Islam Rituals

Birth

1. Outline how children are welcomed into the Muslim faith?
2. What is the Aqeeqah?

1.  The first words a newborn should hear are "God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.") They are whispered into the right ear of the child by his or her father. The babies first taste should be a sweet treat, for example the parents could chew a piecce of date and rub the juice on the babys gum. This helps the babys digestive systems to develop. After seven days the babies head is shaved to show that the child is the servant of Allah.

2.  The aqeeqah is also held on the seventh day, this invovles the slaughter of sheep. As sheep are sacrificed and the meat is handed out to relatives and neighbours and also given to the poor.

Marriage

1. Outline the basic elements of an Islamic wedding ceremony?

-  The bride is given a mahr from her grom as part of the marriage contract. It is known as a token commitment of the husbands responsibility. It must be paid in cash to the bride at the time of the wedding or at a later date. The contract is written and signed by the bride and groom and their two respective witnesses. The written contract is then announced publicly.
The nikah (wedding) is addressed with a marriage sermon by the Muslim celebrant who is officiating the wedding.  Nikah is considered as an act of worship. It is the conduct it inna mosque keeping the ceremony simple. The marriage ceremony is a social and religious event.

Five Pillars of Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam

Watch each of the Videos and provide answers to the questions;

Use this website to answer question one; (Name each Pillar)

Pillar #1: Shahaadah

• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith? 

To promise you love for Allah

• Why do you think that this statement is a significant part of being a Muslim?

They only choose to worship one God and follow it to assure their faith and love for Allah

Video – Islam_vid_muslimpray.mov

Pillar #2: Salah

• Describe the process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray.

Before praying you must wash yourself clean, and pray on a mat with your shoes off

• Describe the process of praying in Islam. How many times each day, and when, do Muslim pray?
• Fajr – Prayed before sunrise
• Dhuhr – Prayed early afternoon
• Asr – Prayed late afternoon
• Maghrib – Prayed at sunset
• Ishaa – Prayed approximately one and a half hours after the Maghrib prayers

• What do the prayers sound like?  What do the movements look like? 

Singing and chanting, the main movement is a bow like move that is in time with the sound of the prayer

• In which direction do Muslims pray? Why do they face this way?

They face Mecca because this is their spiritual homeland

• What are some of the things Muslims say during prayer?

They say ‘God is greater’ and wave their hands back to say they are here with God and leaving everything behind them

• Why do Muslims pray?

To respect their God like any other religion would do and connect with Allah

Video – Islam_vid_zakat.mov

Pillar #3: Zakaat

• What is Zakaat?  What is emphasized in Zakaat?

The Zakaat means to give alms to the poor, Muslims are supposed to donate to a fixed amount of their property to charity every year.

• Why do Muslims make donations?  How much money is a person expected to give to charitable causes? 

2.1 % ,because they believe the Allah made rich and poor people and everyone deserves money.

• What is the relationship between prayer and money?

In the Quran it is mentioned that to provide for others equally you must donate and share what you may have but others do not.

• How is Zakaat different from ordinary charity that Muslims might give?

The Zakaat is usually done in the month of Ramadan because they feel they will get more blessings when they donate to charity

Video - Islam_vid_islam_celeb.mov

Pillar #4: Sawm

• As part of the Muslim religion, what does it mean to fast? 

Fasting brings Muslims to greater awareness of God’s presence

• Why do Muslims fast?

Sharing the suffrage of the poor and to purify your soul

• What and when is Ramadan?  

9^th month of the calendar

• What is Eid al-Fitr? 

Videos – Islam_vid_hajj (part 1 & 3)

Pillar #5:

• How often must Muslims participate in Hajj? 

Must go once in their lifetime (depending on finance or health)

• Where do Muslims go during Hajj? 

Mecca in Saudi Arabia

• What and where is the Kaaba?  Describe this place. 

In Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a huge spiritual place which can hold 750,000 people to pray together

• How many Muslims participate in Hajj?

              ¼ of the size of the New York

• What is the goal of Hajj? 

The worship of God

• What does it mean to enter spiritual purity? What is the purpose of the special garments?

This means a consciousness or intention for women to perform Hajj. The special garments means wwearing no underwear, jewellery, perfume or deodorant. The purpose is to equalize each other and to enter a state of consciousness where you don’t argue with anyone or be intimate with your partner so that people focus on God.

• How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?

He was glad to be there and realize that this is what he had been praying towards

• What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?

Abraham is known to have raising the foundations of this holy house

The Quran

1.      What does the word Quran translate to in English?

Recitation            

2.      What is the purpose of the message sent to Mohammad why was it sent again?

     Gods own message to the world to remind people of the message already received by the Jews and Christians –Gods guidance for human kind

3.      How is the message sent to Mohammad different to the messages already sent to the Christians and the Jews? It is in Arabic

4.      Is the message in the Quran the same message as in the Bible? Yes

5.      Name two other prophets mentioned in the Quran. Abraham and Jesus

6.      How was the message passed on to others in the beginning? It was an oral/aural transmission

7.      Why was the original message not written down by Mohammad? He was not literate in Arabic

8.      What language is used for the Quran? Arabic

9.      Which city did Islam originate? Mecca

10.  What dose ‘Muslim’ mean? Those who submit to God

11.  How does the Quran differ from the Bible in the story of the death of Jesus? Belief Jesus was not crucified but lifted to God another man who looked like him was crucified

12.  What does the Quran say about warfare? Muslims may defend themselves only when there is a threat. They should be merciful to those they capture – as Muhammad was when he took over Mecca.

Symbols of Islam

The star and the Crescent

They are the accepted symbols of Islam since the eighteenth century they appear on several flags of Islamic nations. Even before the time of Muhammad they were found on the Ka’aba and it is said that Muhammad allowed these symbols to remain intact when he ordered the removal of the idols in the Ka’aba.

No Symbols of Allah

Islam has always insisted that there should be no idols and no images of Allah. An Islamic mosque is devoid of all statue and all paintings this is in contrast to Christian Churches. Islamic Artists have compensated for this restricted by developing beautiful work and calligraphy.

Bismillah (in the name of Allah)

One of the most prominent symbolic designs is the motif with the words Bismillah (in the name of Allah). All the Suras of the Qur’an except one begin with the words ‘In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate...’ so the first word of these Suras has been taken and variously depicted in extremely ornate styles.

Auburn Gallipoli Mosque

Where was it? What did you do and see at the mosque?

What did u learn? Identify major items /facts

What you gained from the experience?

 The Auburn Gallipoli Mosque was located in Auburn, Sydney
At the mosque we where taken into the main hall where we sat down and listened to a Muslim Lady talk about the religion of Islam and its values and beliefs. 

 I learnt that it was the biggest mosque in Australia seating 2000 people, and that all the artwork and main features such as the carpet, tiles and decorated walls are all from Turkey and the walls where handpainted by men from Turkey which took 6 months to be completely done. 

 I gained knowledge about a different religion besides my own and how different two religions can be, it was an interesting day that I really enjoyed.

Facts about Islam

What does Islam mean?

Islam means submission and comes from a word meaning peace. In a religious context it means complete submission to the will of God.

What were the origins of Islam?

645AD, Muhammad was influential in this creation.

How does someone become a Muslim?

By saying, ‘There is no god apart from God’ and, ‘Muhammad is the Messenger of God. By saying this, the believer announces his/her faith in all God’s messengers and the scriptures they brought.

How do Muslims practice their religion?

They pray 5 times a day, and respect their God by praying at home or at the mosque

What is the Ka’ba?

Ka’ba is the place of worship which God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to build over four thousand years ago. The building was made of stone which is believed to be the original site of a sanctuary established by Adam.

