Religious Studies

Islam Revision Guide

Name: _____________________________________
Islam – Beliefs

Islam – beliefs

Section 1: Foundations of faith Section 4: Malikah (Angels)

❑ The difference between Sunni and Shi’a ❑ The importance of Angels
Islam ❑ Jibrils revelation of the Qur’an to
❑ The Six Articles of Sunni Islam Muhmmad
❑ The Five roots of Usul as-Din in Shi’a ❑ Mika’il in charge of nature
Islam ❑ Israfil’s role on the Day of
Resurrection
Section 2: The nature of Allah ❑ The different in Sunni and Shi’a
Islam regarding angels and freewill
❑ Tawhid: The oneness of God
❑ The attributes of God
❑ Adalat in Shi’a Islam Section 5: Kutub (Holy books)
❑ The Qur’an
Section 3: Risalah (Prophethood) ❑ Books of the Prophets
❑ The life of Muhammad ❑ The Hadith and Sunnah
❑ The importance of prophets ❑ Shariah Law
❑ Adam as the first prophet
❑ Ibrahim as a father of Isaac and Ishma’il Section 6: Akhirah (Afterlife)
❑ Isa a prophet for Muslims ❑ Al-Qadr (predestination)
❑ Beliefs about the after life
❑ The Day of Judgement
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Foundations of faith

The Ummah
The ummah is the
worldwide community of
Muslims. Within the ummah
all Muslims are equal,
whatever their language,
culture or nationality. There
is great diversity across the
Islamic world. There is no
one, single pattern for what
it means to be a Muslim, but
there are certain
fundamentals they all hold
to. The central belief for
Muslims is that there is one
God (Allah) who has
revealed his divine
teachings to the Prophet
Muhammad, in the Qur’an.

The Sunni and Shi’a split

Who are they?
One of the major divisions within Islam is the split between Sunni and Shi’a. Sunnis form the majority of
Muslims in the world today (87–90 per cent); they live in the countries of North Africa, the Middle East, South
Asia and Indonesia. The remaining 10–13 per cent of Muslims today are from the Shi’a community (although
only about 5 per cent of British Muslims are Shi’as). Shi’as live mainly in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and India. Sunnis
and Shi’as have coexisted for centuries, living peaceably side by side, often worshipping together in the same
mosques, sometimes intermarrying. Although they share most central beliefs, they do have significant
differences in the way they understand religious truth, laws and practices.
Why is there a split?
Soon after the death of Prophet Muhammad a dispute arose over who should lead the emerging Muslim
community. Abu Bakr had been a close companion of the Prophet and a large group of believers chose him to
become the new Khalifah (leader). After Abu Bakr’s death Umar became the leader, then Uthman and then Ali.
These four leaders have come to be known as the Rightly Guided Khalifahs and Sunni Muslims accept that they
were God’s appointed leaders. However, there was a smaller group who believed that Ali, the cousin and son -in-
law of Muhammad, should have become the first Khalifah. It was their belief that the Prophet Muhammad had
chosen and appointed Ali as his successor and they rejected the leadership of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman. They
were angry that Ali had been overlooked and when Ali was later murdered, they began to separate themselves,
calling themselves the Shi’a (the House of Ali). They believe that the Prophet Muhammad appointed 12
successors (Imams) from his own descendants, who are known as the Ahl al -Bayt, ‘the Family of the House’ of
Muhammad. Shi’as believe that:
Sunnis believe that:
▶ God guided the Prophet Muhammad to
▶ Religious guidance can only come from God through
appoint Ali as his successor.
the Qur’an and the Hadith. Together these holy books
▶ The leadership of the Muslim community has
form the Shari’ah, Islamic law.
continued through Imams who are divinely
▶ There should be no religious hierarchy. Imams are not
appointed from descendants in Muhammad’s
holy figures appointed by God. They are simply good
family.
teachers and leaders and should be chosen through
▶ The last Imam will appear at the end of the
agreement among the local community.
world as the Mahdi (the Chosen One who will
▶ The new leader after Muhammad died should only be
bring justice to the world).
men that the Prophet Muhammad had most trusted
▶ The new leader after Muhammad died should
while he was alive.
have only come from his bloodline
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Foundations of faith

The Six Articles of Faith

Sunni

For Sunni Muslims there are six central

beliefs, or articles of faith, which define
their understanding of God.

This teaching can be found in the Hadith,

where Muhammad is recorded as saying:
‘You must believe in Allah, his angels, his
holy books, his messengers, in the Last
Day and in fate (both in its good and in its
evil aspects).’ Hadith

Although these six beliefs are central to

the Islamic faith they are not the only
important beliefs. Others include: the
jihad and submission to the will of God.

The Five roots of Religion

Shi’a
Shi’a Islam emphasises the importance of five
fundamental principles which are sometimes
called the ‘roots of religion’. Every individual
must make themselves aware of these truths as
the foundation of their faith.
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices The nature of Allah

The nature of God

The single most important belief in Islam is Tawhid, the oneness and unity of God. There is one God (Allah)
who is the universal God of all humanity. Muslims believe that God is:

➢ Immanent: God is always close by. The Qur’an says that ‘God is closer to each one of us than the veins in
our necks’ (50:16)
➢ Transcendent: God is beyond all things, not
limited by the rules of nature.
➢ Omniscient: God has all knowledge, nothing can
be hidden from him.
➢ Beneficent: God is always kind; he loves us.
➢ Merciful: God is always fair; he forgives us if we
are sorry.
➢ Judge: on the last day, God will be our judge.
➢ Creator: God is the beginning; he is the cause of
all that exists.
The 99 names of God
In Islam, God is not to be confused with any living
creature; he is beyond all things and cannot be
pictured as a physical being. God is outside our
human understanding, but for Muslims he lies at Al-Fatihah, the opening
the very centre of everything they think and do.
The al-Fatihah is the first surah (chapter) in the Qur’an. It
So, how do Muslims ‘see’ God? The Qur’an and
means ‘the opening’, and many Muslims learn to recite it
the Hadith have many different ‘names’ for God, from memory in their daily prayers. It tells Muslims
not as a person, but using words that describe his about the attributes of God.
qualities and attributes. They use names like:
King, Protector, Wise, Eternal, Light, etc. These are known as the 99 beautiful names of God. In fact, there are
different lists of these names, recorded through different traditions of Muslims, but reciting these names has
been a powerful form of prayer for Muslims through the centuries.
The sin of shirk
Islam warns of the sin of shirk. This is when a person worships something else other than God. There is one
God and there can be no pictures to represent him. Muslims must worship the true God, not the image of him,
created by human hands. The prophets bring the word of God, but they are only human; God is divine. For
most Muslims, it is a sin of ‘shirk’ to show a picture of the Prophet Muhammad.

