R.E Section 2 UNIT 11

Authority The power and right to make demands of others

Masjid Place of prostration

Sunnah The sayings and deeds of the Prophet

Bismillah The words that begin every surah 

Qadi A judge in Islamic law

Sunni Muslims who believe that the first four caliphs were rightly guided 

Hadith Sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad as recorded by his family and friends

Shari'ah  Islamic law based on the Qur'an and Sunnah

Ulama Scholars of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence (The study of law)

Imam A person who leads salah prayers (five compulsory daily prayers)

Shi'ah Muslims who believe only the caliph Ali was rightly guided

Ummah The worldwide Muslim community

Muhammad is important because:

• He sets the example of how to live a muslim life
• how to be a faithful servant to Allah
• how to keep on the straight path of Islam

This belief is important because:

• He completed the message of Allah
• He is the last prophet Allah will send
• He brought the message of Allah for all people and for all times

Why does the Quran have supreme authority for Muslims:

• Contains the exact words of Allah, unaltered unlike other books.
• Was brought to us by the final prophet. So the message was for all time and would not be repeated. Was for the whole Ummah, not just that time.
• It was recited exactly by the Prophet 
• It has never been changed
• It is the first great miracle for Muslims because Muhammad could not read or write.

Muslims accept the authority because:

• It helps them to understand the qualities of Allah, shown in the 99 names
• It shows them how to follow the straight path
• It inspires them to struggle in the cause of Allah
• It encourages them through the example of faithful believers 
• It offers them support and help in times of need and hardship
• It gives warnings to those who do not believe 

Muslim's show that the Quran is a special book by:

• Performing wudhu before touching it
• make sure they read it with pure state of mind
• do not speak/eat/drink when it is being recited
• The Quran must be covered to protect it 
• put in a high place so that nothing is placed above it

Muslims also think that to show respect they have to:

• Listen to it and understand its teaching
• Remembering the teaching of Allah
• Applying the teaching in their lives

The Quran is the first book of guidance for Muslim's. It contains the first principles on which all Shari'ah law is based. 

The Muslim community grew and expanded, new guidance was needed for new situations.

For this guidance, the early Muslim community looked to the Sunnah and Hadith and used them to help to interpret and apply the principles in the Quran 

Gradually, this guidance was gathered together in books of laws, which form the basis of the Shar'iah. 

Shari'ah is important for Muslims because:

• Allah is always aware of what they are doing and thinking
• Everyone will be judged at the end of life on their beliefs and deeds

The ummah is important because:

• Islam unites all Muslim's everywhere, no matter what their race or culture is
• Having on worldwide community reflects the Oneness of Allah
• The ummah helps and gives strength to individual Muslims
• Many of the aspects of being a Muslim are communal in nature

How do they show the importance:

• All Muslims face the qiblah. The kabah is like the hub of Islam. It expresses unity.
• Muslims around the world all speak different languages but they all read the Quran in Arabic. This helps to strengthen the sense of unity.
• Giving zakah-muslims give a percentage of their wealth to help other people because wealth is a gift from Allah and must be shared.
• Going on Hajj-over two million Muslims gather to worship Allah. The unity is shown clearly. 

Dome: Many Muslims think of this as a symbol of space and therefore of the universe that Allah has created. Also symbolises Unity.

Mihrab: Shows the direction of the qiblah.Focal point for all Muslims

Minaret: Tall tower. Beacon of light in dark times. Reminds Muslims that they are being summoned.

Minbar: Small platform from which is imam of the prayers gives a talk to remind worshippers of their duty to Allah. 

• Leads five daily prayers and gives a sermon on Fridays.
• Imam helps children from an early age to learn to recite the quran and understand it.
• Gives advice on many issues that Muslims face in the UK

Importance of the Imam:

• Prayer is important and the imam leads the prayer
• ensures children learn about Islam
• helps to apply the rules of the shari'ah law
• Gives guidance and instructions to new converts in Islam

Similarities:

• They believe in Allah and His Prophet
• They believe in the authority of the Quran
• They believe life after death and the judgement to follow
• They both follow the five pillars

Differences:

• Shiah's may add to the shahadah "I bear witness that Ali was the friend of God"
• Shi'ahs prostrated the forehead on to earth or a small block of clay for Karbala.
• They celebrate Ashura - major mourning event
• Shi'ahs go to Karbala and Najaf for pilgrimage

Sunni-Barelvi

• Revere the Prophet and seek his intercession
• Chant praises of the Prophet

Sunni-Deobandi:

• Consider the Prophet as an ordinary man
• Emphasis on removing anything considered as an innovation

Shiah Ithansheri

• Believe in twelve holy imams
• Follow the guidance of Ayatollahs in daily life

Ismaili:

• Follow the Aga Khan as their leader-own forms of worship

Sufi: Emphasis on spritiual worship, use music and dance. 

Sufi's:

• try to live a simple life
• avoid attachment to material possessions
• try to overcome their own selfishness
• concentrate on Allah