What were the highlights of Muhammad’s life?

What is the Quran?

The quran is a record of the exact words revealed by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. It was memorised by Muhammad and then dictated to his Companions and written down by scribes.



The Kaba



The Quran

Islam Introduction

Islam Introduction Questions

1a)  The words Islam and Muslim both mean submission

b) Muslims believe that Allah made everything

c) The Muslim holy book is called the Qur’an

d) A star and crescent moon is the symbol of Islam

2a) Why should a Muslim submit to Allah?

A Muslim should submit to Allah because he is their God

b) Explain what Muslims think about Muhammad

They respected him greatly as a prophet though they do not submit to Muhammad. The Muslims did not think he was Allah.

3a) Find the symbol of Islam. Explain why it is used?

b) Islam began in the Middle East. Find out the names of two Muslim countries

India and Bangladesh

Holy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the Christian feast or holy day on the Thursdays before Thursday that commemorate the last supper of Jesus Christ when he shared a Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified, before the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and during the meal. Jesus took the bread and wine and asked his father to bless it, this is why many churches hold communion services as part of their holy Thursday celebrations .
It is the 5th day of Holy Week, proceeded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. The disciples of Jesus were originally involved in this celebration.

7 Sacraments

- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation
- Communion (Eucharist)
- Marriage
- Holy Orders
- Annointing of the Sick

Christianity Webquest

Christianity WebQuest

How many followers are there of Christianity worldwide?   2.1 billion

Place of Origin: Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Israel

Founder: God

Sacred Text: New Testament

Name the two major Christian festivals:  Christmas and Easter                       

What are the four names that Jesus is known by? Jesus, Messiah, Emmanuel and Saviour , Son of God

What is the name of the people who believe in Jesus Christ and follow His teachings? 

Christians

Christians believe that there is only one God, but that this one God consists of 3 “persons”.  Name the three persons: Trinity

The place of Christian worship is called a church

Name the writers of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Draw and name the three Christian symbols:

               

Name the 10 Commandments:

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.'

Which religion did Christianity develop from? Judaism

Name the 3 variants of Christianity: Roman Catholicism, Protestism and Orthodox

Christianity

Christianity literally means (anointed one) is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazereth as presented in the New Testament

Christians believe Jesus is the son of God having become man and the saviour of humanity. Christians, therefore, commonly refer to Jesus as Christ or Messiah.

The Christian beliefs are:
- There is one God
- The belief in the Trinity
- God created teh world and it is good
- Man is created in the image of God
- Jesus the son of God was sent to save mankind
- Belief in God brings salvation
- The Holy Spirit directs the Church
- Man has free will

Denominations/ Variants

Christianity contains three main branches which are:

- Roman Catholicism
- Orthodox Church
- Protestantism

The Catholic Church comprises those particular churches, headed by bishops, in communion with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as its highest authority in matters of faith

Orthodox church

- comprises those churches in communion with the Patriarchal Sees of the East, such as the Ecumenical Patrairch of Constantinople. The split is called the great Schism, as a result the Orhtodox church is formed

In the 16th century, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin inaugurated what has come to be called Protestism. There are many differet form Protestant religions. Protestantism is a branch within Christianity, containing many denominations with some differing practices and doctrins, that principally orginated in the sixteenth - century Protestant Reformation. 


Choose and name two Christian Variants and answer the following questions.

1. How many worldwide followers does the variant  have?

2. What are the key central beliefs?

3. What is the logo of the church? Draw this.

4. When was the Church formed?

5. Who is the head of the Church?

6. What are two features of this Church?  

ROMAN CATHOLICISM

1. They have 1.3 Billion followers
2.  They believe in authority within the church, baptism, the bible, forgiveness of sins, the immaculate conception of Mary, The Lords supper, Infallibility of the Pope, Prayer, the right to life, sacrament and saints.

3. 

4. It began after the death of Jesus Christ
5. It is led by the Pope
6.