The characteristics of Allah

➢ The immanent (Al-Baatin) – God is close to humans. No being can live without him and he is present in all
things. He is present in human activity, including prayer. This is how Muslims can communicate with him
directly.
➢ The Transcendent (Al-Muta’ali) – Allah is above and beyond the material universe. He is responsible for the
creation of all things, with no helpers. He is outside of space and time, separate from the universes he has
made.
➢ The Omnipotent (Al-Jabbar) – Allah has absolute power over all things. He is in complete control over
everything that happens with no dependence upon anyone or anything. This implies his omniscience
(knowledge over all things) and his infinite, limitless existence. Allah’s powers ensure that the only things that
happen are according to his will.
➢ The Beneficent (Ar-Rahman) – this name appears in a blessing known as the bismillah, which begins almost
every chapter in the Qur’an. Allah acts for the benefit of humanity. He gives us messages through prophets to
support us and provide us with everything we need to be khalifahs (guardians) of his creation.
➢ The merciful (Ar Rahim) – All is compassionate, He forgives those who makes mistakes. He punishes those that
gets things wrong but accepts repentance.
➢ The Just (Al-Adl) – Allah sent the message of Islam to everyone so al can have the chance to enter paradise. He
treats all equal and will punish to reward them justly for their behaviour. He is consistent and fair in his actions.
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Risalah (prophethood)

Risalah: Prophethood
The channel of communication between God and humanity is called risalah; the
prophets are our guides. They are human beings chosen to carry guidance from God to people, but their wisdom
does not come from within themselves; it comes from God. In the Qur’an it says:
‘And We have already sent messengers before you and assigned to them wives and descendants. And it
was not for a messenger to come with a sign except by permission of God . For every term is a decree.’
Qur’an 13:38
The Qur’an teaches that every community has been given its own prophet, bringing God’s message in a book.
The message brought by the Prophet Muhammad is essentially the same message as had been preached by all
the prophets back to Adam: the need to worship the one, true God, who will be the judge of all.

Key figures in Islam

Islam teaches that God has sent many prophets throughout history; 25
of them are mentioned by name in the Qur’an, going right back to the
creation of the world. Many of these prophets are characters from the
Jewish and Christian scriptures (what Christians refer to as the Bible).
However, Islam teaches that, over the centuries, the messages from
these prophets have either been lost or become corrupted, so there
was a need for a final revelation. Muhammad is known as the Seal of
the Prophets, because his revelation of the Qur’an was God’s final and
absolute word.

Muslim tradition says that, in total, there have been around 124,000
prophets and that, once a prophet had been called by God, he lived a
sinless life. Muslim authors put PBUH (peace and blessings be upon
him) after a prophet’s name to show them a deep level of respect. In
Islam the major prophets (apart from Muhammad) are: Adam, Ibrahim,
Musa, Dawud, and Isa.

‘People, no prophet or messenger will come after me,

and no new faith will emerge.’ Muhammad’s last
sermon’ (Hadith)

Adam Musa
Adam is said to be the father of the human race.
According to the Qur’an, God formed Adam from
Musa (Moses) is remembered by
a handful of soil of many colours. This represents Muslims as one of the most
the diversity of people on earth. significant prophets.

Eve was created from Adam’s rib and they lived The teachings of Ibrahim had been
together in paradise. They were commanded not forgotten and his book lost, so a
to eat from a particular tree, but the devil was new prophet had to be sent. Musa
able to convince them to taste its fruit. As a result, led the Israelites out of slavery in
they were banished to earth. However, Adam Egypt and into the Promised Land.
confessed his sin and was forgiven, becoming the Islam teaches that he was given the
first prophet. Muslims believe that Adam was
word of God, known as the Tawrat
created as God’s ‘khalifah’ (his representative on
(Torah), but the people were
earth). It was to be his job to rule in the place of
God. Tradition says that he built the first Ka’ba in disobedient and the message
Makkah. became distorted.
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Risalah (prophethood)

Ibrahim
Ibrahim (Abraham) is regarded as a hanif. This means that he had an inner knowledge that there is really only
one true God. For this reason, he is seen as the greatest of the prophets before Isa (Jesus). He was born into a
family of polytheists, but he rejected these beliefs in favour of monotheism and became a Muslim (one who
bows down to God).

‘Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to God
]. And he was not of the polytheists.’ Qur’an 3:67

Ibrahim had two sons who were both prophets: Ishma’il (the prophet to the Arabs) and Ishaq (the prophet to the
Jews). For Muslims, Ishma’il is the more important, because he is an ancestor to Muhammad.

(Ishma’il’s mother) as she ran between the hills of Al-Safa and Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets, because,
when you put a seal on something you close it up. It is the fi nal act, showing that nothing more can be added.
Ka’ba known as the House of God, the black covered, cube-shaped building at the centre of Islam’s holiest
mosque in Makkah. Polytheism belief in many gods. ‘To every people was sent an apostle.’ Qur’an 10:47 236 7
Islam: Beliefs and teachings Al-Marwah in search of water. They also remember how God instructed Ibrahim to
sacrifice Ishma’il. When Satan tried to tempt Ibrahim to disobey God, telling him to refuse to sacrifi ce his son,
Ibrahim drove the evil one away by throwing stones at him.

There is a tradition that God revealed a holy book to Ibrahim, known as ‘the scrolls of Ibrahim’ or the ‘ Sahifah’.
The Qur’an mentions this book, but no record remains of it today.

Isa
Isa is the Islamic name for Jesus. Apart from Muhammad, Isa (Jesus) and his mother Maryam (Mary) are the
most prominent figures in the Qur’an. It recognises Isa as a prophet and as a successor to Moses. He was given
the Injil (Gospel) and he performed miracles. However, Muslims deny the Christian teaching of the Trinity and
reject the belief that Isa is God. They say God is ‘one’ not ‘three’.
‘We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus … signs (miracles)
and strengthened him with the holy spirit.’ Qur’an 3:87

The Qur’an teaches that, although it appeared as if Isa (Jesus) had been crucifi ed, in fact he did not die. God
could not allow evil men to triumph over his prophet in such a way. Instead, Isa was taken up to heaven and will
reappear in the second coming when God judges the world.
‘And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them.’ Qur’an
4:157

