Examining the Faith of Muslims - Research Paper Example

Islam: Examining the Faith of Muslims First Last Introduction Islam is the religion of the Muslim people. It is said to be one ofthe earliest religions to have founded their faith in the existence of only one God (“Islam” American Heritage, 2000) together with the other Abrahamic religions Christianity and Judaism. As the years have passed, the Islamic religion remains strong and existing; their practices are still being followed and their values still applied. Many non-Muslims have become witnesses to the Islamic display of devotion to Allah as many of their religious traditions are recognized all over the world. This gives the people of other faith the idea of the basic customs that Muslims are living with – some of which even considered queer to many which eventually sometimes result to misunderstandings. However, as many generations have elapsed, these fundamental beliefs have now evolved like what the other things go through naturally: adjusting itself to the changing trends of time, dependent on the places where present Muslims settle, and on how these current people interpret the written proofs of their religion. The Basic Teachings of Islam According to Ali (1992), the literal definition of Islam is “striving after righteousness” as opposed to the usual description “absolute submission to God’s will” (p. 138). The Muslims’ culture of Islam and their faith to Allah are based on the teachings of the Messenger of God – Mohammed or Muhammad. Like the other religions, Islam has a Holy Book called the Koran. It contains the verses that direct and regulate the conduct of its followers, and serves as Muslims’ guide to living life in accordance to the commandments of Allah. Almost every aspect of life has been given attention in the teachings of Mohammed, their prophet, and these have been founded and based on the five principles called the “Five Pillars of Islam.” The Five Pillars of Islam. Every part of Mohammed’s teachings is considered important. Nonetheless, the five pillars of Islam are considered the most basic elements that form the foundation of the religion. The five pillars include Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj. Shahadah. According to the Columbian Encyclopedia, the first pillar Shahadah is the Muslims’ “affirmation that there is no other god but Allah” and that Mohammed is not a god but a Messenger of God (“Islam” Columbia Encyclopedia, 2009, p. 24406). People who were not born as Muslims wanting to be converted are made to profess their faith by reciting the creed with the most important words of their faith that says, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.” Babies of Muslim parents, likewise, are whispered with these words so that it will be “the first words that they would hear” (Penney, 1995, p. 15). Salat. Muslims are obliged to offer prayers to Allah five times a day. It is a duty that they must follow and respect. They recite certain prescribed verses in the morning, three times during the day and once before they go to sleep for almost thirty minutes. These prayers are unlike the personal prayers that people say anytime; it is a formal form of prayer and has definite ways that must be adhered with (Elias, 1999, pp. 66-67). Although it can be done anywhere, the Muslims must consider first the cleanliness of the place and make sure to face the direction of Mecca. Furthermore, male Muslims are to perform their afternoon prayers in the mosques during Friday. Zakah or Zakat. It is one of the principles of Islam to exercise the act of charity. Although other religions preach about it, Muslims are the only ones who have made a form of charity as compulsory – the Zakat. Giving alms is one of the ways that Muslims show their acknowledgment that it is not them who own the things that they have but Allah; and because they have an excess, they require themselves to give it to those who are in need as Allah would have wanted them to do so. Sawm. The fourth institution of the Islam religion is the fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. It is the time when Muslims would pray even more than the usual, meditate and reflect upon themselves, and practice abstinence to many worldly things including food and water from the break of dawn until early evening as one way of cleansing themselves from the impurities of life. However, only those who are deemed healthy are required to do this. Women who are pregnant, any elderly or children who have not reached puberty yet are exempted from doing so (Yaran, 2007, p. 40). Hajj. The fifth pillar of the Islam religion is the Hajj. It means pilgrimage to their Holy Place, Mecca. Muslims are required to visit it and the other holy places in a pilgrimage for at least once in a lifetime (Farah, 2003, p. 145). Mecca, or Makkah, is considered a holy city to Muslims because it was where their prophet Mohammed spent his life. It was there that Muslims’ prophet began to teach about Allah and the principles of Islam (Peters, 1994, p. 40). Other Prominent Rites, Practices and Principles of the Islamic Faith Muslim people have a long list of certain attitudes and systems that are unique to their faith. Apart from the five pillars that show their basic practices and beliefs, they follow definite views about life in general. A known concept of Muslims’ principles of faith is their acceptance that there is one God, that He has made Angels, that they should believe in the writings of the Holy Book and His Messengers, and that there is a Day of Judgment (Morgan, 1987, p. 408). Particular scripts can be found in the Koran about these and Muslims