Rites of Passage in Islam Life Cycle Rituals

Birth Muslim Women tend to prefer all-female attendants at the birth, whether they be doctors, nurses, midwives, or female relatives. However, it is permitted in Islam for male doctors to attend to a pregnant woman. There is no Islamic teaching that prohibits fathers from attending the birth of their child; this is left up to personal choice.

Birth The Muslim call to prayer or adhaan ("God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.") are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear. They are whispered into the right ear of the child by his or her father. The baby's first taste should be something sweet, so parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums. It was a practice carried out by Muhammad and is believed to help the tiny digestive system kick in.

The seventh day of life There are a number of events that take place on or after the seventh day of life. After seven days the baby's head is shaved. This is to show that the child is the servant of Allah. The hair is weighed and it worth in weight is given to the poor in the form of silver.

The seventh day of life Ideally, Muslim baby boys are circumcised when they are seven days old although it can take place up to anytime before puberty. At his time the baby boy or girl is given a Muslim name. This can also be done for converts to the Islamic faith.

The “aqeeqah” The aqeeqah is also traditionally carried out on the seventh day. This is a celebration which involves the slaughter of sheep. The sheep is slaughtered and the meet is distributed to family and friends.

The Muslim Upbringing Muslim children are taught about their faith from a early age. Starting at birth. There is no specific coming of age ceremony, but several significant stages on the way to adult faith are marked.

The Muslim Upbringing In some countries around age four, a ceremony called the Bismillah takes place. The child reads the first verses of the Qur’an. Another important stages is when a child participates in their first fast during Ramadan

Islamic Wedding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPtH-G-az6Q

Marriage While some marriage practices can be traced to the actions and sayings of Muhammad, Many traditions are a product of local culture. Some ceremonies last for days, while others can be very short. The colour of the brides dress varies, the nature of the feast and celebration also vary. Muslim weddings are not based on the values that the Western world holds.

Weddings are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to both parties, and can only be successful when these are mutually respected and cherished. In Islam marriages are a deep bond between families of bride and groom for this reason many marriages are arranged. Although the Qur’an allows men to practice polygamy, Most Muslim Males do not in the world of today.

The Ceremony There is one thing that is common to all Muslim weddings –All Muslim weddings have to be declared in public. The actual Muslim wedding is known as a nikah. The drafting of the marriage contract. It is a simple ceremony, at which the bride does not have to be present so long as she sends two witnesses to the drawn-up agreement.

The Ceremony: The Basics Usually there are readings from the Qur’an and the vows are exchanged in front of witnesses from both families. There does not have to be a religious official present but usually the local Imam will conduct the ceremony. The couple kneel hand in hand before the imam. They each confirm that they are willing to marry and are marrying with understanding of responsiblites. Sometimes the bride and groom are situated in different rooms and sign the contract separately.

Marriage Contracts Marriage contracts vary but typically include details of: Polygamy Divorce Where the couple will live Responsibilities

Death Just as at birth the first thing a baby hears is, the call to prayer, it is the last words on the lips of the dying. After a person dies, the corpse is washed and covered and buried as soon after death as possible. Muslims are always buried, never cremated. The body is buried with the head facing Mecca imitating the direction of Prayer.

40 days of Mourning. In some countries, the dead persons family observes a 40 day period of Mourning. Family does not: Cook They read the Qur’an from beginning to end. On the one year anniversary of the death the Qur’an is read in memory of the person.