Muhammad: The last and greatest prophet

Muslims believe that through history, God has communicated to humans through revelations and the last and
greatest of these revelations was given to the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad did not come from a rich
family and it is likely that he could not read or write. He was not a learned man or a scholar, but he was very
devout. He would take himself off for days to meditate in a cave in the desert, seeking God. Muslims believe
that God chose Muhammad as a prophet because he was a humble, honest man; a man he could trust with
such a special message. Islam teaches that Muhammad is the last and the greatest prophet, sent by God. He is a
role model for Muslims because of the moral and prayerful way he lived his life. Unlike Jesus he performed no
miracles; he was born, lived and died an ordinary man, but Muslims see him as the perfect example of a human
being.
Muhammad did not write the Qur’an from his own words; he was the channel through which God spoke. Islam
makes a clear distinction between the divine revelation of the Qur’an and the human words of the Prophet
Muhammad, which are preserved in the Hadith.
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Risalah (prophethood)

The life of Muhammad

➢ Muhammad was born in Makkah (in Arabia) in 570 CE, but by the age of six he had become an orphan. In his
twenties he entered the service of a wealthy merchant named Khadijah and he so impressed her with his
honesty and character that Khadijah proposed marriage. They married and had four daughters, and two sons
(who sadly died in infancy).
➢ As he grew older, Muhammad began to feel troubled by the corruption and cruelty he saw in Makkah. He
believed that the worship of idols by the people of Makkah was wrong and that there was really only one
true God.
➢ He started to spend more time alone in prayer and one night, in the year 610 CE, while he was praying in a
cave near Makkah he had an experience that would change his life. As he sat meditating, the Angel Jibril
appeared before him and ordered him to recite the words that had miraculously appeared before him.
Muslims call this event Laylat-ul-Qadr, the Night of Power and they remember it today on the 27th day of
Ramadan. It is one of the holiest days of the Muslim year.
➢ These revelations were to continue for the next 23 years, until Muhammad’s death. He did not always see
the Angel Jibril; sometimes he heard a voice speaking to him; sometimes these revelations took place while
he was in prayer, at other times when he was going about his everyday life.
➢ The message Prophet Muhammad brought to the people of Makkah was: there is one true God, Lord of
goodness and power, we need to show thanks to God through worship and there will be a judgement day
where God will judge our lives. Many in Makkah did not receive this message well; he was ridiculed and
insulted. However, some did follow him and they became known as ‘Muslims’.
➢ In the years following his first revelation, Prophet Muhammad gained some followers in Makkah, but his
ideas also angered many. Makkah was a centre for pagan pilgrims who came to worship the idols in the
Ka’ba, bringing great wealth to the city. Muhammad began preaching openly that the worship of idols
offends God and that these idols were no more than useless bits of wood and stone. His message, that God
is merciful, but that there will also be a Day of Judgement caused many to turn against him and threaten
violence. For nearly ten years Prophet Muhammad struggled to gain converts in Makkah, with little success
and then tragedy struck: two of his closest supporters, his uncle and his wife Khadijah, died. This was a
devastating blow.
➢ Not long after, while teaching in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad was approached by some pilgrims from
Yathrib, a city some distance to the north. They were impressed with his message and invited him to visit, to
judge their community disputes. He agreed and sent some of his followers ahead of him. Now, as he planned
to leave, it became clear that his life was in danger; there were people plotting to kill him. Ali insisted on
staying behind in Makkah, to act as a decoy, while Muhammad made the treacherous journey. This
migration of Muhammad from Makkah to Yathrib is known as the Hijrah. It marks the start of the Muslim
calendar. Ali was Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. Shi’a Muslims refer to him as the first Imam
and look to Ali as Muhammad’s rightful successor.
Story continued..
Islam – Beliefs Islam PracticesRisalah (prophethood)/Malaikah (angels)
The life of Muhammad
➢ Prophet Muhammad was welcomed into Yathrib, where he came to be seen not just as a prophet, but also
as a political leader and military commander. He became the city’s ruler and it was renamed Madinah (City
of the Prophet). For the next ten years he worked to unite the different communities. There were a number
of Jewish tribes in Madinah and he had expected them to become Muslims. However, many rejected
Prophet Muhammad’s belief that the revelations he received were from the same God that they
worshipped. They refused to believe that they should now turn towards Makkah to pray (instead of
Jerusalem) and that they should fast during Ramadan. Some of these Jewish tribes in Madinah began to plot
against Muhammad and so he was forced to expel them from the city. By 630 CE he had gained enough
support across Arabia to march on Makkah with an army of 10,000 men. Faced with this overwhelming
force, the rulers of the city conceded defeat and opened the gates. Makkah was taken without the shedding
of a drop of blood and the Ka’ba was cleansed of idols and re-dedicated to Allah.
➢ In 630 CE Muhammad and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies
and established Islam as a permanent religion. Muhammad was now accepted as the final and true prophet
of God. He continued to lead his community until his death in 632 CE.

Malaikah: Angels
Islam teaches that angels are heavenly, immortal beings, God’s first creation. According to the Qur’an, humans
were formed from clay, but angels were made out of light. They are God’s messengers, the channels through
which we can become aware of his laws and his purposes in our lives. They are God’s servants and they can take
on many forms to carry out his commands, but unlike humans they have no free will. They are without sin and so
they are able to enter into God’s divine presence, but they can also communicate with humans.

Muslims believe that, although angels are invisible, they exist everywhere, throughout the whole universe. They
are never far away and they are always in contact with humans, especially when someone prays or thinks about
God. They have no physical bodies, but the Qur’an describes them as having wings and they are always
described as male.
In the Islamic tradition there are countless angels, but the Qur’an and the Hadith mention some by name. These
are:
➢ Jibril (Gabriel) is the angel of revelation. He is the archangel who is
responsible for revealing the Qur’an to Muhammad and brings
messages to God’s chosen ones.
➢ Mika’il (Michael) is the archangel responsible for keeping the devil
out of heaven and protecting faithful worshippers. He brings
sustenance for the body and soul and rainfall for the earth, to water
the land.
➢ Israfil (Raphael) is the archangel who will blow the trumpet on the
Day of Judgement to announce the resurrection of all from the dead.
➢ Azrail is the archangel that takes souls at death.
➢ Raqib and Atid are the angels referred to in the Qur’an as the ‘noble
recorders’. They sit, one on each shoulder, noting down our good
and bad deeds, to be read from the book on the last day.
➢ Munkar and Nakir are the two terrifying, judging angels who will
question each person after their death, testing their faith.
Too see more information on each angel use page 152-153 in the pink textbook

Muslims believe in angels because they are told to in the Qur’an:

‘The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them
have believed in God and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinctions
between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to
You is the [final] destination.”’ Qur’an 2:285
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Malaikah (angels)/Sharia Law

Jibril
Jibril (Gabriel) is described in some hadiths as the most important archangel. He is mentioned by name in the
Qur’an, where he is also referred to as the Holy Spirit. Jibril is the angel of revelation. The message of Allah that
he brings is the path to Jannah and a good life.

