Overview Of Islam

1.     What does 'Islam' mean?

The word Islam in Arabic comes from the word Salam, the word Salam means peace, that the word Islam means: make peace.
2.  What were the origins of the Muslim religion?

The origin of Islam is generally accredited to the prophet Muhammad but to the devout Muslim, Islam began long before Muhammad ever walked the earth. The Qur'an was dictated by Muhammad but, according to the Qur'an, it did not originate with Muhammad. The Qur'an testifies of itself that it was given by God through the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. "This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it, to reveal it into your heart that you may be one of the warners, in a perfect Arabic tongue" (Sura 26:192-195). "Say, 'Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (the Qur'an) into your heart, in accordance with God's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers'" (Sura 2:97).

3. How was it different from religious beliefs in Arabia pre-Mohammed?

It was multi-god and goddess worship like most everywhere else before judaism kicked in

4.  How does someone become a Muslim?

To convert to Islam and become a Muslim a person needs to pronounce the below testimony with conviction and understanding its meaning (This article talks about joining Islam in more detail)

I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”

The translation of which is:

“I testify that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and that Muhammad is a Messenger (Prophet) of God.”

5.  How do Muslims practice their religion?

 

·         They worship God (Allah) the one and only one God, with no partner, no ssociate, no son, no resemblance

·         They do good deeds for the benefit of themselves, family, community, environment, and mankind.

·         They follow good conducts and morals

·         They follow Quran guides and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teachings

·         They observe God in their doings and hence they strive in their doings to satisfy God

The Five Pillars of Islam

Pillar #1:Shahada                                                                                                                     

• What is the meaning of the declaration of faith? 

Declaring your belief in one god.

• Why do you think that this statement is a significant part of being a Muslim?

Because part of being Muslim is the belief in one god.

Video – Islam_vid_muslimpray.mov

Pillar #2 Shalah Prayer:                                                                                                             

• Describe the process that Muslims go through to prepare to pray.

Washing of hands, feet and face

• Describe the process of praying in Islam. How many times each day, and when, do Muslims pray?

5 times a day, morning, afternoon and before sleep

• What do the prayers sound like?  What do the movements look like? 

Prayers are sung so it is easily remembered. Prostrate position of praying.

                                                                                                                                                  

• In which direction do Muslims pray? Why do they face this way?

Facing Mecca because they belive that god is in Mecca and that their prayer is invalid if they don’t do so.

• What are some of the things Muslims say during prayer? 

God is great, merciful, I am nothing compared to him.

• Why do Muslims pray?

To talk directly to God

Video – Islam_vid_zakat.mov

Pillar #3:Sawm                                                                                                                         

• What is Zakaat?  What is emphasized in Zakaat?

Giving to the poor if you can.

• Why do Muslims make donations?  How much money is a person expected to give to charitable causes? 

Two and a half percent of your income is given (minimum), they make donations because God gave us money and part of it is for the poor

• What is the relationship between prayer and money?

The more you give the more you get.

• How is zakaat different from ordinary charity that Muslims might give?

They often give a lot more than usual.

Video – Islam_vid_islam_celeb.mov

Pillar #4: Zakat                                                                                                                         

• As part of the Muslim religion, what does it mean to fast? 

To purify yourself and become closer to God.

• Why do Muslims fast? 

To remind them how blessed they are to have food and how others are not so lucky.

• What and when is Ramadan?   What is Eid al-Fitr? 

The 9^th month on the Islamic calendar is Ramadan. It is the month to fast and purify yourself.

Videos – Islam_vid_hajj (part 1 & 3)

Pillar #5: hajj                                                                                                                            

• How often must Muslims participate in Hajj? 

At least once in their lifetime.

• Where do Muslims go during Hajj? 

Mecca

• What and where is the Kaaba?  Describe this place. 

It is the box that is where god lives. It’s is in the center of Mecca

• How many Muslims participate in Hajj?

They expect around two million every year.

• What is the goal of Hajj? 

To replenish their connection with god.

• What does it mean to enter spiritual purity? What is the purpose of the special garments?

This means to show that you are equal to everyone and everyone is equal to you.

• How does Mubarek describe his experiences as a pilgrim?

It broadened his scope on the world.

• What is the significance of Abraham to pilgrims?

He made the first pilgrimage to Mecca.

Shari'a Law

Shari'a Law draws from a number of different sources eg. Qur'an, Sunna, Hadith, consensus of Muslim scholars, legal precedents.
Shari'a Law has two components
-Those obligations towards Allah (God)
-Those obligations towards others

Being Jewish in 21st Century Australia

1.     Where are Jewish religious services held?

Synagogue

2.     What time do morning prayers begin at Anton’s school?

7:15

3.     For how many years has Judaism existed as a religion?

3800 years

4.     How many gods did Abraham believe in?

One

5.     What are mitzvoth?

Commandments

6.     What did Moses do?

Led their ancestors out of Egypt and received the 10 commandments

7.     What is the Torah?

Jewish Holy Scriptures

8.     What is a Jewish religious leader called?

Rabbi

9.     When did Abraham leave the area now known as Iraq to settle in the area now known as Palestine or Israel?

1800BC

10.  What does Shabbat mean?

Rest

11.  How long does Shabbat last for?

From sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday night

12.    What is the purpose of blowing the ram’s horn?

To remind people that the change is coming

13.     What is Yom Kippur?

Day of the Atonement, day of Fasting, Jewish people reflect their sins.

