Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Living the Muslim life - Coggle Diagram
Living the Muslim life
-
Shahadah
"There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger."
This is the basic statement of the Islamic faith: anyone who cannot recite this wholeheartedly is not a Muslim
When a Muslim recites this they proclaim that Allah is the only God, and that Muhammad is his prophet, they personally accept this as true, they will obey all the commitments of Islam in their life
-
Reciting this statement three times in front of witnesses is all that anyone need do to become a Muslim
A Muslim is expected to recite this statement out loud, with total sincerity, fully understanding what it means
The Shahadah is written in Arabic on the flag of Saudi Arabia, the state that contains Islam's holiest places
Salah
-
In Islam, prayer, supplication, purification and most ritual actions are considered acts of worship
In the Qur’an, the Arabic word salah means to demonstrate servitude to God by means of certain actions
The Muslim will face the direction of the Kaba, the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah, whenever they perform their prayer. These physical movements, recitations, and supplications are all done to show humility and submission to Allah
Zakah
Zakah is the practice where a Muslim gives 2.5 per cent of their wealth over a certain amount to charity, after they have paid for what is necessary to support themselves and their families
-
-
-
-
In countries such as the UK, some Muslims perform Zakah by giving directly to a charity, such as Muslim Aid. Others contribute to collections in the mosque, which then distributes the money to those in need. In Islamic countries, often Zakah is collected as a tax
Helping each other is seen as helping Allah and fulfilling a duty to God, so by giving Zakah the Muslim community supports one another as the poorest are given financial help
In addition to practising Zakah, Muslims are encouraged to voluntarily give their money and time to charity throughout the year. This is known as Sadaqah
Shi’a Muslims give 20 per cent of their savings to charities related to Islamic education and to the poor
Sawm
-
Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
During the 29/30 days of Ramadan all adult Muslims must give up the following things during the hours of daylight
-
Smoking, including passive smoking
-
Muslims who are physically or mentally unwell may be excused some of these, as may those who are under twelve years old, the very old, those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, menstruating, or travelling
If an adult does not fast for the reasons above they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead
Muslims do not only abstain from physical things during Ramadan. They are also expected to do their best to avoid evil thoughts and deeds as well
Reasons for this fast:
-
-
-
-
-
-
Giving thanks for the Holy Qur'an, which was first revealed in the month of Ramadan
-
-
When daylight is over, most Muslims will break or open the fast with dates or water, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, before having a proper meal later
-
The month of Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr. This is marked by dressing up and visiting the mosque for prayer, and with visits to family and friends for celebratory meals
Because Islam uses a lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan comes around 11 days earlier each successive year, so there is no Western season associated with Ramadan
Hajj
Hajj is the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East
Every year, millions of Muslims from across the world make the journey to Mecca from wherever they live
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. These are the five key acts that every Muslim is expected to do in their lifetime
Mecca is the place where the Islamic religion started. It is where the Prophet Muhammad was born and received the first revelations from Allah (Allah is the Arabic word for God) that went on to become the Koran - the holy book read by Muslims
-
Men are required to wear two sheets of white cloth, which are worn in a specific way. Women wear traditional clothing and must cover their head, but not their face. These clothes symbolise the equality of all Muslims before Allah
Jihad
-
-
-
-
Muslims make a great effort to live as Allah has instructed them; following the rules of the faith, being devoted to Allah, doing everything they can to help other people
Living God's way is quite a struggle. God sets high standards, and believers have to fight with their own selfish desires to live up to them, no matter how much they love God
Fighting against an outer enemy is the lesser jihad and fighting against one's self is the greater jihad
When Muslims, or their faith or territory are under attack, Islam permits (some say directs) the believer to wage military war to protect them