The Religion of Islam By Abbie, Sophie and Victoria

Introducing Islam Muslims follow the religion on Islam and their religion began in the middle east in the 17 th century. Muslims now live in almost every country in the world. Muslims only believe in one god, Allah. They do not believe that he was born and will never die.

The Prophet of Muhammad Muslims believe that Allah sends people to Earth to guide people in the way they live. The last personm Allah has supposedly sent want a man named Muhammad who was born in Makkah and lied in Saudi Arabia. Allah’s messengers were known as an ‘angel’ and Allah’s angel was Jibril (Gabriel) and Jibril’s messages were gathered to make the Qur’an (the holy book for muslims)

The Qur’an Muslims believe that the Qur’an are words that Allah spoke to Muhammad by the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) Muslims strongly believe that the words of the Qur’an should never be changed because they are the exact words from Allah The Qur’an in written in Arabic and some Muslims learn it all of my heart (these muslims are entitled to have ‘hafiz’ as part of their name All Qur’ans are treated carefully. Before reading it, Muslims must wash and when it is not in use, it is wrapped up and put on the highest piece of furniture in the room.

The Mosque Outside every mosque is a place where worshippers can take off and leave their shoes. Set place where they carry out the ritual washing required before prayer. Main hall of a mosque is a bare room with no furniture, pictures or statues. Muslims believe these are unholy, since there can be no image of Allah, who is the holy spirit. Everyone sits on the floor, everywhere in the mosque is equal in status. A niche in one of the walls, called a mihrab, shows the direction that the worshippers should face in order to face Mecca. Many mosques have a minaret which is a tall thin tower. A muezzin stands at the top of the tower and calls Muslims to prayer at the five ritual times of the day (not all mosques in the UK have a minaret). Women can attend the mosque and when they do they sit separately from the men. This is out of modesty and to prevent any distraction (it is more usual for women to pray at home).

Clothing Men Men should be covered between the navel and the knee. In Islamic countries they often wear robes. Men should dress like men and are not allowed to wear gold or silk. “The Quran calls for women to "draw their head-coverings over their chests" (24:30-31)” Both Both have to wear loose clothing so that they do not outline a body shape or show their figure. Clothes must be thick and not see through. Show overall modesty by not wearing shiny or flashy clothes. Should not dress to be admired by others. Women Women are required to cover their whole body, except for their face and hands. Women should dress like women. Women will wear a Hijab to cover their hair.

Festivals Eid (Eid-al-Fitr) is the holiday that marks the conclusion of Ramadan. Muslims gather to pray at mosques and donate money to charity, known as Zakat, also one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims will greet each other by saying Eid Mubarak and spend time dining and socialising with family and friends. Ramadan is the largest festival in Islamic religion and one of the main five pillars of Islam. Ramadan commences on the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar (the Hijrah) which sees Muslims fast during day light hours to show self-restraint, focus all attention on God and to purify the soul. Along with fasting, Muslims use this time of year to evaluate their life in accordance with Islamic teaching. Ramadan is the largest festival in Islamic religion and one of the main five pillars of Islam. Ramadan commences on the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar (the Hijrah) which sees Muslims fast during day light hours to show self-restraint, focus all attention on God and to purify the soul. Along with fasting, Muslims use this time of year to evaluate their life in accordance with Islamic teaching.

Where the information was from: Islam – Sue Penney (book published 1999)