Download Teacher guidance Explanation of terms: Unit 08 - Islam

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Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 8 Islam
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
adhan
The call to prayer.
adultery
Sex outside marriage where one or both of the couple are already married to someone
else.
Allah
The Islamic name for God.
akhirah
Everlasting life after death.
Arafat
A plain near to Makkah where pilgrims gather to worship, pray and ask for forgiveness.
This takes place on the ninth day of the Islamic month, the day before Eid ul Adha.
arranged marriage
A marriage for which parents will take a leading role in choosing a marriage partner for
their son or daughter.
authority
Power to give orders to others and expect obedience.
compilation
A gathering together into one book of material from more than one source.
customs
Accepted or habitual practice, usually long standing.
Day of Judgement
The day when Allah will decide about individual deeds, good and bad, and on reward of
punishment.
discrimination
To act against someone on the basis of sex, race, religion, etc. Discrimination is usually
seen as wrong.
divorce
Legal ending of a marriage.
du’a
Personal Prayer.
Eid ul Adha
Celebration of the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacriÞce his son for Allah. Ends the
period of Hajj.
Eid ul Fitr
Celebration of the end of fasting after Ramadan.
equality
That people should be given the same rights and opportunities regardless of sex,
religion, race, etc.
Five Pillars
The Þve pillars which support Islam by encouraging the development of good character,
attitude and behaviour. Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj.
gender
Another word for a person’s sex, ie male, female.
Hadith
Words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. A major source of Islamic Law.
hajj
Annual pilgrimage to Makkah, which all Muslims must undertake at least once in their
lives, unless prevented by problems over wealth or health. The Þfth pillar of Islam.
halal
Any action or thing which is permitted or lawful.
haram
Any action or thing which is forbidden.
hell
Eternal separation from Allah.
hijab
Modest dress for women – often used to mean the veil or headscarf Muslim women
wear – means ‘cover’.
the Hijrah
The emigration of the Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE; the
Muslim Calendar commences from this event.
homosexuality
A sexual relationship with someone of the same sex.
imam
1. A person who leads communal prayer;.
2. In Shi’ah, the title of Ali and his successors.
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
46924/SpecA/8
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 8 Islam
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
Islam
1. The name of the religion followed by Muslims.
2. To surrender to the will of God.
3. Peace.
Jumuah
Weekly communal Salah performed after midday on a Friday.
justice
Bringing about what is right, fair, according to the law or making up for a wrong that has
been committed.
ka’aba
The black covered cube-shaped building in the centre of the grand mosque in Makkah.
All Muslims face towards it when they pray.
lifestyle
The way people live that reßects their values and attitudes.
Madinah (Medina)
A key city in the History of Islam, from where Muhammad travelled to Makkah in
622 CE. It is regarded as the second holiest city in Islam and is the burial place of
Muhammad.
madrassah
A Muslim school attached to a mosque where young Muslims study Islam.
Makkah (Mecca)
The city where Muhammad was born. The spiritual centre of Islam, it is in Saudi Arabia.
marriage
A legal union between a man and a woman.
mihrab
A niche indicating the direction of Makkah.
Mina
Place to be visited on Hajj – stoning of pillars.
minbar
A pulpit for giving Friday sermons.
modesty
Unpretentious manner or appearance.
mosque
The Muslim place of worship.
mu’adhin (muezzin)
The Islamic call to prayer (the person who calls).
Muslim
One who has submitted to the will of Allah and has accepted Islam.
Muzdalifah
Place where pilgrims hold a night prayer and rest during Hajj, after the Stand on
Mount Arafat.
Muhammad
The last and greatest of the prophets of Allah.
paradise
Place of perfect happiness; the afterlife.
pilgrimage
A journey made for religious reasons.
Pillars of Islam
The Þve most important duties: to believe, to pray, to give to charity, to fast and to go on
pilgrimage. Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj.
polygamy
Being married to more than one person at once.
prejudice
Unfairly judging someone before the facts are known. Holding biased opinions about an
individual or group.
pre-marital sex
A sexual relationship which occurs before marriage takes place.
prophethood
Channel of communication with God (risalah).
purdah
An Urdu word often used to describe complete seclusion. Women covering their face
and hands when in public.
qiblah
The direction Muslims face when praying, towards Makkah.
Qur’an
The Holy Book revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the angel Jibril. Allah’s Þnal
revelation to humankind.
rak’ah
Actions made during Salah consisting of recitations, standing, bowing and prostration.
46924/SpecA/8
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 8 Islam
These terms appear in the SpeciÞcation and so knowledge and understanding of their
meaning may be required in an examination.
Term
DeÞnition
Ramadan
Month during which fasting from dawn to sunset is demanded (ninth month of the
Islamic calendar).
recitation
The act of reciting from memory.
re-marriage
When people who have been married before marry again.
revelation
Allah shows himself to believers.
risalah
Prophecy. The channel of communication between God and humanity.
salah
Prayer with and worship of Allah, performed under the conditions set by the Prophet
Muhammad – Þve times a day. The second pillar of Islam.
sawm
Fasting from dawn to dusk during Ramadan; sex and smoking are banned when the
believer is engaged in this. The fourth pillar of Islam.
shahadah
Muslim declaration of faith. The Þrst pillar of Islam.
Shari’ah
Islamic law based directly upon the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Shi’ah (Shi’i)
Muslims who believe in the Imamah, successorship of Ali.
sunnah
The teachings and deeds of Muhammad.
Sunni
Muslims who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.
surah
A division (chapter) of the Qur’an. There are 114 in all.
tawhid
Oneness and unity of Allah.
ummah
All Muslims are regarded as part of a brotherhood; the nation of Islam.
Useful terms (teachers might wish to include these in the delivery of the unit)
Term
DeÞnition
masjid
The mosque.
minaret
In Islam, the tower of the mosque from which the muezzin calls the faithful to pray.
Sadaqah
Good actions or voluntary payments undertaken for charitable reasons.
wudu
Ablutions – ritual washing before prayer.
Wuquf
The stand on Mount Arafat.
zakah
1. PuriÞcation of wealth by giving to the poor.
2. An act of obligatory worship for Muslims.
Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.
46924/SpecA/8
Teacher Resource Bank
Explanation of terms
GCSE Religious Studies SpeciÞcation A Unit 8 Islam
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