Transcript File - World Religions

Islam Continued
Doctrine—All Muslims
• Is a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion
• Sacred text is the Qur'an, considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God
(Allah)
• Other teachings and normative examples called the Sunnah composed of accounts called
hadith) of Muhammad considered by most of them to be the last prophet of God.
• Muslims summarize their doctrine in six articles of faith:
1.
Belief in one Allah:
• Muslims believe Allah is one, eternal,
creator, and sovereign.
2. Belief in the angels
3. Belief in the prophets:
• The prophets include the biblical
prophets but end with Muhammad as
Allah’s final prophet.
4. Belief in the revelations of Allah:
– Muslims accept certain portions of the
Bible, such as the Torah and the Gospels.
– Muslims believe the Qur'an is the
preexistent, perfect word of Allah.
5. Belief in the last day of judgment and the
hereafter: Everyone will be resurrected for judgment
into either paradise or hell.
6. Belief in predestination:
• Muslims believe Allah has decreed everything
that will happen.
• Muslims testify to Allah’s sovereignty with
their frequent phrase, inshallah, meaning, “if
God wills.”
Doctrine—All Muslims The Five Pillars of Islam
1.
The testimony of faith (shahada): “la ilaha illa allah. Muhammad rasul Allah.” This
means, “There is no deity but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
• A person can convert to Islam by stating this creed.
• The shahada shows that a Muslim believes in Allah alone as deity and
believes that Muhammad reveals Allah.
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3.
Prayer (salat): Five ritual prayers must be performed every day.
Giving (zakat): This almsgiving is a certain percentage given once a year, generally
2.5%
Fasting (sawm): Muslims fast during Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic
calendar. They must not eat or drink from dawn until sunset.
Pilgrimage (hajj): If physically and financially possible, a Muslim must make the
pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once. The hajj is performed in the twelfth
month of the Islamic calendar.
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A Muslim's entrance into paradise hinges on obedience to these Five Pillars. Still, Allah
may reject them. Even Muhammad was not sure whether Allah would admit him to
paradise (Surah 46:9; Hadith 5.266).
Doctrine—All Muslims Sharia Law
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Sharia or sharia law is the basic Islamic legal system derived from the religious precepts of
Islam, particularly the Quran and the Hadith.
All aspects of a Muslim's life are governed by Sharia. Sharia law comes from a combination
of sources including the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book), the Hadith (sayings and conduct of
the prophet Muhammad) and fatwas (the rulings of Islamic scholars).
The term sharia comes from the Arabic language term sharīʿah, which means a body of
moral and religious law derived from religious prophecy, as opposed to human legislation
Sharia regulates all human actions and puts them into five categories: obligatory,
recommended, permitted, disliked or forbidden.
– Obligatory actions must be performed and when performed with good intentions are
rewarded.
– The opposite is forbidden action.
– Recommended action is that which should be done and the opposite is disliked action.
– Permitted action is that which is neither encouraged nor discouraged. Most human
actions fall in this last category.
There are two primary sources of sharia: the Quran, and the Hadiths (opinions and life
example of Muhammad).
Doctrine—All Muslims Sharia Law
• For topics and issues not directly addressed in these primary sources,
sharia is derived. The derivation differs between the various sects of
Islam (Sunni and Shia), and various jurisprudence schools such as
Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali and Jafari.
• The sharia in these schools is derived hierarchically using one or more
of the following guidelines:
– Ijma (usually the consensus of Muhammad's companions),
– Qiyas (analogy derived from the primary sources),
– Istihsan (ruling that serves the interest of Islam in the discretion of Islamic
jurists) and
– Urf (customs).
Doctrine—All Muslims Sharia Law
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Necessities are matters that worldly and religious life depend upon. Their omission leads to unbearable
hardship in this life, or punishment in the next. There are five necessities: preservation of religion, life,
intellect, lineage, and wealth. These ensure individual and social welfare in this life and the hereafter.
– The Sharia protects these necessities in two ways: firstly by ensuring their establishment and then by
preserving them.
– To ensure the establishment of religion, God Most High has made belief and worship obligatory.
– To ensure its preservation, the rulings relating to the obligation of learning and conveying the religion
were legislated.
– To ensure the preservation of human life, God Most high legislated for marriage, healthy eating and
living, and forbid the taking of life and laid down punishments for doing so.
– God has permitted that sound intellect and knowledge be promoted, and forbidden that which corrupts
or weakens it, such as alcohol and drugs. He has also imposed preventative punishments in order that
people stay away from them, because a sound intellect is the basis of the moral responsibility that
humans were given.
– Marriage was legislated for the preservation of lineage, and sex outside marriage was forbidden.
