Islam

Founder

The founder is Muhammad.

Nationality and History

Islam is a religion that practices monotheism (the belief in one god). In Arabian Islam means to surrender. This is interpetted as to give to give life into God. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. This word means to surrender to god.. The name for God in this religion is Allah (Arabic.) This is the same God worshipped by Jews and Christians. All Muslims belong to the Umma (one community). Islam came into being in the 7th century and centuries later it spread. Around 570 Muhammad was born in Mecca. Unhappy with the religion surronding him, at the age of 40 Muhammad started preching Islam. This new religion stated that therewas one all-powered God and Muhammad was a phrofet and messenger sent to deliver this belief. Islam also taught many aspects of the Christian faith. They also belived that the day of Judgement would come for us all based in our actions. Muhammad died on 632 AD. Islam spread to Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Persia and India. By the end of the 10th century the Islamic faith had spread to 5 diffrent continents. The reason for the member inclination was the Muslims view to new faith. At any time a non beliver can convert to Islam. The Muslim calander has 12 mounths which is how long it took Muhammad to finish his first pilgrimage.

Rituals

Shahada the profession of faith or witness to faith is being involved and participating in the church. Profession is when you announce your faith telling your ideas to others. Salatis the five daily prayers. This a daily ritual that the Muslims practice. The prayers are usually followed by a cleansing process. These prayers are preformed at diffrent times of the day:dawn (fajar or subh), noon (zuhr), midafternoon (asr), sunset (maghrib) and the evening(isha). Then there is zakat (almsgiving), this is when the Muslims give back to the community. This religious ritual reminds the Muslims of there moral and obligation to the less fortunate. Sawn (fasting)is also an important ritual. The Qur'an is during the month of Ramadan (the 9th month of the 12 month calander. Fasting is supposed to be a spiritual and physical discipline. After fasting 'id al-fitr the holiday of breaking the fast lasts for three days. The haji (pilgrimage to Mecca) is an important ritual. This is when Muslims with the appropriate financial status go to Mecca and perform celebrations to purify themselves and commemerate Muhammad.

Places of Worship

Muslims worship in Temples.

Books of Worship

The system for Islamic life is the Qur'an (Koran).

Gods

The God for all Muslims is Allah. He is the all powerful god worshipped by the Jews and Christians under diffrent names.

Symbols

Many Islamic symbols are related to gods and scriptures. The most famous of these is the Star and Cresent. The Cresent was adopted as a symbol of sovereighty and divinity. The Hand of Fatima is also known as the Hamesh Hand and the Hand of God. It was named after Muhammads daughter Fatima. This hand represents the five pilars of islam. The Ceramic tiles is a series of diffrent symbols. The Allah Ahad is a star symbol of divinity and supremacy in Islam. The holiday grettings known as Kufi Greetings are sent to fellow muslims to celebrate holidays. The Muhammad star is the star used to remember Muhammad the Islamic Savior.