#27- 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 is a name designating a unique being and him only. There is only one God.

2. How does the practice of the salat both mentally and physically help Muslims to live in obedience to the will of Allah? Mentally, it’s to help keep their lives in perspective. Also, it comes down to submitting one’s will to God as its rightful sovereign. Physically, they pray towards the direction of Mecca to participate in fellowship where one prays in solitude. As well as when praying, the body is in a defenseless position signifying that God has all the power.
3. In what way does the practice of Zakat influence Muslims as a community of faith? It shows that they are a community and that they take action on the disparity in their country. The upper and middle classes giving their wealth to the poor takes after God telling people to give back to the poor. Muslims that practice Zakat are doing Gods work.
4. How does the practice of Sawn both mentally and physically help a Muslim to live in obedience to the will of Allah? Mentally- it teaches self-discipline and fasting calls back to ones frailty, dependence and sensitizes compassion. Physically- a Muslim may not eat from sunrise to sunset. And may not smoke nor drink.
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? I think the Hajj is a pillar because it shows a Muslim’s devotion to God and bringing everyone together as one. No one is different everyone is equal. To other religions, the Hajj is similar to Judaism. Jews are encouraged to visit Israel; this is the place where God made a promise to Abraham. It’s different to other religions such as Christianity and Hinduism.
6. What do you think are some of the challenges of practicing a life in a relationship to the Five Pillars? I think it is challenging to be a Muslim. Because of the strict laws that come with it, it would be a struggle to discipline yourself to abide by every single law. Some of the things I think would be hard to discipline yourself with is not drinking alcohol, fasting, the dietary laws, not having sex and praying 5 times a day.

#26 - 99 Names of God

The Compassionate, Life-Taker, Acceptor of Repentance and Infinitely Patient are four names that I think are used a lot when God is being referenced. For God to be compassionate, he cares about us. Whether we are in a good or bad situation, God cares even if we do not know it. Psalm 145:8, says, “The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Through everything we do or say that can go against God or what he wants us to accomplish, it takes a lot for him to be upset at us but in spite, God is filled with love for us even during the challenging times of our lives.

            God has our lives in out hands at all the time. As humans, we like to take control of our lives so we can make it of what we want but ultimately, God knows our past, present and especially our future. He with the help of our parents brought us into this world. God being call the Life-Take is not abnormal because we are his children. Besides that: “So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves” Then God said, “Let the earth, each according to its kind; and it was so.  Then God said, Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… So God created man in His own image”. God has everything under control, even though some people might not believe it. He created everything and gave animals and us life so he is going to care of us regardless. We are under his protection and God is with us everyday.

            Luke 17:4 said, “If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him”. God wants us to forgive each other for what we have done. No human is perfect except for God. All of us sin because its natural and It comes with living in a world we live in not. However, when we sin, God wants us to come and talk to him to ask for forgiveness. He is called the Acceptor of Repentance a lot of times because he is open and understanding to the fact that we all make mistakes and sin; talking to God and asking for repentance is big because we are accepting our faults to him.

            Infinitely Patient as it states in 2 Peter 3:9, “Lord is not slow to fulfill hi promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that nay should perish, but that all should reach repentance”. Patience is definitely a virtue. When we know we want something, but cannot have it right away, we get frustrated, anxious and impatient. Well, God does not want for us to be impatient. God is known as “Infinitely Patient” because he will answer our need and wants in a timely manner because he knows when they should come at the right time. Honestly, if we could have what we want when we want it, some people would be happy. However, being patient and waiting on God to allow the things you want to come your way, works out for the better. Also, he will wait on us for when we go to Heaven and when we decide to ask for forgiveness.

            All four of these names are a few of the ninety-nine names that I have known for God to be recognized as. Each of them are linked in a way because they just fit together. They refer to the same God. He is everything, when we need something or want to talk to someone he is there, the compassionate. He is compassionate because he gave everything and us on this Earth life. We are under his protection and guidance helping us to move forward. He is compassionate and the life-taker and knows in this life that people sin. Nobody’s perfect so when we sin, we ask God for forgiveness. But sometimes, asking for forgiveness can be hard; however, God is patient when we want to come to him and willing to listen to us all the time. So, the God being compassionate, acceptor of repentance, infinitely patient is all in him because of the life he gave to us.

