- Muslims share some prophets with Christians and Jews including Abraham and Moses.
- The Tawid is the concept that there is only one God, Allah, and he is unique. The first assertion of the Shahada, the Islamic creed, is that there is only one God.
- Akhirah refers to the afterlife that Muslims believe in, and to the Day of Judgement when all people will be judged by God.
- The Qur’an is the name of the most important holy text. Muslims believe that the angel Jibril (Gabriel) revealed the word of Allah to Muhammad. The Hadith is a collection of the sayings of Muhammad which are used to help with interpretation of the Qur’an. The Sunnah is a text describing the actions and beliefs of Muhammad and is used by Muslims as a guide to life and to interpreting the Qur’an
- The two main denominations in Islam are Sunni and Shi’ah. The origins of the split date back to the death of Muhammad when there was a dispute about who should succeed him as Caliph (leader) of Islam.
- The Five Pillars are the five main Islamic practices that Muslims must adhere to fulfil their religious obligations. They are the Shahadah (profession of faith), the Salah (daily prayers), the Zakah (giving of alms), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
- Mosques include a Minbar (pulpit) a Mihrab (indicating the direction of Mecca) and a Minaret (tower). A Muezzin, calls the times of prayer from the top of the Minaret
- Eid ul Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan and Eid ul Adha is the festival celebrated at the end of the Hajj.
- Observant Muslims only eat meat slaughtered according to the rules of Halal.
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Test it!
1) What is a monotheistic religion? Name three.
2) Name three prophets recognised by Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
3) What are the Tawid, Risalah and Akhirah?
4) What caused the original split between Sunni and Shi’ah Muslims?
5) How do Muslims observe Ramadan?
6) Name three important features of a Mosque.
7) What are the five pillars?
8) What does the Eid ul Adha festival commemorate?
9) What is Sadaqah?
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