2. The three sources below teach Muslims how to
live their lives.
Qur’an
Sunnah
Islamic Law
3. Beliefs
The collection of Muhammad’s
teachings, and the believed exact words
of God as they were told to the prophet.
The central teaching is that there is only
one God (monotheism), and that
Muhammad is his prophet.
It also mentions that the world has a
beginning and will have an end, in which
God will judge all.
Some will suffer for all eternity
Others will go to paradise (Jannah): a place
with a beautiful garden, food and drinks!
4. Guidelines for Behavior
Like other holy books, it describes
acts of worship, guidelines for
moral behavior and rules for
social life.
How they worship: wash
themselves before their prayers.
What not to eat or drink: pork or
alcohol!
5. Guidelines for Behavior
It also describes the relations among
people. Some of these ideas changed
Arabs forever:
The Qur’an encouraged Muslims to free
slaves.
It describes the rights of women: to earn
money, own property and get an
education!
Jihad: It refers to an inner struggle, in
which you obey God and behave
according to Islamic ways.
It is also related to the act of converting
others. That is how it has been associated
with “holy war”.
6. Muslims also study the hadith
(the written record of
Muhammad’s words and
actions): This record is the basis
for the Sunna
This refers to the way Muhammad
lived, which is a model for duties and
the expected life of Muslims.
7. These are five acts of
worship required by all
Muslims:
Statement of faith: There is no god but
God and Muhammad is his prophet.
Daily prayer: fives times a day. They get
together in groups and pray at mosques.
Charity: Helping and caring for others is
essential!
Fasting: The do this during the holy
month of Ramadan. They do not eat or
drink anything between dawn and
sunset.
Hajj: A pilgrimage to Mecca. Any Muslim
that can travel, must do it at least once
in their life.
8. According to the Sunnah, the actions of
Muhammad teach Muslims how to treat others.
• People should treat guests with generosity.
• Relations with business and government.
• Not owing people money and people should obey their leaders.
9. Sharia
The Qur’an and Sunnah are the
basis for Islamic Law, or Shariah.
It is a system based on Islamic
sources and human reason that
judges the rightness of actions an
individual or community might
take.
It doesn’t make distinction
between religion and daily life, so
it cover every aspect of human
life.
10. Sharia
Sharia sets rewards for
good behavior and
punishment for crimes.
It also describes the
limits of authority.
In some modern
Muslim counties it is
the basis for law. Even
though some of them
blend it with modern
law too.
11. Qur’an
Holy book that
holds the messages
Muhammad
claimed to receive
from God
Sunnah
Muhammad’s
example for the
duties and way of
life expected of
Muslims
Shariah
Islamic law, based
on interpretations
of the Qur’an and
Sunnah
