1. Why is the pronouncement of the shahada central to a Muslim’s identity and
practice of the Islamic faith?
The Shahada pronounces the two main tenets of Islam, God's monotheism and Muhammad being his prophet. This is central because it outlines that there is one God and Muhammad is the prophet who outlines everything Muslims must do in order to submit to Allah. According to Muslims, this pronouncement answers all questions and is said often. The Muslim identity is monotheism and the practice was taught by Muhammad the prophet.
2. How does the practice of the salat both mentally and physically help Muslims to
live in obedience to the will of Allah?
Muslims are encouraged to be in a constant state of prayer so that they are never distracted from God. Salat is the opportunity to pray and show physical submission to Allah in the prayer five times a day. Mentally, Muslims are constantly focused on God and Salat outlines a physical ritual to accompany their prayer and show total submission.
3. In what ways does the practice of zakat influence Muslims as a community of
faith? In other words, what does this practice say about the Muslim community
and its commitment to the poor and marginalized?
Muslims recognize the people in need through their faith because there is a pillar of faith that directly deals with the poor. It influences them to help those in need and form a close community. This practice shows that the Muslims are devout and show a constant commitment to the poor.
4. How does the practice of sawm both mentally and physically help a Muslim to
live in obedience to the will of Allah?
Muslims fast during Sawm and believe that the fasting makes them think and practice self-discipline all in order to live in obedience. Fasting in the physical approach and the fasting leads to a greater mental reflection, fulfilling the mental approach.
5. Why do you think that the hajj is a pillar of the Islamic faith? How is this practice
similar and different from other world religions?
The Hajj completes all the mental and physical practice that a Muslim does. It provides Muslims with a tangible shrine and part of history affirming their faith in Muhammad and Allah. The pilgrimage often makes Muslims more devout and consumed in their religion. This is unique because most other religions do not have a place that so many people congregate at least once in their lifetime and retrace the footsteps of the founder. But it is similar to things like the vatican and the trips people make there or the birth place of Jesus or Siddhartha, all in order to strengthen devotion and feel the presence of God.
6. What do you think are some of the challenges of practicing a life in relationship to
the Five Pillars?
Balancing a constant devotion to Allah and having a job, family, kids, and parents to care for.
-mainly that because praying and charity become so woven in with daily life that it isn't an inconvenience when you are devout to Allah. But it still might be hard to balance relationships with others when you are so constantly focused on your relationship with God.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Blog Post 26 - 99 Names of God
The Sustainer –
Masculine
“The
Sustainer” has a masculine connotation towards it because of the typical male
roles in society. Men work in order to care for or sustain the family’s
well-being. In the same way this title is attributed to men it can also be
attributed to God. God is the sustainer of the giant human species family. He
sustains the universe in order to fulfill his divine plan and have humans
recognize him.
The Protector –
Masculine
“The
Protector” can be a title for God because of its meaning. A protector can be of
any relation to man or woman; he or she protects from evils and harm out of
love. God assumes this role according to most monotheistic religions. Good and
evil have been defined because of the existence of good and evil and therefore
God protects humans from evil.
The Responder –
Feminine
Women often
show greater signs of empathy and emotion towards any heart-striking event.
When taking care of children, the mother responds to her child’s cry and then
comforts it. God does the same for his children, he responds to prayers and
worship so that he might help his children through life. God listens and
responds like a mother and her child.
The Restorer –
Feminine
Females often
take care of the sick such as sick children, husband, or parents. They play the
role of a restorer to nourish and rejuvenate the sick. God is a restorer in the
same way, restoring the mental, physical, and spiritual sick. He works to
restore all people and make them understand his goodness and care. God restores
the earth so that humans might come to know him and follow him.
Sustainer, Protector,
Responder, and Restorer
The same God heralds all of
these attributes. It is one God that protects against evil, responds if evil
strikes, restores from the striking evil, and sustains the restored person. God
takes on both masculine and feminine roles because He is the ultimate
sustainer, protector, responder, and restorer. He does everything for people
because he loves them and wants them to know him and have faith in his mission.
God is caring and therefore does all of these things for people and embodies
all the attributes or ninety-nine names Muslims give him.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Blog Post 24 - Islam WebQuest
Task #1: The World's Muslim Population
1) What is highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today?
2.1 Billion
2) List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Gambia
Iran
Iraq
3) What country has the largest Muslim population?
Morocco
4) How many Muslims are there in the United States?
2,595,000
Task #2: Key Beliefs of Islam
Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a COMPLETE sentence.
1) Muslims believe in one and only one God who is the creator.
2) God has angels that live in harmony with him.
3) The Bible and Qur'an are divine scriptures God bestowed on people such as Muhammad.
4) Muslims believe in prophets, the last on being Muhammad whose word is the ultimatum of God's message.
5) There will be a day of judgement determining one's afterlife destination.
6) God's will is supreme and predestined.
TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own words.
1) Those who believe in God and the Day of Judgement should be just with their neighbor.
2) Pay a man for his work before his has finished.
3) Until you love your neighbor as yourself, you do not believe completely.
Task #3: The Qur'an
1) What does the Quran provide?
Guidance, direction, and a means of salvation.
2) In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why?
Only in Arabic, if it is not in Arabic then it is not valid because the Quran was bestowed on Muhammad in Arabic.
3) During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven?
The ninth month, the month of Ramadan.
4) What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened next?