Jibril appears in various forms to Muhammad and revealed each verse of the Qur’an to him. Sometimes he
appeared as a handsome disciple, sometimes a desert traveler. At other times, only his voice was heard.

Jibril also appeared to Maryam (Mary) and foretold the first of Isa (Jesus). He is also said to have appeared to
Adam and Musa.
Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Whoever is an enemy of Gabriel should know that he revealed this ˹Quran˺ to your
heart by Allah’s Will, confirming what came before it—a guide and good news for the believers.”
Qur’an 2:97

Mika’il
Mika’il (Michael) is an archangel who provides everything needed for life on earth. He brings the seasons, rain,
wind and thunder to earth. He sustains life in troubled times and oversees the angels responsible for the laws
of nature. Mika’il is known as the Angel of mercy. He protects the souls of the faithful, keeping Shaytan out of
heaven and asking Allah to forgive peoples sins.

Mika’il is mentioned once in the Qur’an and is spoken of in the hadiths. Some believe he was one of three
angels who visited Ibrahim to announce that his wife, Sarah, would gibe birth to Ishaq (Issac)

Israfil
Israfil (Raphael/Uriel) is the archangel commissioned to blow the trumpet that will announce the end of time
when everyone will die. He will sound it again on the Day of Judgement, to announce people’s resurrection.
Israfil means ‘burning one’. He is mentioned in several hadiths and is it said that he is always ready, with a
trumpet at his lips, waiting for Allah’s command.

Sharia law Sharia law is Islam's legal system - which is based on the Quran and the rulings of Islamic
scholars - and acts as a code of conduct for modern Muslims to adhere to, ensuring they
abide by God's wishes in all areas of life from daily routines to personal beliefs.
➢ The word ‘sharia’ means ‘straight
path’.
➢ Sharia law is the law of Islam. It
sets the code of law for Islamic
living.
➢ Both Sunnis and Shi’as have
similar interpretations of Sharia
law.
➢ Sharia law is based on both
the Qur’an and the Sunnah. These
are its main sources.
➢ Sharia law governs a Muslim
person’s whole life as it is based
on revelation from God.
➢ For Muslims, Sharia law applies
the insight of the Qur’an to new
situations and it explains to them
how to properly obey Allah.
Islam – Beliefs Islam PracticesKutub (Holy books)/Akhirah (The after life)
Islamic holy books

Akhirah: The after life

God weighs our deeds

God judges each person’s actions, but intentions (niyyah which means done with
honest intention to worship God) are also taken into consideration.

➢ If the person has the intention to do a good deed, but was unable to carry it
out, this is counted as a good deed.
➢ If they intended and carried out a good deed, this is counted as ten good deeds.
➢ If the person intended a bad deed, but did not do it, that is counted as a good
deed.
➢ If they intended and carried out a bad deed, God records that as one bad deed.
Islam – Beliefs Islam Practices Akhirah (The after life)

Al-Qadr
Islam teaches that God is responsible for all things and that he has a divine plan for all of us (al -Qadr). God has a
masterplan; everything that happens is predestined to take place; it is all part of his design. He is the cause of all
things and the whole of creation is under his control. God knows all things in the greatest detail, with accuracy
that we, as humans, could never imagine.
Muslims believe that we can never know the reasons behind the universe, but that it is all part of a larger picture.
God is the all knowing one; his knowledge is complete and perfect. He even knows the secrets of our hearts.

Insha’ Allah, if God is willing

Muslims believe that things which some people might call coincidences
are, in fact, part of God’s plan. The word insha’Allah expresses the belief
that all events are outside our own control; they are in the hands of God.
When a Muslim says insha’Allah they are acknowledging that they are in
submission to God. They will only succeed in their own plans if God is
also willing to make it happen.

‘And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,” except

[when adding], “If God wills.” And remember your Lord when you
forget [it] and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer
than this to right conduct.”’ Qur’an 18:23–4

Freewill
Islam teaches that we all have free will and God will hold us accountable for
our decisions on the Day of Judgement. Humans are not puppets or robots;
we have the ability to choose right from wrong. God wants us to follow the
‘straight path’, but it is up to us to make the right choices. Central to Islamic
thought is the idea that life is a test and we need to learn how to turn away
from evil.
Can good come out of suffering?
If all things are part of the will of God, then that must include suffering,
pain, diseases and disasters. It is easy to see how good can come out of
things which cause us suffering, like training to run a marathon, but harder
to understand how hurricanes and wars can be seen in a positive way. Islam
teaches that painful experiences need to be viewed as opportunities for our
own growth as human beings.

Adalat in Shi’a Islam

All Muslims believe that Allah is infinitely just ‘Adalat’ means justice, and Muslims must accept Allah’s justice
even if they cannot understand his infinite wisdom. Shi’a Muslims believe that Allah’s justice is absolute and
on the Day of Judgement he will judge all people according to his objective moral framework. The is one of
the five roots of religion in Shi’a Islam.

For Allah to judge people justly for their behaviour, they must have free will to perform morally good or bad
actions. Therefore, Shi’a Muslims do not accept predestination. They believe it would not be just for Allah to
send someone to Jannah or Jahannam for something they could not control. Humans can understand correct
behaviour by reading the Qur’an, listening to the prophets and following Shariah law. If they choose to act
correct through their fere will, they will be rewarded justly.

Sunni Muslims agree that Allah is just, but they accept predestination. They argue that while Allah judges'
people on their moral choices, he has complete power over all human action.
Islam – Practices

Islam – practices

Section 3: Jihad
Section 1: The Five Pillars of ❑ Greater Jihad
Sunni Islam ❑ Lesser Jihad
❑ Shahadah - Creed ❑ Misconceptions in the media
❑ Salah – prayer about Jihad
❑ Zakah – charity
❑ Sawm – fasting Section 4: Festivals
❑ Hajj – pilgrimage ❑ Id-ul-Adah: The festival of
sacrifice
Section 2: The Ten Obligatory ❑ Id-ul-Fitr: The festival of fast
breaking following ramadam
Acts of Shi’a Islam
❑ Ashura: The day of
❑ The differences in Sunni and Shi’a
Remembrance (Shi’a_
practices
❑ The Night of Power: Qur’an
revelation
Islam – Practices Islam Practices The Five Pillars

Ibadah: For Muslims, actions

speak louder than words and it
is not enough just to have faith
in God; they believe it is
necessary to show religious
commitment through the way
they live their entire lives.
Niyyah: The right intention to
worship God. Muslims believe
that it is important to have
God consciousness (taqwa).
They may not always be in the
right mood to worship God, or
they may feel unworthy to
meet him, but when praying it
is important to dedicate that
time to being in his presence.

