Download Islam Peace and Justice Key Words Figh “The branches of

Islam Peace and Justice
Key Words
Figh
“The branches of understanding” the five categories of the ways to live – those things that are forbidden, discouraged,
permitted, encouraged and obligatory
Five Pillars of Faith
The five obligations of a Muslims faith – Fast, Charity (Zakah) Prayer (Saum), Pilgrimage (Hajj) and The testimony of
faith (Shahadah)
Greater Jihad
The personal struggle to be a good Muslim (jihad of tongue and heart)
The ways a Muslim avoids temptation by words or feelings
Haddith
The Muslim book of laws which are an interpretation of the Qur’an
Imam
The religious leader and judge
Islam
“Submission to the will of Allah, obedience to him, and peace to all”
Jihad
“to struggle” for the cause of Allah
Just War
The idea that although war is going against religious teachings (Do not kill) it can be justified or OK to fight in certain
circumstances.
Lesser Jihad
The struggle to establish, defend and extend the Islamic faith (called by some a holy war)
Pacifism
The idea that war and physical violence are wrong under any circumstances. There is no real concept of pacifism in
Islam, although peace is always the ultimate goal.
Qur’an
The holy book written by Muhammad after his “Night of Power” – believed by Muslims to be the words of Allah.
Shariah
“The path to follow” a set of rules that a Muslim must obey
Shariah Law
The laws taken from the Qur’an and Haddith telling a Muslim how to live their lives and the punishments for
wrongdoing. The laws are from Allah and cannot be argued against.
Sunnah
The life example of Muhammad
Religious Quotes
Qur’an 2:187 “Aggress not: God loves not aggressors”
Qur’an 22: 39 “To those on whom war is made, permission is given to fight…”
Haddith “Hate your enemy mildly: he may be your friend one day”
Haddith: "The Prophet... returned from one of his battles, and thereupon told us, 'You have arrived with an excellent arrival,
you have come from the Lesser Jihad to the Greater Jihad—the striving of a servant (of Allah) against his desires."
Qur’an 57:25 “We have sent our Messengers with clear signs and have sent down with them the book and the criterion so that man can establish
justice.”
Qur'an 5:8 “And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice.”
Haddith: “An Arab is not better than a non Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red person is not better than a black person and
a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety”
Qur’an 2:277 “Those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and establish regular prayers and regular charity will have their reward with
Allah”
Haddith: “Zakat is for the poor, and the needy, and for those who are in bondage, and in debt, and for the wayfarers and those in service of the
cause of Allah”
Qur'an 4:58 “And when you judge between man and man, you must judge with justice”
Key Ideas
Why is war sometimes necessary?
What are the religious “problems” with war?
What are the Muslim attitudes to war?
Is terrorism acceptable to the Muslim faith?
What are the different Jihads and how are they interpreted by some Muslims?
Is there such a thing as a “Holy War”?
What is the basis of Islamic Law?
Is Shariah law better than human law?
Is justice an important part of the Islamic faith?
What is the point of punishment in Shariah law?
Which crimes are forbidden? Which are discouraged? Why?
Is capital punishment acceptable to Muslims? Why?
Does the Muslim faith treat everyone fairly?
What is social justice and how is it practiced by Muslims?
Exam Techniques
You will be given 5 questions in the exam (a,b,c,d,e)
For a,b and c the answers are straight forward and will be point marked.
a is worth one mark (answer in one word or a sentence)
e.g. What is Shariah?
b is worth two marks (two points expected)
e.g. What are the two different form of Jihad?
c is worth 3 marks (three points or sentences)
e.g. What are the main points of a just war?
D is worth 6 marks but is marked as a leveled response. It is marked on depth of understanding and use of evidence and quotes to back up
your answer.
e.g. Explain the Muslim teachings about pacifism.
E is the 12 mark essay answer. The examiner will expect you to explain either side of the argument and include you own viewpoint BACKED
UP WITH EVIDENCE OR REASONS WHY. You must also include the Islamic argument or response to this.
e.g. “The Muslim faith is one of tolerance and equality for all” Discuss this statement, referring to the Islamic faith and giving you own
viewpoint.