ISLAMBeliefs and Practices

I. Components of the Faith

Islam: Means “submission to God” Muslim: A follower of Islam Qur'an: Word of God according to

Muslims Hadith: Collection of the words and

example of Muhammad– From testimony of Muhammad’s

companions

Five Pillars of Islam1. Shahada: main creed in Islam: confess

belief in one God• Muhammad is his messenger• Must recite: "There is no god but God, and Muhammad

is the Messenger of God"

2. Salat: pray 5 times a day• Listen to the Call to Prayer. Video. Video 2.• Prayer video

3. Zakat: almsgiving, giving to those in need

• 2.5% to the poor

4. Sawm: fasting• Most common in holy month of Ramadan from dawn

until dusk

5. Hajj: holy pilgrimage to Mecca• Must be made at least once in lifetime. Video. Pictures

.

Six Beliefs1. Belief in One God

• Shirk: worshipping anything or anyone other than God. Essentially idolatry, the one unforgiveable sin

2. Belief in Angels• God’s messengers to bring his revelation

3. Belief in Prophets • Humans chosen by God to be his

messengers. Includes Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad

Six Beliefs4. Belief in Scriptures

• The Qur'an, but also parts of Torah, Psalms, and Gospels

5. Belief in Final Judgment and Resurrection • Only God knows the day of judgment• Will be bodily resurrection and then reside in

Paradise

6. Belief in God’s Predestination• God is in control of everything but free will

still exists

Jihad Jihad: means to “strive or struggle” in the way of

God There are different interpretations of what jihad

means:– Could be taken to mean a military struggle

against non-Muslims to protect or spread the Ummah (Muslim community)

– Or Greater Jihad vs. Lesser Jihad: Greater Jihad – struggle for spiritual self-perfection Lesser Jihad – struggle in a military sense

– Or some interpret it as “holy war” There is much controversy over Jihad

– Must it have a warfare connection?– Does it refer to defensive or offensive warfare?– Focus on Greater or Lesser?

II. Mosques Mosque: place of prayer

– Translated as “place of prostration”– Doesn’t have to be a building

Minaret: tower where call to prayer takes place

Qibla: niche in wall to orient worshiper toward Mecca

Imam: Religious leader in a mosque (in Sunni Islam)

Sheik: Muslim held in high esteem – Often the leader of a tribe or group.

Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad

Detroit

Minarets

Qibla

Minbar for sermons

Inside Mosque

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/82/Mosque.Qibla.01.jpg

Ritual Purification- Before prayers

Women in Mosques Must be covered when praying Never pray in front of men

– Modesty Traditionally separated from men by either praying in

the back, by a barrier, or in a different room

Dome of the Rock

III. Sharia Law

Sharia: body of Islamic religious law– Governs all aspects of private

and public life Sunnis base law upon

Qur’an, Sunnah, and scholarly interpretation

Shi’ites base law upon Qur’an and examples of Muhammad and Imams

Sharia and Human Rights

Women have few rights– Husband or father has legal rights. Story.

Very little freedom of speech Slavery is condoned, but not encouraged

– Better to take slaves in war, than to kill whole tribes

Different perspectives on role of Islamic law:– Traditionalists: believe laws of state should be

based upon Islamic traditions– Secularists: believe laws should be based

upon secular traditions

IV. Islam and Other Faiths Dhimmis: “Peoples of the Book”

– Mainly Christians and Jews, those from the other Abrahamic religions

Islam historically respected Dhimmis– Allowed to worship in pre-

established buildings– Pay tax in lieu of Zakat (alms)

V. Family Life

1. Childhood Naming:

– Named after family, prophets, or events

Circumcision:– Traditionally occurs after boy recites Qur’an

between 10 and 12 years old– Can happen in infancy, but often as a rite of

passage into adulthood

Muslim boys reading Quran

2. Marriage

Encouraged to marry as soon as feasible– Parents often arrange marriage

Love will grow out of marriage Weddings are gender exclusive Groom gives a “bride gift”

3. Eating Halal: permissible food Haram: anything forbidden

– Carrion (carcasses of dead animals), Pork, Blood, and anything dedicated to another god

– Alcohol is also Haram

Falafel Humus

4. Death

Shahada should be whispered in ear of the dying

Dead should be buried the same day– Body washed and shrouded in white– Placed in grave on right side with head

facing Mecca Female wailing common as form of

grieving