Islam The Principles of Islam

Transcription

1 Non-fiction: Islam The Principles of Islam Islam The Principles of Islam About 1/5 of the world s population 1 follows a religion called Islam. These people are called Muslims. There are about 6-8 million Muslims in the United States and Canada. The holy day (Sabbath) for Muslim people is on Friday. For Jewish people the Sabbath is on Saturday. For Christian people the Sabbath is on Sunday. The Quran is the holy book of Islam, like the Bible is the holy book for Christianity and the Torah is for people of the Jewish faith. The Quran contains the teachings that Muslims follow. It is written in Arabic. Many Muslims are Arabs, but Muslims may be of any nationality. 2 There are five main principles 3 of the Islamic religion. If you look at the principles below, you will see that the 5 basic principles of Islam embrace peace. 1) Shahada. Shahada means faith in one divine creator whom the Muslims call Allah. The Islamic God also has many other titles that mean many things. One such title means the creator. 2) Salat. Salat is a prayer that all Muslim people must say. The prayer is said 5 times a day. Sometimes these prayers are said kneeling on a carpet and facing Mecca. Mecca is the holiest city for Islam. The prayer must be said in Arabic. 3) Zakat. Zakat means both purification 4 and growth. In practice, Zakat means that all Muslims must give 2.5% of everything they make to people in need. 4) Ramadan. Ramadan translates to the fast. Ramadan is one month long. During this month, all Muslims do not eat from daylight to sundown. 1 population number of people 2 nationality belonging to a particular nation 3 principles rules, guidelines 4 purification making clean or pure 1

2 Non-fiction: Islam The Principles of Islam Muslims believe that by fasting they will understand the true meaning of hunger. They also believe they will gain sympathy for those humans less fortunate than themselves. Ramadan ends with a feast that is one of the greatest celebrations of Islam. 5) Hajj. Hajj means pilgrimage. Each year, every Muslim who is able must journey to Mecca. Mecca is in current-day Saudi Arabia. People come to Mecca from all around the world. The pilgrims wear plain white clothes so that they all look alike. Muslims believe that in this way wealth and social class will disappear, and they will all stand as equals before God. At the end of the Hajj, a great festival takes place. In this festival called Eid Al-Adha, pilgrims exchange gifts. Eid Al-Adha and the feast at the end of Ramadan are two main holidays of the Islamic religion. 2

3 Questions: Islam The Principles of Islam Name: Date: 1. Which word below does NOT describe an Islamic principle? a. faith b. prayer c. greed d. fast 2. Why do Muslims fast? a. in order to be ready for their pilgrimage b. in order to be able to give to less fortunate people c. to gain sympathy for people less fortunate than them d. to understand the principles of Islam 3. Pilgrims that go to Mecca wear plain white clothes because a. Mohammed wore all white b. they will all look alike, and social and class distinctions will disappear c. that color symbolizes peace d. the Quran requires it 4. What do all the principles of Islam have in common? a. They all have to do with food. b. They all embrace peace. c. They all have to do with travel. d. They all have to do with prayer. 5. The passage The Principles of Islam is mostly about a. the most important people in the Islamic religion b. what percent of the world believes in each religion c. why Muslims believe in one god d. Islam and its five basic principles 3

4 Questions: Islam The Principles of Islam 6. What are two differences between Islam and Christianity? 7. How do you think going hungry would help you gain sympathy for people less fortunate than you? 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Muslims who go to Mecca dress similarly. it s hard to tell who is rich and who is poor. a. Therefore b. Because c. But d. Yet 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Every year, Muslims who are able to must travel to Mecca. Who? Muslims who are able (do) What? (to) Where? When? 10. Vocabulary Word: principles: rules, guidelines, a belief in how you should behave. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: 4

5 Answers: Islam The Principles of Islam Passage Reading Level: Lexile 760 Teacher Guide and Answers Featured Text Structure: Descriptive the writer explains, defines or illustrates a concept or topic Passage Summary: 1/5 of the world s population follows Islam, and those people are called Muslims. There are five main principles of Islam faith in one god, saying a prayer five times a day, giving to people in need, fasting during one month, and traveling to Mecca. 1. Which word below does NOT describe an Islamic principle? a. faith b. prayer c. greed d. fast 2. Why do Muslims fast? a. in order to be ready for their pilgrimage b. in order to be able to give to less fortunate people c. to gain sympathy for people less fortunate than them d. to understand the principles of Islam 3. Pilgrims that go to Mecca wear plain white clothes because a. Mohammed wore all white b. they will all look alike, and social and class distinctions will disappear c. that color symbolizes peace d. the Quran requires it 4. What do all the principles of Islam have in common? a. They all have to do with food. b. They all embrace peace. c. They all have to do with travel. d. They all have to do with prayer. 5. The passage The Principles of Islam is mostly about a. the most important people in the Islamic religion b. what percent of the world believes in each religion c. why Muslims believe in one god d. Islam and its five basic principles 5

6 Answers: Islam The Principles of Islam 6. What are two differences between Islam and Christianity? Suggested answer: Answers will vary. Students may say that the holy book of Islam is the Quran, while for Christians it is the Bible. Also, the holy day for Islam is Friday, while for Christians it is Sunday. 7. How do you think going hungry would help you gain sympathy for people less fortunate than you? Suggested answer: Choosing to go hungry can enable you to feel and understand what it is like for people who have no choice but to be hungry because they are less fortunate. 8. The question below includes an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Muslims who go to Mecca dress similarly. it s hard to tell who is rich and who is poor. a. Therefore b. Because c. But d. Yet 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Every year, Muslims who are able must travel to Mecca. Who? Muslims who are able (do) What? travel (to) Where? Mecca When? every year 10. Vocabulary Word: principles: rules, guidelines, a belief in how you should behave. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary. 6