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An Introduction to Islam
Read pp. 133 – 135 and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words.
Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is a worldwide
religion covering every continent (except Antarctica) and
every race of people. While Christianity is the largest religion
in the world, Islam is not far behind in its number of
adherents.
Islam came on the world scene in the 7th century with the
preaching of the Arab prophet Muhammad. The word Islam
derives from the same root as the Hebrew word “shalom” for
“peace.” Islam means “surrender” or “submission” and refers
to “one who submits to the will of God.”
Islam is a monotheistic religion. In fact, Muslims are so
adamant about the oneness of God that some are uncomfortable celebrating the birthday of
Muhammad because it may take the focus away from God. The Arabic word “Allah” that
Muslims use for God means “the God”. Allah does not force anyone to submit to his will;
human beings have free will to choose to submit or not, while plants and animals submit
“instinctively.” Muslims insist that submitting to God is not a confining, negative command;
it is a gracious surrendering to the all-compassionate, all-merciful Allah where true
freedom lies.
Because all creation is Muslim at birth, Muslims do not
regard Muhammad as the founder of Islam. According to
Muslims, Islam has always been; it is a revealed religion.
Muhammad himself was both a political leader and a
spiritual leader.
Allah is at the center of all Islamic life: physical, mental,
economic, political, social, and spiritual.
Islamic Word Search
Test your skills on Islamic terms by completing this word search. Words can be found
horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Words may be spelled from left to right or right to left,
from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Letters may overlap between two words.
H P D U T H T S F R P E Y E F
K I D N T E X U K K Q T X L K
T U J I J V R D C S U W H G Q
W D D R P I Y A B I R P P M Q
D A S A A M U N N P A A O A O
H T A O U H S M M I N J B M L
Q N V F N Z M I C S M C H I I
Z I Q B D R P G I U H J C G X
N Z H O R J L D A N T J J E M
O Z U G J U T W R Z I Z A A L
X E H A M M U W O T A Q F I H
E U G R C W O X J K O I G Q B
I M G W S I K E A P L E V H T
H A I R A H S T C A L I P H F
G Q Z Y U B V H E R B U O H D
1.
Traditional Islamic political ruler caliph
7. Tower on mosque minaret
2.
Contains words and deeds of Muhammad hadith
8. One who calls Muslims to prayer muezzin (adan)
3.
Pilgrimage to Mecca hajj
9. Sacred scriptures of Muslims Qur’an
4.
Poor tax zakat
10. Islamic law shariah
5.
Meaning “migration” hijrah
11. The Islamic community ummah
6.
Islamic leader, usually adept at Islamic studies imam
12. The Islamic ritual cleansing before prayer wudu
Islam: Sacred Places & Sacred Times
Read pp. 166 – 171 and fill in the blanks
with the appropriate words or answer the questions.
Sacred Places
1. Define “Mosque.”
- Muslim place of worship
2. What is a mosque used for?
- prayer
3. The distinctive exterior feature of a Mosque is the minaret, where the muezzin (caller)
calls Muslims to prayer.
4. In non-Muslim countries, what are Mosques used for other than prayer, social
occasions, and meetings?
- Community center, teaching, charity
5. It is important for Muslims to enter a mosque free/cleansed of outside influences and
distractions.
6. What is the most important area of the mosque?
- Prayer hall
7. What is a minbar?
- Furniture from which sermon is preached on Friday (top step for Muhammad)
8. Mosques have no statue or painting of God or Muhammad, since Muslims believe this to
be disrespectful.
9. After a Muslim participates in the hajj to Mecca, what are they known as? And what
does that mean?
- Hajjis; it means they are to be respected for having completed the hajj, and sought to
be forgiven by Allah/surrender more fully to Allah
10. Who are not allowed to enter Mecca? Why?
- Non-Muslims; it is their most holy place
11. Muslims believe that when Allah created the earth, the first thing God created was the
Ka’bah.
12. Where do Muslims face when performing their prayers five times a day?
- Mecca
13. Explain the history behind the spot where the Ka’bah exists and the black stone is
placed.
- Built by Adam & rebuilt by Abraham; the black stone was placed in it by Abraham,
but dates back to Adam & Eve; it fell from heaven to show them where to build the
Ka’bah
14. Why did Muhammad travel to Medina?
- He was forced out of Mecca
15. The night journey refers to the night Muhammad was taken by the angel Jibril from
Mecca to the temple mount in Jerusalem. There Muhammad visited with Abraham,
Moses, and John the Baptist. Muhammad then ascended to heaven to be greeted by
Allah. When he returned to earth, Muhammad then began his preaching.
Sacred Times
1.
2.
3.
4.
-
When did the Islamic calendar begin?
With the year of the hijrah, the flight from Mecca
What does Eid al-Fitr celebrate?
The end of Ramadan; i.e. the breaking of the fast
What does Eid al-Adah celebrate?
The end of the hajj; the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham
What does Ramadan celebrate? How is it celebrated?
The month when Muhammad received his first revelation. Fasting reminds Muslims
of their obligation to care for the needy
5. The Night of Power commemorates the actual time when the first revelation was
given to Muhammad.
6. How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
- A lot like our Christmas: shared meals, gifts, cards, etc.
7. How is Eid al-Adah celebrated?
- With the slaughter of an animal which is given to the poor
8. What does Mawlid al-Nabi commemorate?
- Muhammad’s birthday
9. Fill the chart below with points about these major events in a Muslim life:
Birth
Marriage
Death
* the father whispers the
* marriages may be arranged, * family & friends gather,
“adan” (call to prayer) in the
but a valid marriage requires recite verses of Qur’an
baby’s ear
consent of the couple – it is a
* maintain calm in face of
* first food = sweet (e.g. juice
sacred contract
death
of a date)
* the Qur’an is central in the
* last words = Shahadah
* head shaved after 7 days =
ceremony
* respect shown for human
sign of service to Allah
* polygamy is permitted if the remains
man can afford it