The Qur'an Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the shahada in Islam?

It describes the rituals associated with pilgrimage.

It represents the obligation of prayer five times a day.

It summarizes the ethical conduct expected from Muslims.

It is the declaration of faith affirming the oneness of God. (correct)

Which individual is credited with the initial compilation of the Qur'an into book format?

Uthman ibn Affan

Abu Bakr Siddiq (correct)

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Zayd ibn Thabit

How many chapters, or surahs, does the Qur'an contain?

100

114 (correct)

150

130

Which practice requires Muslims to pray while facing Mecca?

Salat. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of performing wudu before prayers?

To ensure spiritual readiness for prayer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the community of Muslims as defined in the Qur'an?

Ummah Signup and view all the answers

What is the main authority of the Hadith in Islamic tradition?

It is the second source of shari'a law. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Zakat' refer to in the context of Islamic practices?

A tax aimed at assisting the underprivileged. Signup and view all the answers

How is almsgiving treated within Islamic law?

As a mandated tax for all Muslims. Signup and view all the answers

What language is the Qur'an originally written in, which is held in high regard by Muslims?

Arabic Signup and view all the answers

Which angel is said to have revealed the Qur'an to Muhammad?

Gabriel Signup and view all the answers

What is typically expected of a Muslim during the call to adhan?

To start the first prayer of the day. Signup and view all the answers

What educational practice is common for Muslim children regarding the Qur'an?

Memorizing and reciting its verses Signup and view all the answers

Why are prayers important in the life of a Muslim?

They provide spiritual sustenance and character development. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of daily prayer is emphasized by performing salat at specific times?

The importance of consistency and discipline. Signup and view all the answers

Which caliph directed the re-compilation of the Qur'an for uniformity in recitation?

Uthman ibn Affan Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are true regarding the collections known as Kutub al-Sittah?

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim are among the two most authentic. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'sahih' in the context of hadith collections?

It suggests the authors filtered authentic reports. Signup and view all the answers

In Islamic belief, what does the concept of ummah primarily emphasize?

The establishment of a singular community of believers. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Allah' imply in both Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions?

Recognition of Allah as the supreme being. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Islamic teachings is NOT mentioned as originating from hadiths?

The concept of afterlife journeys. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characterizes the Islamic view of God?

One eternal and omnipotent God governs all existence. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the social nature of Islamic beliefs compared to some other religions?

Islam integrates all aspects of daily life into its laws. Signup and view all the answers

What role do the hadith collections play in understanding Islamic law?

They underpin the foundations of rituals and legal obligations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of zakat in the Islamic faith?

To serve as an annual wealth tax for the welfare of the community. Signup and view all the answers

What belief is associated with the fasting period of Ramadan?

It represents the month when Muhammad received the first surah of the Quran. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups of Muslims is exempt from fasting during Ramadan?

Minors, travelers, the sick, and nursing mothers. Signup and view all the answers

What is said to happen to worldly wealth according to Islamic teaching?

It is unclean unless used in the service of Allah. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Kaaba in Islamic tradition?

It is a symbolic point of origin for worship and creation. Signup and view all the answers

What do Muslims do during the fasting hours of Ramadan?

They refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual intimacy. Signup and view all the answers

What must all Muslims do at least once in their lifetime, according to Islamic beliefs?

Undertake a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the act of paying zakat?

It is mandated and seen as a purification of one's resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which represents the primary belief of Sunni Muslims regarding leadership?

Any Muslim can be a ruler with community approval. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of Sunnah for Sunni Muslims?

Oral traditions attributed to Muhammad and companions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key defining feature of Sufism in Islam?

Pursuit of a personal experience of God. Signup and view all the answers

Historically, what role did the caliphate serve in Islamic history?

It served as a unifying agency for the Muslim community. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Shi’a Muslims is accurate?

They are the largest faction that separated from Sunni practices. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Sunni denomination from Shi’a regarding governance?

Sunnis believe in community consensus for leadership. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'sunnah' introduce in the context of Sunni Islam?

The customs and practices established by Muhammad. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be inferred about the relationship between Sunnis, Shias, and Sufis?

