Wednesday, October 26, 2011

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.

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