Islam Rituals

Birth
Outline how children are welcomed into the Muslim faith?
The Muslim call to prayer or adhaan ("God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.") are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear. It is whispered into the right ear of a newborn baby by their father. Also, the first thing they taste must be sweet, so a parent my rub a date on their gums. They shave the child's hair off and make a charitable donation according to the weight of the child's hair.
What is Aqeeqah?
It is traditionally carried out after the seventh day and is a celebration in which involves the slaughter of sheep. They then give the sheep to everyone.

Marriage
Outline the basic elements of an Islamic wedding ceremony?
It is a mutually agreed wedding. The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract. Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.

The Qur'an

1. What does the word Quran translate to in English?
Recitation
2. What is the purpose of the message sent to Mohammad why was it sent again?
Gods own message to the world to remind people of the message already received by the Jews and Christians –Gods guidance for human kind
3. How is the message sent to Mohammad different to the messages already sent to the Christians and the Jews? It is in Arabic
4. Is the message in the Quran the same message as in the Bible?Yes
5. Name two other prophets mentioned in the Quran.
Abraham and Jesus
6. How was the message passed on to others in the beginning?
It was an oral / aural transmission
7. Why was the original message not written down by Mohammad?
He was not literate in Arabic
8. What language is used for the Quran?
Arabic
9. Which city did Islam originate?
Mecca
10. What dose ‘Muslim’ mean?
Those who submit to God
11. How does the Quran differ from the Bible in the story of the death of Jesus?Belief says that Jesus was not crucified but lifted to God and that another man who looked like him was crucified
12. What does the Quran say about warfare?
Muslims may defend themselves only when there is a threat. They should be merciful to those they capture – as Muhammad was when he took over Mecca

Additional Information:
Suras - chapters of the Qur'an, there are 114 chapters, each one is shorter than the one before it. The Qur'an is thought to be the completed message that began with Judaism and Christianity.

Symbols of Islam

The Star and CrescentThey are the accepted symbols of Islam since the 18th century; they appear on several flags of Islamic nations. Even before the time of Muhammad they were found on the Ka’aba and it is said that Muhammad allowed these symbols to remain intact when he ordered the removal of the idols in the Ka’aba.

No symbols of Allah

Islam has always insisted that there should be no idols and no images of Allah. An Islamic mosque is devoid of all statues and all paintings this is in contrast to Christian Churches. Islamic artists have compensated for this restricted by developing beautiful work and calligraphy.

Bismillah (in the name of Allah)

One of the most prominent symbolic designs is the motif with the words Bismillah (in the name of Allah). All the Suras of the Qur'an except one beginning with the words 'In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate....' so the first word of these Suras has been taken and variously depicted in extremely ornate styles.

Five Pillars of Islam videos

Pillar #1: Shahada (Faith)
• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith?  It is fundamental to a Muslim spiritual life, the meaning of this “there is nothing which has the right to be worshiped except Allah and Muhammad who is his messenger”
• Why do you think that this statement is a significant part of being a Muslim?This means that Muslims choose to only worship one God, their beliefs lie with the faith and their leader, it gives them reassurance that they are doing the right thing in their opinion

Pillar #2: Salat (Prayer)
• Describe the process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray.
They wash themselves to make sure they feel clean for the lord
• Describe the process of praying in Islam. How many times each day, and when, do Muslims pray?
5 times a day, dawn, before sunrise, noon, sunset and night time
• What do the prayers sound like?  What do the movements look like? 
They speak in Arabic, and make movements that correspond to the prayer
• In which direction do Muslims pray? Why do they face this way? They pray facing towards Mecca which is in Saudi Arabia, as it is the holy land
• What are some of the things Muslims say during prayer?  “God is greater” which reminds them that everything else is smaller than Allah
• Why do Muslims pray?Reminds them who they are and to show respect to their God

Pillar #3: Zakaat (Almsgiving)
• What is Zakaat?  What is emphasized in Zakaat? When anyone who is employed give a partial amount of their savings to charity and poor. Giving and helping is emphasized
• Why do Muslims make donations?  How much money is a person expected to give to charitable causes? 
To get more and more blessings, when calculated, you are expected to give 2.5% of total earnings
• What is the relationship between prayer and money?Establishes prayer and money, mentioned 82 times in the Quran, prayer and giving, taking care of others as God takes care of you
• How is zakaat different from ordinary charity that Muslims might give?It is compulsory, gift from almighty, a portion of it belongs to the poor, the poor has a right to your money

