whereas zakah is compulsory. “…Any good
you do, God is fully aware thereof.”

Poor people should not have to pay zakah and Shari’ah law sets a nisab - amount of wealth you have to have before
paying zakah. The nisab for 2015 in the UK was £2,220 (this is what you have left over and has been in your
possession for more than a year). http://www.zakatcalculator.co.uk

Muslims will often give directly to charities e.g. Islamic Relief or Muslim Aid. However they can give money to any
charity they wish. Every mosque has a zakah committee which collects zakah and distributes it according to the
wishes of the zakah committee.

Khums/Zakat is important because…

 Muhammad gave Zakat.
 Islam teaches that wealth can be evil and cut people off from God. Zakah means purification – by paying
zakah, it purifies the wealth that they keep
 Muslims believe their money is not their own and belongs to Allah as it is bestowed on them by Him.
 It benefits the Ummah
 It is a sign of submission to the will of Allah
 It is an act of worship

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Hajj (Sunni 5th Pillar)
Hajj is a sacred pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims must try to do one in their lifetime during the month of Dhul-
Hijjah.

It is the only pillar which is not compulsory. You should only go if you have sufficient funds to provide for your
dependants whilst you are away and you are physically and mentally fit enough for the demands of hajj.

Muslims believe that when you go on Hajj your sins are forgiven and if you die on Hajj you will go straight to Jannah.

Most events take place in the Great Mosque of Makkah which contains the Ka’aba, the Zamzam well and the Ma’sa.
The Ka’ba is important to Muslims because it is a metaphorical house of God and was built by Abraham and Ismail:

“We have rendered the shrine (the Kaba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use
Abraham's shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: "You shall purify My house for those
who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate." (Qur’an 2:125)

Stages of Hajj:

1. Preparation: state their niyyah or intention of attending Hajj. Ihram is worn (a white cloth to symbolise
equality)
2. Circle to Muslims Ka’ba 7 times (action is called Tawaf), saying Talbiya prayer. This shows unity and harmony
when worshipping Allah
3. Run or walk between Marwa and Safa (hills) 7 times, like Hagar did in the desert when searching for water
4. Travel to Mount Arafat and beg for forgiveness for their sins (it is believed any sin confessed here is
immediately forgiven)
5. Travel to Mina where they collect 49 stones to throw at pillars symbolising the devil
6. An animal is sacrificed to remember the sacrifice Ibrahim was willing to make by killing his son. Pilgrims eat
some of the meat and give the rest to the poor.
7. Men shave their heads and women trim theirs as a sign of a new beginning.
8. Circle the Ka’ba 7 times

“And proclaim the Hajj to the people …… to commemorate God's name during the known days. (22:27-
28)
Why is Hajj important:

 Shows equality
 Unites the Muslims Ummah
 A spiritual place to visit drawing them closer to God.
 To follow the example of Muhammad


The benefits of Hajj:

 Shows devotion to Allah by taking part in an expensive and physically demanding event
 Allows Muslims to trace the roots of their religion
 Strengthens their faith
 If a pilgrim dies on hajj they go straight to Jannah (heaven)
 Called a Hajji when they return home. This is a title of honour

The challenges of Hajj

 Can be very expensive

 Physically demanding
 Can be dangerous
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Jihad
- Jihad means ‘to strive and to struggle in the way of Allah’.
'A single endeavor of fighting in Allah's Cause is better than the world and whatever is in it” (Hadith)
‘And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive” Surah 9:20

There are two types of Jihad: Greater and Lesser

Greater Jihad:
The way in which every Muslim makes a personal effort to follow the teachings of Allah and to stand against evil
e.g.
 Learning the Qur’an off by heart
 Strengthening the Ummah
 Working for social justice
 Forgiving those who have done you wrong
 To perform all 5 Pillars properly

It is greater jihad which stops a Muslim becoming a hypocrite, it makes sure they practice Islam rather than just
talking about it.

Lesser Jihad:
Having removed evil from themselves, Muslims can them begin to work f lesser jihad and remove evil from society.

When Muslims fight to protect their religion There are two reasons:
(reason 1) – If a Muslim country or the Muslim population of a country, is threatened by a non-Muslim enemy, it is
right to respond to that threat. “To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight because they are
wronged” (Qur’an 22:39)
(reason 2) a Muslim must be prepared to fight against social injustice, whether those who are wronged are Muslim
or not.
Holy War can be fought in the following conditions:
 If it is led by a religious leader chosen by the whole community
 All the soldiers are faithful Muslims
 The innocent (women, children, the elderly) are not harmed
 Enemies should be treated with justice and mercy
 It must be a last resort, all peaceful means of protection must be tried first. “But if the enemy incline
towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah; for He is One that hears and knows
all things”. (Qur’an 8: 61)

Some Muslims call themselves jihadi and believe that it is right to wage Holy War against non-Muslims because
Muhammad was forced to fight to defend Islam when attacked by Makkah and the Qur’an says those who die
fighting a Holy War will go straight to paradise.

The idea of Jihad is often misunderstood by non-Muslims who don’t then see Islam as a peaceful religion.The
importance of jihad:

 Daily struggle against temptation and keeping the Five Pillars. This can be especially difficult in a non-Muslim
country:
 Can’t use credit cards as these involve paying interest
 Ensure that all food is halal
 Avoid alcohol and gambling
 Fasting during Ramadan when it falls in the summer in Europe with long hours of daylight
 Performing wudu and praying 5 times a day when they have to work
 Importance of resisting evil in the world
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Celebrations and Commemorations
“Id” means celebration

Id ul Adha and Id ul Fitr are celebrations for Sunni AND Shi’a Muslims
Id ul Ghadeer is Shi’a
Ashura is celebrated by Sunni and Shi’a for different reasons

Id ul Adha:

The “festival of sacrifice” is remembering Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail for Allah. It showed trust in
God. Who then asked Ibrahim to sacrifice a ram instead.
It happens at the end of Hajj emphasising its importance as it is linked to the 5 pillars

Meat sacrificed at the festival is shared amongst family, friends and the needy.

Presents and cards are shared and extra money is donated to the poor.

Id ul Fitr:

The “festival of breaking the fast” happens at the end of Ramadan. It is linked to the pillar Sawm
Muslims celebrate and thank Allah for the strength he gave them to complete Sawm.

Id ul Ghadeer: (Shia ONLY)

It is celebrated to remember the leader Ali being made the successor of Muhammad*, therefore is NOT celebrated
by Sunni Muslims. Shi’a Muslims believe that Muhammad announced Ali as the next leader of Islam and at that point
Allah made Islam perfect.

They celebrate by sharing food with the poor and fasting.

Ashurah:

Sunni Muslims look at Ashura as a day of “respect and gratitude” (for Prophet Musa and his nation), while Shia
Muslims believe that day to be a day of mourning and sorrow.

Based on the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad*, Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura as the day when Prophet Moses
(Musa) fasted on that day because Allah saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. They also remember when
Nuh left the Ark.

Shia Muslims’ observance of Ashura is different altogether. They observe Ashura as the day of martyrdom of
Husseini, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala. Shia Muslims, therefore, consider this a day
of sorrow and observe it as such by refraining from music, listening to sorrowful poetic recitations, wearing
mourning attire, and refraining from all joyous events (e.g. weddings) that in anyway distract them from the
sorrowful remembrance of that day

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