The Five Pillars of Islam

1. Why is the pronouncement of the shahada central to a Muslim’s identity and

practice of the Islamic faith?

It declares that there is only one god and that he is supreme.

2. How does the practice of the salat both mentally and physically help Muslims to

live in obedience to the will of Allah?

It reminds Muslims of their inferiority to Allah.  It instills obedience and promotes unity and humility.

3. In what ways does the practice of zakat influence Muslims as a community of

faith? In other words, what does this practice say about the Muslim community

and its commitment to the poor and marginalized?

It is a physical sign that God's will is being done by the Muslims.

4. How does the practice of sawm both mentally and physically help a Muslim to

live in obedience to the will of Allah?

It shows Muslims their humility of humanity and makes them experience it through fasting.

5. Why do you think that the hajj is a pillar of the Islamic faith? How is this practice

similar and different from other world religions?

It promotes community and unity in the Muslim faith.  It is similar to Judaism because they are asked to visit Israel and it is different from Catholicism because they don't have to go anywhere except church.

6. What do you think are some of the challenges of practicing a life in relationship to

the Five Pillars?

Living in today's world means lots of temptation, especially in America where Islam has been branded as a terrorist group, it would be difficult for Muslims to meaningfully carry out the pillars for fear of stigmatization. 

Godly Names

Masculine
The Judge:  At our final hour God is the one who decides who lives and who dies.  He will judge us, apparently as a community, and that sounds like a very masculine thing- killing people off if they fail judgment.
The Avenger: tying in with the previous name, if we are judged badly then those who we failed to help in life will be avenged.  There is a saying that goes like "Blessed is the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  The whole "the meek shall inherit the earth and the wicked shall perish in hell." Basically, God avenges the people that had a sucky time in life.
Feminine:
The Most Kind: God performs small miracles every day and gives us all an easier time in life.
The Maintainer: God maintains life so that we may continue living and have serve Him.

Reflection:
The names purvey God's nature.  He is kind and merciful but He also doesn't take crap from people and will smite a sinner in an instant.  I found myself dividing up the names by whichever ones had to deal with death and physical execution were masculine and the feminine were simple acts of kindness or non physical things.

Islam Webquest

1) What is highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the
world today?
1.6 million

2) List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater.
Afghanistan
Algeria
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Comoros
Djibouti
Egypt
Gambia
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
3) What country has the largest Muslim population?
Indonesia
4) How many Muslims are there in the United States?
5-12 million


TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD
Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own
words.

1)"I have been sent in the best of the generations of the children of Adam, one generation after another generation, until I am born in the generation in which I am born." I have constantly been reborn to lead up to this moment.

2) "Allah sent me to complete the excellent virtues and to perfect the good actions." Listen to what I say because God wants me to make you all good people.

3) "I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off them." Anyone who doesn't believe in God will get killed.


1) What does the Quran provide?
a peaceful way of life
2) In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why?
Arabic- its the language of Mohammed and his village
3) During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven?
Ramadan
4) What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened
next? Write the Koran

QUESTIONS:
1) List and explain the 5 Pillars of Faith.

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
2. Establishment of the daily prayers;
3. Concern for and alms giving to the needy;
4. Self-purification through fasting the month of Ramadan; and
5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

2) Why are they important?
The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:
3) Why is cheating on the 5 Pillars impossible?

The Five Pillars of Wisdom are obligations which Muslims must fulfill in order to live the way of Islam. By carrying out these obligations Muslims intertwine all aspects of their lives with their religion as they believe that it is pointless to live without putting their beliefs into action. Cheating on them is considered a lack of faith.

1) What is Ramadan?
The month of fasting
2) What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan?
Those, who are legible for fasting during Ramadan, are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke, or perform sex during the fasting period of day time from fajr (before first morning light) until sunset.
3) What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan?
eat food without fasting,smoking,do evil things,drink alcohol,speak bad words.
4) Why is the 27th day of Ramadan significant?

Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and it is considered the most holy night of the year.
Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th.
If Laylat al-Qadr falls on the 27th day of Ramadan this year then that is why the 27th is important this year.

5) What happens when Ramadan ends?
 They feast
6) What are the 3 reasons Ramadan is important?

The Qur'an was first revealed during this month. The gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.The actual night that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad is called Lailat ul Qadr.

7) Why is easier to do good during Ramadan?
Ramadan is a very special month for worship, prayers and for forgiveness. The gates of Heaven are opened and the Devil is chained. Muslims fast during this month and utilise the opportunity to increase their worship and ask for forgiveness. Money is given for charity and Muslims pay their annual Zakat (2.5 percent of savings and wealth for the poor) and give money to feed the poor so as to seek mercy and forgiveness and blessings from God.

List 5 interest facts you learned from the websites above.

1.Islam" means "peace through the submission to God".

2."Muslim" means "anyone or anything that submits itself to the will 

of God".

3.Islam is a complete way of life that governs all facets of life: 

moral, spiritual, social, political, economical, intellectual, etc.

4.Allah is not the God of Muslims only. He is the God of all people

and all creation. Just because people refer to God using different
terms does not mean that they are different gods. Spanish people refer to
God as "Dios" and French people refer to God as "Dieu", yet they are all
the same God. Interestingly, most Arab Jews and Arab Christians refer
to God as "Allah". And the word Allah in Arabic appears on the walls of
many Arab churches.

5.he Islamic concept of God is that He is loving, merciful, and

compassionate. But Islam also teaches that He is just and swift in
punishment. Nevertheless, Allah once said to Prophet Muhammad, "My mercy
prevails over my wrath." Islam teaches a balance between fear and hope,
protecting one from both complacency and despair.