Islam

INTRO-
There are so many different religions in the world today. I’m choosing to talk about Islam. I’ve noticed that people sometimes have problems with people that are a different religion. If you compare Christianity to Islam, there are many differences.

FOUNDER-
The religion, Islam, was founded in 622 C.E. by Prophet Muhammad, in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 A.D. His father died shortly after Prophet was born. His mother died when he was six. After losing both of his parents, Muhammad’s uncle raised him. Muhammad’s uncle worked as a Shepard. When Prophet was nine(some sources say twelve) he joined his uncle on a caravan to Syria. As a young man, Muhammad worked as camel driver. At age twenty-five Prophet was employed by Khadija, a wealthy Meccan widowed, fifteen years his senior. Prophet and Khadija got married, and lived happily.

FOLLOWERS TODAY-
Today, there are 1.3 billion followers. Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The most of the followers are in the Middle East and North Africa.

HOLY BOOK(S)/TEXT(S)-
The Qur’an (karan) is the primary text in Islam. It was revealed to Prophet in the beginning of the year in 610 B.C. The Qur’an is required reading for anyone who is Islam. Qur’an means “The Recital” in Arabic. The Qur’an is believed to be the literal word of god. The full length of the Qur’an is about the length of the new testament of the Christian bible. It is divided into 114 surahs (chapters)

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS-
In the Islam religion Ramadan is celebrated. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim lunar year. The expectations during Ramadan is fasting all day everyday for a month. Exceptions to fasting is; young children, people in poor health, pregnant women, nursing women, menstruating women, travelers, and if one feeds thirty poor people each day. The things prohibited during this event are; putting drops in eyes, saliva leaving the mouth and then reentering, sex, listening to music, harsh words/arguments. The days that are considered special in the month are; Battle of Badr, retaking of Mecca, deaths, births, laylat al-Qadr, Eid al fitr.
Eld al-Fitr is celebrated. Eld al-Fitr is a large feast celebrating the breaking of fasting of Ramadan. It is held on the first day of Shawwl, right after Ramadan.
Hijra is the emigration of Muhammad and his followers to the city of Medina. It lasts for 26 days.
Muhammam is the Islamic New Year. It’s celebrated on the twelfth day of the month of Rabi. This holiday is celebrated relatively quietly. The day is mostly taken up by prayers, readings and reflection upon the hegira.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated because the prophet was going to willingly sacrifice his son for Allah. This begins on the tenth day of Dhu’l-Hijja(the last month of the Islamic calendar)

RITUALS-
In the Islamic religion doesn’t have that many rituals. The few that they have are; Confession of Faith (Shahada), Ritual Prayer (Salat), Alms Tax (Zakat), Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). In the Confession of Faith, or Shahada, you pretty much say,”There is no god but god and Muhammad id the prophet of god.” But when you say it, you have to fully understand what it is supposed to mean. Ritual Prayer or Salat means that you pray five times a day; at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and evening. Every time you pray, you must me kneeling on the ground with your forehead touching the ground, and you must be facing toward the Ka’ba shrine in Mecca. A prayer mat is often used. Alms Tax or Zakat forces greedy people to give their things to people that are in need. Fasting during Ramadan means what it says. Pilgrimage to Mecca means that you have to go to the holy land (Mecca) and pray at the Ka’ba shrine, at least once in your life.

DRESSING-
When you are Islam you have a dress code. The women’s whole body have to be covered, especially the chest. Head covers also have to be worn. With men, they are more lenient. All the men have to cover is from their bellybutton to their knee. That doesn’t sound fare to me.