Islam Ms. McPeak
What do you know about Islam?
Islam Quick Facts *Adherents: 1.3-1.6 billion people and In North America there are 5-7 million muslims *Size Rank: Fastest growing religion in the world, inc Europe, the US and Canada and is the 2nd largest religion after Christianity * Date Founded: 622 CE in Mecca * Most Influential person: Muhammad *Sacred Text: Quran *Original language: Arabic
Quick Facts Cont... *Religious Professionals: Sheikh or Imam *House of Worship: Mosque *Ultimate Reality: God ( or Allah in Arabic) with strict monotheism *Human nature: Born in a state of purity; imperfect but capable of seeking God and doing good *Purpose of life: To Worship God and please Him by submitting oneself to God s command. The result of fulfilling this purpose in this temporary life will result in paradise in the everlasting afterlife
What is Islam mean? surrender submission obedience sincerity 2:00
Islam in a Historical Context Started in the 7th century when Muhammad received the revelation in a deserted cave. It came from the angel Gabriel who told him to recite. He was illiterate and so had to remember the whole of the Quran by heart and tell it bit by bit to his followers as the revelations came ( it took 27 years in total to complete it)
The Qur an * Revelation from God of His word * The Qur an can only be paraphrased or interpreted in any language other than Arabic * 114 suras ( chapters) written in poetic verse
Mosque or Masjid *Mosques are to muslims as churches are to Christians ( place of prostration) *Jummah ( or Friday prayer) is the holy day of worship and in Islamic countries school and work are closed
Muslim Language Decoded When we meet another Muslim: As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu may the mercy, peace and blessings of Allah be upon you We praise Allah: Alhamdulillah and subhanallah ( All the praises are due to Allah - how free from imperfections is Allah ) When we eat or Do any other activity "Bismilallah" ( In the name of Allah or God Proclimation of Faith La il laha il Allah, Muhammad a rasool Allah. (There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger) When the name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned SalAllahu allehi wa salam ( may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him )
When Muslims want to thank someone: jazakallahu khair ( may Allah reward you with good ) When we hear of someones death: "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun." (To Allah we belong and to Him we return.) When showing appreciation for something: masha Allah ( as Allah wills) When making a mistake and seeking forgiveness: Astaghfirullah." ( may Allah forgive me When planning to do something: Insha Allah ( as Allah wills)
5 Pillars of Islam 1) Declaration of Faith ( Shahada) 2) Daily Prayers ( Salat) 3) Charity (Zakat) 4) Fasting ( Ramadan) 5) Pilgrimage ( Hajj) * All muslims follow the Qur an ( The word of God) and the sunnah ( the doings of the prophet which were constantly being written down into a book called the hadith)
Shahada The first of the Five Pillars of Islam is the shahada. Shahada is the Muslim profession of faith, expressing the two simple, fundamental beliefs that make one a Muslim: La ilaha illa Allah wa-muhammad rasul Allah. There is no god but God and Muhammad is the prophet of God. Sincere recitation of this confession of faith before of two Muslims is required. It represents acceptance not only of Allah and his prophet, but of the entirety of Islam.
Salat (Prayer) Prayers are done 5 times a day: Fajr- morning (sunrise) Duhur- mid morning Asr- afternoon Maghrib- early evening (sunset) Isha- evening *Before each of the 5 prayers can begin a muslim must do Wudu ( cleansing) * Prayer is done by facing the Qibla ( The direction of Mecca) * The Adhan ( or call to prayer is done) * The content of the prayer is the glorification of God, reciting the Quran, saying blessings on the prophet, and seeking guidance and forgiveness * All muslims face the Qibla ( the holy center of Mecca) when they pray * Women must wear a hijab ( or head scarf) for prayer
Zakat Almsgiving is a central activity in Islam. The Qur'an explicitly requires it (9:60) and often places it alongside prayer when discussing a Muslim's duties. The zakat is an alms tax, required of every adult Muslim with sufficient means. In many ways it resembles the modern welfare state, in which the "haves" are taxed to help the "have-nots." The rate of zakat is 2.5 percent, not of income, but of the value of all of one's possessions.
Ramadan fasting, commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to humanity during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. During Ramadan, all adult Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse during daylight hours for 30 days. Exceptions are made for travelers, soldiers, menstruating women, and the ill, although such persons are expected to fast later when they become able. Fasting is more than abstaining from food drink and sexual intercourse. Infact it is more about self control and discipline and purity and the cleansing of mind body and soul that can be achieved by abstaining from food water sexual intercourse and bad deeds and acts and immersing oneself in praise worship and good deeds and actsthe observance of Ramadan ends with Eid al-fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast), a major Islamic holiday.
Pilgrimage or Hajj Each Muslim is expected to undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca, the sacred city of Islam. This holy journey is called the hajj in Arabic. Exceptions are made for those who are physically or financially unable to fulfill this obligation, and one is actually commanded not to make the hajj if to do so would cause hardship for his or her family. However, those unable to go themselves may fulfill their obligation by sending someone in their stead.
Halal and Haram Halal means acceptable and haram means forbidden Things that are haram for muslims include: -pork -alcohol -meat that is not blessed -wearing immodest clothing -back biting ( gossiping)
Halal Meat *It is every muslims responsibility to find this information out- ie look into the company or visit the farm *In order for meat to be halal acceptable the animal must be raised in a humane manner and Bismillah or in the name of Allah must be said upon slaughter. *The animal must never see the knife, must not be in the company of other animals, and must be allowed to fully bleed out before preparation can be done *Turkey story
Islamic Jihad *The word jihad is translated into struggle *There is a lesser jihad which allows muslims to defend themselves but only if their life is threatened. What is bigger and more meaningful jihad then? *It is the internal struggle every muslim must face everyday with their religion.
Guest Speaker Sister Sue Kidd will be here tomorrow and she will be talking about inter faith dialogues. I would like you to take some time to create some thoughtful questions you could ask her when she comes.