Q1) All Islamic practices can be summed up in the principles of Tauheed.

Discuss

Tauheed means the belief in the oneness and uniqueness of Allah. That there is no other god but
Allah and that He has no partners nor parents and children. All Islamic practices are based on the
principle of worshipping Allah and Allah only. To seek help, goodness and forgiveness from Him only.
It is on this belief that a believer should live their life, they should follow Tauheed in all aspects of
their life. Salah, for example, is offered for the remembrance of Allah, while Sawm is to demonstrate
the commitment of a Muslim to Allah in the face of temptation and difficulty.

Q2) “Belief in Muhammad (PBUH) is one of the most basic principles of Islam.” Discuss

Belief in Muhammad is included in the Shahadah. By declaring the Shahadah, the person declares
their faith in the principles of Islam. All Muslims should believe that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah and the Seal of the Prophets. But also that Muhammad (PBUH) is just a specially selected
human being who received Divine message through Jibril, he is not another being. Belief in
Muhammad also means belief in the Quran that is revealed on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It
means believing that the Quran is the final book and does not need any renewal as Muhammad is
the last Prophet of Allah.

Q3) What do Muslims mean when they say: There is no God but Allah’? Muhammad is the
Messenger of God?

Muslims say Shahadah to declare and strengthen their faith. Muslims say it with full sincerity and
understanding of the beliefs included in it. Believing that Allah is the only God and that Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of God is a requirement for every Muslim. In saying the
Shahadah, they are cementing their beliefs and faith in Allah.

Q4) How does belief in the following affect the personality of an individiual?
a) Oneness of Allah

Belief in Tauheed affects a person in all aspects of their life. By believing in Allah, they worship none
but Allah, and thinks of Him as all knowing and all seeing. They would stop associating partners with
Allah and resort to Him alone. The individual would always seek for His help only, when in need or in
difficult times. The person would also praise Allah in their everyday life and be more pious.

b) The Holy Prophet

The individual would believe that the Prophet is the Messenger of Allah and the Final Prophet. They
would believe in the Message of Quran as it is revealed during the Prophet’s time and believe in the
originality of the Quran. They would begin to follow the actions, sayings, and Sunnah of the Holy
Prophet. Their actions and manners would be affected for the good, and they would be more
religious.

Salah

Q1) Describe the preparations made for prayer in Islam.

Wudu (Ablution)
For Salah, cleanliness should be ensured before and during the act. Sunnah method of Wudu is done
as follows:
- Intention to perfom Wudu
- Wash appropriate hygienic area with clean water
- Wash both hands and then gargle thrice. Then rinse the nostrils thrice with right hand and blow
them with the left
- Wash the face, from top of forehead to the throat, and from ear to ear
- Wash both forearms thrice, from wrist to elbows, beginning from right hand.
- Pass wet palms over the head (‘Massah’)
- Both feet are washed up to ankles thrice.
- Dua is offered
Tayammum (Dry ablution) can also be done in case clean water is not available, or the person is
unable to use it due to illness or can’t perform Wudu. Intention must be made, then both hands
should be struck gently on dry soil, sand or stone. Excess dust is removed, and the hands are wiped
on the face. This is repeated and then the forearms are wiped.
Azan (Call for Prayer)
This is the call for congregational prayers for the Muslims, when the time for prayer approaches, the
Muazzin loudly proclaims it.

Q2) Explain the importance of:

i) ablution
Islam lays a great deal of stress on Taharah (cleanliness), both spiritually and physically. For Salah,
special measures are taken to ensure cleanliness before and during the act. Without purity, Salah
cannot be offered. Thus, ablution (Wudu) involves thoroughly washing the parts of the body with
clean water to remove impurities (Najis). If one is in a state of ceremonial impurity, they must bathe
their whole body. If clean water is unavailable, or the person is unable to use it or perform Wudu,
dry ablution (Tayammum) can be done as an alternative to Wudu.

ii) the call for prayer

When the Prophet (PBUH) completed the first mosque at Madinah, the question of how to call
Muslims for congregation prayer came up. There were different suggestions, but the announcement
in human voice was chosen. Allah inspired Abdullah bin Zaid and Umar bin Khattab with the words,
and the Prophet (PBUH) approved. Bilal was chosen as the first Muazzin as he had a beautiful voice.
Thus whenever the time for congregational prayer approaches, the Muazzin loudly proclaims it.

