 A day in Islam is determined by the rising and setting of the sun  A month is determined by the cycles of the moon – there are always only 12 months in a year  There is 10 day drift every year that is not corrected  Islamic time is measured from the Hijra – 2012 is AH.

 The 5 pillars help Muslims order their time  Prayer is the rhythm of daily life (5x)  The fast is the name of the month of Ramadan  Fast ends with Eid Ul-Fitr  The pilgrimage is done during the month of pilgrimages “Dhu’l-Hijja”  The pilgrimage remembers the Prophet Abraham  Eid Ul-Adha (which ends the pilgrimage and remembers Abraham being commanded to sacrifice his son.

 Birth –  When a child is born the first sound they should hear is the adhan in their right ear  A naming ceremony is held, usually 7 days after birth – often baby’s head is shaved or hair is cut  A naming ceremony is sometimes used as an initiation rite for converts (e.g. Muhammad Ali)  Male children are circumcised (timing varies)

 Marriage-  Many traditions are related to local culture  Polygamy is rare in Islam today  Guided marriage is common, as dating is generally not allowed  Weddings are simple – vows and readings from the Qur’an  Divorce is strongly discouraged

 Death –  the last words of a Muslim should be the Shahada, the proclamation of faith  Corpses are washed, covered and buried as soon as possible  Bodies are buried with the head facing Mecca