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Basic 3 · Religious and Moral Education · Religious Worship

The Qur'an and Traditional Sacred Knowledge

In this topic you will learn about the Qur'an and how Traditional Religion passes on its sacred knowledge.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Describe the Qur'an
  • Name the Hadith
  • Explain how Traditional Religion passes on sacred knowledge

What you already know

  • The Bible

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Religious Practices
Sub-strand
Religious Worship
Indicator
B3.2.1.1.1 – Name the sacred scriptures of the three major religions

Introduction

Muslims believe the Qur'an is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Traditional Religion has no written book but passes its teachings by word of mouth.

1. The Qur'an

  • It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).
  • It is written in Arabic.
  • It has 114 chapters called surahs.
  • The first surah is Al-Fatiha (The Opening).

2. The Hadith

The Hadith are records of the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims use them with the Qur'an for guidance.

3. Traditional Sacred Knowledge

How Traditional Religion teaches
WayExample
myths and storiesstories about God and the ancestors
proverbs"Obi nkyerɛ abɔfra Nyame."
songs and drum languagesacred songs at festivals
ritualslibation, naming ceremonies
A Qur'an on a wooden stand beside an elder telling stories
Figure 1: Sacred knowledge Draw the Qur'an on its stand.Illustration: Sirbus

New words

Qur'an
The holy book of Islam.
surah
A chapter of the Qur'an.
Hadith
Sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad.
oral
Spoken, not written.

Summary

  • The Qur'an has 114 surahs and is written in Arabic.
  • The Hadith record the sayings of Prophet Muhammad.
  • Traditional Religion passes sacred knowledge orally through stories, proverbs, songs and rituals.

Class activity: Scripture Cards

  1. Look at the Qur'an and the Islamic scripture cards.
  2. Name the first surah.
  3. Share one proverb you know from Traditional Religion.

You need: Qur’an, Printed Islamic scripture cards, Exercise books

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. How many surahs are in the Qur'an?

    • A. 114
    • B. 66
    • C. 27
    • D. 12
    Show answer
    Answer: 114The Qur'an has 114 chapters.

  2. 2. The sayings of Prophet Muhammad are called…

    • A. Hadith
    • B. Psalms
    • C. Gospels
    • D. Surahs
    Show answer
    Answer: HadithHadith record his sayings.

  3. 3. The Qur'an is written in Arabic.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueIt was revealed in Arabic.

  4. 4. Traditional Religion has one big written book.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIts knowledge is passed orally.

  5. 5. The first surah of the Qur'an is ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: Al-FatihaIt means The Opening.

  6. 6. Name two ways Traditional Religion passes on sacred knowledge.

    Show answer
    Answer: Any two: myths, proverbs, songs, rituals.These are oral ways.

Homework

  1. Ask a Muslim friend or neighbour to tell you about the Qur'an.