World Religions: Islam

Islamic Branches

  • Islam split into divisions beacease people could not agree on who should succeed Muhammad

  • Ali, Muhammed's cousin, and his followers thought he should because he was a direct relative (Shiite)

  • Other Muslims thought the person best suited should lead (Sunni)

Allah: 99 different names for him

The 5 Pillars (know the Arabic words + points about each)

  1. Shahadah (Creed; Profession of faith)

“There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

  1. Salat (5x Daily Prayer)

Salat is the ritual prayer of praise to God that Muslims perform five times a day.

  1. Zakat (Almsgiving to the poor and needy – 2.5% of annual income)

Muslims who have more than a certain amount of money or goods must donate a portion to the needy, to help build mosques, or to similar causes

  1. Sawm (Fasting during the month of Ramadan)

Fasting that takes place during Ramadan

  1. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

A pilgrimage to Kaaba in Mecca

The Qur’an (def, important facts)

  • Muslims believe that Allah sent his revelations in written and oral “books” that include the:

Haram: that which is forbidden (Pork, Blood, Alcohol, birds of prey, etc)

Halal (def + facts about it being humane)

  • That which is permitted/lawful

  • Muslins are taught throughout the Qur’an that all animals should be treatmed with respect and well cared for

  • When an animal is slaughtered, the jugular vein is cut and the blood is allowed to drain from the animal

Eid-al-Fitr: Festival of the Breaking of the Fast

Eid-al-Adha (festival of sacrifice):

  • Takes place at the end of the Hajj

  • Marks Ibrahim’s (Abraham) submission to the will of God and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael

Ramadan: Month long fasting that celebrates the month Muhammad received Allah’s revelation

Birth

  • Children are born free of sin

  • Males should be circumcised

  • Qur’an is central in education, begin reciting scripture at early age

Death

  • Last words should be the Shahadah

  • The body is buried with face toward Mecca

  • Hope to reach Heaven

Aqiqah: seven days after birth, naming ceremony held with family and friends

  • Hair is cut

  • sacrifice of goat/sheep (⅓ is donated to the poor)

Imam: religious leader at a mosque, or in the Islamic community

Islam: an Arabic word that means “submitting to God” and “peace”