Year 11 - Religious education
Sawm as one of the Five Pillars
Living the Muslim life
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will learn about specific practices in Islam such as prayer and festivals such as Id ul-Fitr. They will compare Sunni and Shi'a understandings of these practices noting similarities and differences.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how and why Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan.
Key Notes
- Obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan is known as 'sawm'.
- The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
- Fasting involves abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
- The Night of Power is when the first revelations of the Qur'an came to Muhammad in the cave of Hira.
- Sawm can have a great impact on the life of a Muslim as an act of discipline.
Vocabulary To Learn
- fasting: not doing certain actions such as eating or drinking
- iftar: a meal in the evenings, which is the breaking of the fast for that day during the month of Ramadan
- Night of Power: the night that the first revelation of the Qur'an came to the Prophet Muhammad
- Ramadan: the month when Muslims take part in an obligatory fast
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Muslims must fast without exceptions or exemptions.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan is known as 'sawm'. The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'fasting'
not doing certain actions such as eating or drinking.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Muslims must fast without exceptions or exemptions. Correction: Those who are ill, elderly, younger than puberty, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, and travelling do not have to fast. Missed fasting days can be made up after the month of Ramadan and/or donations made to charity in their place if needed.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Contrasting worship in Islam and Christianity Study Guide
- Hajj as one of the Five Pillars Study Guide
- Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr Study Guide
- Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura Study Guide
- Origins and meaning of 'jihad' Study Guide
- Salah as one of the Five Pillars Study Guide
- Shahadah as one of the Five Pillars Study Guide
- Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam Study Guide
- Zakah as one of the Five Pillars Study Guide
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