The Five Pillars Sunni Islam teaches that all Muslims have a duty to worship God by following the Five
Pillars. These actions are all ibadah, acts of worship carried out with the intention of
obeying God.
Shahadah: the declaration of faith which says ‘There is no god
but God and Muhammad is his prophet’
Salah: prayer, five times a day

Sawm: fasting
Hajj: pilgrimage during the month of
to Makkah.
Ramadan

Zakah: charity, giving money to the poor.

By following these rules, they can show their obedience to the will of God. The Shari’ah (Islamic law) sets out
the Five Pillars as religious duties; they are seen as practical signs which demonstrate true submission to the
divine creator.
They must be carried out with niyyah, the true intention to submit to the will of God. Muslims say that there
can be no doubt that they have been instructed by God to complete the Five Pillars: the Qur’an contains many
references as to their importance and, in his last sermon, Prophet Muhammad makes clear mention of them.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices The Five Pillars

Shahadah Salah
What is it? What is it?
The first pillar of Islam is the For Muslims, prayer is the most
Shahadah. It declares that ‘there important way to worship God. It is a
is no god but God, and duty for all Muslims to pray five times
Muhammad is the prophet of a day. Muhammad called prayer the
God’. This statement forms the ‘pillar of religion’ and it reminds them
central support for the ‘House to give thanks for God’s blessings and
How do they practice it?
of Islam’: the other four pillars of the importance of submitting to
For Muslims, the words of the
are all outward expressions of God’s will. It is a physical, mental and
Shahadah are heard throughout the
this deeply held belief. spiritual activity that draws believers
day in countless aspects of their
lives. They are announced in the close to God.
adhan (the call to prayer) from the Both the Qur’an and the Hadith
minaret in the mosque and recited contain Prophet Muhammad’s night
in each of the five daily prayers. journey. In the story, Muhammad is
These words are also known as the woken from his sleep and taken on a
Kalimah prayer. They are the first winged horse to Jerusalem and then
words whispered into a new-born up through seven levels of heaven, to
baby’s ear and, if possible, they are the very presence of God. Here, God
the last words a dying Muslim hears reveals to Prophet Muhammad that
on their death-bed. Muslim soldiers Muslims must pray continuously, 50
have these words on their lips as times a day. Worship must be a
they go into battle. constant presence throughout life.
However, Moses intervenes and says
this is too much and eventually it was
agreed that there must be five prayer
times each day.

How do they practice it?

Preparation for prayer is vital because coming into the presence of God requires a
deep sense of respect and reverence. Prayer begins with a declaration of intent
(niyyah). It must be a deliberate act, to set aside a few minutes to focus on God and
enter into a state of ‘God consciousness’. This allows Muslims to concentrate on
God’s greatness, to thank and praise him and ask for his forgiveness.

Wudu: Before starting to pray, Muslims must practise wudu,

washing specific parts of the body: hands, mouth, nose,
face, arms, head and feet in a particular order. This is an
outward sign of the inner cleanliness needed to face God.
The aims of prayer The aims of prayer are:
▶ as a constant reminder of the presence of God
▶ to show submission to the will of God
▶ to cleanse away the corruption of the world
▶ to unite all
Muslims
▶ to bring about
peace in the world
▶ to remove sins,
just as water
removes dirt
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices The Five Pillars

Zakah Sawm
What is it? What is it?
the practice of charity, giving money to the poor. All The practice of fasting during the month of
Muslims are expected to be charitable as a regular duty, Ramadan. For many Muslims, it is the holiest
giving 2.5 per cent of their wealth every year. They can month of the year, being a time dedicated to
be sure that God will reward them for their acts of self-discipline and spiritual reflection. Ramadan
giving. holds a special place in the Muslim calendar,
because it is believed to be the month in which
Why do Muslims give Zakah?
the Prophet Muhammad received the first
- The Qur’an makes a clear command: to give to those
verses of the Qur’an, revealed to him by God.
in need, to widows, orphans and travellers.
- They want to protect the ummah by lessening the gap The fast:
between rich and poor. Fasting is the
- According to Islam, our wealth and our property are deliberate control
not ours; wealth is given to us by God, for the benefit of the body and
of all humans. It is our duty to share the good fortune Muslims are
that we have received, not to hoard it and spend it expected to
purely for selfish reasons. refrain from
During Ramadan, Muslims
- The Qur’an teaches that humans are khalifahs (God’s eating, drinking
gather at the mosque for
(including water),
representatives on earth). This means that we are extra night prayers. This
smoking and
stewards or trustees of the world; we do not own it, includes the recitation of a
sexual intercourse
we are looking after it in trust, for God, to hand it on section of the Qur’an each
from dawn to
to our children and to future generations. Therefore, dusk for the day, so that by the end of
we should not view our possessions as our own; they period of 29/30 the month the whole
are on loan to us from God, so we do not have the days. They must Qur’an has been recited. All
absolute right to spend our money as we choose. also abstain from Muslims should try to
- The practice of giving Zakah began when Prophet evil thoughts, attend the mosque on the
Muhammad was the ruler in Madinah. After the first harmful actions 27th day of Ramadan to
battles, there were many orphans and widows and and unkind celebrate Laylat-ul-Qadr,
the prophet instructed people to care for all those in speech. the night of power. This is
need. remembered as the date of
the first revelation of the
Qur’an, when the Angel
Jibril first visited Prophet
How should Zakah be spent? Muhammad.
The Qur’an identifies a number of people who can
receive Zakah: the poor, the needy and travellers. Today Why do Muslims fast?
there are many Muslim aid agencies that distribute ▶ is commanded in the Qur’an by God follows the
Zakah to support development in community projects in example of the Prophet Muhammad (Sunnah)
▶ follows the example of the Prophet Muhammad
areas such as: water supply, sanitation, healthcare and
(Sunnah)
education.
▶ celebrates the fact that God has given humans
the Qur’an
▶ brings people closer to God
▶ is a reminder of the mercy and blessings of God
▶ helps Muslims to identify with the poor
▶ promotes self control
▶ helps to recharge spiritual batteries
▶ unites Muslim communities (ummah).
God has instructed all adult Muslims to fast
during Ramadan. Children, from quite a young
Sadaqah: giving from the heart age, often begin to fast for just a few days in the
It is a duty for all Muslims to pay Zakah once a year, but Islam month. According to the Qur’an, if someone is ill
also teaches that voluntary giving is important too. Sadaqah is or travelling they are exempt from fasting,
any good deed done out of compassion or generosity; it could although they would be expected to make up
be a gift of time, helping others or a donation to a charity. the days at a later time.
Islam – Practices Islam Practices The Five Pillars

