Questions On The Islamic Faith

Homework II: Discuss the key features of the religion of Islam. Make use of the Quran in your analysis.

The Muslim prophet, Muhammad, was born in 570 in the city of Mecca. Muhammad lived a normal life just like any Muslim, until he began seeing visions believed to be inspired by Allah. Muhammad believed that since Allah has already revealed himself to Moses and Jesus, it was now his turn to receive the final revelations. After receiving them, Muhammad tried to convince his people that the revelations were true, but most thought he was insane and crazy, or that he would upset the social and political order of society. As a result, Muhammad and some of his followers left to the rival city of Yathrib in 622. Yathrib was later renamed Medina, which meant “city of prophet”, as he began to win support from the residents in Medina and on the surrounding country side. With these people, Muhammad formed the first Muslim community.

Ceremonies, rituals and symbolism characterize Islamic life. Ceremonies and rituals honor Islamic faith which reflect their values and communicate those values through symbolism. Similar to Judaism law of Halakha, Islam follows Shariah law which governs Muslim nations legal systems and financial regulations, as well as Muslim everyday life. Shariah is meant to uphold the moral standards set by God which is found in the Quran and through the sayings and practices (hadith) of Muhammad (Black, 2012). Hadith of Muhammad makes up the Sunnah body of law, and together the Quran and Sunnah is the highest authority in all of Islam sects and schools. This foundation is what guides Islamic rituals.

Like many other religions, the Muslim faith has experienced many changes and branches. Like Christianity, the original faith is still practiced by some, but others have started new branches with their own unique interpretation being Muslim. Despite these differences within the Muslim religion, one set of rules for moral guidance is central to all. These rules are the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars act as a moral compass for Muslims and are universally accepted as they are mentioned specifically in the Qur’an, the sacred Muslim book of God’s words as they were recited to Muhammad (Molloy, 425).

     After many years, Islam had expanded to India, China, and as far down as Spain by 750 CE. There are two very important books for Islam, like the Bible is for Christians. They are called the Qur’an, and the Hadith. The Qur’ra means the words of God, it is mostly spelled Koran in English. The Hadith is mostly collections of the proverbs or saying of Muhammad. They are supposed to be a very good guide for living the Islam life. From these books, Islam has many beliefs and practices. A Muslim has certain duties, five of them. These duties are called the Five Pillars of Islam. They are 1) to say the shahadah, a Muslim creed at least once during their lifetime. 2) They are to perform a prayer called the salt five times a day. It is done in the morning, at noon mid-afternoon, after sunset, and prior to sleeping. 3) To donate to charity regularly by the zakat. Muslims should make donations when ever the feel the need to. 4) During the month of Ramadan, the Muslims are to fast. Ramadan is supposedly the month out of their calendar that Muhammad was visited by Gabriel. 5) If at all

The Prophet Muhammad is the founder of Islam. He is known as the Messenger of God to people of the Islamic faith. Muhammad lived a rough life but he also changed people’s lives. His religion has had an effect on millions of people. There are no pictures of Muhammad’s face; he made a point that the religion was to not be about him, but about Allah.

Sharia law is an ancient compilation of religious rules that most Muslim nations seek reference in governing their people. Also defined as Islamic law, the essence of sharia laws emanated from the life of Prophet Mohammed known as the hadiths as well as the Quran teachings. The hadiths entail the vocal expressions of prophet Muhammad on divine life and his condemnation of immoral behavior that undermine the acceptable way of life. The teachings are accepted by the Muslim community who affirm that Muhammad’s teachings supplement the functionality of the Quran. On the other hand, the Quran, which forms the core reference on Muslim beliefs and regulations provides moral and spiritual guidance among the Muslims. It also dictates how the Muslims should interact with the non-Muslim community without contravening on the sharia doctrines (Hallaq 20-25).

Sharia, also called “Sharia Law” or “Islamic Law,” is a religious law forming part of the Islamic tradition, and it is derived from the religious precepts of Islam. Despite of the fact that Sharia oppresses women and restrict their human rights, a lot of Muslims still think of Sharia very positively. In order to know why, one needs to know and understand the basic law concepts and go specifically into the characteristics and factors or the Sharia Law.

The Islamic tradition is a monotheistic Semitic religion that embraces the paradigm of submission to the will of Allah for adherents to understand their place in the universe. To live a faithful Islamic life, Muslims are required to reflect and cultivate their faith through practicing the Arkan al-Islam - the Five Pillars of Islam. It is the foundation for Muslim faith as evident by Muhammad's statement of ‘Islam is built upon five [pillars]’ recorded in the Hadith 3. This entails the declaration of faith (Shahadah), the five daily prayers (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) and the Hajj pilgrimage.

Sharia Law, translated to “right or straight path” is the Islamic Laws drafted up by muslim scholars, much of the document being taken from the Koran itself, along with the hadith.Sharia Law includes guidelines for family law, penal law, and everything in between. According to “World Geography: Understanding a Changing World” “Sharia Law is the Islamic code of laws, drawn up by muslim scholars after the Prophet Muhammad to provide muslims with a practice guide to daily life. All muslims are expected to lead their lives according to Sharia, much of it taken from the Koran”

Muslims philosophy embraces wide range and studies vary with principal of religion expressed as a theme that competed through Islamic art where geometry and the rhythms within them required meaning of symbolising unity with guidance of the holy book of Quran.

Sharia (Islamic law) is integrally connected with Islam and its teachings. According to the Law encyclopedia "Sharia - a set of religious and legal norms, based on the Koran and Sunnah (Islamic sacred traditions), containing norms of the state, inheritance, criminal and matrimonial law. In other words, Sharia - are legal requirements inherent in Islamic theology, which is closely related to its religious and ideas. Islam considers the legal establishment of a single particle of the divine law and order. Hence, the commands and prohibitions that make up the Shariah, also religious meaning and God`s will. Sharia was developed as a strictly confessional right. The most important recourse of Islamic law is the holly book of Koran.

Ramadan is a special time in the Muslim community as it holds a valuable position in their hearts and minds. It is believed that during this time the blessings of Allah are bounteously bestowed to the followers of the Islamic faith. Each night, the mosques all over the world are stuffed with Muslims listening and reciting the Quran. Ramadan is a special event that occurs on the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar which is based on the sighting of the new moon. This month is fundamentally a time where followers of the Islamic give up food, drinks, sex, smoking etc. for the main purpose of self reflection and self restraint. Prominent practices during Ramadan include, sawm, praying and reciting the Quran. All of the previously mentioned practices are believed to connect to spiritual reflection, self improvement and increased worship.

Islamic law, or Shariah, is legal system governing the members of the Islamic faith. The formation of Islamic and Western law has similar types of foundation structures that have supported what it is today. There are also many different ways people can interpret Shariah and apply it to modern society. Although there are strong influences that hinder the practice of Islamic law, abandoning the law is not the best solution to countries in turmoil.

Islam is said to be more than just a religion, but rather a life style. The Muslim people have religious duties that they all must follow. There are five key duties, known as the pillars of Islam, that are what make up Islam. These five pillars of Islam are: The Shahada, salat, The Zakat, Ramadan, and Pilgrimage to Mecca.