Islamic Tenets, Essay Example

Islam is one of the major religions in the world, founded by Muhammad in what is now known as Saudi Arabia. The followers of Islam are called Muslims and total more than one billion(ThinkQuest). The holy book of Islam is called Koran and is the primary guidance to all Muslims. In Islam, there is only one god called Allah and the purpose of mankind is to worship him. Allah sent prophets to the world to guide mankind, the last of whom is Muhammad (ThinkQuest). Muslims believe that human beings are responsible for their deeds during their lifetimes and will be judged after death on the basis of their actions in the world (PBS).

The foundation of Islam is based upon Five Pillars which are Kalima, Salat, Zakat, Sawm, and Hajj (Huda). Kalima refers to admission that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. Salat refers to praying five times a day in the direction of Mecca. Zakat refers to paying a tax to the government. Sawm refers to fasting during the month of Ramadhan during which one should not eat, drink, smoke, or engage in sex from dawn until sunset. Hajj refers to a pilgrimage to Mecca by a Muslim at least once in his/her lifetime when he has the physical and financial resources to do so (ThinkQuest).

In addition to Quran, Muslims also get guidance from other sources. One source is hadith which refer to the sayings of prophet Muhammad. Similarly, sunna refers to the actions and habits of prophet Muhammad. Sharia is the term used to describe the collective body of Islamic laws and Muslims believe that all Islamic laws have been created by Allah himself(PBS).

Quran preaches that mankind should fear Allah because a life without fear leads to sin and disobedience. Islam also encourages mankind to seek Allah’s forgiveness because Allah loves those who repent their sins. According to Islam, Allah is merciful and just and he judges people on the basis of what they are capable of. In Islam, true freedom is freedom from human desires and man-created ideologies because Islam considers itself the perfect guidance for all aspects of life(Discover Islam).

Families are important aspects of Islamic societies and stable families are emphasized. Children rarely leave home until they are married.Nursing homes are also very rare in the Muslim world because Muslims believe it is an honor to take care of the elderly. Islam also allows men to have more than one wife given the circumstances and a marriage dowry is given by the groom to the bride. Divorce is not recommended in Islam but it is allowed as the last resort(Islamicity).

Muslims are not allowed to eat the meat of pig or drink alcohol.Muslims also cannot eat the meat of an animal that is already dead with the exception of fish. Islam also forbids the blood of animal which is why Muslims slaughter animal by slitting the throat and animal is allowed to bled completely before consumption. Meat prepared in this manner is called halal meat. A Muslim should recite the name of Allah while slaughtering the animal (Huda, Islamic Dietary Law).

Important Islamic festivals and events are Ramadhan, Id al-Fitr, Id ul-Adha, Maulid al-Nabi, and Al-Isra Wal Miraj. Ramadhan is the month of fasting while Id al-Fitr is the celebration period after the end of Ramadhan. Id ul-Adha comes two to three months after Id ul-Adha and is marked by the sacrifice of animals. Maulid al-Nabi, and Al-Isra Wal Mirajare the date of Muhammad’s birth and the date of Muhammad’s journey to Mecca, respectively (Diversiton).

References

Discover Islam. (n.d.). Islam Way. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://discover.islamway.com/articles.php?article_id=2

Diversiton. (n.d.). Holy Days, Festivals and Rituals. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://www.diversiton.com/religion/main/islam/holydays-festivals-rituals.asp

Huda. (n.d.). Introduction to Islam. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://islam.about.com/od/basicbeliefs/p/intro.htm

Huda. (n.d.). Islamic Dietary Law. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://islam.about.com/od/dietarylaw/a/diet_law.htm

Islamicity. (n.d.). Understanding Islam and the Muslims. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://www.islamicity.com/education/understandingislamandmuslims/default.asp?ContentLocation=/Education/UnderstandingIslamAndMuslims&CurrentPageID=24&Top=&Bottom=&Right=&Left=&SideBarWidth=&RightWidth=&LeftWidth=&SideBarLocation=&Style=&CatID=&Destination

PBS. (n.d.). Islamic Belief, Law, and Practice. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/themes/beliefs.html

PBS. (n.d.). What Muslims Believe. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/etc/what.html

ThinkQuest. (n.d.). Central Belief. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/islam/intro.htm

ThinkQuest. (n.d.). Introduction. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/islam/intro.htm

ThinkQuest. (n.d.). The Five Pillars of Faith. Retrieved November 3, 2012, from http://library.thinkquest.org/28505/islam/intro.htm