Islam

Essentials of Islam Islam means “surrender” or “submission” –Indicating wholehearted surrender to God Muslim means “one who submits” to God (Allah) –Expressed during worship-prostration of the entire body during prayer indicates a belief in divine power and the believer’s submission to it

Theology Islam worship the same God Jews and Christians worship Muslims refer to God as Allah The word is a contraction of al (“the”) and ilah (“God”) Muslims explain that the word Allah is not the name of God- it simply means “God” It is said that God has 99 names –Merciful, just, compassionate Even though God is referred as a male, God has no gender

VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE Essentially good People “forget” and that’s why they sin –Came from the fall in the Garden of Eden –Therefore pray 5 x daily in order to remember Human destiny is dependent on the struggle (jihad) for goodness –Reward for goodness – Heaven –Punishment for forgetfulness – Hell

Umma Islamic community –The Umma bases its laws and lifestyle on the teachings from the Koran

Mosque Mosque refers to a space for prostration Its design is simple Has at least one formal entry to the compound- –where shoes are to be taken off and left outside There is at least one fountain for purification There is a high pulpit indoors or outdoors for sermons worshipers stand and prostrate themselves in rows Mihrab- is a special arched niche that indicates the direction of Mecca- Muslims pray facing Mecca The floor is usually covered with rugs or mats

Mosque cont. Outdoors there is usually a minaret –a tall tower or two towers at the corners of the mosque where prayer is called a muezzin –calls out from the top of a tower for prayer –The muezzin’s call to prayer begins with Allahu akbar (“God is supreme”) –Nowadays, recordings of the call to prayer are often played over loudspeakers

Marriage –Arranged by parents and formalized by a written contract –The bridegroom’s family makes an offer of money or property to the family of the bride as a part of the contract –The marriage ceremony is held at home It consists of signing the contract A passage from the Qur’an might be read There is usually a feast following the signing of the contract

MARRIAGE, CONT. –Multiple wives (polygamy) – no more than 4 permitted Must be treated equally Not allowed in western countries with monogamous marriage laws

Female roles In some societies, a woman must be veiled when she goes out of the house She allows only her husband and relatives to see her face –In most places it is a choice, not in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran Women are expected to socialize only with female friends and relatives Women may work as nurses, doctors, and teachers

Circumcision Male circumcision is required –Age 7 or 8 is common –Muhammad was circumcised In some countries, girls are circumcised at puberty –Purpose: decreases sexual desire, helping her to remain a virgin before her marriage, be faithful to her husband afterward – Non-Muslims in the West criticize the practice as being repressive and dangerous

Prohibitions The Qur’an forbids the consumption of pork and wine Charging interest on loans is not allowed Gambling is forbidden

Prohibition: image making The prohibition against the making of images has been observed in Islam, but there are at least three exceptions: One: Muhammad’s Night Journey. However, Muhammad’s face often appears as a ghostly blank space.

Prohibition: image making Another exception: Pilgrims who return successfully from Mecca make a picture of their pilgrimage and place it outside the house, near the front door, where it cannot be missed.

Death rituals Prayers from the Qur’an are recited for the dying person After death, the body is buried in a plain white shroud –If the deceased is a male who has made the pilgrimage, he will wear the robe he wore in Mecca The face of the decease is turned toward Mecca at the burial The headstone is usually an undecorated stone marker- signifies equality of all people in death

Islam and Judaism and Christianity Islam and Christianity –Belief in the soul –Bodily resurrection –Final judgment (Day of Doom) –Afterlife of hell for the wicked and paradise for the good Islam, Judaism, and Christianity –Belief in angels and devils