Punitive laws were put in placed in order to ensure the preservation of lineage and the continuation of
human life.
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God has made it obligatory to support oneself and those one is responsible for, and placed laws to
regulate the commerce and transactions between people, in order to ensure fair dealing, economic
justice, and to prevent oppression and dispute.
Doctrine—All Muslims -- End of Days
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This life is a preparation for the eternal life to come (Akhirah). Humans have one life and it is up
to them how they choose to live it.
The final day Muslims believe that on a day decided by Allah, and known only to Allah, life on
earth will come to an end and Allah will destroy everything.
On this day all the people who have ever lived will be raised from the dead and will face
judgement by Allah.
Muslims believe that they will remain in their graves until this day. This day is called by several
names: the Day of Resurrection (yawm al-Qiyamah), the Day of Judgement (yawm ad-din),
the Last Hour (as-sa’a)
Allah will balance the good deeds a person has done in their life against the bad deeds.
– And to every soul will be paid in full (the fruit) of its deeds;
– If the good deeds outweigh the bad, the person will go to paradise
(Jannah), a place of joy and bliss.
– If the bad things outweigh the good, then the person will be
punished in hell (Jahannam).
– When Allah is making a judgement, even a person’s intentions
(niyyah) are taken into account.
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Islam also teaches that Allah is merciful and forgiving; even people who have lived bad lives will
be able to enter paradise when they have been punished and shown themselves to be truly
Ethical—Most Muslims:
Consensus of Muslim theologians—commandments of Islam
Worship only God: Take not with Allah another object of worship;. (Quran 17:22)
Be kind, honourable and humble to one's parents: (Quran 17:24)
Be neither miserly nor wasteful in one's expenditure: And render to the kindred their due
rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the
manner of a spendthrift. (Quran 17:26)
4.
Do not engage in 'mercy killings' for fear of starvation: (Quran 17:31)
5.
Do not commit adultery: (Quran 17:32)
6.
Do not kill unjustly: Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause.
(Quran 17:33)
7.
Care for orphaned children:...(Quran 17:34)
8.
Keep one's promises: ...fulfill (every) engagement [i.e. promise/covenant], for (every)
engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (Quran 17:34)
9.
Be honest and fair in one's interactions: Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with
a balance that is straight: (Quran 17:35)
10. Do not be arrogant in one's claims or beliefs: (Quran 17:36) Nor walk on the earth with
insolence: for thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.
(Quran 17:37)
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Ethical—Most Muslims:
• Basic Principles in Islamic Morality derived from the Qu’ran and Hadith:
– The Islamic moral system stems from its primary creed of belief in One God as the
Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.
– Islam considers the human race to be a part of God’s creation, and as His subjects.
– From an Islamic perspective, the purpose of human life is to worship God, by leading
this worldly life in harmony with the Divine Will, and thereby achieve peace in this world,
and everlasting success in the life of the hereafter.
– Muslims look to the Glorious Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet as their moral
guides.
– The key to virtue and good conduct is a strong relation with God, who sees all, at all
times and everywhere.
– God knows the secrets of the hearts and the intentions behind all actions.
– The love and continuous awareness of God and the Day of Judgment enables man to
be moral in conduct and sincere in intentions, with devotion and dedication.
– Islam aims to enhance and amplify the moral sense in every human being and adorn
the individual’s character with the noblest of virtues.
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Ethical—Most
Morality inMuslims:
Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to
international relations.
• It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
• A Muslim is expected to not only be virtuous, but to also enjoin virtue.
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Morality and the individual
The guiding principle for the behavior of a Muslim
is what the Qur’an refers to as Al `Amal Assalih or
virtuous deeds.
Primary character traits in a Muslim are piety,
humility and a profound sense of accountability to
God.
A Muslim is expected to be humble before God
and with other people.
Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise
control of their passions and desires.
Islam warns against vanity and excessive
attachment to the ephemeral pleasures of this
world..
Charity is one of the most commendable acts in
Islam.
Gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and
the courage to uphold the truth, even when
inconvenient to oneself, are just some of the
qualities that every Muslim is encouraged to
cultivate.
• Morality and Society
• For society, morality is one of the fundamental sources of
strength,
• Immorality is one of the main causes of decline.
• Everything that leads to the welfare of the individual and
the society is morally good in islam,
• Whatever is harmful is morally bad.
• Given its importance to a healthy and just society, Islam
supports morality and matters that lead to the
enhancement of morality,
• Islam stands in the way of corruption and matters that
lead to the spreading of corruption.
Ethical--Jihad
• Jihad
– The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort, and it
means much more than holy war.
– Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three
different kinds of struggle:
• A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible
• The struggle to build a good Muslim society
• Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary
– Internal Jihad
• greater Jihad refers to the efforts of a believer to live their Muslim
faith as well as possible.
