Islam
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Overview: Islam is a religion professed in the Qur'an (also spelled Koran). Followers of Islam, are called Muslims, they believe that the Qur'an is a holy text that is the literal word of God. It was narrated by Muhammad, who many Muslims believe to be a messenger of God. Islam is the world's second largest religion, the majority of Muslims belong to two major groups: the Sunni or the Shi'a. Islam is the predominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa and large parts of Asia. Muslims follow religious practices known as the Five Pillars of Islam which are; the Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, and the Hajj.
Muhammad the prophet: Was born in 570 A.D. Died in 632 A.D. Muhammad was born in Mecca. Mecca is now Islam's holiest city. Muhammad is the biggest religious leader of the Islamic faith. Muslims view him as the last of a string of prophets who came closest to perfection; other prophets were Abraham, Moses, Adam, and Jesus. The Angel Gabriel visited him, and told him to, " Read in the name of Allah." Through his 23 years of prophet-hood he received revelations from the God Allah. Through these revelations the Qur'an was made after his death.
The Seven Dimensions of Islam:
Experiential- Fasting during Ramadan, al-fana.
Mythic- Sacred narratives of Abraham's founding of Mecca and of Muhammad's Ascension to Heaven.
Doctrinal- Shahada (emphasizing monotheism), Shari'a.
Ethical- Wealth sharing, regulations against pork and alcohol.
Ritual- Prayer five times daily, various observances while on the hajj.
Social- The Umma, the imam, the shaykh.
Material- The holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Ka'ba, mosques.
Five Pillars of Islam:
Shahadah: Basic tenet of Islam. It states, "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This must be recited during all prayers.
Salah: Salah is a prayer of the islam faith that must be said, and preformed five times a day. The prayer must be recited facing towards the holy city of Mecca. The islamic countries have reminders Adhan in which the salah is publicly broadcast from local mosques. The verses are from the Qur'an.
Zakat: Zakat is the practice of giving, dealing with how wealthy one is. All Muslims are supposed to give money. The zakat is considered a religious obligation. Those who can afford to give more are honored by the religion.
Sawm: During the holiday of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast from sun-up to sun-down. The point of fasting is to have Muslims feel as God did. When people have a health problem that stops them from participating in fasting are not obligated to fast.
Hajj: The Hajj is the jounrey to a sacred place that Muslims make yearly to the city of Mecca. The holy city of Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia. Muslims that are healthy, and can afford the trip are obligated to take the trip to Mecca at least once in that persons lifetime. When the Muslims get sim miles away from Mecca they are required to dress in Ihram, which is two white seamless sheets. Rituals involving the Hajj are first, Kaaba (the cube-shaped building in the center of Mecca) and kissing the "black stone" (a sacred rock supposedly kissed by Muhammad) seven times.
Ramadan: The holiday of Ramadan is a month long. Muslims are obligated to fast from day tell night. Fasting means that the person should either eliminate or limit their intake of food. Fasting his a way for Muslims to help focus, and get closer to God. Participating in Ramadan is strongly encouraged, it helps Muslims focus on prayer eliminating food intake.
Key Terms:
Muhammad the prophet: Was born in 570 A.D. Died in 632 A.D. Muhammad was born in Mecca. Mecca is now Islam's holiest city. Muhammad is the biggest religious leader of the Islamic faith. Muslims view him as the last of a string of prophets who came closest to perfection; other prophets were Abraham, Moses, Adam, and Jesus. The Angel Gabriel visited him, and told him to, " Read in the name of Allah." Through his 23 years of prophet-hood he received revelations from the God Allah. Through these revelations the Qur'an was made after his death.
The Seven Dimensions of Islam:
Experiential- Fasting during Ramadan, al-fana.
Mythic- Sacred narratives of Abraham's founding of Mecca and of Muhammad's Ascension to Heaven.
Doctrinal- Shahada (emphasizing monotheism), Shari'a.
Ethical- Wealth sharing, regulations against pork and alcohol.
Ritual- Prayer five times daily, various observances while on the hajj.
Social- The Umma, the imam, the shaykh.
Material- The holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Ka'ba, mosques.
Five Pillars of Islam:
Shahadah: Basic tenet of Islam. It states, "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This must be recited during all prayers.
Salah: Salah is a prayer of the islam faith that must be said, and preformed five times a day. The prayer must be recited facing towards the holy city of Mecca. The islamic countries have reminders Adhan in which the salah is publicly broadcast from local mosques. The verses are from the Qur'an.
Zakat: Zakat is the practice of giving, dealing with how wealthy one is. All Muslims are supposed to give money. The zakat is considered a religious obligation. Those who can afford to give more are honored by the religion.
Sawm: During the holiday of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast from sun-up to sun-down. The point of fasting is to have Muslims feel as God did. When people have a health problem that stops them from participating in fasting are not obligated to fast.
Hajj: The Hajj is the jounrey to a sacred place that Muslims make yearly to the city of Mecca. The holy city of Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia. Muslims that are healthy, and can afford the trip are obligated to take the trip to Mecca at least once in that persons lifetime. When the Muslims get sim miles away from Mecca they are required to dress in Ihram, which is two white seamless sheets. Rituals involving the Hajj are first, Kaaba (the cube-shaped building in the center of Mecca) and kissing the "black stone" (a sacred rock supposedly kissed by Muhammad) seven times.
Ramadan: The holiday of Ramadan is a month long. Muslims are obligated to fast from day tell night. Fasting means that the person should either eliminate or limit their intake of food. Fasting his a way for Muslims to help focus, and get closer to God. Participating in Ramadan is strongly encouraged, it helps Muslims focus on prayer eliminating food intake.
Key Terms:
- Hajj- The fifth of the Five Pillars; the journey to Mecca that all Muslims are to make at least once in their lifetime, if they can afford it and are physically able.
- Jihad- The general spiritual struggle to be a devout Muslim.
- Qur'an- Islam's primary sacred text, regarded by Muslims as the direct word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel.
- Ramadan- The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a period which Muslims fast.
- Shahada- The confession of faith, the first of the Five Pillars and central creedal statement of Islam: "There is no god except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.
- Sunna- The teachings and actions of Muhammad recorded in writings, which provide the model for being Muslim.
- Umma- The community of all Muslims.
- Sunni- The division of Islam practiced by most Muslims, named after the Sunna.
- Shi'i- The division of Islam dominant in Iraq and Iran, orgiginating as a result of an early dispute over leadership; distinguishable from Sunni Islam mainly by its figure of the Imam and strong messianic expectations.
Photos used under Creative Commons from ohhenry415, Lion Multimedia Production U.S.A., Franco Folini, Viktor Nagornyy