iii) the statement of intention

Intention (Niyyah) is very important in all aspects of Salah and Islam. When we are going to perform
Wudu, we have an intention in our hearts to perform Salah, even if we do not say it. Intention is also
done in Wudu, and it is very important during Tayammum, as we are performing Tayammum with
the intention of purifying ourselves without clean water to be able to perform Salah. When a Muslim
stands facing the Qibla before Salah, they make the intention for prayer. The Prophet said,
“Intention is compulsory for all deeds.” However, there are no prescribed words for the intention. Its
purpose is to focus one’s complete concentration to the task at hand.

Q3) Describe the performance of a single Rakat

The believer stands facing the Qibla, then declares the takbeer-e-tahrima while raising the hands to
the ears. They stand with both arms folded either above or below the navel (Qiyam). Thana
(Glorification of the Lord) is then recited. Ta’awwudh. Tasmia, Surah-Al-Fatiha and then any other
portion from the Holy Quran (Qirat) are also recited. Takbeer is then recited again and they bow into
Ruku’. Both palms firmly gripping each kneecap, back bent at angle parallel to the ground. During
Ruku, Tasbeeh is recited thrice. They say Takbeer again and stands upright with hands on either side
(Quoma). Tasmee’ and Tahmeed are recited and then Sujud are performed. The believer prosrates,
his nose and forehead touching the ground while both palms rest on either side and God is glorified
in both Sajdahs. Brief sitting between the two Sujud is also done (Jalasah). Now they recite the
Tashhud, then, if it’s the last Rakat, facing right and left, says, “Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah”. If
it is not the last Rakat, the believer recites the Takbeer again and repeats the steps above.

Q4)Describe in detail the method of Salat.

A clean and tidy place is selected, for women, any place which offers privacy and peaceful
atmostphere, for men, the mosque is the ideal place. The believer stands facing the Qibla, makes
intention for prayer, then declares the takbeer (Allah-o-akbar) while raising the hands to the ears.
They stand with both arms folded either above or below the navel (Qiyam). Thana (Glorification of
the Lord) is then recited. Ta’awwudh( Seeking Allah’s refuge from Satan. Tasmia (In The Name of
Allah, most Merciful, the Dispenser of Grace), Surah-Al-Fatiha and then any other portion from the
Holy Quran (Qirat) are also recited. Takbeer is then recited again and they bow into Ruku’. Both
palms firmly gripping each kneecap, back bent at angle parallel to the ground. During Ruku, Tasbeeh
is recited thrice. They say Takbeer again and stands upright with hands on either side (Quoma).
Tasmee’ and Tahmeed are recited and then Sujud are performed. The believer prosrates, his nose
and forehead touching the ground while both palms rest on either side and God is glorified in both
Sajdahs. Brief sitting between the two Sujud is also done (Jalasah). Now they recite the Tashhud,
then, if it’s the last Rakat, facing right and left, says, “Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah”. If it is not
the last Rakat, the believer recites the Takbeer again and repeats the steps above.

Q5)Explain the significance of each of the individual actions in Salah.

Takbeer-e-tahrima is done to mark the beginning of the act of Salah, it invalidates all other acts.
One’s complete attention and concentration should be directed exclusively towards Salah. Thana is
recited as Glorification of Allah. Ta’awwudh is recited to seek Allah’s refuge from Satan. Tasmia is
recited, declaring Allah is the Most merciful and the Dispenser of Grace. Surah-Al-Fatiha is very
important and without it, Salah is immediately nullified, Qirat, any other portion from the Holy
Quran is also recited. In Ruku’ the worshipper bows and glorifies the Lord (Tasbeeh). Then they
stand upright saying Takbeer, and Tasmee’ and Tehmeed are recited, it is an obligatory part of Salah.
The Sujud are then performed, the believer prostrates, and God is glorified in both Sajdahs. Sujud is
also the best time to pray (Dua). Brief sitting between the two Sujud are also done. The worshipper
recites Tashhud and then adresses his right and left while saying the Salam. This marks the end of
the prayer.

Q6) What are the personal and social benefits of performing prayer (salah)?

