Muslim+Beginnings

Muslim Beginnings __** Chanelle Caple (Leader), Kevin Burkett, Devon Smiley Islam was first introduced to the world in 610 AD by a man known as the prophet Muhammad. The prophet Muhammad dictated the Qu'ran (the holy book of Islam) after a visit from the angel Jibril in the city of Mecca (the holiest city of Islam). According to Muslim faith, God gave the Qu'ran to Muhammad through the angel Jibril.
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 * __Origin of Islam __**

// *This is where a picture of Mohammad would be but any sculpture, picture, or visual represtation of the prophet Muhammad is forbidden in the Islam faith because they want to avoid idoltry (where the picture/sculpture becomes more important than what it represents). //

Islam means submission to God; submission occurs in five stages known as the pillars of Islam. The five pillars of Islam is a system/guide created for holistic, faithful Islamic people. The five pillars of Islam teach the responsibilities and duties of an Islamic family, religious customs and core practices of the Islamic faith. Islamic people believe that the five pillars of Islam was invited by Allah and expressed through Muhammad as an example for people to follow.
 * __The Five Pillars of Islam __**

"There is no God but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." -Shahadah (declaration of faith) -These words are the first words spoken to a newborn and also spoken into the ear of the dead. -Muslims live their lives according to these words. -This signifies their purpose on earth, to serve only the true, most holy God (Allah) through his teachings displayed in the Qu'ran and Muhammad.
 * __Iman/Faith__**

Prayer must take place 5 times a day (dawn, noon, midday, sunset, and nightfall). As preparation for prayer, the believer may bow on the ground facing the position of Mecca while reciting various phrases. Men must gather on Friday for noon-day prayer, Khutba, spoken in Arabic, delivered in two parts summoning all worshipers to God's house. This human call to prayer of the Islam faith distinguished it from Judaism, mules horn and Christian faith which uses a bell. 
 * __Salah/Prayer__**

Example Prayer by a Muezzin: I testify that there is no god but God (twice) I testify that Muhammad is God's messenger (twice) Come to prayer (twice) Come to salvation (twice) 



Zakat means purification and growth. Spiritual investment symbolizing that everything they own, their self worth belongs to God. This pillar requires a tax levied value calculation after a years time in which a portion goes to Zakah which is provided for the needy and poor around the world which promotes a sharing of wealth.
 * __Zakah/Financial Obligations of Muslims__**

**__Sawm/Fasting__** Ramadan, stems from the Arabian words "to be hot", this suggests that once upon a time this holiday fell during the summer. However, due to Islamic lunar (cycles of the moon, not the sun) calendar, Muslims believe that Ramadan can come at any time. Ramadan begins at dusk(when the eye is no longer able to distinguish the difference) and ends at dawn(when the eye can distinguish a white thread from a black one). This represents abstaining for damagin/un-godly acts during Ramadan (9th month on Muslim calendar). No food, drinking, or fornication is allowed during this time period. Fasting during Ramadan brings greater awareness of God as well as, shows him gratitude for all his great works.



This is an obligation to visit Mecca in your lifetime in response to the call from Allah during the first day of the 12th month of the Muslim Calendar. This visit is known to be a visit to the house that Abraham erected for God. During hajj, Muslim followers wear simple garments that strip away distinctions of class andculture, so that all stand equal before God. Hajj also moves to Arafat, where a prayer of Godsforgiveness is prayed and related to as a preview of Judgement Day. Hajj ends with the festival expressed by prayers and gifts in Muslim communities all aroudn the world.
 * __Hajj - Pilgrimmage__**

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. Muharram is observed by the Shia community of Muslims in commemoration of the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in AD 680. The prophet's son-in-law Ali, and Ali's elder son, Hassan, are also remembered during this period as having suffered and died for righteous causes. Hussain was killed on the tenth day of Muharram; this day is known as Ashura. It is a day of the expression of grief.
 * __Important Holidays __**[[image:muharram.jpg width="314" height="226" align="right"]]
 * __Muharram - The Islamic New Year__**

This is a celebration of the birth of Muhamad, the founder of Islam. It is on the 12th day of the month of Rabi I in the Islamic calendar. //Mawlid// means birthday of a holy figure and //al-Nabi// means prophet.
 * __Mawlid as-Nabi - The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday__**



"The Festival of Breaking the Fast" is a celebration of the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. This is a very exciting festival in which people dress in their best clothes, decorate their homes, give presents to children, and enjoy their time with friends and family. Also, as part of the celebration, Muslims must feed the poor and make contributions to mosques.
 * __Eid al-Fitr - The Conclusion of Ramadan__**

 "The Feast of Sacrifice" honors Abraham's obedience to Allah. There is a story in the Qu'ran in which Allah decides to test Abraham's loyalty to him. Allah orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmal for him. Just before Abraham is about to strike, Allah replaces Ishmael with a ram, saving his life. The festival begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar. This three day longg celebration occurs at the conlclusion of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimmage to Mecca. Muslims all over the world celebrate by sacrificing a lamd or other animal and distributing the meat to relatives, friends, and the poor. This represents the obedience to Allah and its distribution is an expression of generosity.
 * __Eid al-Adha - The C__****__onclusion of the Hajj__**


 * __Divisions Within Islam __**

Long ago the Muslim faith was broken into two separate sub-groups, the Shia and Sunni. Believe it or not the beginning of this separation was not due to religious disagreements, but political strife. The separation began upon the death of the Prophet Muhammad and for centuries after his death the final separation occurred forming the Sunnies and the Shi'ites. The reason for the separation was the belief of who should take the title of the political leader. The Sunni group of Muslims believe the leader should be elected by those capable for the job. Meaning all the people who have the education and class of being a leader get together to decide on the best choice of whom will lead the nation. The Shia believe the title should stay within the family, or the Imam, Shia word for the leader of the community, chosen by god himself. According to this belief the next leader of the Muslim Nation would be Ali, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. The Sunnies prevailed in the political battle with the election of Muhammad's advisor Abu Bakr.

Although the differences between the Sunni Muslim people and the Shia Muslim people were originally strictly political, years of the different political views have resulted in differences in the practices of the Muslim faith. Though differences are apparent it is important to understand all Muslim people Sunni and Shia both believe in a brotherhood among all men, and the differences only appear in the practices and the groups feelings towards subjects like pilgrimages and saints. The Shia believe the Imam is chosen by god therefore his word is infallable, revering them to the equivalent of the catholic religions saints. The Sunni Muslims believe the leaders of the community are not flowed through the bloodline, dismissing the idea of saints and other rituals revolving around such people.

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