Religious Studies - Islam (Edexcel)

• Seal means to close
• Messengers and prophets have been throughout this time
• Messages were lost and destroyed
• Prophets helped reveal messages from Allah

Importance of Prophet Muhammad (PM)...

• Live life according to Allah's will
• Role model to humanity
• Taught how to live/behave in life
• Faithful and submissive servant to Allah
• Taught how to keep on the straight path

Importance of belief...

• PM =completed word of Allah... End channel communication
• Global Prophet - Global messenger
• For all times, people and places

• Qur'an is the word of Allah
• 114 surahs
• 6000+ verses
• All surahs except surah 9 starst with 'Bismillah'

Importance...

• It is the true word of Allah - other books have been tampered with
• Brought by the final Prophet
• First Miracle - Prophet was UNLETTERED
• Helps to understand Allah's qualities
• Book of guidance for the straight path

• Before touching, ritual washing
• Clear intentions
• When reading - musn't eat, drink etc
• When not readin - placed on high shelf

Importance...

• Qur'an is the book of guidance = instructions are there to follow
• Listen, understand and apply the teachings
• Following the example of the Prophet Muhammad
• Not to turn our back on the qur'an (literally, and also meaning not to forget the message)

• Islamic Law based on the Qu'ran and the Sunnah
• Keeps muslims on the straight path
• Collection of rules
• If they're followed = Heaven

Importance...

• PM said Allah doesn't accept beliefs unless in action
• Allah is aware of what you do
• Everyone will be judged on Beliefs, Deeds and Intentions

• Worlwide muslim community - come from different backgrounds, races etc btu ALL belive in ISLAM

Importance...

• Encourages people to follow Islam
• Unites muslims around the world
• Reflects the one-ness of Allah
• Gives help and strength to individuals
• All are in equal in the sight of Allah

Examples of Ummah...

• At Prayer - Face the SAME direction
• Reading the Qu'ran - ALL read the SAME language - Arabic
• Give Zakah - Give to ALL
• go on Hajj - SAME clothing
• Shariah - Follow SAME path & laws

• World place for prostration
• Quiet - no distractions
• Mosques - purpose built depending on population

• Dome - space/idea of the universe that Allah created
• Minaret - worshipers called to prayer/Tawhid/Greatness & submission to Allah
• Minbar - sermon = Submision to Allah
• Mihrab - direction, focus, ummah

• Caligraphy - reminds worshippers of Allah's guidance -message
• Men & women in separate areas
• Quiet = reflects Islam - peace, tranquility
• No pics = Eliminates idolatory, Focuses on Allah alone
• Purity = Dirt and bustle is left outside the mosque

• Place of worship and congregational/individual prayers
• Community centre - funerals, weddings, youth centre etc
• Madrasah - Children learn islam, arabic,Qu'ran
• Other facilities - Library, shariah advice, counselling

Importance...

• Sense of identity part of the ummah
• A feeling of community = talk, meet up
• Encourage faith - establish community cohesion
• A place to proclaim Islam - Share way of life
• A place of education/learning

• Leads 5 daily prayers
• Gives speeches/sermons
• Holds funeral services,weddings
• Teaches children/adults about Islam/Qu'ran/Arabic
• Visits people in hospitals/prison/counsel/supports

Importance...

• Teaches young about Islam to keep on the straight path
• Helps apply Shariah teachings
• Imam extends the ummah = guidance
• Imam ensures the message of Islam is kept pure
• Represents muslim community i.e.:dealing with political/religious groups

• Since the death of PM no clear successor was chosen
• Sunni's- Abu Bakr, close companion of PM-wise
• Shiah's- Cousin, son-in-law, bloodline of PM
• Shiah's believe PM's cousin was chosen by Allah to lead after PM's death

Differences between them...

• Shahadah - Shiah's end with "Ali friend of Allah"
• Salah - Shiah's place a clay rock & and prostate on it
• Zakah - Shiah's give 20% extra.. ontop of the obligatory 2.5%
• Places - Shiah's visit Karbala/Najaf where there are important shrines
• Commemorate - Sunni's commemorate the death of Husayn

Sunni barelvi - They seek PM's intercession - Chant praises

Sunni deobandi - Consider PM an ordinary man - don't seek intercession

Sunni sufi - emphasis on the spiritual life - worship through chants/music/dance

Shiah ithnastheri - Believe in leadership of 12 imams

Shiah ismail - Follow Aga Khan as a spiritual leader

SIMILARITIES
Tawhid/Risalah/Afterlife/Shariah/Please Allah/Follow PM

• a muslim group - sect - live simple life
• Concentrate on spiritual connection with God
• Avoid attachment to material possessions
• Overcome their selfishness and their desires
• 

Attitiudes of Sufi worship

• They believe purpose of worship is to connect and be one with God
• Spiritual connection is important - the practical muslim life is not enough
• Spiritual connection with god is more pratical

Some Muslims disagree and say...

• Worship like this is dangerous - SHIRK
• Using music and dance is against teachings of PM
• Start toneglect obligatory prayers because they're so involved in spiritual devotions.