A Muslims whole life is governed by the shariah the Islamic law, which literally means the straight path. Therefore Muslims should know what is halal (permitted) and what is haraam (forbidden) in Islam.
The shariah is based on the quraan (the holy book) and the sunnat of the prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). This is so children will gradually learn to read the quraan and will be told stories about Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as examples for them to follow. Islamic scholars also use analogy where the quraan and the Sunnah are not directly used to give out rules. Scholars find an issue on where there is teaching and apply this into a new publication. E.g. the killing of infants is forbidden so abortion is also forbidden.
The shariah covers both public and private life. It has laws which you would expect to be made by political authorities and some rules for areas which would be considered as private morality. This teaches Muslims how Allah wants them to live their lives.
Coming of age!!
Some Muslim countries have Arabic as their language, but if this is not the case it is important for Muslim children to become familiar with the Arabic that is used in their worship. The first phrase they learn is the blessed word bismillah. Bismillahirrahmaniraheem (in the name of Allah the compassionate the merciful) this is the opening of all but one of the surahs in the quraan and is frequently used by Muslims. Some Muslims have a special celebration with presents when a child can recite the quraan. This may be part of the Childs fourth birthday if birthdays are counted. From this age onwards the child will attend the madrasah. This is a religious school run by the mosque. In Islamic countries it could be an ordinary day-school or sometimes after day-school like in western countries.
Children are taught Islamic beliefs, how to pray and how to read the quraan for the coming of age in Islam. Nor is there a special ceremony for this. Muslim children will gradually learn their religion through practice as they grow up. By about the age of seven, they will probably be doing some daily fasts but not for the whole month of Ramadan. By the time they have reached puberty. They must accept obligations of the five pillars, if they are to continue to be Muslims. Some Muslim countries count this as the age of 12. At about this age a Muslim could usually finish narrating the quraan and the family to celebrate this event.
Marriage!!
Marriage is a major issue in the religion of Islam. Muslim marriages are usually arranged by the family members. Many people have a love marriage and go according to their will.
Marriage is usually done at the age of 19/20 and the girl can be older than the boy there is no rule for this. Muslims are not allowed to have any relationship before there marriage so they feel different to the western people. This often causes problems in familys.
Husband and Wife!!
The bride will go to live with her husband and his family. It is the husband’s responsibility to protect and provide for his wife. The husband has the major say although the wife will have a lot of influence on the home.
Muslim couples are encouraged to have children, as this is natural and is therefore seen to be allowed according to the laws laid down in Islam. Abortion is strictly forbidden in Islam except when the mother’s life is in danger. Children are a blessing from Allah and to terminate a pregnancy is counted as killing a life which Allah has given.
Polygamy!!
According to Islamic teaching men are allowed to have up to four wives but women can have only one husband. The prophet Muhammad is said to have 12 wives during the last part of his life.
Today polygamy is not very common among Muslims for a number of reasons. The first wife’s permission has to be asked before marring another wife and the second time both wives have to agree. Without their permission a man is not allowed into another marriage. One of the reasons that polygamy isn’t very common is because all the wives have to be treated equally and that is not possible in many cases.
Divorce!!
Divorce is disliked but is permitted and is easy to obtain under Islamic law. Muhammad said that divorce was the most hateful of permitted things and Muslims should try and avoid this and try to make out till their final decision.
Their families usually do their best to keep their marriage going, since they were the ones who arranged it in the first place. If the couple cannot work things out then they should get two arbitrators to help one representing each party.
If the couple do decide to get divorced they must wait three months to see whether the woman is pregnant since the husband must provide for the children of the marriage. On divorce the marriage dowry must be paid in full, unless it was the woman who wanted the divorce and was at fault. Generally Muslim women can ask for divorce only if they had this right written into the marriage contract.
Divorce is regarded as a very serious thing because it accepts human nature and recognises that a marriage may not work. It is considered better to divorce and then remarry then carry on with an unhappy marriage and possibilities of committing adultery.
Death!!
When a Muslim is dying the family gathers around to read the quraan and say prayers. The dying person should perfect his faith by praying the shahadah. If the dying person is unable to recite then it will be recited by someone else for him.
When a person is dying there are many signs to show this. The nose goes slightly crooked, the breathing is very slow and the person body becomes loose. When a person notices this they should start putting the arms and legs against the body to keep it firm in the right way.