• All religious people want to live their lives in the way that will please
their God.
• For most people, living God's way is quite a struggle. God sets high
standards, and believers have to fight with their own selfish desires to
live up to them
Ethical--Jihad
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Jihad—classical interpretation
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Holy War
– Within classical Islamic jurisprudence
jihad is the only form of warfare
permissible under Islamic law
– Jihad may consist in wars against
unbelievers, apostates.
– The classical doctrine of jihad was
developed towards the end of the eighth
century, using the doctrine of naskh (that
God gradually improved His revelations
over the course of the Prophet
Muhammed's mission) to allow for war
against unbelievers and apostates
– The primary aim of jihad as warfare is not
the conversion of non-Muslims to Islam
by force, but rather the expansion and
defense of the Islamic state.
– Jihad was to continue until all mankind
either embraced Islam or submitted to
the authority of the Muslim state.
– There could be truces before this was
achieved, but no permanent peace.
Warrior on Camel 13th century
Ethical--Jihad
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Jihad—modern interpretationnonfundementalist
• Holy War
– The more spiritual definitions of jihad
developed sometime after the 150 years of
Muslim jihad wars and territorial expansion,
and particularly after the Mongol invaders
sacked Baghdad
– Jihad can be referred to internal as well as
external efforts to be a good Muslims or
believer, as well as working to inform
people about the faith of Islam.
• Military action is only one means of jihad, and should be rare.
• Islam has a concept of a just war -- In the event Islam or people are under threat and
violence, military action may be used but only when authorized by proper authority.
Ritual:
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The Five Pillars
– The heart of Isalm is represented by the
Five Pillars
– Shahada: Faith
• Shahada is a declaration of faith and trust that professes
that there is only one God (Allah) and that Muhammad is
God's messenger
– Salat: Prayer
• Salat consists of five daily prayers according to the Sunna;
the names are according to the prayer times: Fajr (dawn),
Dhuhr (noon), ʿAṣr (afternoon), Maghrib (evening), and
ʿIshāʾ (night).
• All of these prayers are recited while facing in the
direction of the Kaaba in Mecca
• Muslims must wash before prayer; this washing is
called wudu ("purification").
• The prayer is accompanied by a series of set
positions including; bowing with hands on knees,
standing, prostrating and sitting in a special position
(not on the heels, nor on the buttocks).
• A Muslim may perform their prayer anywhere, such
as in offices, universities, and fields.
Ritual:
• Zakāt
– Practice of charitable giving based on accumulated wealth.
– Zakāt is obligatory for all Muslims who are able to do so.
– Zakāt consists of spending a portion of one's wealth for the benefit of the poor or needy,
like debtors or travelers.
• There are five principles that should be followed when giving the zakāt:
1. The giver must declare to God his intention to give the zakāt.
2. The zakāt must be paid on the day that it is due.
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After the offering, the
payer must not
exaggerate on spending
money more than the
person’s usual means.
Payment must be in kind.
The zakāt must be
distributed in the
community from which it
was taken.
Ritual:
• Sawm: Fasting
There are three types of fasting recognized by the Quran:
1. Ritual fasting,
2. Fasting as compensation for repentance (both from sura Al-Baqara),
and
3. Ascetic fasting (from Al-Ahzab).
• Ritual fasting is an obligatory act during the month of Ramadan.
– Muslims must abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk during this month, and are to
be especially mindful of other sins.
– Fasting is necessary for every Muslim that has reached puberty (unless he/she suffers from a
medical condition which prevents him/her from doing so).
– Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory, but is forbidden for several groups for
whom it would be very dangerous and excessively problematic.
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Ritual:
Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
The Hajj is a pilgrimage that occurs during the
Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah to the holy city
of Mecca.
Every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to make
the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their
life.
When the pilgrim is around 10 km (6.2 mi) from
Mecca, he/she must dress in Ihram clothing,
which consists of two white sheets.
Both men and women are required to make the
pilgrimage to Mecca.
The main rituals of the Hajj include walking
seven times around the Kaaba termed Tawaf,
touching the Black Stone termed Istilam,
traveling seven times between Mount Safa and
Mount Marwah termed Sa'yee, and
symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina termed
Ramee.
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Ritual:
Pillars of Shia Islam
Twelvers
Twelver Shia Islam has five beliefs equivalent to a Shia Five Pillars, They are:
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Tawhid (Monotheism: belief in the Oneness of God)
'Adl (Divine Justice: belief in the Almighty's justice)
Nubuwwah (Prophethood)
Imamah (Succession to the Muhammad)
Mi'ad (The Day of Judgment and the Resurrection)
In addition to these Five Pillars, there are ten practices that Shia Muslims must perform, called
the Ancillaries of the Faith
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Salat Prayers
Sawm Fasting
Zakāt, Charity
Khums: an annual taxation of one-fifth (20%) of the gains that a year has been passed on without using.
