Beliefs:
Six Articles of Faith
One God: There is one God. The Muslim name for God is "Allah," which is Arabic for "the (al) God (Ilah)
The Angels of God:Angels in Islam are spiritual creatures that serve the purposes of Allah. They are messengers who relay communication to people and carry out other responsibilities. Angels, such as Gabriel (thought to be the same Gabriel as the one read about in the Christian New Testament), is mentioned in the Quran. Angels are often found in Islam art, revealing their importance to the Islamic worldview.
The Qur'an: The Most important text and the highest authority in both religious and legal matters. The word "Quran" means "recitation" in Arabic. This is the record of the angel Gabriel's revelations to Muhammad, from 610 until his death in 632 AD
Muhammad: “Highly praised” in the Islamic Culture. They believe that Muhammad was final message to man. God has said: Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the last of the prophets... (Quran, 33:40).
Sunni and Shi'ah
These are two branches of Islamic Religion, which both believe on most aspects of Islam, but have different ideas about sources of authority and the succession of Muhammad.
The Day of Judgment (or the afterlife): Which s the belief that after death the persons soul continues and transforms in to something physical. The day of judgment will be whether you go to the eternal destinations of Paradise and
The supremacy of God's will (or predestination): Islamic teaches that God has a path for everyone, he has put them on this world to make a change.
Rituals:
-To develop spiritually
-To see for yourself where religious actions happened
-To feel a sense of community or ummah
-To fulfill a religious duty
-To show devotion to God/Allah
-To share unity with others as they witness their faith.
Symbols that are represented in the Islamic Religion are;
Six Articles of Faith
One God: There is one God. The Muslim name for God is "Allah," which is Arabic for "the (al) God (Ilah)
The Angels of God:Angels in Islam are spiritual creatures that serve the purposes of Allah. They are messengers who relay communication to people and carry out other responsibilities. Angels, such as Gabriel (thought to be the same Gabriel as the one read about in the Christian New Testament), is mentioned in the Quran. Angels are often found in Islam art, revealing their importance to the Islamic worldview.
The Qur'an: The Most important text and the highest authority in both religious and legal matters. The word "Quran" means "recitation" in Arabic. This is the record of the angel Gabriel's revelations to Muhammad, from 610 until his death in 632 AD
Muhammad: “Highly praised” in the Islamic Culture. They believe that Muhammad was final message to man. God has said: Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and the last of the prophets... (Quran, 33:40).
Sunni and Shi'ah
These are two branches of Islamic Religion, which both believe on most aspects of Islam, but have different ideas about sources of authority and the succession of Muhammad.
The Day of Judgment (or the afterlife): Which s the belief that after death the persons soul continues and transforms in to something physical. The day of judgment will be whether you go to the eternal destinations of Paradise and
The supremacy of God's will (or predestination): Islamic teaches that God has a path for everyone, he has put them on this world to make a change.
Rituals:
- Pilgrimage - Every Islam follower is expected to make during their life on year. This is when they travel to the city of Mecca
-To develop spiritually
-To see for yourself where religious actions happened
-To feel a sense of community or ummah
-To fulfill a religious duty
-To show devotion to God/Allah
-To share unity with others as they witness their faith.
- Purification - Before certain rituals, ‘Wudu’ is performed which involves the cleaning of hands, feet, face and arms with water.
- Prayers - the prayer is a mix of physical actions, verbal sayings, emotional feeling in the heart. They believe during this time of prayer, the person should be in a state of calmness, serenity and humbleness. Prayers begin with reciting parts of the Quran, praising God and thanking him for his blessings and guidance. Prayers have specific times; dawn, noon, mid afternoon, sunset and at night.
- Fasting - which means to refrain from having all kinds of food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. This is during the mont of Ramadan every year. Ramadan is a month based on the lunar cycle, and may fast on other optional days.
- Animal Sacrifice: Muslims believe God has gave us the right to kill these animals and eat them. Therefore, Muslims are required to mention God at the time the animal is killed, because God was the one who created them.
- Marriage: Marriage is one of the biggest celebrations in the Islamic culture.
- -The marriage contract includes a meher — a formal statement specifying the monetary amount the groom will give the bride.
- -The marriage contract is signed in a nikah ceremony, in which the groom or his representative proposes to the bride in front of at least two witnesses, stating the details of the meter.
- -The celebrant may add an additional religious ceremony following the nikah, which usually includes a recitation of the Fatihah — the first chapter of the Quran — and durud (blessings).
Symbols that are represented in the Islamic Religion are;
- The crescent moon and star which symbolises the worship of the sun, moon and the sky
- The name "Allah" which is representing Islam, such as "Allah." When used as a symbol, the script appears decorated.
- The colour green - which is seen on the Pakistan flag, it is important because of it's associations with life, making it important to the idea of paradise in Islam. The Qur'an mentions green in different places
This video is a prayer service on the 27th Ramadaan.
Ramadaan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from dawn to sunset. Sacred Texts: The Qur'an is the sacred book of Islam or in English it is called the Koran, this is the teachings of Muhammad. The word "Quran" means "recitation" in Arabic. It is a book which is the highest authority in both religious and legal matters. Another important text is the Hadith which means, narrative or report in Arabic. In this book it records the words and deeds of Muhammad The word "Hadith" means "narrative" or "report" in Arabic. The book is a record of the words and deeds of the Muhammad. Religious Experiences and Spirituality:
Myths and Stories: The most important story in the Islamic religion is the story of Muhammad. This is when Muhammad receives a revelation from God though the Angel Gabriel. He began to preach the messages which were directed to him. Proclaim in the name of your Lord who created! Created man from a clot of blood. Proclaim: Your Lord is the Most Generous, Who teaches by the pen; Teaches man what he knew not. (Qur'an 96:1-3) The Night Journey and the Ascension: The Night Journey is the Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, with the guidance of Angel Gabriel, the story ends with his ascension into heaven. The story begins with the story about where Muhammad is confront by Gabriel, his journey was a very spiritual experience which the prophet met with other important Islamic figures from the past, together they prayed and allowed Muhammad to chose the right path of Allah. Finally they met arrived in Jerusalem where they ascended into Heaven and met with God God ordered Muhammad and the Islamic faithful to pray 50 times a day and described his journey. Social Structures: Islamic Religion believes that every person is equal. In this religion they do not have a specific clergy who has authority over the religious practices, rites and rituals. But they do have imams, who teach the writings of the Quran and led prayers in service, weddings and funerals. Imams are usually chosen by each community and is usually a man of the community. They are highly respected and looked up to in the community, who dedicates their time and life to teach the Islamic Religion. Ethical principal or code behaviour:
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