Muslim+Faith

Islam comes from the Arabic word "salam" meaning "peace" or "submission". Therefore, the term muslim stands for "a person who submits themselves to the will of God".
= The Beginnings of Islam = Descendants of Abraham, Muhammad, Ishmael, Moses, and Jesus, all lead to creating different religions including Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

The religion of Islam was founded by Muhammad. As the story goes, Muhammad found himself meditating for a majority of the day, since he did not need to work after marrying a wealthy widow, Khadijah. He developed a goal to discover "truth". Often times, he would travel to the desert or mountains to escape civilization and to meditate. While meditating in a cave at Mount Nur, the angel Gabriel visited him and read Muhammad the first revelation. Lasting twenty-three years, these revelations developed into the Quran.

= ﻿The Five Pillars of Islam =

Faith

 * a declaration of faith known as the Shahada
 * while usually said in Arabic, a direct translation is, "There is no god except God. Muhammad is the messenger of God."
 * important topics:
 * items such as wealth, power, and other superficial objects are not as important at God
 * God's word was originally spread through a civilian

Prayer

 * Salat- prayers that must be said everyday
 * five times a day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall
 * prayer can be conducted anywhere that is most conveinient
 * led by civilians that are chosen as being knowledgeable

The Zakat

 * translated to "purification" or "growth"
 * basically a sense of charity or giving to others
 * often times it is seen as donating one or two percent of income per year
 * derived from the principal that "All things belong to God and that wealth is therefore held by humans only in trust."

The Fast

 * the entire month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset
 * includes food, drink, and sexual relations
 * everyone must participate unless an exception:
 * pre-pubescent children
 * pregnant women
 * sick, elderly, those on a journey
 * those who do not fast must either make up days during the year or feed a needy person for each day

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

 * trip to Makkah in Saudi Arabia
 * not obligatory - just for those who can
 * simple garments are worn to take away class distinctions so everyone is equal in front of God
 * the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar
 * about two million people go every year
 * go to the Ka'bah seven times and back and forth between the Hills of Safa and Marwa seven times to mimic Hagar searching for water



Islamic Holidays
Islamic New Year Ashura Eid-Al-Adha
 * Celebrated on the first days of Muharran (first Islamic month)
 * Based on the revolutions of the moon, 345 days long
 * Normally a quiet days
 * Gather in the mosques for special prayers and readings
 * Story tellings of the Hegira (Muhammas's flight from Medina to Mecca)
 * Muslims often reflect the passing of time, and also focus on their own mortality
 * One of the major holidays
 * Celebrated on the 10th day of Muharran
 * Ashura means 10
 * This holiday is a time for fasting, and of inner thoughts
 * The Jews of Medina fast in rememberance of Egypt's Pharaoh
 * Muhammad promised as well, but died before it was accomplished
 * Muslims fast for Ashura, and extends it another day
 * Remembering Muhammad
 * This day is for fasting and meditation
 * Very joyous day for Muslims
 * They believed that this was the day Abraham was born
 * Felt that all that mosques were built that day
 * Gave everyone protection
 * Day of help
 * giving back to the poor
 * Major holiday that celebrates the sacrificing Abraham made for his son Ishmael
 * Basically a large feast
 * An animal is sacrificed just as Abraham did
 * 1/3 of the meat is given to the poor, the rest was for the holiday feast
 * Children are given gifts and special prayers are said

Mawlid an-Nabit
 * A day celebrating the birth of Muhammad
 * celebrated in the 5th month of the Islamic calender
 * This day is dedicated to the teaching of Muhammad and his life
 * Many songs and prayers occur on that day
 * Muslims often forgive their enemies on that day
 * Once again this day goes to helping the poor as well

Ramadan
 * All month long, honors the Holy Word of Muhammad
 * Muslims to do not eat or drink (fast) while the sun is up
 * They eat when the sun falls, their meal is called iftar, once the dinner is over families visit each other
 * Muslims pray at least 5 times a day, and the Ramadan prayer (just extended prayer)
 * On the 27th day of Ramadan Muslims celebrate the "Night of Power"
 * the night Allah delievered that Quran to Muhammad
 * Also Alla detemined the course of the world for the next year
 * This day is for quiet gatherings and the focus of faith

Eid-Al-Fitr
 * Marks the end of Ramadan
 * Celebrated on the first day of the 10th month in the Islamic calendar
 * Many sweet snacks are eaten, with a day of celebration
 * Everyone wears their best clothes, and makes a payment for Ramadan
 * All payments are given to the poor
 * Women and children are given gifts
 * Make amends with the enemies

Qu'Ran >
 * "The Qur'an is the most often-read book in the world. Revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the 7th century, and revered by Muslims as being God's final Scripture and Testament, its words have been lovingly recited, memorized, and implemented by Muslims of every nationality ever since."

Sunni/Shia

 * The war between these two Islamic groups continues today, even after centuries of vilonet religious conflict.It all started when their Prophet Muhammad died without announcing a successor.

Sunni
The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
 * Sunnis form the majority in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
 * They make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world.
 * They believed that Abu Bakr, a close friend and father of the prophet was the rightful inheritor.
 * Most Muslims agreed that the most able and pious of the Prophet's followers should be his caliphs, which was why Bakr was chosen.
 * The very few non-believers made up the islamic faith, Shia.

Shia

 * This muslamic group lies heavily in Iraq, Iran, and some in Yemen.
 * The Shi'ite's followed Ali, the closest relative of Muhammad, as Muhammad's successor.
 * They believed Muhammad designated a successor
 * 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of the Prophet's daughter, Fatimah, was who they thought to believe was next at ruler.

Beliefs of Faith

 * The belief in one god
 * The belief in all of gods messengers
 * The belief in all scriptures (holy books) and revelations (revealing or disclosing) of god
 * The belief in angels of god
 * The belief in "Last Day of Judgement"

Sources http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/uiatm/un_islam.htm http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html http://www.bible.ca/islam/islam-history.htm http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_intr.htm http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/holidaysmuslim.htm