Khums is paid to the Imams; indirectly to poor and needy people.
Hajj Travel to Mecca
Jihad Holy War
Amr-bil-Maroof Nahi Anil Munkar
• Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are two important
requisites from the Quran
• Obligatory for Shi’as
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Tawalla: expressing love towards Good.
Tabarra: expressing disassociation and hatred towards Evil.
Ritual:
– Islamic Holidays
– Eid Al-Fitr
• Celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting), and Muslims usually
give zakat (charity) on the occasion.Commemorates the Exodus from Egypt.
– Eid Al-Adha
– Is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days.
– Muslims usually sacrifice a sheep and distribute its meat among family, friends,
and the poor.
– Islamic New Year
• The Hijri New Year, also known as Islamic New Year is the day that marks the
beginning of a new Islamic calendar year, and is the day on which the year
count is incremented.
• The first day of the year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first
month in the Islamic calendar.
• All religious duties, such as prayer, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and
pilgrimage, and the dates of significant events, such as celebration of holy
nights and festivals, are calculated according to the lunar calendar
Ritual:
• Day of Ashura
– Sunnis
• This day is celebrated by Sunni Muslims (who refer to it as The Day of Atonement) as
the day on which the Israelites were freed from the Pharaoh.
• This victory is the very reason, as Sunni Muslims believe, Muhammad mentioned when
recommending fasting on this day.
• Some Sunni Muslims fast on this day of Ashura based on narrations attributed to
Muhammad.
• Some other Sunnis accept Ashura as a significant day due to the martyrdom of Imam
Husayn and the significance of the events at Karbala.
– Shi’a
• Commemoration of Ashura is not a festival, but rather a sad event recalling the death of
Husayn ibn Ali grandson of Muhammad.
• Period of intense grief and mourning for Shi’s
• Mourners congregate at a Mosque for sorrowful, poetic recitations such as marsiya,
noha, latmiya and soaz performed in memory of the martyrdom of Husayn, lamenting
and grieving to the tune of beating drums and chants of "Ya Hussain.“
• Some practice self flagellation or cutting to show solidarity with Husayn and his family.
Through them, people mourn Husayn's death and regret the fact that they were not
present at the battle to fight and save Husayn and his family.
Ritual:
• Arba'een
– Arba'een is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs forty
days after the Day of Ashura.
– Holiday commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, Imam
Husayn ibn Ali and 72 companions were killed in the Battle of
Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE).
– Arba'een or forty days is also the usual length of mourning after the
death of a family member or loved one in many Muslim traditions.
– Arba'een is one of the largest pilgrimage gatherings on Earth, in
which up to 20 million people go to the city of Karbala in Iraq.
• Mawlid an-Nabī
– Birthday of Muhammad
– Mawlid "Birth of the Prophet", the observance of the birthday of Muhammad which
is celebrated in the third month in the Islamic calendar.
– Declared an official holiday of the Ottoman Empire in 1588
Ritual:
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‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
Ali was the fourth caliph.
His succession set up the the schism between Sunnis and Shi’a Muslims
The Sunnis believe that the prophet chose Abu Bakr to be the first caliph, while
The Shia believe that he chose Ali. Ali did not challenge Abu Bakr or any of the
later caliphs, however, but rather served as an advisor to them.
– The Shia venerate him as second only to the prophet, and call him among
several titles the "Leader of the Faithful" (Amir-ul-mumineen) and the "Lion of
God" (Sher-i-Khuda), and celebrate the anniversary of his death and birth.
– Ali is known as remarkable scholar. He wrote many collections of proverbs and
verses.
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Laylat al-Mi'raj
– The Isra and Miraj are the two parts of a Night Journey made by Muhammad.
– The story in the Qu’ran and Hadith indicates that in a single night of the Night
Journey, the Isra part of the journey, Muhammad travels on the steed Buraq to
"the farthest mosque" where he leads other prophets in prayer. He then
ascends to heaven in the Mi'raj journey where he speaks to God, who gives
him instructions to take back to the faithful regarding the details of prayer.
– According to traditions, the journey is associated with the Lailat al Mi'raj, as one
of the most significant events in the Islamic calendar.
Ritual:
• Laylat al-Bara'at
– Bara'at Night or Mid-Sha`ban is a holiday observed by various Muslim communities on the night
between 14 and 15 Sha'aban.
– It is regarded as a night when the fortunes of men for the coming year are decided and when Allah
may forgive sinners. In some regions, this is also a night when one's deceased ancestors are
honored.