They all vary in their interpretations and practices. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Qur'an

The Qur'an is considered the sacred word of God and the most important holy book among Muslims
Muslims believe that Muhammad's scribes wrote down his words, which became the Qur’an
The Qur’an expresses Islamic principle that there is only one God
The book is written with Allah as the first person, speaking through Gabriel to Muhammad.
It contains 114 chapters called surahs, each composed of verses or ayahs
Scholars believe the Qur’an was compiled shortly after Muhammad’s death, under the guidance of Caliph Abu Bakr
Muslims begin learning the Qur’an at an early age; it is read to babies, and toddlers who can already speak are asked to memorize and recite Qur’anic verses.
People who manage to memorize the book are held in high regard by the communities
Since the Qur’an is written in Arabic, the language is respected by the Muslims
For Muslims, the Qur’an is a unique event in the history of humankind, held as eternal and unchangeable, just like Allah

The Hadith

The Hadith is the collection of the deeds and sayings of Muhammad and his followers (“traditional reports or sayings”) and is the second source of shari’a law
Unlike the Qur’an that was officially compiled under the auspices of a central authority, the hadiths were collected generations after the death of Muhammad
The hadiths are recognized today as second in authority after the Koran
Around the ninth century C.E., Muslim scholars undertook a number of great systematic collections of hadiths that are known as Kutub al-Sittahor the Six Sahih (“Authentic”) Books.
The collections of Persian scholars Muhammad al-Bukhari and Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj are the most respected and most often cited among the said collections
Imam Bukhari authored the Sahih al-Bukhari while Imam Muslim compiled the Sahih Muslim.
From the six books, these hadith records are the two most authentic collections
The word sahihin these titles indicates that the authors of these books sifted the authentic reports about Muhammad from other unsubstantiated narratives
The various rituals and obligations embedded in the so-called “Five Pillars of Islam” as well as majority of criminal laws originate from the hadiths

Beliefs and Doctrines

Islam began as a way of life (din) for its followers which God intended for his creation from the very beginning
While some religions may have room for subjective or personal discernment regarding matters of conduct, Islamic beliefs are more dominantly social in character
Islamic religious laws cover the daily life of all Muslims—from education, dress, marriage, sexual relations, justice, punishments, economics, diet, and even rules of hospitality
For all Muslims, there is only one compassionate, everlasting, and omnipotent God, being the lord of everything in existence, including humans
Since all people originate from God and return to him after death, there can never be contending religions that may divide people from one another
As such, Islam advocates for the establishment of one single community or ummah
During Muhammad’s time, the ummah was a community bigger than the tribe, demanding a loyalty which came before loyalty to kinsfolk
In the end, a Muslim must not fight a fellow Muslim.

Allah

Allah, Arabic name of the supreme being
The term is a contraction of the Arabic alllah, “the God.”
Both the idea and the word existed in pre-Islamic Arabian tradition, in which some evidence of a primitive monotheism can also be found
Although they recognized other, lesser gods, the pre-Islamic Arabs recognized Allah as the supreme God
The Qur’an (Koran), the holy book of Islam, asserts that Allah is the creator and the one who rewards and punishes; that he is unique and can only be one; that he is eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and all-merciful
The core of the religion is submission to the will of Allah; people must abandon themselves entirely to God's sovereignty

The Five Pillars of Islam

The basic obligations of Muslims are called the Five Pillars of Islam or arkan al-din
It gives structure and unity to all believers of Islam
The Five Pillars include:

The Creed (Shahada)

The basic creed of Islam that “there is no God but Allah; Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” is known as shahada
In Arabic, the shahada is recited as “La ilaha illa Allah; Muhammad on rasul Allah.”
These are the very first words uttered into an infant’s ear and perhaps the last words given to a dying Muslim
The shahada asserts that Allah is the only divinity and that he has relayed his will through Muhammad
For a Muslim to deny any part of the shahada is tantamount to the crime of reversion to Islam that is punishable under Quranic law

Obligatory Prayer (Salat)

Just as the body requires food for its daily sustenance, prayers are done for spiritual development so that a Muslim’s character and conduct remain sound and healthy
Facing in the direction of Mecca or qiblah, Muslims must offer prayers or salat five times each and every day—before sunrise (as-subh), noon (az-zuhr), mid-afternoon (al-asr), immediately after sunset (al-maghreb), and before midnight (al-isha)
Each prayer session begins when the strong-voiced muezzin recites the call to adhan from the tallest point of a mosque, often a minaret.
Before any prayer commences, wudu is performed. Clean and potable water must be given for washing hands, feet, and face before prayer to any person who comes to a mosque
Muslim men often pray in mosques while women pray at their homes.
To pray, a Muslim stands on clean ground without shoes or wearing clean ones
A special carpet may be provided to provide the person a clean surface
Nevertheless, a Muslim can address a prayer to Allah at any given time in any circumstance using any words one chooses

Poor Tax (Zakat)

