Islamic Rituals

Birth

How are children welcomed into the Muslim faith?

“God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer." are the first words a newborn Muslim baby hears because this is the Muslim call to prayer.

They believe the baby's first taste should be something sweet, so they may taste the juice of a date. Mohammad believed this would help the baby develop.

After seven days the baby's head is shaved to show that the child is the servant of Allah.

What is Aqeeqah?

The aqeeqah also happens on the seventh day. Sheep are sacrificed and the meat is given to relatives, neighbours and the poor.

Marriage

The basic elements of an Islamic wedding ceremony;

·         Both bride and broom agree to the wedding

·         They exchange gifts (Mahr)

·         Sermon by the Muslim delivering the service

Qur'an

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?

It was Gods message to remind people of the message the Jews and Christians had already gotten.  

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.

Moses and Jesus

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

People passed on the story by word of mouth

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

 So he could recite and memorise the passages

8.      What language is used for the Quran?

Arabic

9.      Which city did Islam originate?

Mecca

10.  What dose ‘Muslim’ mean?

Those who submit to God

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

They belive that Jesus wasn’t crucified but taken to God and another man who looked like him was crucified.

12.  What does the Quran say about warfare?
      Muslims have a right to defend themselves. They should show mercy to those they capture like Muhammad was when he took over Mecca.
13. Additional Info
Suras- Chapters of the Qur'an, there are 114, each one is sgorter than the one before it, they all start with the same verse except one.
The Qur'an is thought to be the completed message that began with Judaism and Christianity.

The Symbols of Islam

The Star and Cresent
They are the accepted symbols of Islam since the eigteenth 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 in the Ka'aba.

No Symbols of Allah
Islam has always insisted that there should be no idols or images of Allah. An islamic mosque is devoid of all statues and all painting in contrast to Christian churches. Islamic artist have compensated for this restriction by developing beautiful work and calligraphy.

Bismillah (in the 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 exept 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

                                                           

Pillar #1: Shahada- the declaration of faith.                                                                                   

• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith? 

They believe that their there is no god but Allah and no other idol should be worshipped.

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

So that there is significance in their prayer and they believe in that their prayers are being listened to.

Video – Islam_vid_muslimpray.mov

Pillar #2:Shalot-n Prayer                                                                                                      

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

They wash and make sure they are free of any impurities from their everyday life. A lot of people use a prayer mat

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

They pray 5 times a day, at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and at night.         

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

The prayers and passages from the Qur’an are recited and some are sung. They kneel down and then hold their hands up next to their face and bend toward the ground toward mecca.

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

Muslims pray towards Mecca because it is considered the heart of Islam.

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

 ‘Allah Akbar, God is greater’

• Why do Muslims pray?

To show respect and submission to Allah.

Video – Islam_vid_zakat.mov

Pillar #3:Zakat- Giving to the poor                                                                                                  

• What is Zakaat?  What is emphasized in Zakaat?

It is giving to the less fortunate. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping those who are in need are all emphasised

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

2.5 per cent of a Muslims income should go to charitable causes. Most follow the obligatory and traditional charity. It is seen as a gift.

• What is the relationship between prayer and money?

Zakat is mentioned in the Qur’an 82 times and the Qur’an is part of the everyday prayer. If they are giving to the poor they are acknowledging obeying Allah.

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

It is helping like Allah would have helped the poor and so they feel closer to their god.

Video - Islam_vid_islam_celeb.mov

Pillar #4:Fasting- Sawan/Raadan                                                                                                      

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

To give up food. And other things like smoking

• Why do Muslims fast? 

They have interpreted the Qur’an to mean that that is what Allah wanted them to do. It is an act of worship and is regarded as a test of the persons submission to Allah.

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

Ramadan is ‘the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.’

Eid ul-Fitr is a three-day Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

Videos – Islam_vid_hajj (part 1 & 3)

Pillar #5:Hajj- Pilrimage                                                                                                       

• How often must Muslims participate in Hajj? 

They must participate once in their life though some people go more than once.

• Where do Muslims go during Hajj? 

They go to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

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

‘Kaaba is a square stone building in the center of the Great Mosque at Mecca, the site most holy to Muslims and toward which they must face when praying. It stands on the site of a pre-Islamic shrine said to have been built by Abraham’

• How many Muslims participate in Hajj?

2-3 million.

• What is the goal of Hajj? 

To become closer to Allah by following in the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad.

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

It means to remove any impurities from everyday life and to enter into a state of mind where your mind is focused on prayer.

• How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?

He could focus on his worship and was overwhelmed about how many pilgrims there were.

• What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?

Abraham is said to have been instrumental in the building of Mecca and he was the messenger of God who received the command to make that  specific place the heart of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

There are 5 major beliefs or obligations for eac Muslim, they are as follows;

Shahadah- Belief
The first Pillar of Islam is belief that "There is no god but God and that Muhammad is His messenger."

Salat- Worship
The second Pillar of Islam is to worship God five times a day, at sunrise, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall.

Zakat- Almsgiving
The fourth Pillar of Islam is to give alms to the poor. Muslims are supposed to donate a fixed amount of their property to charity every year.

Sawan/Raadan- Fasting
The third Pillar of Islam is to abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset in the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar.

Hajj- Pilgrimage
The fifth Pillar of Islam is to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in one's lifetime

The Mosque

Where was it?
Auburn

What did you see and do at the mosque?
I saw the Mosque from outside which was spectacular as it had many domes and turrets. There were gardens on the perimeter and a fountain in the court yard. The interior of the main room downstairs was spacious and the walls were decorated with colourful patterns and arabic writing. There a was a turkish carpet on the floor.

What did you learn?
There is segregation at prayer time. The women pray upstairs and the men pray downstairs. There is a staricase that doesn't lead anywhere called the Minbar. The spiritual leader preaches from here but never stands on the top step to show that they are not equal to their god Allah.

What did you gain from the experiance?
I gained more respect for Muslims because I realised how commited they must be.

Islam Facts

What dos Islam mean?
Submission

What were the origins of Islam?
Mohammed was born in570 AD and at the age of 40he got a revelation from God and Islam began.

How does someone become Muslim?
They say 'there is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.'

How do Muslims practice their religion?
They pray 5 times a day and uphold the 5 pillars of Islam.

What is the Ka'ba?
The Ka'ba is the place of worship that God told Abraham and Ishmael to build more than four thousand years ago.

It is in Saudi Arabia and every Muslim must go there on a pilgrimage.

It is also called the Mecca.

What were the highlights of Mohammed's life?
At the age of 40 he received a revelation from God. He is the founder of Islam. It is asserted that he is the chosen messenger from God.

What is the Quran?
It is the Islamic holy book.

An introduction to Islam

The religion of Muslims is called Islam.
Islam means submission and the muslims have to be submitted to God.
The Muslims name for God is Allah.
The symbol used means that religion shows them how to live, like the moon and stars guide them in the desert.

Activity
The words Islam and Muslim both mean submission.
Muslims believe that Allah made everything.
The Muslim holy book is called te Qu'ran.
The star and cresent moon is th symbol of Islam.
Muslims submit to Allah because God made everything.
Muslims believe Muhammad is the last and most important prophet.
Islam began in the middle east in countries such as Saudia Arabia nad Pakistan.