Blog post#24 - Islam Webquest Questions:

1.     What is the highest estimate for the total number of Muslims that live in the world today? 2.1 billion

2.      List 10 countries who have a Muslim population of 86% or greater. China, India, France, Germany, UK, USA, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil and Bolivia.

3.     What country has the largest Muslim population? Indonesia

4.     How many Muslims are there in the United States? 6.58 million

5.     Summarize each key beliefs below in a complete sentence:

·      Belief in God:  Muslims believe in one unique God, who has no son or partner. No one shares his divinity.

·      Belief in Angels: Muslims believe in the existence of the angles and that they are honored creatures. The angles worship God alone.

·      Belief in God’s Revealed Books: Muslims believe that God revealed books to His messengers as proof for mankind as guidance for them.

·      Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God: Muslims believe in messengers of God starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus.

·      Belief in the Day of Judgment: Muslims believe in the Day of Judgment when all people will be resurrected for God’s judgment according to their beliefs and deeds.

·      Belief in Al-Qadar: Muslims believe in Al-Qadar, which is Divine Predestination, but his belief in Divine Predestination does not mean that human beings do not have freewill.

6.     Go to the following website and put 3 of Muhammad’s sayings in your own words:

·      “ Struggling is going against oneself and submitting themselves to Allah (God).”

·      “Honesty and staying pure while moving forward is the best way to live life and makes up the Divine words of wisdom.”

·      “Anger, dictatorship and being bias are sins, meaning going against God’s purpose.”

7.     What does the Quran provide? It deals with the subjects that concern human beings: wisdom, doctrine, worship, transactions, law etc.

8.     In what language(s) does the Quran exist? Why? Only Arabic because it was revealed in that language. But in English translation as well.

9.     During which month was the Quran sent down from Heaven? 9^th month

10. What did the angel Gabriel command Muhammad to do? What happened next? Commanded Muhammad to read and then he taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran, which Muhammad memorized.

11.  List and explain the 5 pillars of Faith:

·      Shahada (Testimony of faith): Most important pillar. One is required to say with conviction at least once in his or her life.

·      Salat (Prayer): Muslims pray 5 times a day- dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer often occurs in a mosque, but Muslims may pray anywhere.

·      Zakat (almsgiving): Charitable giving is a requirement of faith for all Muslims. Used to benefit the poor.

·      Slyam (Fasting): literally means any ritual fasting, but is generally understood to refer to ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dusk to dawn for the entire month, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations.

·      Hajj (Pilgrimage): During the last month of the Islamic calendar, about two million Muslims ascend to the city of Mecca for the Hajj.  Every able-bodied Muslim is required- if finances permit to make it at least once in their life.

Why are they important?:  Helps to strengthen their faith in and service to Allah.

Why is cheating on the 5 pillars impossible?: Because all Muslims strive to perform, regardless of anything.

Compare the 5 pillars with similar activities in other religions: In Christianity, we have times of lent where we do not eat meat. Asking God for forgiveness. The Quran is similar to the Bible in Christianity.

12. What is Ramadan? 9^th month of Islamic calendar

13. What restraints are placed on Muslims during Ramadan? Not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting.

14. What can destroy the good acquired during Ramadan? Telling a lie, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, a false oath and greed or covetousness.

15. Why is the 27^th day of Ramadan significant? Muslims celebrate the Night of Power. It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran.

16. What happens when Ramadan ends? It is celebrated with one of two Islamic festivals.

17. What are 3 reasons Ramadan is important? Constitutes a period of atonement. The gates of Heaven are open. And the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up in Hell.

18. Why is easier to do good during Ramadan? Good actions keep the devil away since he is chained in Hell.

19.  List 5 interesting facts you learned from the websites above:

·      Muslims account for one-fifth of the world’s population.

·      Islamic art isn’t restricted to religious work, but includes all the artistic traditions in Muslim culture.

·      Islam means “submission” from a word meaning “peace”.

·      Islam and Judaism go back to the prophet and patriarch Abraham and their three prophets are directly descendents from his sons.

·      When pilgrims go to the Kaaba, they say, “At Thy service, O Lord” in response to Abraham’s summons.