Muslims who live above the subsistence level must pay zakator the poor tax to aid the underprivileged Muslims
Affluent Muslims must share their wealth to the unfortunate ones
Originally, almsgiving was for the benefit of the poor, widows, and orphans through an act of charity
Later on, it became mandatory amounting to a certain percentage of a Muslim’s total resources
Islam has never viewed begging as dishonorable
Zakat is not charity but an annual wealth tax that serves as just and lawful claim of the poor against the affluent ones
A zakat has been a contributory factor of solidarity and unity for the Muslim people
It is a religious duty done out of obedience to Allah and compassion to poor Muslims
The spirit of self-sacrifice is developed by paying zakat that somehow curtails the feeling of greed
The Quran states that all worldly wealth is unclean unless utilized in the service of Allah and Islam
By fulfilling to pay zakat, well-off Muslims cleanse their material possessions and can liberally enjoy their fortunes with Allah’s approval
Hence, zakat is viewed as purification of one’s resources

Fasting (Sawm)

Fasting or sawm during the entire 30 days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, must be performed by all Muslims every year
It is believed to be the month when Muhammad received the first surah of the Qur’an
The sawm is done by all Muslims to express obedience to Allah and the readiness to relinquish pleasures in their lives
During this time, a Muslim must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in any sexual intimacy from dusk until dawn
The sawm culminates with the ‘Id al-Fitr wherein Muslims may celebrate and partake in festivities
They hold congregational prayers and exchange presents
Unlike the Jews or Catholics who fast for a brief period of time in observance of holy days, the Muslims are obligated to fast the longest and strictest of all
Any Muslim who has reached puberty and is healthy must undertake sawm
Muslims who are exempted from performing swam include small children, those who are on a journey, sick persons, and nursing mothers
For those who are temporarily unable to observe sawm, they must perform the missed fast after Ramadan
For those who very old or persons and with long-term illness, they can give charity to poor Muslims instead

Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

All Muslims must undertake a hajj or pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lifetime to visit the Kaaba (“House of Allah”).
The Kaaba is a cube-shaped ancient stone building that dates back to the time of Adam and Eve according to Muslim tradition
Muslims believe that the Kaaba was originally built for the worship of God by Abraham and his son Ishmael
It represents the end of a journey because it is the symbolic point of origin of all creation wherein all things turn around it and from it all things
Inside the Kaaba is the “Black Stone the “Black Stone” has been polished smooth by the pilgrims through time.
Some poets consider Muhammad himself as the Kaaba of prophetic revelation while the Kaaba is the “seal of his prophethood”.

The Practicioners of Islam

After Muhammad’s death in 632, Muslims disagreed about how the next leader should be chosen
One group came to be known as Sunnis and the other as Shias
Islam remains divided into these two branches
By the year 900, a Muslim movement called Sufism had developed
Sufis seek a personal experience of God
Similar to most major religions. Sunnis, Shias and Suffis vary how they interpret some aspects of the Islamic faith and of the Qur’an
In as much as Muslims agree on the fundamental tenets of the Islam religion, variations do occur in many of their beliefs and practices

Sunni Muslims (The Sunnis)

Majority of Muslims, around 87% to 90% of the entirety of Islam believers, belong to the Sunni denomination
The Sunnis (“Followers of the Smooth Path”) are traditionalists and are considered the orthodox of Islam as they endeavor to follow the original religion established by Muhammad and guided by the first four righteous caliphs
These Muslims follow the sunnah (“customary practice”) of Muhammad from which their name originated
Sunnah pertains to the orally transmitted record of wisdom, conduct, and sayings attributed to Muhammad and his earliest companions as recorded in hadith
They believe that any Muslim can be a ruler and he does not need to prove his lineage to Muhammad as long as he gets the approval and confidence of the ummah or community
He can be an elected ruler or a hereditary monarch that should enjoy the support of the ummah
All Sunnis shall abide by his actions unquestioningly regardless of whether he is a fair or cruel ruler
Within the Sunni sect of Islam are groups of Muslims that also differ in views and exercise of their faith
Religious factions are often the result of national or social differences

Shi’a (The Shi’ites)

The Shi’ite Muslims are the largest faction within the Islam religion that separated from the rest of the community
Historically speaking, three close associates of Muhammad became successive leaders or caliphs of Islam with the death of the founder in 632 C.E.
The caliphate acted as a central unifying agency in Islamic history
Initially, caliphs were friends of Muhammad that acted as virtuous leaders of the believers

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Description

Explore the significance of the Qur'an in Islam, the sacred text believed to be the word of God as conveyed to Muhammad. This quiz covers its structure, including the 114 surahs and ayahs, and the historical context of its compilation. Discover how Muslims engage with this important scripture from an early age and the respect for the Arabic language in which it is written.