1. What is the most distinguishing mark of a Muslim?
Salah is the most distinguishing mark of a Muslim.
2. How many times a day has a Muslim to offer Salah?
A Muslim has to offer Salah five times in a day.
3. Which phrase often occurs in the Holy Qur’an?
The phrase ‘Perform Salah perfectly’ (Aqimis Salah) often occurs in the Qur’an.
4. What is the Pillar of Faith?
Salah is the pillar of Faith.
5. What are the gates of good?
Fasting, giving charity and offering Salah – these are the gates of good in Islam.
6. What is the sign of one’s being conscious of Allah?
Offering Salah in the late hours of the night (Tahajjud prayer) is the sign of one being conscious of Allah.
7. What is the heart of Islam?
The heart of Islam is to submit to Allah.
8. What is the backbone of Islam?
Salah is the backbone of Islam.
9. What is the peak of Islam?
Striving in the cause of Allah is the peak of Islam.
10. What is the importance of Salah in the life of a Muslim?
The importance can be understood from this hadith: Between the servant and disbelief is the omission of Salah! One who doesn't offer Salah doesn't have faith!
11. What does ‘offering Salah perfectly’mean?
‘Offering Salah perfectly’ means offering it regularly and in its proper time.
12. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj.
13. Mention the things a Muslim is required to believe and carry out in his daily life.
A Muslim is required to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, Good and Evil. He is obligated to offer Salah, give Zakah, observe the fasts of Ramadan and perform Hajj if he has the means to do. A Muslim is required to practice the teachings of Islam in his daily life by following the last and final Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad صلّى الله عليه وسلّم
14. What does the word ‘Deen’ mean?
‘Deen’ sometimes is translated as ‘religion’ but it is not right. ‘Deen’ includes all aspects of life related to beliefs and actions of man.
15. What is the importance of ‘the intention’ in Islam?
All our actions are judged by intention. If the intention is good, then our good deeds will be accepted by Allah and if the intention is bad (for example, deeds done to show off) then even our good deeds wouldn’t be accepted by Allah.
16. Can an adult Muslim be ever exempted from offering Salah? What about those who are in bad health?
No adult is exempted from offering Salah except in case of women during certain times. Those who are in bad health can offer Salah by sitting or reclining.
17. Mention the various merits and the value of Salah, as mentioned in Hadith, quoted in the lesson ‘Salah has been made My delight’?
Salah is the saviour of faith. It is a pillar and the backbone of Islam. It distinguishes a believer from an unbeliever. Salah brings comfort to the heart. For a true Muslim, it is a source of delight and happiness.
18. What happens when a Muslim offers Salah perfectly?
When a Muslim offers his Salah perfectly, he gets closer to Allah. His sins are forgiven by Allah.
19. What did the Prophet usually do in times of difficulties?
He used to turn to Allah in Salah during times of difficulties.
20. What comparison has been used in a Hadith to bring out the merits of Salah?
The comparison is that of a man taking bath in a river five times in a day because of which he has no dirt left in his body. When a man offers Salah fives times in a day, all his sins are forgiven by Allah.
21. What is the best thing in the sight of Allah?
Offering Salah in its proper time is the best thing in the sight of Allah.
22. How does the Qur’an condemn those who omit or relax their prayers?
The Qur’an announces a grievous punishment for those who omit Salah saying that they will be thrown into the hell-fire.
23. What is the purpose of man’s creation according to the Qur’an?
According to the Qur’an, the purpose of man’s creation is to worship Allah by obeying His commands.
24. How can we keep away from hell?
We can keep away from hell by fearing Allah and by offering Salah perfectly.
