Islam

1. Islam Preliminary Course Revision

2. Principal Beliefs Students learn about: The articles of faith explained in the Aqida as: • Tawhid • Angels • Books of Allah • Rusul • Akhira • Fate/predestination

3. Principal Beliefs 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

4. Articles of Faith 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

5. Articles of Faith 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

6. Articles of Faith Rusul • These are the prophets of Allah, 28 in total • Muhammad is the final prophet Akhira • Life after death - Everybody will be judged by Allah according to their actions on earth. • Reward is Heaven, Punishment is Hell Fate/Predestination • Nothing will happen without the will and knowledge of Allah • Everybody is given free will as a gift from Allah

7. Sacred Texts & Writings Students learn to: Identify the importance of: • the Qur’an • the Hadith Examine extracts from the Qur’an and Hadith which demonstrate the principal beliefs of Islam

8. 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

9. Hadith & Sunna • 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

10. Core Ethical Teachings 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: • halal • haraam

11. Definitions Jurisprudence • Jurisprudence is the system of laws applied in a particular country 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)

12. Process of Islamic Jurisprudence • Qur’an • Hadith & Sunna • Ijma’ • Qiyas

13. Categories of behaviour in Shari'ah Halal - things that are allowed, permitted or lawful, e.g. praying five times daily • 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

14. Expression of Faith Students learn about: • the Five Pillars as the expression of the faith of Islam Students learn to: • outline each of the Five Pillars

15. Five Pillars of Faith 1 - 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

16. Five Pillars of Faith 2 - 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

17. Five Pillars of Faith 3 - Zakat • Charity (almsgiving) • 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

18. Five Pillars of Faith 4 - 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

19. Five Pillars of Faith 5 - 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

20. Practice Questions • Ethics Outline the effect of the Islamic ethical system on the lives of believers (5) • Tawhid Explain the concept of Tawhid as a principal belief of Islam (5) • Muhammad Discuss how Muhammad is the model for Muslim life (5)