After the person has died the body is washed at lest three times. At the time of washing the body the dead will open one eye to see who is giving them ghusl. The first parts washed are the parts which are washed before a person prays their salaat. The hair is perfumed and also the parts of the body which touch the floor when in prostration to god therefore the forehead, the nose, palms of the hands, knees and the feet. Then the body is wrapped in white cloth. For a man it is three pieces for a woman it’s five pieces. These pieces cover the whole body leaving no part exposed. If a person has made the holy pilgrimage then their pilgrimage cloths will do.
When the body is taken to the graveyard all the men perform a special prayer asking for forgiveness for the dead persons sins. This is important if the person is to go to heaven.
The body is then buried in the ground without the coffin. Two planks are placed and then three handfuls of soil are thrown onto the body each time saying these words to Allah
“From soil we were created and with soil do we return to you”
A simple headstone should be placed at the head of the grave as the people walk away after forty steps the angels of death will come to the person and will take the soul out. If they have been bad in the world then it will be taken out harshly and if they have been good then it will be taken out with ease.
On the day of judgement three questions will be asked”
“What is your god?”
“Who is your prophet?”
“What is you religion?
2) Describe marriage and its ceremonies in the Muslim society and community.
Marriage!!
Marriage is usually arranged in Muslim communities although this is not laid down by the quraan and no one should be forced into marrying against his or her will. A boy’s parent will look out for a suitable partner for their son and will approach the girl’s parents before she is asked for her consent.
Reasons can be put forward both for and against arranged marriages, but most people seem to prefer whatever is the accepted social norm. Generally difficulties only arise where there are conflicting ideas within society. Some Muslims growing up in the west may be jealous of there friends who have the freedom to go out with the opposite sex and to marry whomever they wish.
In arranged marriages the couple have to grow to love each other rather than marry the one they love but this still produces love between the families.
Before the marriage the groom has to give the wife dowry which is kept or can be spent on the wedding arrangements.
The Wedding!!
Wedding ceremonies are different according to the societies. Weddings mostly take place in a hall according to the amount of people that you have in your family.
The nikah which is the devotion is done in the masjid or in the home. This has to be done in presence of two witnesses. And in many cases the head of the masjid is also present.
The bride and groom have to sign a solemn contract which is kept as a proof for the divorce papers if needed in later life.
This contract is also signed by two witnesses. Prayers may be said for Allah’s blessing on the marriage and passages from the Quraan may be recited. This is to wish the couple good luck in the future. Also after this there is a feast which is attended by all family and friends this is usually set in a hall or a big house.
Here is an example of a wedding ceremony
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the rejected
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful
Peace be upon you.
Person doing the marriage service:
We are gathered here to witness the marriage of Mr…… and Ms……
Marriage, like all of God’s provisions is a sign and a gift for us:
“Among His proofs is that He created for you spouses among yourselves, in order to have tranquillity and contentment for each other and He placed in your hearts love and care towards your spouses. In this, there are sufficient proofs for those who think.” [30:21]
This gift is thankfully accepted, for God tells us:
…”The more you thank me, the more I give you…” [14:7]
Bride:
God, I thankfully and joyfully accept this gift from God of………. as my husband.
Groom:
God, I thankfully and joyfully accept this gift from God of ………. as my wife.
Person doing the marriage service, as he lights a candle:
“Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light
Whoever wills (to be guided). Allah thus cites the parables for the people. Allah is fully aware of all things.” [24:35]
Husband and wife together:
God, take our will and our life.
Guide our marriage.
Show us how to live.
Our best wishes to the couple.
3) “For Muslims giving zakaat is a waste of money”
Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view.
I think giving zakaat is a waste of money due to the following reasons:
- Because rather than wasting it on poor people you can spend it on yourself to buy something of your own wish.
- These people are not related to us we don’t know who they are so why give them in the first place.
- Money is for us we earn so why should we put effort into work and then spend it on others.
I think giving zakaat is not a waste of money due to the following reasons:
- We spend money on ourselves although we have enough so why cant we spend on people who have nothing to own
- You are doing a act in which you will get a reward later in life
- If you spend it then you will get more money
- You are making someone happy this makes you feel good and makes you feel that you are helping your own people
Overall I think that giving zakaat is a good idea and that as a Muslim this is my duty and I am happy with this.
M u L L i