Hajj
The pilgrimage to Makkah. This is the only pillar of Islam that Muslims don’t have to perform. It is compulsory for
those who are able to make the journey, but the Qur’an only commands it as a duty for those who:
- have enough money to leave their homes for a lengthy period
- are physically and mentally fit enough to carry out this demanding ritual.
The importance of Makkah
It is considered by Muslims to be the holiest city on earth. Because it is the
city of God it has immense spiritual significance in Islam. Muslims believe
that it is here that:
▶ Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) was commanded by God, in a dream, to
sacrifice his son, Isma’il.
▶ Ibrahim overcame a test when the devil appeared, trying to trick him into
denying God’s word. Ibrahim threw stones to drive the devil away.
▶ Ibrahim’s wife, Hajar, searched frantically for water in the desert.
Miraculously an angel showed her the Zamzam well.
▶ Ibrahim built the Ka’ba as a place of worship to the one, true God.
▶ Prophet Muhammad was born.
▶ Prophet Muhammad received the fi rst revelations from God.
▶ Prophet Muhammad returned before his death to reclaim the city for God.
The route of the Hajj pilgrimage takes believers to the sacred sites where
many of these events are said to have taken place.
Day 1:
- Ihram: When the pilgrims
arrive in the city of Makkah
they enter a state of mind What do Muslims do on Hajj?
called ihram. Whilst in the
state of ihram Muslims must Day 3:
dedicate themselves to prayer Mina
and purity, Muslim men wear - Stoning the Devil: The
two white sheets to symbolise pilgrims throw their
pebbles at three
purity and to show that all are stone pillars,
equal in the sight of preferably before
Allah.From this point on midday. Stoning the
Muslims are not allowed to, pillar symbolizes
rejecting evil, as when
use any perfume, have sex, Ibrahim was tempted
cut hair or nails or kill any by the Devil when he
living thing. was asked to sacrifice
- Tawaf: The first thing a Isma’il but didn’t.
- Sacrificing an Animal:
Muslim will do is rush to the An animal is sacrificed
Ka’aba and circle it seven on behalf of the
times in an anticlockwise pilgrims for the feast
direction whilst praying. If of Eid ul-Adha. One
Day 2: third of the meat can
they can they will touch the - Arafat: is a desert location where pilgrims be consumed, one
Black Stone, otherwise they meet and stay until sunset. Once in Arafat, third is offered as a
will point towards it. the pilgrims spend time in prayer and gift and one third
- Marwa and Safa: Next they remembrance of Allah. It is recommended distributed to the
to spend the entire time reading the Quran poor. It
run between the hills of and making special prayers to Allah. commemorates the
Marwa and Safa seven times. Muslims ask for forgiveness for sins and great act of obedience
This is called sa’i. They do this pray for all the people that they know. to Allah by the
remembering the time when Pilgrims listen to a sermon which is Prophet Ibrahim in
Hagar searched for water for broadcast on speakers and the radio. Arafat showing his
her child Isma’il. is special as it was where the prophet willingness to sacrifice
- Zamzam: The pilgrims then delivered his last sermon and where his son Isma’il.
drink from the well of Muslims believe they will meet again to be - Cutting Hair: Pilgrims
judged. can now shave/trim
Zamzam. The water is said to - Muzdalifah: After sunset at Arafat pilgrims the hair, shower, and
give special blessings. At the leave to spend the night at Muzdalifah change into everyday
end of the day the pilgrims set where each pilgrim collects 49 pea-size clothes.
of on a 13 mile walk to Arafat pebbles for throwing.
in very hot temperatures.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices The Five Pillars
Hajj Id-ul-Adha: the festival of sacrifice
Day 5 Id-ul-Adha is the festival of sacrifice. It is the most
Makkah important event in the Muslim calendar and, to many,
- The pilgrims encircle the Ka'ba another 7 times. it is known as the Greater Id or the ‘Big Id’. It marks
Ihram is over and the rest of the pilgrimage has a the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and it is a
holiday feeling. chance for all Muslims, across the world, to worship
- Pilgrims will buy water from Zamzam and they dip and celebrate together. For the Hajjis/Hajjahs, who
their white ihram cloths in it. Muslims are wrapped have just completed Hajj, it is the culmination of five
in these cloths when they are buried. intense days of worship, but it is also special for those
- The black cloth which covers the Ka'ba is cut up who have been unable to travel to Makkah, who will
and sold to the pilgrims to keep as souvenirs. celebrate in their home communities.
- Muslims who have completed the pilgrimage can Ibrahim: At this time Muslims remember the story of
now be called Hajji or al-Hajj. Ibrahim, told in the Qur’an. Ibrahim was willing to
sacrifice his son, Ishma’il, to show his love for God.
Just in time he heard a voice telling him to spare his
son and sacrifice a sheep instead. Today an animal,
such as a sheep or goat is killed at Id-ul-Adha as part
The Qur’an is very clear that it is not the physical act of of the commemoration. The meat is shared among
killing an animal which is pleasing to God. What is truly family and friends, as well as being distributed to the
valuable is the personal sacrifice that each individual poor. In the story it tells how the devil came to tempt
makes in their heart, offering their life in service of God. Ibrahim, but his faith was too strong. This symbolises
how each individual has to struggle against sin, and it
It is traditional for each Muslim family or community to shows the importance of total commitment to God.
buy and sacrifice their own animal, but in Britain it is
illegal to kill an animal without a licence and most
families do not have the space and skills to keep and kill
a sheep or a goat! People may ask a butcher to slaughter
a sheep for them; they will then share it amongst family
and neighbours as a communal meal. Giving some of this
meat to the poor is a sacred duty.
Celebrations
Preparations for Id-ul-Adha It is a public holiday in some countries where there are
This is a very important occasion for Muslim families Muslim majority populations, such as Indonesia, Turkey
and communities, so preparations begin in good time: and Jordan. It is not an official holiday in the UK, but
▶ gifts are bought some Muslim organisations and businesses may close
▶ new clothes are made and Muslim children have the day off school.
▶ food is prepared in advance Celebrations include:
▶ arrangements are made for the sacrifice. ▶ going to the mosque to pray and listen to an Id prayer
▶ wearing new clothes
▶ visiting friends and relatives.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices The Ten Obligatory Acts

The Ten Obligatory Acts (Furu ad-Din) of Shi’a Islam

The Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam are known as Furu ad-Din. They are: Salah, Sawm, Hajj, zakah, Khums,
Jihad, Amr-bil-Maroof, Nahil Anril Munkar, Tawalia and Tabarra. There are some differences between these
practices and the five pillars that Sunni Muslims practice.
1. Salah (prayer)
There are five daily prayers (Salah), where Muslim's face towards the Ka’ba in Makkah (Qibla), but many
Shi’as combine these into three. These prayer times are:
➢ between dawn and sunrise
➢ just after noon
➢ at dusk, just after sunset.

