Islam
Symbols & Objects
Temple of the mountain
Muslim interpretations of the Quran agree that the Mount is the site of a Templebuilt by Sulayman, considered a prophet in Islam, that was later destroyed. After the construction, Muslims believe, the temple was used for the worship of one God by many prophets of Islam, including Jesus.
The Star and Crescent
The star and crescent is the best-known symbol used to represent Islam. The symbol is not Muslim in origin, it was a polytheistic icon adopted during the spread of Islam, and sometimes controversial in the Muslim world. The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole.
Mecca
As the birthplace of Muhammad, and the site of Muhammad's first revelation of the Quran. Mecca is regarded as the holiest city in the religion of Islam and a pilgrimage to it known as the Hajj is obligatory for all able Muslims.
Practices
Hajj
Pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims must try to fulfill at least once in their lives, provided they are healthy and have enough money
Zakat
Non-poor muslims are required to give s percentage of their income to the poor
Sawm
They do not eat or drink or smoke during daylight hours
Salat
Obligatory unless you haven't hit puberty, are too sick
Shahada
There is no god but god and Muhammad is God prophet, which is sometimes translated as
Key Beliefs
Divine Decree
Expressed as the belief that everything is governed by divine decree, whatever happens in ones life is preordained. Believers should respond to the good or bad that befalls them with thankfulness. This concept does not negate concept of “free will.”
Day of Judgment
Humans will be judged for their actions in this life. Those who followed God’s guidance will be rewarded with paradise and those who rejected God’s guidance will be punished by hell
Prophets or Messengers of God
Gods guidance has been revealed to humankind through appointed messengers/prophets, throughout history, starting with Adam (first man, the first prophet).
Books of God
God revealed holy books/Scriptures to number of God’s messengers. Including, Quran, Torah, Gospel, Pslams, and scrolls. Believe that earlier scriptures in original from divinely revealed.
Angels of God
Unseen beings who worship God and carry out God’s orders throughout the universe. The angel Gabriel brought divine revelation to the prophets.
Oneness of God
Muslims believe that God is the creator of all things, and that God is all-powerful and all-knowing. God has no offspring, race, gender, body, unaffected by characteristics of human life
Rites and Rituals
Birth
When a child is born, they are called to pray. They are whispered into the right year by his/her father. The baby first taste is sweet. The seventh day the baby’s head is shaved, showing the child is a servant of Allah and boys are circumcised
Weddings
The weddings vary according to the culture and people that are involved. Islamic ceremony that counts as the wedding Mosques are places of worship.
Not conspired to be ‘made in heaven’ between ‘soul mates’ for each other; they are not sacraments. Social contracts with bring rights and obligations to both.
Roles of Women
Relations between Men and Women
Islam requires women to observe modesty in their interactions. Women and men should relate as brothers and sisters and not sexual/romantic interaction. This prohibitions is often affect by Westernized ideas, islam requires that men and women remain chaster until marriage.
Modesty
Men and women have to be present in a manner that shows modesty. The Hijab, is used that women sexuality will not become a source of temptation or interaction with men. Women view hijab as liberating them from male gaze.
Public Life
Muslim women have to participate in all walks of life. The women have the right to be educated, work outside the house and add the to society. The influence of mother on their children, it becomes important for women to be educated
Family Life
Very important in Islam. The family encompasses the entire circle of relationships, including in-laws.The connection with parents and relatives are stressed, and the extend family lives in the same house/neighbourhood.
Marriage
Men and women are not supposed to date, so parents arrange their marriage
Prohibitions
All things harmful to the body, mind, soul. They prohibits them from eating pork, alcohol drugs, gambling, killing, lying, cheating, sex outside marriage, disrespecting parents. They eat a meat called “halal” (meat that is butchered and blessed”.
Insurance: "mutual guarantee". This is a co-operative system or repayment in a case of loss. Organized as Islamic compliant alternative to conventional insurance.
Holy Days
Ramadan
This is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast durning daylight hours. It is often called ‘month of the Qur’an’ because the muslims attempt to recite as much of the Qur’an as they can during this month. Durning this month they believe their good actions will bring great rewards. The Qur’an was the first revealed during this month, the gates of Heaven are open, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained in hell. This month is guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and criterion. No one knows the particular night it was revealed, but it is one of the last ten nights.
Eid ul Fitr
Milad un Nabi
First celebrated in 624 CE by Prophet Muhammad with friends and relatives after the victory in battle. Celebrating the end of fasting and thanking Allah for the help/strength throughout the month (practise self-control). The festival beings with the first sight of the new moon in the sky. A special meal is prepared and eaten during the daytime.
The parents tell stories of the Prophet to their children, as it makes the birthday of Muhammad. This is a blessing for humanity. It is a very joyful festival that may seem strange to non-muslims. However, many do not believe in birthday/death anniversaries. This event falls on the 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal of the Islamic lunar calendar.