– Additionally, Twelver Shias commemorate the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi on this date.
• Birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdī
– Birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi is a public holiday in Iran observed on the 15th day of the Islamic month
of Sha'ban. Mahdi is believed by Shias to be the final Imam of the Twelve Imams.
– The Mahdi is the term in Islamic eschatology which refers to the prophesied ultimate savior of humankind.
It will emerge with Isa (Jesus Christ) before the Day of Judgment and will bring peace and justice to the
world. Muhammad al-Mahdi is believed to be this person by Shi’as.
– Shia Muslims believe that al-Mahdi didn't die. Allah concealed him from mankind for various reasons.
– This event is referred to as The Occultation. No one will see al-Mahdi him unless Allah makes him appear
again.
– The reappearance of al-Mahdi will result in the establishment of Islam throughout the world.
– The Imam Mahdi and Isa will destroy falsehood and tyranny, get rid of evil and bring peace and justice to
the world.
Ritual:
• First day of Ramaḍān
– Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to
commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad
– This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
– The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon,
according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadithsThe wo
– Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from
an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through
menstrual bleeding.
– While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking
liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations with one's spouse. Muslims are
also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting,
such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting
– It is believed that the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad during the month of
Ramadan which has been referred to as the "best of times". The first revelation was
sent down on Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power) which is one of the five odd
nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
– According to hadith, all holy scriptures were sent down during Ramadan. The
tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent
down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 24th Ramadan respectively.
Ritual:
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Laylat al-Qadr
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Is the Night of Power and is the night when the first
verses of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad.
It is one of the odd nights of the last ten days of
Ramadan and is better than 1000 months of worship.
Muslims believe that on this night the blessings and
mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven,
supplications are accepted, and that the annual
decree is revealed to the angels who also descend to
earth.
Chaand Raat
– Night of the Moon for the eve of
festival of Eid ul-Fitr and is a time of
celebration when families and friends
gather in open areas at the end of the
last day of Ramadan to spot the new
moon, which signals the day of Eid.
– Once the moon is sighted, people
wish each other Chaand Raat
Mubarak ("Have a blessed night of
the new moon") or Eid Mubarak
("Blessings of the Eid day").
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Hajj
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Pilgrimage to Mecca See above in the Five Pillars
Ritual:
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Day of Arafah
– Happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
– It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage where the pilgrims assemble on the
plain of ‘Arafah to complete one of the essential rituals of the Hajj and the day
after is the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha.
– It was from this site that Muhammad gave one of his last famous sermons in
the final year of his life and Sunnis believe that part of the Qur'anic verse
announcing that the religion of Islam had been perfected was revealed on this
day.
– The completion of Allah’s blessing refers to forgiveness for ones sins by Allah,
as without it the blessings of Allah cannot be complete. This brings to light the
importance of being forgiven by Allah.
– Those not performing pilgrimage are recommended to fast on 'Arafah day. It is
expected that Allah will expiate the small sins committed in the previous two
years.
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Eid al-Ghadeer also Ghadir Khumm
– refers to the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib by, Muhammad, as his successor
according to the Shia beliefs.
– Sunnis, however, do not believe that there was any appointment of a successor
by the Prophet Muhammad in Ghadir Khumm or elsewhere.
Ritual:
• Marriage
– Marriage is a legal contract between two people.
– The bride is to consent to the marriage of her own free will.
– A formal, binding contract is considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic
marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride.
– There must be two Muslim witnesses of the marriage contract.
– Divorce is permitted and can be initiated by either party.
– In addition to the usual marriage until death or divorce, there is a different fixedterm marriage known as zawāj al-mutʻah ("temporary marriage") permitted only by
the Twelver branch of Shia Islam for a pre-fixed period.
– There is also Nikah Misyar, a non-temporary marriage with the removal of some
conditions permitted by some Sunni Muslims, which usually amount to the wife
waiving her right to sustenance from her husband.
– Islam is totally opposed to monasticism and celibacy. Marriage is an act of Sunnah
in Islam and is strongly recommended.
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Death
Ritual:
– Funerals in Islam (called Janazah in Arabic) follow fairly
specific rites
– In all cases, however, sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for
burial of the body, preceded by a simple ritual involving
bathing and shrouding the body, followed by salah (prayer).
– Cremation of the body is forbidden.
– Bathing the deceased
• The corpse is washed (ghusl bathed), the purpose is to physically
cleanse the corpse. Bathing the dead body is an essential ritual of
the Sunnah and part of Sharia.
• Orthodox practice is to wash the body an odd number of times (at
least once) with a cloth hiding its awrah (parts of the body that
should be hidden according to Sharia). The "washers" are
commonly adult members of the immediate family and of the same
gender as the deceased.
