Download 2014 student handout islam notes

ISLAM:
VOCABULARY
1. ISLAM
Arabic word 'Islam' means submission and obedience, derives from a word meaning 'peace'
Second most popular religion in the world with over thousand million followers
Often thought of as a complete way of life rather than a religion
2. MUSLIM
One who submits to the will of Allah, a believer/follower of Islam
3. ALLAH
For Muslims, the only one God, whose name in the Arabic language is Allah
The sole and sovereign ruler of the universe
4. MUHAMMAD Muslim prophet 570-632 C.E, founder of Islam
Lived in polytheistic Saudi Arabia, converted to monotheism
Muslim believe that he is last in a line of prophets including Abraham, Moses, and Isa (Jesus)
Proclaimed that the Quran was the last Book of God, and that he himself was the last Prophet
5. QUR’AN
Holy book of Islam, source of Muslim beliefs, morality and laws
A record of the exact words revealed by Allah through the archangel Gabriel to Muhammad
Muslims believe it is 'the word of Allah’ and treat the Qur'an with great respect
Every word and every letter is sacred; it is usually placed on a special wooden stand to be read.
6. MECCA
Holiest city for Muslims in Saudi Arabia, birthplace of Muhammad
In the centre of the mosque in Mecca is the Kaaba, which Muslims face during prayer
Destination for Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj
7. KAABA
Cubed shaped stone building 8 m. high, generally thought to have been built by Prophet Abraham
Focal point for prayer (not worshipped) which maintains unity and uniformity among Muslims
Draped with a black cloth, which is covered with Koranic verses embroidered in gold and silver
During the Hajj pilgrimage, a Muslim walks seven times around the Kaaba and then touches the Black
Stone, a meteorite said to have given to Braham by angel Gabriel
A few steps away is the holy well Zamzam, source of sacred water for pilgrims
8. MOSQUE The Muslim building for communal worship, also called by its Arabic name, masjid.
Very often Mosques have a domed roof and a tall tower called a minaret
Muslims are called to prayer from the minaret the man called a muezzin
There are no pictures or statues in a mosque, decorated with patterns and words from the Qur'an
A wall with an empty arch signifies the direction of Mecca
Men and women pray separately in services held every day, and especially Fridays
Shoes are taken off when entering, very little furniture inside, prayer mats are used
Has a fountain or pool, or at least an area with water where people can wash (wudu) before prayer
Muslims wash their hands, mouth, throat, nose, ears, arms up to the elbow and feet.
This symbolises spiritual cleansing and purity in readiness for coming before Allah
ISLAM:
BELIEFS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Belief in Allah as the one and only God.
Belief in angels.
Belief in the holy books.
Belief in the Prophets (special messengers).
e.g. Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Dawud (David), Isa (Jesus). Muhammad is the final prophet.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgement...
The day when the life of every human being will be assessed to decide whether they go to heaven or hell.
6. Belief in Predestination...
That Allah has already decided what will happen.
Muslims believe that this doesn't stop human beings making free choices.
ISLAM:
THE FIVE PILLARS OF FAITH
These are five duties that every Muslim is obliged to perform. They help Muslims put their faith into action.
Shahadah:
the creed or declaration of faith for Muslims: “La illaha illah Allah, Mohammed rasul Allah”
“I bear witness that there is no god, but God; I bear witness that Muhammad is the prophet of God." Said many
times each day, and by simply reciting this aloud, one enters Islamic faith.
Prayer:
Muslims are required to pray five times a day, washing themselves before prayer and facing Mecca
1. After first light and before sunrise
2. Between the sun reaching its height and mid-afternoon
3. Between mid-afternoon and sunset
4. After the sun has finished setting
5. In the dark of the night
Almsgiving: Muslims must give fixed proportion to charity, 2.5% of surplus wealth to less fortunate
Fasting:
For one lunar month each year, a period called Ramadan
During this time, Muslims reflect on their behaviour and strive to purify their thoughts.
Hajj:
Pilgrimage to Mecca, required once in every Muslim’s lifetime, if financially possible
Demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah
Processions of hundreds of thousands of people, who perform a series of rituals
All wear white robes to emphasize equality and unity
Each person walks counter-clockwise seven times around the Kaaba, runs back and forth between the hills of
Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, drinks from the Zamzam Well, goes to the plains of Mount Arafat to stand in vigil,
and throws stones in a ritual Stoning of the Devil
Pilgrims then shave their heads, perform a ritual of animal sacrifice, and celebrate the three day global festival
of Eid al-Adha
ISLAM:
FESTIVALS
The Muslim year is based on lunar calendar.
Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset
Muslims get up early before dawn for a light meal and break the fast with a meal after sunset
Aims to teach restrain and self discipline and appreciation for good fortune
Muslims believe that the gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell are locked during Ramadan. Muslims
celebrate this time as when the verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad Ramadan is a time
of worship and contemplation, time to strengthen family and community ties
Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr
The festival for the first day after Ramadan.
Marks the breaking of the fast for Muslims at the end of Ramadan
Lasting three days, it is a time for family and friends to get together, for celebrating with good food and presents
for children, and giving to charity.
Eid-ul-Adha
The Festival of Sacrifice which occurs 70 days after Eid-al-Fitr
Second most important festival, to remember when Abraham was going to sacrifice his own son to prove
obedience to God, marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage
Dhu Al-Hijja The month of pilgrimage during which all Muslim should try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca
Al Hijra
The Islamic New Year begins on the day Muhammad left Mecca to travel to Medina
ISLAM:
SECTS
The divisions in Islam developed because Muhammad did not appoint a successor before he died, and there were disagreements
over who were the true leaders of Islam. Today there are two main sects.
Sunni
The majority (approximately 80-90%) of Muslims
Believe that spiritual heads are human leaders and should be elected
Allow for interpretation of laws, subject to consensus of community
Shia
The minority, only 10% of Muslims, predominantly in Iran, Iraq and Yemen
Believe spiritual leaders are descendants of Muhammad and are infallible manifestations of Allah and perfect
interpreters of the Qur'an