To read, but when Muhammad told Gabriel he could not read, Gabriel began to teach Muhammad the verses that would become the Quran.
Task #4: Five Pillars of Faith
1) List and explain the 5 Pillars of Faith.
-Shahada (testimony of faith): the most important pillar that converts to Islam must state with conviction.
-Salat (prayer): Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca (or to the East).
-Zakat (almsgiving): a requirement of faith like tithing in the Church in which Muslims give to charity.
-Siyam (fasting): ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan.
-Hajj (pilgrimage): pilgrimage to Mecca at the end of the Islamic calendar.
2) Why are they important?
They strengthen faith and service to Allah and they can be performed anywhere by anyone.
3) Why is cheating on the 5 Pillars impossible?
Because it is a matter between Allah and the Muslim, God cannot be fooled and it would be useless to cheat.
4) Compare the 5 Pillars with similar activities in other religions.
Christians practice fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and testimony of faith. The five pillars are similar to a set of guidelines such as the 613 laws in Judaism and Ten Commandments.
Task #5: Ramadan
1) What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar during which Muslims fast.
2) What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan?
Muslims cannot eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting.
3) What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan?
telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath and greed or covetousness.
4) Why is the 27th day of Ramadan significant?
Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). This was the night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Qur'an.
5) What happens when Ramadan ends?
There is a three day celebration called Id-al-Fitr (Feast of Fast Breaking). Families and friends pray and feast.
6) What are the 3 reasons Ramadan is important?
-The Qur'an was revealed during this month
-Gates of Heaven are open
-Gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell
7) Why is easier to do good during Ramadan?
The devils are chained up in Hell thus less likely to interfere with reverence and doing good.
Task #6: Fun Facts
List 5 interest facts you learned from the websites above.
1) Charity, Knowledge, and Prayer helps someone in the afterlife after they are deceased.
2) Islamic art is not exclusively religious but includes other aspects of Muslim culture.
3) Muslims systematically give 2.5% a year of their wealth to help the poor.
4) Muslims accept the Bible but view it as corrupted and translated inaccurately.
5) Islam has only few holidays in comparison to other religions.
1) What is highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today?
2.1 Billion
2) List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Gambia
Iran
Iraq
3) What country has the largest Muslim population?
Morocco
4) How many Muslims are there in the United States?
2,595,000
Task #2: Key Beliefs of Islam
Summarize each of the key beliefs below in a COMPLETE sentence.
1) Muslims believe in one and only one God who is the creator.
2) God has angels that live in harmony with him.
3) The Bible and Qur'an are divine scriptures God bestowed on people such as Muhammad.
4) Muslims believe in prophets, the last on being Muhammad whose word is the ultimatum of God's message.
5) There will be a day of judgement determining one's afterlife destination.
6) God's will is supreme and predestined.
TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own words.
1) Those who believe in God and the Day of Judgement should be just with their neighbor.
2) Pay a man for his work before his has finished.
3) Until you love your neighbor as yourself, you do not believe completely.
Task #3: The Qur'an
1) What does the Quran provide?
Guidance, direction, and a means of salvation.
2) In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why?
Only in Arabic, if it is not in Arabic then it is not valid because the Quran was bestowed on Muhammad in Arabic.
3) During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven?
The ninth month, the month of Ramadan.
4) What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened next?
To read, but when Muhammad told Gabriel he could not read, Gabriel began to teach Muhammad the verses that would become the Quran.
Task #4: Five Pillars of Faith
1) List and explain the 5 Pillars of Faith.
-Shahada (testimony of faith): the most important pillar that converts to Islam must state with conviction.
-Salat (prayer): Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca (or to the East).
-Zakat (almsgiving): a requirement of faith like tithing in the Church in which Muslims give to charity.
-Siyam (fasting): ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan.
-Hajj (pilgrimage): pilgrimage to Mecca at the end of the Islamic calendar.
2) Why are they important?
They strengthen faith and service to Allah and they can be performed anywhere by anyone.
3) Why is cheating on the 5 Pillars impossible?
Because it is a matter between Allah and the Muslim, God cannot be fooled and it would be useless to cheat.
4) Compare the 5 Pillars with similar activities in other religions.
Christians practice fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and testimony of faith. The five pillars are similar to a set of guidelines such as the 613 laws in Judaism and Ten Commandments.
Task #5: Ramadan
1) What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar during which Muslims fast.
2) What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan?
Muslims cannot eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting.
3) What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan?
telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath and greed or covetousness.
4) Why is the 27th day of Ramadan significant?
Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). This was the night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Qur'an.
5) What happens when Ramadan ends?
There is a three day celebration called Id-al-Fitr (Feast of Fast Breaking). Families and friends pray and feast.
6) What are the 3 reasons Ramadan is important?
-The Qur'an was revealed during this month
-Gates of Heaven are open
-Gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell
7) Why is easier to do good during Ramadan?
The devils are chained up in Hell thus less likely to interfere with reverence and doing good.
Task #6: Fun Facts
List 5 interest facts you learned from the websites above.
1) Charity, Knowledge, and Prayer helps someone in the afterlife after they are deceased.
2) Islamic art is not exclusively religious but includes other aspects of Muslim culture.
3) Muslims systematically give 2.5% a year of their wealth to help the poor.
4) Muslims accept the Bible but view it as corrupted and translated inaccurately.
5) Islam has only few holidays in comparison to other religions.
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