Islam
By: Svetlana Dunlap
Islam is a major world religion that began in the mid – 7th century when the prophet Muhammad had a revelation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, through the Angel Gabriel in the city of Mecca.
The word ‘Islam’ means “peace” and “full submission to God.”
One of the most important revelations of the Quran is to call the people to pray to the one and only God with no father, son, or companion. Muslims believe that Jesus did live, but that he was a prophet. The Quran includes parts of the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel but with some changes.
Their basic statement of faith, the Shahada, is “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
The Five Pillars of Islam are the five most important things to be done in the Muslim life.
1. Having faith or belief in the oneness of God, and of the prophet Muhammad.
2. Partaking in a routine of prayer five times a day. They pray facing toward the holy City of Mecca. In Islam there are no priests. The prayers are led by a person, called an Iman, who has knowledge of the Quran. The prayers are said at dawn, noon, late-afternoon, sunset, and before bed.
3. The third pillar is having concern and caring for the poor. Muslims believe that in order to go on to the next world, you have to do good deeds, but Muslims only help other Muslims. Also, every year Muslims give a portion of their money to the Islamic Capitol in Mecca.
4. Self-Purification through fasting is the 4th pillar. Every year during the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The elderly do as many days as they can, and then they make up for their missed during during the rest of the year. Children usually begin fasting around 12 years of age.
5. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca, the city where the Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad. Every year thousands of Muslims gather around the holy Mosque in Mecca.
Art is an important part of the Muslim culture. The abstract, decorative, and floral designs are unique to Islamic art and architecture. The Quran has art in it because it is written in Arabic Calligraphy. Their architecture is also unique in style. Domes are an essential part of the Mosque, the holy place where Muslims worship.
In the Muslim culture parents are highly respected. In the Quran it says “Say not to your parents a word of contempt, not repel them, but address them with terms of honor.”
Muslim women must respect their husbands. They must do as he says and nothing else. A Muslim man can have up to four wives, and is allowed to divorce. Muslim Women have to be fully covered if they go out in public; only old women have an exception.
Faithful Muslims will starve unless their food is blessed in the name of Allah. (The name for ‘God’ in Islam.) Muslims do not eat pork or any food blessed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Muslims believe that Islam is the only true religion. They are warned against converting to Christianity, so religious dialog with Muslims will be almost impossible.
Go to these sites for more information on Islam, but I do not suggest you become one. :)
(* www.islamfortoday.com,www.hilalplaza.com,www.islam101.com*)
By: Svetlana Dunlap
Islam is a major world religion that began in the mid – 7th century when the prophet Muhammad had a revelation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, through the Angel Gabriel in the city of Mecca.
The word ‘Islam’ means “peace” and “full submission to God.”
One of the most important revelations of the Quran is to call the people to pray to the one and only God with no father, son, or companion. Muslims believe that Jesus did live, but that he was a prophet. The Quran includes parts of the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel but with some changes.
Their basic statement of faith, the Shahada, is “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.”
The Five Pillars of Islam are the five most important things to be done in the Muslim life.
1. Having faith or belief in the oneness of God, and of the prophet Muhammad.
2. Partaking in a routine of prayer five times a day. They pray facing toward the holy City of Mecca. In Islam there are no priests. The prayers are led by a person, called an Iman, who has knowledge of the Quran. The prayers are said at dawn, noon, late-afternoon, sunset, and before bed.
3. The third pillar is having concern and caring for the poor. Muslims believe that in order to go on to the next world, you have to do good deeds, but Muslims only help other Muslims. Also, every year Muslims give a portion of their money to the Islamic Capitol in Mecca.
4. Self-Purification through fasting is the 4th pillar. Every year during the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The elderly do as many days as they can, and then they make up for their missed during during the rest of the year. Children usually begin fasting around 12 years of age.
5. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca, the city where the Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad. Every year thousands of Muslims gather around the holy Mosque in Mecca.
Art is an important part of the Muslim culture. The abstract, decorative, and floral designs are unique to Islamic art and architecture. The Quran has art in it because it is written in Arabic Calligraphy. Their architecture is also unique in style. Domes are an essential part of the Mosque, the holy place where Muslims worship.
In the Muslim culture parents are highly respected. In the Quran it says “Say not to your parents a word of contempt, not repel them, but address them with terms of honor.”
Muslim women must respect their husbands. They must do as he says and nothing else. A Muslim man can have up to four wives, and is allowed to divorce. Muslim Women have to be fully covered if they go out in public; only old women have an exception.
Faithful Muslims will starve unless their food is blessed in the name of Allah. (The name for ‘God’ in Islam.) Muslims do not eat pork or any food blessed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Muslims believe that Islam is the only true religion. They are warned against converting to Christianity, so religious dialog with Muslims will be almost impossible.
Go to these sites for more information on Islam, but I do not suggest you become one. :)
(* www.islamfortoday.com,www.hilalplaza.com,www.islam101.com*)
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