Islam Rituals

BIRTH:
Outline how children are welcomed into the Muslim faith?
- The Muslims call to prayer or adhaan ("God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer."), these are the first words a newborn will hear, the child will hear this through their right ear by his or her father. The babys first taste would be something sweet, the parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the babys gums. After 7 days the head is shaved, to show that the child is a servent of Allah.

What is the Aqeeqah?
- Traditionally carried out on the seventh day. This is a celebration which involves the slaughter of sheep. Sheep are sacrificed (in Britain the meat is ordered at the butchers) and the meat is distributed to relatives and neighbours and also given to the poor.

MARRIAGE:
Outline the basic elements of an Islamic wedding ceremony:
- Mutally agreed
- Mahr (marriage gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride
- two adults and sane wittnesses
- written marriage contract signed by groom and bride

Additional Information on The Qur'an

Suaras- chapters of the Qur'an, these are 114 chapters, each is shorter than the one before it.
The Qur'an is thought to be the completed message that began with Judisn and Christianity.

Quran

1.      What does the word Quran translate to in English?
 Recitation

2.     What is the purpose of the message sent to Mohammad why was it sent again?

Gods own message to the world to remind people of the message already received by the Jews and Christians –Gods guidance for human kind

3.     How is the message sent to Mohammad different to the messages already sent to the Christians and the Jews?

It is in Arabic  

4.     Is the message in the Quran the same message as in the Bible?

Yes

5.     Name two other prophets mentioned in the Quran.

Abraham and Jesus

6.     How was the message passed on to others in the beginning?

It was an oral / aural transmission

7.     Why was the original message not written down by Mohammad?

He was not literate in Arabic

8.      What language is used for the Quran?

Arabic

9.     Which city did Islam originate?

Mecca

10.What dose ‘Muslim’ mean?

Those who commit to God

11.How does the Quran differ from the Bible in the story of the death of Jesus?

Belief Jesus was not crucified but lifted to God another man who looked like him was crucified.

12.What does the Quran say about warfare?

Muslims may defend themselves only when there is a threat. They should be merciful to those they capture – as Muhammad was when he took over Mecca.

Islamic Work

The Star and the Crescent:

They are the accepted symbols of Islam since the 18^th century they appear on several flags of Islamic nations. Even before the time of Muhammad they were found on the Ka’aba and it is said that Muhammad allowed these symbols to remain intact when he ordered the removal of the idols in the Ka’aba.

No symbols of Allah:

Islam has always insisted that there should be no idols and no images of Allah. An Islamic mosque is devoid of all statues and al paintings this is in contrast to Christian Churches. Islamic Artists have compensated froths for this restricted by developing beautiful work and calligraphy.

Bismillah (in the same name of Allah)

One of the most prominent symbolic designs is the motif with the words Bismillah (in the name of Allah). All the Suras of the Qur’an except one begin with the words ‘in the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate…..’ so the first word of these Suras has been taken and variously depicted in extremely ornate styles.

The Five Pillars of Islam Extended

                                                            

Pillar #1: Shahaadah

• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith? 

-       It is fundamental to a Muslim’s spiritual life.  The meaning of this: “There is nothing which has the right to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad who is His Messenger.”

• Why do you think that this statement is a significant part of being a Muslim?

-       This means that Muslims choose to only worship one God and one only, their beliefs lie with the faith and there leader. It gives them reassurance that they are doing the right thing in their opinion.

Video – Islam_vid_muslimpray.mov

Pillar #2: Salah (prayer)

• Describe the process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray.

-       You should purify yourself by doing something called Wudu. The first step is to intend it in your heart and by uttering, or saying in your mind, the words "bismillah". Then rinse your palms up to the wrist three times, rinse your mouth thrice, wash your nose by sniffing water in it thrice, wash your  face three times, then wash your hands up to the elbow, the right hand first  then the left hand.  Then wipe your head with wet hands, rub your ears with wet hands and wash your right feet up to the ankle and repeat it with your left foot.  When washing your hands, arms and feet you should always start with your right one and repeat it three times.

• Describe the process of praying in Islam. How many times each day, and when, do Muslims pray?

