World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide gratitude and worship. Salah is compulsory. However, depending on that day’s circumstances, the individual may have to alter the schedule. Prayers are recited in Arabic and the prayer comes from the Qur’an. Muslims worship in a mosque. The Arabic name is masjid. The mosque serves as a place to worship, but it is more to the community – it is a place to gather, meet, and study. The modern mosque has evolved greatly from the 7 th century. The mosque contains structural elements, such as minarets. Alms-giving “Zakat” is alms-giving. For those who can afford it, alms-giving is giving a fixed portion (2.5%) of one’s income to the poor. This can also be used to assist in the spread of Islam. It is a religious obligation rather than a charity. The money one has is because of a “bounty from God”. There is no single zakart charity, so total global income is difficult to account for, but muslimaid.org Financial Summary for 2013 reports an income of about $40.9 million USD. Fasting During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Sex must also be abstained from during the time period. This is a time to grow closer to God and express one’s gratitude. It is also a time to atone for past sins and give to the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for those of whom it would create an unnecessary burden. Pilgrimage During Hajj in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah , a pilgrimage is made to the city of Mecca. Everyone who is able-bodied and can afford the trip must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime. There are rituals of Hajj that include walking seven times around the Kaaba and touching the black stone if possible. Adherents walk or run seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah and symbolically stone the Devil in Mina. Law and Jurisprudence The path leading to the water place is called Sharia . The Sharia is Islamic law formed by traditional Islamic scholarship, to which most of the different Muslim groups adhere. In Islam, Sharia is the expression of the divine will. The divine will are the duties that are incumbent upon a Muslim by virtue of their religious belief. The law of Islam covers all aspects of one’s life, including matters of state, like the governance and foreign relations, to issues of daily living. The Qur’an defines hudud as the punishment for five specific crimes. Those crimes are unlawful intercourse, false accusation of unlawful intercourse, consumption of alcohol, theft, and highway robbery. The Qur’an and Sunnah also govern the laws of marriage, restitution (injuries and murder), and inheritance. Rules for fasting, charity, and prayer are also included. The writing and prescriptions are somewhat vague and scholars have attempted to apply them to current life. ©2018 Achieve Page 79 of 96