They do this because they say that that Muhammad allowed the combination of prayers: Zuhr with As’r and
Maghrib with Isha.

2. Sawm (fasting)
Like Sunnis, Shi’as practise fasting (Sawm) during the month of Ramadan, but from the 20th day of
Ramadan they remember the death of Ali (son-in-law of the prophet) spending three days in mourning.

3. Hajj (pilgrimage)
Like Sunnis, Shi’as go on the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) in the 12th month of the Muslim calendar
(Dhul Hijjah). In addition to Hajj, they also make pilgrimages to Shi’a shrines and graves, in particular visiting
the grave of Husayn in Karbala (in modern-day Iraq).

4. Zakah (charity)
Like Sunnis, Shi’as make a charity (Zakah) payment of 2.5 per cent of their wealth every year. This goes to
support the poor and those in need.

5. Khums (wealth tax)

In addition to Zakah, Shi’as are expected to pay Khums, a wealth tax of 20 per cent of their savings. This
money is paid to Muslim scholars and community leaders for the welfare of the community.

6. Jihad (struggle)
Jihad is the duty to struggle against sin. For the sake of God, Muslims should fight against injustice,
removing any obstacles that might prevent people being able to worship God.
7. Amr-bil-Maroof (encouraging others to do good)
The central purpose of Islam is to create a society where people can live in peace and harmony.
Therefore, it is the duty of all Muslims to encourage others to do good, for the sake of God. In the
Hadith Muhammad promises that the person who persuades someone else to do a good deed will get
the same reward as the person he persuaded.

‘And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and
forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.’ Qur’an 3:104

8. Nahil Anril Munkar (discouraging the bad)

It is the duty of all Muslims to forbid evil; when someone sees a wrong, they should correct it. It is the
responsibility of the whole Muslim community (the ummah) to discourage others from harmful actions,
such as bribery, corruption and dishonesty. This applies to individuals, families and the whole society.

‘Whoever among you sees an evil should change it with his hand. If he is unable to do that then with his
tongue. If he is unable to do that, then with his heart, and this is the weakest level of faith.’ Hadith
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices The Ten Obligatory Acts/Jihad
9. Tawalia (to love the friends of God)
Tawalia means having love for God and for the Prophet Muhammad. We should love all those who are
friends of God: people who are truthful and kind, honest and fair. We should try to associate ourselves with
people who are kind and trustworthy. For Shi’a Muslims it also means having love for the ‘Ahl al -Bayt’,
the 12 infallible
Imams who are
the
descendants of
Prophet
Muhammad.

10. Tabarra
(to hate the
evil-doers)
Muslims
believe that it
is important to
dissociate
themselves
from the
enemies of
God. We
should hate,
and separate
ourselves from,
people who are
impure and
those who
oppress others.
However,
Muslims often
disagree on
exactly who are
the enemies of
God.

Jihad Many Muslims make a distinction

between the greater jihad (the
Jihad is the struggle to live according personal struggle for right) and the
to God’s laws. It is one of the most lesser jihad (the desire to remove
misunderstood words in Islam, evil from society). It is the duty of
because to many people jihad simply all Muslims to try to remove evil
means ‘holy war’, but in fact it has a from society, but you can only fight
deeper meaning than this. Jihad for justice in the world when you
actually means ‘directed struggle’: have truly removed the evil in your
own life.
▶ striving to serve God
▶ making an effort to live a moral life
▶ actively trying to live in peace.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices
Greater Jihad Lesser Jihad
The greater jihad is the spiritual struggle with oneself. It There are certain
is the desire and commitment to live the perfect Muslim circumstances in
life: which Islam accepts
▶ to perform the Five Pillars with devotion that force needs to be used, but only ever in self
▶ to practise the path set out by Prophet Muhammad defence. While the greater jihad is the personal
(Sunnah) struggle against sin, the lesser jihad or holy war is the
▶ to seek justice and fairness for all struggle to remove evil from society. This involves the
▶ to rise above one’s own greed and selfishness. whole community, rather than the individual, and
Controlling desires: there are strict rules for the use of force in jihad.
Islam teaches that Muslims need to control their own
desires and behaviour, to follow the Five Pillars and live a
life that is pleasing to God. This will ensure that when the Where does lesser Jihad come from?
last day comes, and they are brought to judgement by The concept of lesser jihad arose during the Prophet
God, they will be worthy to receive God’s favour and Muhammad’s lifetime, when he gave his faithful
thus to enter paradise. followers authorisation to fight. Muhammad’s
A fight against laziness: The greater jihad is the spiritual enemies in Makkah planned to wipe out all Muslims
fight against the tendency to be lazy: to get up for and so they believed that there was no choice other
prayers before dawn, to only eat food that is halal than to engage in conflict.
(permitted), to show kindness and generosity towards
other people. Prophet Muhammad said: ‘God, I seek thy
protection against helplessness and laziness, and against
cowardice . . . and miserliness.’ This passage from the Qur’an records the permission
given by God for the Muslims to defend themselves
Encouraging what is right: The Qur’an urges Muslims to against their enemies. Some argue that war with such
‘encourage what is right (ma’ruf), and forbid what is a pure motive (to establish the principle of religious
wrong’ (3:104). This process is partly about removing evil freedom) is a true jihad.
from yourself, but also about making the world a better
place. Prophet Muhammad says:
Who can declare a jihad? Muslim law is clear that jihad
can only be declared by a Muslim leader who is holy
and pure and who has the support of the whole
Respect for the beliefs of others Muslim community. Some Muslim communities do
The Qur’an encourages Muslims to be tolerant and believe their leaders are able to declare jihad.
respectful towards the beliefs others: ‘To you be your However, many Muslims today say that it is difficult to
religion, and to me mine’ (109:6). Muslims should live in see how these conditions for jihad could be met,
peace and harmony in society, celebrating differences because there is no one, indisputable Muslim ruler
and obeying the law. The Qur’an makes it clear that who would be eligible to declare it.
every single life is precious: The Crusades
Many Muslims would say
that it was a jihad when
Muslims fought against
the Christian in the
Jihad Today: most Muslims agree that a holy war can only be called against an Middle
aggressor that threatens Islam. Some Islamic extremist groups argue that the Ages.
attack on the World Trade Center (the Twin Towers) in New York, on 11
September 2001, commanded by Osama Bin Laden, was an act of jihad.
However, moderate Muslims reject this idea, arguing that this attack was an Jihad must never be aggressive
aggressive act, which targeted innocent civilians and so fails the test set by the The Qur’an lays down the condition
Qur’an. that the Muslims must not be the first
There are a number of groups who have labelled themselves as jihadists in to attack; a war of aggression is
recent years (for example, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Islamic State/Daesh). They prohibited. However, if it can be
are prepared to use violence in order to create an Islamic State that would be agreed that a war is a ‘jihad’, then it is
governed in accordance with Islamic (Shari’ah) law. Western governments a duty to fight back, but only against
regard these groups as terrorist organisations and moderate Muslims reject those who are attacking you, never to
this form of extreme Islam. kill civilians.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices Festivals

Festivals
All Muslim festivals have special significance, often relating to events or stories from Islamic history. However,
festivals in Islam are not just moments of joy and happiness, they are also occasions to worship and remember the
presence of God.