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Death
Ritual:
– Burial
– Grave of a Muslim
• The deceased is then taken for burial (al-Dafin).
• The grave should be aligned perpendicular to Mecca.
• The body is placed in the grave without a casket, lying on its right side, and facing Mecca.
• Grave markers should be raised only up to a maximum of 30 centimetres (12 in) above the ground.
Thus Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Many
times graves may even be unmarked, or marked only with a simple wreath.
• Three fist-sized spheres of hand-packed soil (prepared beforehand by the gravediggers) are used as
props, one under the head, one under the chin and one under the shoulder.
– The lowering of the corpse, and positioning of the soil-balls is done by the next of kin.
– In the case of a departed husband, the male brother or brother-in-law usually performs this task.
– In the case of a departed wife, the husband undertakes this (if physically able).
– If the husband is elderly, then the eldest male son (or son-in-law) is responsible for lowering, alignment and
propping the departed.
– The orthodoxy expects those present to symbolically pour three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting
a Quranic verse in Arabic meaning "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it We will raise
you a second time".
– More prayers are then said, asking for forgiveness of the deceased, and reminding the dead of their
profession of faith.
Ritual:
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Mourning
– According to orthodoxy, loved ones and relatives are to
observe a 3-day mourning period.
– Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion,
receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding
decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the
Qur'an.
– Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah,
period of waiting), 4 months and 10 days long.
– During that time, the widow is not to remarry or to
interact with na-mahram (with whom she can marry).
– Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and
weeping for the dead (by males or females) is perfectly
acceptable in Islam
– Islam does expect expression of one's grief to remain
dignified
Ritual:
• Outline of Services
– Prior to the service, attendees are required to shower or
bath
– The jumuʿah prayer is half the ẓuhr (dhuhr) prayer, for
convenience,
– Then a sermon,
– Then a congregational prayer, led by the imām. In most
cases the khaṭīb also serves as the imam.
– Attendance is strictly incumbent upon all adult males who
are legal residents of the locality.
– The muezzin (muʾadhdhin) makes the call to prayer, called
the adhan, usually 15–20 minutes prior to the start of
Jum'ah.
– When the khaṭīb takes his place on the minbar, a second
adhan is made.
– The khaṭīb is supposed to deliver two sermons, stopping
and sitting briefly between them.
• In practice, the first sermon is longer and contains
most of the content.
• The second sermon is very brief and concludes with a
dua, after which the muezzin calls the iqāmah.
• This signals the start of the main two rak'at prayer of
Jumu'ah.
Ritual:
• Significance of Friday
– Friday is the most excellent and
distinguished day among the days of the
week in the sight of Allah; so much so that
it excels both ‘Id-al-Fitr day and ‘Id al-Adha
day on account of the following five merits;
1. Allah created Adam on Friday,
2. He sent him to the earth on this day as his
vicegerent,
3. Adam died on Friday,
4. There is a blessed hour oil Friday during
which a person is granted by Allah anything
lawful and good that he prays for
5. Resurrection will take place on Friday; that
is why everything in the heavens and the
earth including God’s most favourite
angels and mountains, rivers, etc. stand in
awe of Friday”. (Ibn Majah)
Social: Leaders
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Community
– Is known as ummah (community)
• Includes the collective community of Islamic peoples.
• In the Quran the ummah typically refers to a single group that shares common religious
beliefs, specifically those that are the objects of a divine plan of salvation.
• In the context of Pan-Islamism and politics, the word Ummah can be used to mean the
concept of a Commonwealth of the Believers
– Leaders have been called khalifas / caliphs (successors).
– Shia Muslims tend to use the term imam.
Social: Leaders
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Leaders
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Allamah is an honorary and prestigious title carried by only the very highest scholars of Islamic thought, jurisprudence, and
philosophy. Sunni and Shia
Almami is a title of West African Muslim rulers, used especially in the conquest states of the 19th century.
Caliph Caliph was first used for Abu Bakr, who was elected head of the Muslim community after Muhammad's death.
Imam Imam is an Arabic word meaning "Leader". The ruler of a country might be called the Imam, for example. The term,
however, has important connotations in the Islamic tradition especially in Shia Beliefs . In Sunni belief, the term is used for the
founding scholars of the four Sunni madhhabs, or schools of religious jurisprudence (fiqh) and the theological .
Grand Imam The "Grand Imam" or "Imam of imams" (is a prestigious Sunni Islam title and a prominent official title in Egypt. It is
considered by some Muslims to indicate the highest authority in Sunni Islam for Islamic jurisprudence.
Grand Mufti the highest official of religious law in Sunni Muslim community.