PRAYER	TIME FRAME
Morning	Starts about 1hr and 20min before sunrise and ends about 10min before sunrise. It is recited out loud
Noon	Begins when the sun passes the meridian and ends about 2 ½ hrs after. It is recited in silence.
Afternoon	Begins from the time the noon pray time ends and ends about 10mins before sunset. Recited in silence.
Sunset	Begins soon after sunset and ends before darkness approaches. The first 2 rakahs are recited out loud, and the third is recited in silence.
Night	Starts from the time the sunset prayer ends and extends til just before the morning prayer. The first 2 rakahs are recited out loud, and last 2 in silence.

• What do the prayers sound like?  What do the movements look like? 

-        They include chapters of the Quran recited in Arabic. Three of the five daily prayers are recited out loud. They show submission to God e.g. bowing down to God in the Sajdah.

• In which direction do Muslims pray? Why do they face this way?

-       Prayer is to be done facing the Qibla (the direction of Mecca.)  Mecca is their Holy Centre, they pray towards this as a sign of respect.

• What are some of the things Muslims say during prayer? 

-       Memorize verses from the Kar’an

• Why do Muslims pray?

-       As a sign of respect for their God, and their leader. They feel it is their duty to keep in touch with their faith.

Video – Islam_vid_zakat.mov

Pillar #3: Zaakat

• What is Zakat?  What is emphasized in Zakat?

-       The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

• Why do Muslims make donations?  How much money is a person expected to give to charitable causes?   

-       Muslims do that for Humanitarian goals only as long as others doing for their relief and sometimes Muslim do that for non Muslims relief because Islam asking Muslims to do good deeds and donate for others even Muslims or not. They donate 2.1% of their income.

• How is zakat different from ordinary charity that Muslims might give?

-       It’s a gift from almightily; a proportion of it belongs to the poor.

Video - Islam_vid_islam_celeb.mov

Pillar #4: Ramadon

• As part of the Muslim religion, what does it mean to fast? 

-        During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset (that is, they refrain from eating or drinking).

• Why do Muslims fast? 

-       Spiritual benefits can give to the needy, purify the soul

• What and when is Ramadan?   What is Eid al-Fitr? 

-       The 9th month of the Islamic year. Traditionally begins with the actual sighting of the new moon, marking the start of the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Videos – Islam_vid_hajj (part 1 & 3)

Pillar #5: Hajj

·         How often must Muslims participate in Hajj? 

-       At least Once

·         Where do Muslims go during Hajj? 

-       To Mecca

·         What and where is the Kaaba?  Describe this place. 

-       It is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

·         How many Muslims participate in Hajj?

-       About 2 million years each year

·         What is the goal of Hajj? 

-       To reach a better understanding of their faith

·         What does it mean to enter spiritual purity? What is the purpose of the special garments?

-       To realize your sins

·         How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?

-       Focused, not bothered by all the crowds. Spiritual full-filled

·         What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?

-       He was the father of the Israel nation, he was also biblical aggregating to the Bible

The Five Pillars of Islam

There are 5 major beliefs or obligations for each Muslim, they are as follows:

• Shahadah: declaration of belief
• Salat: pray 5 times a day
• Zokat: giving to the poor
• Sawan/Ramadon: fasting in the 9th month of Islamic calendar
• Hajj: to Mecca, must be made once in a Muslims life

The Mosque

Where was it, what did you see and do at the Mosque?

- In the suburb of Aurburn, Sydney Australia.

What did you learn? Identify major items/facts       -The main hall can fit up to 2,000 people in it. As it is two stories, the women pray upstairs so they feel comfortable, and men don't get distracted while praying. The people of this religion have to pray 5 times a day: before dawn, morning, midday, afternoon and evening. Some taking hours at a time. The main hall took years to build and it cost a total $6 million. Alot of the furnishing in the main hall was imported from Turkery, including the carpet.

What you gained from the experience

- The experience that I gained when going on the excursion was that I learnt about a new religion, and how others have different values and beliefs on how to worship God. I saw how people of this religion pray, and how seriously they take there beliefs.