Pillar #4: Ramadan (Fasting)
• As part of the Muslim religion, what does it mean to fast? 
If you don’t fast you are not a complete Muslim
• Why do Muslims fast? 
Spiritual benefits, can give to the needy, purify the soul
• What and when is Ramadan?   What is Eid al-Fitr?  Dawn till dusk, Eid al-Fitr is the time when you dress well and cook the nice meals and give gifts

Pillar #5: Hajj (Pilgrimage)
• How often must Muslims participate in Hajj?  At least once in their lifetime
• Where do Muslims go during Hajj?  To the Kaaba in Mecca, spiritual home of Islam
• What and where is the Kaaba?  Describe this place. In Mecca, was built by God according to the Quran
• How many Muslims participate in Hajj? Millions
• What is the goal of Hajj?  To worship God
• What does it mean to enter spiritual purity? What is the purpose of the special garments?
Before you walk around the Kaaba, you must enter spiritual purity. For woman it is a conscience, for men there is also a special garment. Its purpose is to equalize everybody
• How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?Became so focused in worship, block out everything else
• What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?Abraham drove Satan away with stones

The Five Pillars of Islam

There are 5 major beliefs or obligations for each Muslim, they are as followers:

• Shahadah (Belief) - is for the believer to testify, in Arabic, that "There is no god but God and that Muhammad is His messenger." 
• Salat (Worship) - to worship God 5 times a day - at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall.
• Zakat (Almsgiving) - is to give alms to the poor, Muslims are meant to donate a fixed amount of their property to charity every year.
• Sawn/Ramadan (Fasting) - to abstain from food and drink, as well as smoking and sex, between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan.
• Hajj (Pilgrimage) - to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in one's lifetime.

Excursion to the Gallipoli Mosque

Where was it?

The Gallipoli Mosque was in Auburn.

What did you see and do at the Mosque?

At the Mosque we saw different features of the building and the main hall. We were given a guided tour and talk about the Mosque from a representative from the Muslim community.

What did you learn?

We learnt about their culture including how and when they pray. We also learnt about the compulsory pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must take at least once in their lifetime. We talked about the features of the Mosque, both inside and out, and their purposes that they serve. They also learnt about their views and traits of their God, Allah.

What you gained from the experience?

From the experience I have gained a wide knowledge of different religions, cultures, and practises. It was an interesting and informative experience.

Facts about Islam

What does Islam mean? Islam means submission, and derives from a word meaning peace.

What were the origins of Islam? It goes back to the prophet and partriarch Abraham, and their three prophets are directly descendants from his sons: Muhammad from the eldest Ishmael; and Moses and Jesus from Isaac. It was originated in the 6th century.

How does someoe become a Muslim? To become a Muslim, one can simply say 'there is no God apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God'.

How do Muslims practise their religion? They pray five times a day and they continue to worship and follow their religion, and associate their life to the religion and its values.

What is the Ka'ba? The Ka'ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. It was constructed with stone on what many believe was the original site of a sancturary established by Adam.

What were the highlights of Muhammads life? Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570. He grew up with his uncle and was known for his generosity. At the age of 40 while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad recieved his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation continued for 23 years is known as the Quran. After several years, the Prophet and his followers were able to return to Makkah and forgave their enemies.

 

What is the Quran? It is the Islamic Holy Book.

Introduction to Islam

Activities

1.       A. The words Islam and Muslim both mean submission

B. Muslims believe that Allah (their God) made everything

C. The Muslim holy book is called the Qur’an

D. The star and crescent moon is the symbol of Islam

2.       Muslims should submit to Allah as he is their God and because he made everything

3.       Muslims respect Muhammad as a prophet but they do not submit to him as they do to Allah

4.       Muslims use the star and crescent moon as their symbol because it guides them through the desert

5.       Two Muslim countries are Saudia Arabia and Pakistan