Islam

What is the Ka’bah

• it is a box at the center of makkah where Muslims are meant to pray towards

• in the past when idolatry was followed it was filled with sculptures of idols

  • Muhammad destroyed them

Belief Systems

Judgement day

• Muslims believe after death the soul passes onto the afterlife. They go to hell or heaven depending on their behavior on earth.

Place of Worship – Mosque

• No shoes

• Men and women are seperated

• Adhan- call to prayer

• Minaret - tower which the Adhan is broadcasted

• Mihrab - arch which faces Ka’bah so the prayer has a direction

• Minbar - elevated platform imam leads prayer from

• iman(religious leader) first reads from the quran then explains the passage

• Friday is mandatory congregational prayer

Pillars

Shahadah

• Declaration of faith in one god/Qur’an

• “There is only one god which is God and Muhammad is the messenger of god.”

Salat

• Pray 5 times a day, before sunrise, midday, late afternoon, sunset, after dark

• Wudu - clean hands legs feet and face

• Prayer is done anywhere as long as it is clean

Zakat

• Almsgiving

• Purpose: purify wealth, help those in need, and create equality in the community

• Meant to give 2.5% of yearly wealth

Sawm

• Mandatory fasting during ramadan

• No eating from dawn to dusk

• Pregnant women, elderly, and young children are exempt

Hajj

• Pilgrimage to makkah done by anyone that is financially and physically able

• Filled with sacred rites from Abraham and Muhammads times

• Throw 7 stones at 3 pillars that represent satan.

Symbols

• Symbols are prohibited, Muhammad does not want Muslims praying to pictures.

• Star and crescent moon: used to represent countries(flag) like Turkey and Pakistan

• The written Shahadah: Some believe it is a more fitting representation of Islam - on Saudi Arabia flag

• Green: The prophet Muhhammad’ favourite colour