There are two main festivals in Islam: Id-ul-Adha (See Hajj section for information on this festival) and Id-ul-Fitr,
but there are also other important days to be remembered.

Mawlid an-Nabi: the birth of the prophet

Mawlid an-Nabi is the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. It is a public holiday in many countries.
In Britain, Muslims celebrate this day with joyful processions through the streets, chanting stories in praise of his
life.

Laylat-ul-Qadr: the Night of Power

Laylat-ul-Qadr is one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar, marking the date when the Qur’an was first
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Islamic tradition is not certain of the exact day, so this event is remembered
throughout the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. It is often celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. During
this time Muslims may stay up all night, reciting the Qur’an, praying and remembering God’s mercy and
forgiveness.

Laylat-ul-Miraj: the night journey

Laylat-ul-Miraj remembers Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous journey on a winged horse to Jerusalem and then up
through the heavens into the presence of God. Today Muslims commemorate these events at the mosque by
saying particular prayers and at home by telling the story to their children and reciting special night-time prayers.

Laylat-ul-Bara’at
Laylat-ul-Bara’at is the night of the full moon in the month before Ramadan. This is the night on which
Muhammad used to begin his preparations for Ramadan and many Muslims stay up all night reciting the Qur’an.

Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and it remembers the Hijrah, when Muhammad and his
followers fled from Makkah, to establish the first Muslim community in Madinah. Sunnis fast on the tenth day of
Muharram. Shi’as observe Muharram as the month when Husayn (Prophet Muhammad’s grandson) was martyred
and so they refrain from joyous events in his memory.

Id-ul-Fitr, the festival of fast-breaking

Breaking the fast A special day
Id-ul-Fitr is a joyful three-day In Muslim-majority countries, Id-ul-Fitr is a public holiday; in Britain, many
celebration which takes place at Muslim businesses close and Muslim children are often given a day off
the end of Ramadan, on the start school, especially in areas where there is a high Muslim population. It is an
of the new month of Shawwal. It occasion when people feel a strong sense of generosity and gratitude
is a well-deserved reward for the towards each other and to God.
completion of a month of fasting,
when Muslims thank God for
giving them the strength and
self-control needed to give up
food and water over so many
days. The festival begins with the
new moon being observed in the
sky, but in Britain, where the
weather is often cloudy, Muslims
often have to rely on getting the
news from other countries.
Islam – Practices IslamPractices
Islam Practices Festivals
Celebrating Id-ul-Fitr in Britain
Zakat-ul-Fitr: festival tax
On the day of Id, Muslims will:
Islam places a high value on
➢ decorate their houses with colourful lights, banners and flags
the whole community
➢ dress in their fi nest, new clothes
(ummah) experiencing the
➢ gather early in mosques or outdoors to perform congregational
blessings and mercy of God, so
prayers and listen to a sermon, usually on the subject of sharing and
in addition to the duty to pay
community
the annual 2.5 per cent Zakah
➢ send ‘Id Mubarak’ greetings cards
tax, Muslims are expected to
➢ visit family and friends to share food and festivities
pay Zakat-ul-Fitr. This
➢ visit the cemetery to remember loved ones who have been divided
donation, given at the end of
from the family through death
Ramadan, goes to the poor. It
➢ give gifts and money to children
allows everyone, even those in
➢ share a delicious meal, where everyone joins in with the food
poverty, to eat a generous
preparation and organisation
meal at Id-ul-Fitr.
➢ give generously to the poor

Ashura: day of sorrow and inspiration

Ashura is an important festival for all Muslims, but it has enormous significance in
Shi’a Islam. It is celebrated (or commemorated) on the tenth day of Muharram.
Ashura is of particular importance to the Shi’a Muslim community, because it Sunni Islam
remembers the death of Husayn in battle at Karbala in 680 CE. This event triggered Ashura for Sunni’s is a
a split between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims that continues to divide Islam today. Shi’as day of fasting. The
believe that Husayn was the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad, so the Prophet Muhammad
massacre of Husayn and his followers carries great signifi cance. They refer to established Ashura as
Husayn as the third Imam, following his father Ali as his older brother Hasan. Still a day of fasting, based
today they remember his betrayal and death with a deep sense of injustice. on the Jewish day of
For Shi’as, Ashura is an emotionally charged day, remembering the martyrdom of atonement, when
Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad and it is celebrated with processions, plays sacrifices are made
and public displays of grief in the streets. Blood is often spilled and people cry and for the sins of the
wail. people. Ashura is an
How is Ashura celebrated around the world? occasion to thank God
The death of Husayn gave rise to the Shi’a cult of martyrdom and to a sense of for saving the
betrayal and struggle against injustice and oppression. Ashura is a day of great Israelites from the
sorrow, mourning and self-mutilation, where much public grief is expressed. Central Pharaoh. Sunni
to the events is the need to share in the sufferings of Husayn. Ashura is celebrated in Muslims remember
communities across the Shi’a world (for example, in Iran and Iraq), but many Shi’a how Musa (Moses)
Muslims feel the need to make the pilgrimage to Karbala every year to take part: fasted in gratitude to
➢ Men and women dress in black and march through the streets, slapping their God for opening up
chests and chanting. the Red Sea to allow
➢ There are processions and religious gatherings. his people to escape
➢ Plays re-enact the martyrdom. from the Egyptian
➢ Fervent men beat themselves with chains and cut their heads with swords. chariots.
Ashura in Britain today
Ashura is not a public holiday in Britain, but Shi’a Muslim children can be
given permission to have the day off school. Many people will fast and
pray on this day. In cities such as Manchester and London Shi’as gather in
large crowds and take part in public marches. The men often slap their
chests violently, in time to their chanting, but it is uncommon to see them
drawing blood through whipping and beating themselves, as happens in
many countries in the Middle East. Those who feel that they should lose
blood may be encouraged, by Shi’a leaders, to donate to the blood
transfusion service.