Islam
Beliefs
The Islam religions believes in one god and that is Allah (Arabic for the god). They believe there was a prophet known as Muhammad who was the founder of Islam, he is known as the last and the greatest of the messengers of God. They believe in the Quran which they believe is the divine word of God. Like Christianity, Islam teaches that there is a life after death. They believe there will be a day of judgment and humanity will be divided into the eternal Paradise and Hell.
Rituals
There are certain sacred practices and rituals that are deemed very important to Muslims that follow Islam. Some of these rituals are practiced daily, for example prayer; other rituals are practiced annually. There aren't many religious rituals of Islam however the rituals they have are very important. They follow 'The Five Pillars of Islam' which are five practices regarded by as essential to Islam. These are:
Confessions of Faith (shahada)
Ritual prayer (salat)
This is perhaps the most well-known Muslim practice and it is ritual prayer, or salat. it is performed five times a day: at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and evening.
Alms Tax (zakat)
Also known as Alms-giving, it is a major activity in Islam. The Quran has written it to be compulsory, and it is often considered to be one of the duties of a Muslim.
Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm)
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Symbols
Islam has many symbols that make up its religion. These symbols can represent many different things. The main and most famous ones are listed bellow
The Star and Crescent
The star and crescent is probably the best-known symbol used to represent Islam. It is used on the flags of many countries whose main religion is Islam for example Turkey and Pakistan.
The name Allah
The word "Allah" is very important in the Islamic faith. In their faith, certain words in Arabic can be regarded as representing Islam. When these words are used as a symbol, the word is decorated
The color green
Green is the official color of Islam, it can be seen on world flags, for example Pakistan. They believe that green is valued in Islam because of it's symbolizes life, making it important to the theory of paradise in Islam. Their book 'The Quran' also mentions green in different areas of text.
The Kaaba
The Kaaba is the most sacred place in Islam, it is a mosque in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is in the shape of a black "cube" and often Muslims dressed in white and walk around it in prayer. The Kaaba is used regularly as a symbol of Islam.
Sacred texts
There are 2 main sacred texts In Islam. The Quran (also spelled as Koran) and the Hadith (also spelled as Hadeeth). These are books that teach and illustrate Islamic beliefs, values, and practices. They also contain important historical documents
Quran
The Quran is considered to be the most sacred text, it is believed to be the literal word of God. The word itself "Quran" translates to recitation in Arabic. This book is the highest authority in religious and legal matters. Muslims believe that the is a perfect copy of a heavenly Qur'an that is said to have existed eternally.
Hadith
The Hadith is considered to be a secondary text that is a record of sayings by Muhammad and his followers. The word itself "Hadith" translates to "narrative" or "report" in Arabic. The book is a record of the words and deeds of not only the Muhammad by the words and deeds of his family, and his companions. The Hadith is an important source of doctrine, law, and practice to the Islamic Faith.
Religious experience and spirituality
Islamic spiritualism is purely based on 2 concepts and these are: that God and man are completely separate from each other and that God, has a real and eternal existence. According to Islam, God is One and there are no others. He created everything and has complete control over everything. Everything he has created completely depends on the will of God. Muslims believe that God created man to live for a certain amount of time, and during his time on earth he is tested. According to the Islamic concept of spirituality, also known as Rabbaniyat, the purpose of a man's spiritual quest is to discover and realize God.
Ethical Principle / Moral Code
Islam is considered by Muslims as a way of life, and morality is incredibly important. Islam has created many universal rights. Islam has created an effective moral system to uphold To uphold these rights. Islam is heavily imbedded in morality and apposes matters that go against it. The main principle that Muslims follow is called the “Virtuous Deeds”. This covers everything. They also heavily believe in humidity and in controlling their passions and desires. They believe that a Muslim should have vain or get attached to earthly pleasures. Muslims believe they should keep God in their hearts and the material world in their hand. This is explained in this verse of the Quran.
“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will prosper) that brings to God a sound heart.” (Quran: 26:88-89)
“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will prosper) that brings to God a sound heart.” (Quran: 26:88-89)
Myths and Stories
Islam has many myths and stories that make up the religion, helping Muslims to better understand the religion in which they follow. The most important story from Islam would be the very first one, the creation. Like Christianity, Islam shares the same story about how the world was created over 6 days. They also include Adam and Eve as the first parents and there is a story on when they lived in paradise, including when God warns Adam and Eve not to eat fruit from a certain tree, but they do anyway, resulting in their exile from Paradise. This story goes into more depth in the Qur'an. It is also written how God molded clay, earth, sand and water into a model of a man. He breathed life and power into it, and it immediately sprang to life. And this first man was called Adam. God took Adam to live in Paradise.
Islam also has many other stories that teach many different lessons and have many meanings, including some stories on bad language, helping others, searching for the light and praying to God. Some of these stories are:
- Story using bad language
- Hassan Al-Basri (ra) Impresses An Unbelieving Neighbour
- The Shepherd
- About Struggling
- Ibrahim ibn Adham (ra) giving advice against disobedience
Islam also has many other stories that teach many different lessons and have many meanings, including some stories on bad language, helping others, searching for the light and praying to God. Some of these stories are:
- Story using bad language
- Hassan Al-Basri (ra) Impresses An Unbelieving Neighbour
- The Shepherd
- About Struggling
- Ibrahim ibn Adham (ra) giving advice against disobedience
Social Structures
Originally in Islam you had the Caliph. This was a title that was given to the leader of all Muslims. The Caliph was in charge of the political and religious issues of society at the time. Today there isn't much of a social structure in Islam, however you still have people who are respected more than others. There is the Shiek, which is an Islamic priest similar to a Reverend or minister. Above the Shiek is a Mifti. A Mifti has spent a longer period of time studying religion and is able to give fatwas. A fatwa is a declaration on whether something goes according or not according to the religion of Islam.