Marriage

Author(s): Natubhai Shah
Publisher: UK Jain Academy

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Jihad: The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort. Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle: a believer's internal struggle to live life as a good Muslim by following the Qur'an; the struggle to build a good Muslim society; and Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary. The internal Jihad is the one that Prophet Muhammad is said to have called the greater Jihad.
Hijab: Hijab is an Arabic word meaning barrier or partition. It is the principle of modesty and includes behaviour as well as dress for both males and females. The most visible form of hijab is the head covering that many Muslim women wear.
Niqab: is the term used to refer to the piece of cloth which covers the face worn by women across Saudi Arabia and the Indian subcontinent and many women in the West.
Sacred Texts
The Qur'an is the main holy book. It is permanent and unchangeable and contains guidance on ethics, human relationships, so cial justice, political principles, law, trade, commerce, and beliefs, philosophy and prayer. Because the Qur'an is viewed as the actual words of God (in Arabic), the learning and recitation of the Qur'an is the duty of all Muslims.
The framework within which Muslim life has evolved is the Shari'ah (law). The Qur'an, the Sunna, ljma and Qiyas are the sources of Shari'ah. The Sunna is the example of the Prophet and his way of life, which acts as a model for Muslims. The traditions, words and actions of Mohammad and his companions are found in the Hadith. The ljma is consensus of approval for particular aspects of Shari'ah. The Qiyas draws analogies between the Qur'an, Sunna and Hadith and contemporary circumstance, in order to interpret the Shari'ah in modern situations. Scholars advise on interpretations and the application of the Shariah.
Ethics
All aspects of a Muslim's life are governed by Sharia. Sharia law comes from a combination of sources including the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book), the Hadith (sayings and conduct of the prophet Muhammad) and fatwas (the rulings of Islamic scholars).
The five essential duties of a Muslim are known as 'Five Pillars' of Islam:
1. Sahadah: repetition of faith in the absolute oneness of 'Allah' and Mohammed as his
messenger
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