Muezzin is any person at the mosque who makes the adhan, or athan (call to prayer) for the Friday prayer service and the five
daily prayers, or salat.
Mujtahid An interpreter of the Qur'an and Hadith, the Islamic scriptures. These were traditionally Muftis who used interpretation
(ijtihad) to clarify Islamic law, but in many modern secular contexts, Islamic law is no longer the law of the land.
Kyai is a title originally used in Javanese culture. Only a male person is called with this appellation.
Ayatollah (Only Shia) is a prestigious title given to major Shia clergymen. Ayatollah means "sign of God"; those who carry it are
considered experts in Islamic studies.
Grand Ayatollah Only a few of the most important ayatollah are accorded the rank of Grand Ayatollah (Ayatollah Uzma, "Great
Sign of God").
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Worship Space
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Mosque
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The first mosques were modeled on the place of worship of Muhammad
The building remains essentially an open space, generally roofed over,
containing a miḥrāb and a minbar, with a minaret sometimes attached
to it.
– The miḥrāb, a semicircular niche reserveed for the imām to lead
the prayer, points to the giblah, i.e., the direction of Mecca.
– The minbar, a seat at the top of steps placed at the right of the
miḥrāb, is used by the preacher (khaṭīb) as a pulpit.
– Occasionally there is also a maqsūrah, a box or wooden screen
near the miḥrāb, which was originally designed to shield a
worshiping ruler from assassins.
– Mats or carpets cover the floor of the mosque, where the ritual
prayer (salat) is performed by rows of men who bow and prostrate
themselves under the imām’s guidance.
Minaret
– Stands outside the mosque was originally any elevated place but
now usually a tower.
– It is used by the muezzin (“crier”) to proclaim the call to worship
(adhān) five times each day.
– A place for ablution, containing running water, is usually attached
to the mosque but may be separated from it.
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Worship Space
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Mosque
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Mosque is used for public functions military, political, social, and educational.
Mosque remains a centre of considerable influence.
• In some cases a maktab (elementary school) is attached to a mosque, mainly for the teaching of the Qurʾān, and
informal classes in law and doctrine are given for people of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Mosque is for prayer and not for other ceremonies like weddings.
• Prayer is performed by bows and prostrations, with no chairs or seats of any kind.
• Men stand in rows, barefooted, behind the imām and follow his movements.
• Rich and poor, prominent and ordinary people, all stand and bow together in the same rows.
• Women may participate in the prayers, but they must occupy a separate space or chamber in the mosque.
• No statues, ritual objects, or pictures are used in the mosque; the only decorations permitted are inscriptions of
Qurʾānic verses and the names of Muhammad and his Companions.
• Professional chanters (qurrāʾ) may chant the Qurʾān according to rigidly prescribed systems taught in special
schools, but no music or singing is allowed.
Material
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Ritual Items in the Mosque
– the Qur’an.
• Some mosques own ancient and beautifully wrought Qur’ans, often in multiple
volumes, that are used only for special occasions.
• The more ancient the mosque, the more likely it will also have specially crafted
podiums on which to place the Qur’an, and possibly also storage containers.
• Both stand and box often feature carefully chosen inscriptions from the Qur’an and
Hadith that remind devotees of the divine origin and power of the sacred word.
– Prayer Rugs
• high-quality prayer rugs often use geometric and floral designs inspired by the Qur’an’s
“Verse of Light”: “God is the light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche
in which is a lamp within a glass like a shining star kindled from a sacred olive tree
neither of east nor west whose oil would nearly glow even if no fire touched it” (Qur’an
24:35).
• Inspired by the same verse, beautifully enameled glass lamps were once raised to a
fine art and hung by the dozens in the great mosques of the Middle East.
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Material
The Quran literally meaning "the recitation"; also romanized Qur'an or Koran) is the central
religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a revelation from God
It is widely regarded as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language.
Quranic chapters are called suras and verses, ayahs.
Islamic tradition relates that Muhammad received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira during
one of his isolated retreats to the mountains.
Muslims believe the Quran to be the book of divine guidance revealed from God to
Muhammad through the angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years and view the Quran as
God's final revelation to humanity.
Revelation in Islamic and Quranic contexts
means the act of God addressing an individual,
conveying a message for a greater number of
recipients.
The Qurʾān emphasizes the oneness of God,
or the doctrine of tawḥīd
The Qurʾān asserts a direct relation between
God and humans, without any priestly
intermediary; each man and woman is seen as
God’s “vicegerent” on earth.
Despite this direct relationship, humans are portrayed as forgetful beings and are therefore
commanded to obey God’s laws.
Material
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The Quran consists of 114 chapters of varying lengths, each known as a sura.