Personally, the rewads from Allah of Salah are immense, the offering of even a single prayer cancels
out one’s entire sins. It is the dividing line between belief and disbelief. It is also the conversation
with Allah and renewal of the bond between us and Allah. It teaches discipline and punctuality.
When Salah is offered in congregation, it also acts as a primary factor in binding the Muslim Ummah
together. The mosque, though primarily for worship, also provides a meeting point for the
community. When Muslims get together five times a day in the mosque, friendship and fraternity
flourish, their hearts also come closer. Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder in organized rows,
without any difference of any kind. This cultivates equality and repeatedly reminds believers of their
spiritual and physical submission to Allah, as well as their accountability before Him. When Salah is
offered collectively, the reward is multiplied 27 times.

Q7) Describe the main features of the Friday Congregation prayer.

Zuhr prayer is not offered, instead the Friday Prayer is offered in the mosque. First, all other
activities must be stopped and men should go to the Masjid when they hear the 1st Azan.The
preparations are the same as other prayers, but bathing and wearing special dress for the prayer is
recommended by the Prophet. The 2nd Azan is announced and the Imam delivers 2 sermons, which
includes the praise of Allah and teachings from Quran and Sunnah, from the pulpit and leads the two
rakat prayer. The sermons can also include any socio-political topics that the Imam feels necessary
to mention. These sermons are delivered in Arabic, and non-Arab Muslims add a third lecture with
the same content. These sermons are obligatory before the Friday prayer and must be listened to
with complete concentration. All those acts that nullify Salah, nullify the Khutba. Juma’ prayer must
be offered collectively, and there should be no less than 40 people offering the Salah. There is no
Qada prayer, if Juma’ prayer is missed, Zuhr prayer is to be offered.

Q8) Explain the main differences between regular daily prayer (salat) and personal prayer (du’a)

Salah is the foundational act of worship, with certain preparations, like Wudu and methods to
perform it. We must follow those instructions or the Salah will not be proper. In Salah, we recite
things from the Quran.
Du’a can be done at any time, in any language, at any place, and in any state of purity, as Allah is
close by at all times and all places. There are no prerequisites, preparations or a method that we
must follow to invoke Du’a.

Q9) How are the festival prayers carried out?

The ‘Eid prayers begin as soon as the sun has completely risen. The intention for both prayers only
differs slightly. Preparations are identical to all other prayers, but it is desirable to wear one’s best
clothes and leave home after performing Ghusl or at least Wudu. There is no Azan for this
congregation. The Muslims go to the nearby grand Masjid or a vast open space for the purpose. The
believers form rowas behind the Imam and offer two Rakats of Salah after making intention. After
Takbeer-e-tahrima, three additional takbeers are pronounced by the Imam. In the second rakat,
three additional takbeers also pronounced before the takbeer for ruku is declared. After the end of
the Salah, the congregation must remain seated as the Imam delivers two Khutbas. The ‘Eid prayer
ends and the believers greet each other and depart.

Q10) Write brief accounts of

i) times of the prayer

Fajr: From the onset of dawn till before daybreak.

Zuhr: After the passing of high noon till the time when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its
actual size.
‘Asr: when the time of Zuhr ends till sunset.
Maghrib: From sunset till the disappearance of twilight.
‘Isha: When twilight ends until the onset of dawn.
It is forbidden to perform Salah: - When the sun is rising until it has fully risen
- At high noon
- After offering the ‘Asr prayer till Maghrib.

ii) preparations for the prayer

Wudu (Ablution)
For Salah, cleanliness should be ensured before and during the act. Sunnah method of Wudu is done
as follows:
- Intention to perfom Wudu
- Wash appropriate hygienic area with clean water
- Wash both hands and then gargle thrice. Then rinse the nostrils thrice with right hand and blow
them with the left
- Wash the face, from top of forehead to the throat, and from ear to ear
- Wash both forearms thrice, from wrist to elbows, beginning from right hand.
- Pass wet palms over the head (‘Massah’)
- Both feet are washed up to ankles thrice.
- Dua is offered
Tayammum (Dry ablution) can also be done in case clean water is not available, or the person is
unable to use it due to illness or can’t perform Wudu. Intention must be made, then both hands
should be struck gently on dry soil, sand or stone. Excess dust is removed, and the hands are wiped
on the face. This is repeated and then the forearms are wiped.
Azan (Call for Prayer)
This is the call for congregational prayers for the Muslims, when the time for prayer approaches, the
Muazzin loudly proclaims it.

