Islamic Studies Essentials

Cheatsheet Content

1. Fundamentals of Faith Beliefs (Iman) vs. Pillars (Arkan) Beliefs (Iman): Internal convictions. Tauheed (Oneness of God) Risalat (Prophethood) Qadr (Destiny) Pillars (Arkan): Practical acts of worship. The First Pillar: Kalima (The Declaration) Also known as: Tahleel . Components (Farz): Tauheed: Affirming "no god but Allah." Risalat: Affirming "Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah." 2. Salah / Namaz (The Second Pillar) Origin & General Rules Obligation: Made obligatory during the Meraj (Night Journey) on 27th Rajab at Sidrat al-Muntaha . Reduction: Originally 50 prayers, reduced to 5 daily. Salat-ul-Wusta: The "middle prayer" in Quran refers to Asr. The Structure of Prayer (Rakats) Total Daily Rakats: 48 17 Farz 20 Sunnah 8 Nafl 3 Witr Recitation Styles Jahri (Audible): Fajr, Maghrib, Isha. Sirri/Khafi (Silent): Zuhr, Asr. Postures & Wajib Acts Qauma: Standing straight briefly after rising from Ruku (Wajib). Jalsa: Pause sitting between two Sujoods (Wajib). Prerequisites Wudu (Ablution): Mentioned in Surah Maidah. 4 Farz: Face, Arms, Feet, Head Masah. 13 Sunnahs. Azan: "As-salatu khairum-min-an-nawm" added to Fajr Azan during Caliphate of Hazrat Umar. 3. Types of Worshipers (The Muqtadi) Mudrik: Joins Imam from Takbir-e-Tahrimah and stays until end. Masbuq: Joins congregation late, missed one or more rakats. Lahiq: Joins at start but leaves (e.g., broken wudu) and returns to complete later without speaking. 4. Special & Situational Prayers Congregational & Event Prayers Jummah (Friday): First led by Mus'ab bin Umair in Medina. Prophet (PBUH) led first at Bani Salim bin Auf. Conditions: City/town, at Zuhr time, public call (Azan-e-Aam). Not obligatory for travelers, women, sick. Janaza (Funeral): Status: Farz-e-Kifaya (Community Obligation). Method: No Ruku or Sajda; 4 Takbeers, standing only. Shroud (Kafan): Men (3 pieces), Women (5 pieces). Eid Prayers: Obligatory in 2 AH. 6 extra Takbeers (3 in 1st rakat, 3 in 2nd). Traveler’s Prayer (Qasr) Condition: Traveling $57+$ miles, intending to stay $ Rule: 4-rakat prayers shortened to 2. Maghrib (3) and Fajr (2) unchanged. Occasional Prayers Istisqa: Prayer for rain. Kusoof: Solar eclipse. Khusoof: Lunar eclipse. Istikhara: Seeking guidance from Allah. Sajda Sahw: Remedial prostration for unintentionally missing a Wajib/Sunnah act. 5. Voluntary Prayers (Nafl) Tahajjud: Late night, after sleeping, before Fajr. Ishraq: Approx. 15 minutes after sunrise. Chasht: Mid-morning (approx. 8:00–8:30 AM). Awwabin: Performed after Maghrib. Tarawih: Sunnah Muakkada in Ramadan. Established as congregation by Hazrat Umar (led by Ubayy bin Ka'b). Usually 20 rakats. 6. Roza / Fasting (The Third Pillar) Significance: Described as a "Shield" (Dhal). Prohibitions: Fasting forbidden on Eid days and Ayyam-e-Tashreeq ($11, 12, 13$ Dhul-Hijjah). Comparison: Muslims fast $29-30$ days with Suhoor; earlier nations $40$ days without Suhoor. Kaffara (Penalty) for intentionally breaking fast: Fast for $60$ consecutive days, OR Feed $60$ poor people (two meals). Itikaf: Sunnah Muakkada in last $10$ days of Ramadan. Enter 20th Ramadan (sunset), leave upon moon sighting. 7. Zakat & Ushr (The Fourth Pillar) Zakat (Wealth Tax) History: Started 2 AH, finalized 9 AH. Nisab (Minimum Threshold): Gold: $7.5$ Tolas. Silver: $52.5$ Tolas. Cash: Equivalent value held for 1 year. Livestock Rates: $5$ Camels = $1$ Goat/Sheep. $30$ Cows = $1$ Goat/Sheep. $40$ Goats = $1$ Goat/Sheep. Ushr (Agricultural Tax) Meaning: "One-tenth." Rates: $1/10$: Rain-fed land (Barani). $1/20$: Irrigated land (Canals/Tube wells). Threshold: Approx. $948$ kg of produce.