The total number of verses in the Quran is 6,236
Suras are classified as Meccan or Medinan, depending on whether the verses were revealed before or
after the migration of Muhammad to the city of Medina.
Each sura consists of several verses, known as ayat, which originally means a "sign" or "evidence" sent by
God. The number of verses differs from sura to sura. An individual verse may
be just a few letters or several lines. however, the number varies if the bismillahs are counted separately.
In addition to and independent of the division into suras, there are various ways of dividing the Quran into
parts of approximately equal length for convenience in reading.
The 30 juz' (plural ajzāʼ) can be used to read through the
entire Quran in a month.
Muslims believe that the Arabic language of the Qurʾān is
indispensable in conveying God’s message because it
was chosen by God himself.
Everything concerning the Qurʾān is sacred for Muslims.
Material
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Sunnah, ( Arabic: “habitual practice”) also spelled Sunna is the body of traditional social and
legal custom and practice of the Islamic community.
Along with the Qurʾān (the holy book of Islam) and Hadith (recorded sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad), the Sunnah is a major source of Sharīʿah, or Islamic law.
all the traditions and practices" of the Islamic prophet that "have become models to be
followed" by Muslims are recorded in the Sunnah.
The sunnah of Muhammad includes his specific words (Sunnah Qawliyyah), habits, practices
(Sunnah al Fiiliyyah), and silent approvals (Sunnah Taqririyyah).
According to Muslim belief, Muhammad was the best exemplar for Muslims, and his practices
are to be adhered to in fulfilling the divine injunctions, carrying out religious rites, and molding
life in accord with the will of God.
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Hadith,
collections of the reports claiming to quote what
the prophet Muhammad said verbatim on any
matter.
The term comes from the Arabic meaning "report",
"account" or "narrative".
Hadiths are second only to the Quran in
developing Islamic jurisprudence, and regarded as
important tools for understanding the Quran and
commentaries (tafsir) on it.
Many important elements of traditional Islam such
as five salat prayers, the abhorrence of paintings
and sculpture of living things, stoning adulterers,
are mentioned in hadith but not the Quran.
Material
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Taqiyah
– A short, rounded skullcap.
– Worn for religious purposes;
– Muslims often wear them during the five daily prayers.
• Hajib
– The Arabic word hijab literally translates into English as "veil"
– The Qur'an admonishes Muslim women to dress modestly and cover their breasts
and genitals.[5].
– Wearing hijab, or al-khimar, is obligatory in Islam
The Catholic Approach: What should
Catholics embrace in this faith?
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Nostra Aetate indicates:
– The Church regards Muslims with esteem.
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• They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven
and earth,who has spoken to men;
• they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the
faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God.
• Though they do not acknowledge Jesus as God, they revere Him as a prophet. They also honor Mary, His
virgin Mother; at times they even call on her with devotion.
• In addition, they await the day of judgment when God will render their deserts to all those who have been
raised up from the dead.
• Finally, they value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.
However according to Pope John Paul II, the God of the Koran is ultimately a God outside of the world, a God who
is only Majesty, never Emmanuel, God-with-us.
Pope John Paul II observed regarding the dialog between Catholics and Muslims that, “No peace without justice,
no justice without forgiveness: this is what in this message I wish to say to believers and unbelievers alike, to all
men and women of good will who are concerned for the good of the human family and for its future.”
The Catholic Approach: What should Catholics
embrace in this faith?
1.
2.
3.
Worship only God: Take not with Allah another object of worship;.(Quran 17:22)
Be kind, honorable and humble to one's parents: (Quran 17:24)
Be neither miserly nor wasteful in one's expenditure: And render to the kindred their due rights, as
(also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a
spendthrift. (Quran 17:26)
4. Do not engage in 'mercy killings' for fear of starvation: (Quran 17:31)
5. Do not commit adultery: (Quran 17:32)
6. Do not kill unjustly: Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause.
(Quran 17:33)
7. Care for orphaned children:...(Quran 17:34)
8. Keep one's promises: ...fulfill (every) engagement [i.e. promise/covenant], for (every) engagement
will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (Quran 17:34)
9. Be honest and fair in one's interactions: Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a
balance that is straight: (Quran 17:35)
10. Do not be arrogant in one's claims or beliefs: (Quran 17:36) Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for
thou canst not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height. (Quran 17:37)
The Catholic Approach: What should Catholics
embrace in this faith?
• To spend of your substance,
– Out of love of Him,
– For your kin,
– For orphans,
– For the wayfarer,
– For those who ask, and
– For the ransom of slaves
– Be steadfast in prayer,
– Practice regular charity;
– To fulfill the contracts which you have made;
– And to be firm and patient,
• In pain (or suffering);
• Adversity; and
• throughout all periods of panic.
– Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.