Q11) Under which circumstances is it permissible to delay the prayer?

If a person falls asleep or loses consciousness, is undergoing surgery or perhaps performing it, in life
threatening situations, or similar emergencies. Salah cannot be delayed nor missed during traveling
or battle. In those situations, Qasr Salah (shortened prayer) and ‘Salah al Khauff’ (prayer in the face
of imminent danger) are offered respectively.

Q1) a) What events are marked by the rituals of Hajj?

The Sa’iy marks the trips on foot carried out by Hazrat Hajrah, wife of the Prophet Ibrahim, between
the Safa and Marva hills to look for water for her infant son, Ismaeel.
the sacrifice of goats, camels, or cows (Nahr) represents Prophet Ibrahim who sacrificed his first
born son, Ismaeel, upon Allah’s command. But in the last moment it was replaced with a ram by
Jibraeel.
The stoning of the devil (Rami) represent the time when Satan tried to tempt Prophet Ibrahim to
ignore Allah’s command to sacrifice his son. Thus, he was instucte by Jibraeel to throw 7 stones at
the Shaytan . The Shaytan disappeared and reappeared multiple times, and each time he would
throw the stones at him.

(b) What is the importance of these events to Muslims?

Sa’iy makes us undergo physical exertion in order to get what we need, so that we could understand
and embody the selfless and untiring attitude of Hajrah. The spring where she found water is called
Zamzam and is still producing water even now.
The sacrifice is to remind us that we should be ready to follow Allah’s every command, no matter the
expense, to gain his love and pleasure. By sacrificing livestocks, we admire Prophet Ibrahim’s will in
sacrificing his most beloved son, a grand act of submission, and thrive to be that way.
The stoning of the devil is meant to erase the Shaytan, the temptation and evil, in our hearts. We
should resist the whispers of Shaytan and keep our hearts pure, and this act symbolizes just that.

Q2) “Muhammad (PBUH) is the seal of the Prophets.” Discuss.

According to Ahadith, a total of 124 000 Prophets were sent to guide us. They were sent to all
communities all through the ages of human history. Before the Holy Prophet (PBUH), every Prophet
was sent to a particular community and the message was restricted to that community only. The
message remained the same but had to be renewed as it was corrupted by Shaytan. Finally, the
teachings and messages of all the Prophets were perfected in the Holy Prophet (PBUH). All the
teachings contained in their original form in different scriptures have been combined in the Quran
revealed to the Prophet. Thus, with the Holy Prophet the chain of the Prophets came to an end.

Q3) What are the five pillars of Islam? Explain how each one of them supports a Muslims’s faith?

1. Shahadah – Opens the door for a person into Islam. By declaring it, a person testifies to the
truth of this statement, and also declares their faith in the principles of Islam. The first part
refers to Tauheed, the Oneness of Allah. And the second part relates to the Prophethood of
Muhammad as His Last Prophet. It literally means to bear witness.
2. Salah – It is the most important mode of worship, none can abandon it unless in special
circumstances. It is declared as the essential feature of true belief. It guards against
indecency and evil acts and is offered for the remembrance of Allah, combined with physical
devotion. It keeps one away from immoral acts.
3. Sawm (Fasting) – It means to abstain. To spend the day without food, drink, sex and
smoking. The Quran enjoins Muslims to fast as a means of demonstrating commitment to
Allah in the face of temptation and difficulty. It teaches self-restraint, patience, endurance,
and obedience to Allah.
4. Zakah – Islam also dictates all aspects of social, moral, financial, and communal life. It places
a responsibility on the well-to-do that they share their blessings and comfort with the less
fortunate. It involves sacrificing one’s wealth with the sole intention of seeking Allah’s
pleasure. This “spending” is a test of sincerity of faith and a fundamental requirement of
true belief.
5. Hajj – It includes an aggregate form of all worships, physical exertion, financial sacrifice and
spiritual enhancement . It is specially focused at the affluent class, and prepares them for
the trial of wealth. The expense, time, and energy sacrificed and the rites themselves
prepare one for the true purpose of a believer’s life. If correctly performed, it erases all past
past sins and one starts a new life closer to Allah.

Q4) What are the distinguishing qualities of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) with respect to other Prophets
of Allah.