14.     What does the festival of Hanukkah celebrate?

Celebration of Jews freedom to practice their religion

15.     Which city did King David pronounce the capital for the Jews?

Jerusalem

16.     What is the Western Wall?

The remains of a Temple built by King Solomon. Here they cry to God. Some write notes and stick them in the crakes of the wall knowing that god will read them.

17.     What does Bat Mitzvah mean?

Coming of age ceremony. Celebrated when a child turns 12 or 13.

 

Synagogue

Synagogue

 

1.  Origin of the name

The word ‘synagogue’ is a Greek translation of the word ‘beit k’nesset’ which means “place of assembly”.

2.  Functions of the synagogue

At minimum it is a place of prayer and where Jews can get together for community prayer services. It is also a place of study for Jews where they have a well stocked library of Jewish sacred texts which Jews can study from.

3.  Structure

They are usually run by a board of directors and they usually have a rabbi, but they don’t need a rabbi, religious services can be conducted by lay people in whole or in part. However, a rabbi is a valuable member of the community, providing leadership, guidance and education.

4.  Items found

The most important item in the synagogue is the Torah Scroll, which is their bible. It is held in the ‘Ark’ which is also called the Aron Kodesh (‘holy cabinet’).





Another important item is the menorah which is a candelabrum which symbolises the menorah in the Temple but instead of having 7 branches like the one in the Temple they only have 6 or 8 because to copy the menorah in the Temple is considered improper.

The bimah is a pedestal that holds the Torah scroll when it is being read





The Torah Scroll

How is the Torah scroll made? How is the Torah revered?

Torah means “teachings” and refers to the five books of Moses- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

·         The Torah scroll is made from sheets of parchment, which is made from the skin of a Kosher animal.

·         It is written by hand in Hebrew by a professional scribe, called a sofer.  Hebrew is read right to left

·         The sofer takes at least one year to write out Torah

·         He is not allowed to write from memory. He must copy from a book of Torah, and keep cheeking for mistakes. Letters must not be smudged or touching another letter.

·         If the sofer makes a mistake, he scrapes off the letters using a glass tool.

·         The most sacred word that he writes is the Hebrew word of God. He cannot correct this – he must start the whole sheet of parchment again. The sheet with the error on it is buried in a Jewish cemetery.

·         Each sheet is sewn together and wound around the wooden rollers.

·         It has a velvet cover called a mantle

·         A silver breastplate is hung on the front of it, like the one worn by the high Priests in Biblical times. This is decorated with Jewish symbols.

·         Bells are attached so people hear it being carried around the synagogue.

·         There is also a silver pointer called a yad.

·         The yad is used to preserve the scrolls.

·         When the Torah is not being used, it is kept in a special cupboard at the front of the synagogue, called an Ark.

·         This reminds Jews of the Ark of the Covenant in which Moses and his people carried the ten Commandments.

Core Beliefs

Ø  The term ‘Jewish’ can be used to describe a race and a culture rather than a religion, so some who identify themselves as Jewish may have little interests in the beliefs and practices associated with the religion of Judaism.

Ø  The Jews believe in the teaching of the Jewish Bible, known as the Torah.

Ø  This is the first Testament of the Christian Bible. There is no Second testament or New Bible for Jews.

Ø  Why? Because the Jewish don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah and the Second Testament is all about Jesus and his teachings.

Written Law & Oral Law

Ø  613 commandments found in Torah (‘Written Law’)

Ø  Talmud (‘Oral Law’)- commentary of ancient rabbis that elaborates on how to apply God’s Law in everyday life through:

o   Dietary rules (Kashrut/Kosher)

o   Dress and other symbols

o   Prayer and devotion to the one God

o   The Temple and Temple rites

o   Observation of Holy days

o   Proper social relations between male and female, in business, judicial rulings, etc.

Core Beliefs

Ø  Jews firmly believe that there is only one God, there are 13 main beliefs that Jews believe in, they include:

Ø  God exists

Ø  God is one and unique

Ø  God is eternal

Ø  Prayer is to God only

Ø  The prophets spoke the truth

Ø  Moses was the greatest of the prophets

Ø  The Written and Oral Torah were given to Moses.

Ø  There will be no other torah

Ø  God will reward the good and punish the wicked.

Ø  The Messiah will come

Ø  The dead will be resurrected

The Family

Ø  The heart of Judaism is the home and Family, social responsibility and doing Mitzvot (“good deeds” based on Gods commandments)

Ø  Through education and hard work we make our lives, the lives of others, and the world, what God intended it to be – Holy.