Muslims also believe that Allah sent down people called prophets to teach the people how to lead a good life. A prophet is someone who tells people what God wants. Muslims believe that the last and most important prophet was a man known as Muhammad. Muslims believe that Muhammad received messages from Allah, which were collected together to form the Muslim holy book, called the Qur’an.
The Qu’ran
Muslims believe that the words of the Qur’an are the words of Allah. The Qur’an was written within twenty years of the death of Muhammad. Muslims believe that the words of the Qur’an should not be changed in any way, because they are the words of Allah. All Muslims can recite parts of the Qur’an in Arabic.
The Qur’an is treated with great respect and so it is carefully wrapped when it is not in use. The Qur’an is often placed on a stand to be read, so that it does not have to be handled too much.
Symbols for Islam
Muslims do not use symbols like other religions, as well as mine (Hinduism) do. However, when a symbol is needed, a star and a crescent moon is usually used. This is found in many mosques and on many flags of Muslim countries. This is a symbol showing the new lunar month (Just like the Hindu calendar, the Muslim calendar follows the movements of the moon).
The official language for Islam is Arabic. Arabic is used to write the Qur’an. Arabic words sometimes have to be changed into other alphabets so that people can understand it that cannot read it. The sounds of the letters are not the same as those in English and so Arabic words are spelt differently.
Muslims believe that you must pray five times a day. Muslims pray early in the morning, at night and on three occasions during the day.
Muslims believe that they can worship Allah anywhere. However, many Muslims feel it is important to have a special place of worship. This place is called a mosque. The most important time to go to the mosque is during the lunchtime prayers on Friday, the Muslim holy day. Women have to pray too, either at their home or at the mosque.
When the women do go to the mosque, they have to sit separately from the men. Muslims believe that this allows them to concentrate on Allah. All Muslims are required to take their shoes off before they go into the mosque, not only to show respect to God but also to keep the mosque clean for prayer.
Muslims also believe that when they pray, they must pray facing Makkah. This is because they believe that Muhammad was born in the city of Makkah. In the mosque, there is usually a small arch in one wall to show the exact direction of this city.
Muslims usually use a special mat for prayers.
Before praying, Muslims wash. This is a special washing called wudu, and has nothing to do with being dirty. If you are actually dirty, Muslims bath completely before they pray to God. Muslims take off their shoes and wash their hands, feet, and ears.
Washing before praying gives Muslims time to forget what they were doing and get ready to concentrate on Allah. Washing is always done in the same order, to make sure that nothing is forgotten.
Pilgrimage
Muslims believe that making a pilgrimage to Makkah is important, and they call this Hajj. Every Muslim who has the health and wealth is expected to go to Hajj at least once in their life.
Men who have completed the Hajj can be called Hajji, and woman can be called Hajjah. For each pilgrim, Hajj is an individual experience. The purpose of Hajj is to meet Allah. Muslims believe that if Hajj is performed correctly, a pilgrim can be forgiven for everything they have done wrong in their life.
Festivals
One of the most important months in Islam is Ramadan. During this month, Muslims are expected to fast during the hours of daylight. Muslims believe that fasting is important because it means that you have submitted to Allah. It is very hard to go without food and drink for a long time, but Muslims believe that this teaches them to have patience, and not to give up just because things are difficult. It also reminds Muslims that their religion is the most important thing in their lives. Ramadan shows that everyone is equal, because hunger is the same for everyone. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims feel better to face problems which life brings.
The month of Ramadan ends with festival of Id-ul-Fitr. This begins on the first day of the tenth month of the Muslim year. People look forward to this festival because it marks the end of the difficult month of fasting.
There is another festival in Islam called Id-ul-Adha. It is especially important for Muslims who are on the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. Id-ul-Adha is a longer and more important festival than Id-ul-Fitr.