are united in believing so. Another famous custom is the observance of non-consumption of pork and alcoholic drinks and beverages, and not attaching one’s self to any kind of gambling. Until now, most Muslims adhere to these practices, especially the serious ones. In addition to their table manners, they entail themselves to eat and drink with their right hand only. Additionally, one more notable tradition that other religions consider exclusive to the Islamic faith is the exhibition of polygamy. A male Muslim who already has a wife and chooses to have a second, third and fourth wife will not be regarded unlawful so long as his first wife allows it. While other fundamentalists emphasize that Islam did not establish the practice of polygamy (Maqsood, 1995, p. 51), it has been part of and associated to the Islamic religion for a long time now. Islamic Religion and Other Cultures In spite the fact that Islam originated from the Middle East, people should be reminded that Islam has had already spread over different societies and communities outside its origin. In fact, the population of Muslim people in Indonesia already exceeds the number of Muslims in Pakistan by over twenty-five million (Pew Research Center, 2009, p. 5). It is just righteous to assume then that the Islam communities trying to exist in other places take heed in making practical adjustments to accord themselves in a different society that practices different to what has been familiar to them. What’s more interesting is that many Muslims of the younger generation now see themselves as not only Muslims in a foreign place but natives of the place who take Islamic faith as their religion (Eickelman, 1999, p. 12). This shows a new form of autonomy in the new race of Muslims that do not only intend to follow the scriptures but also see the true meaning of what is written in it. As many Muslims are now living in more developed countries like the America and Great Britain, education has turned to be necessary. With the ongoing pattern, many of them now seek to change some of the traditional beliefs that the older generation of Muslims have submitted themselves into. Amina Wadud, for example, was born in Washington D.C. Intending to pursue her Ph.D., she chose to study the Koran and the written history about the equality between men and women practicing the faith of Islam. Wadud wrote in her book later that it was never written there that women are naturally born inferior to the men (as cited in Curtis, 2009, p. 78.) This is one proof wherein the Muslim faith has been absorbed in the new era and its trend. Many contemporary Muslims are still exercising their faith but are now basing their beliefs on the new interpretations and perspectives of the Koran. In India, the Indian and Muslim communities have existed together over the years, influencing, continually doing their practices and values without having been overpowered by the each other’s cultures. Indian Muslims did insist on their principle of equality among men as what their prophet Mohammed have instilled in them; but then, evidences telling they were still influenced in one way or another by the social stratification (caste system) that the Indian culture has carried out are clear in their ways of living (Sharma & Sharma, 2004, p. 78). Another Muslim country that must be thought of is Pakistan for having the most number of Muslim populations compared to any country in the Middle East (Pew Research Center, 2009, p.5). Because of this demographic characteristics of the country, many important Islam celebrations are considered national holidays. Traditions are still being followed and standards being practiced. Nevertheless, unlike the treatment that other Muslim countries experience from the non-Muslim ones just by being connected with the Muslim terrorists, Pakistan is considered a friend to many countries for providing military assistance to the US operations after the 9/11 attack made by the extremists Muslims. Currently, the country is expected to be the new “breeding ground of radical Islam” (Haqqani, 2005, p. vii). Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan form the largest Muslim communities in the whole world – which makes Asia the home of most Muslims. In spite of the existence of many religions in the region, the Islamic culture remains to be one important part of the economic and political development in many countries across the continent (Esposito, Voll, & Bakar, 2008, p.3). However, although there are many developing countries in Asia that account their successes to being Muslims, there still exist in Asia the extremist Muslims – such as the al-Qaeda of Middle East and the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines that have been the cause of many terror attacks. Other Muslims, however, condemn these doings and reportedly claim that these extremists may have misinterpreted the Koran and the teachings of their prophet Mohammed. Islam, Christianity and Judaism Muslims have many unique practices and uncommon beliefs that are considered odd to many other religions. Although the Islamic religion had been founded with similarities to that of the Christians’ and the Jews,’ there seem to be an existing ‘label’ that deems Muslims different from the rest of the world. Simultaneously, Muslims too believe that some of the values and principles of Christianity and Judaism are not concurrent with their beliefs and are of no valuable basis. Islam and Christianity. Christians form the largest population in the religion world, seconded by the Muslims. Both religions believe that there is only one God, and that there are angels and demons. They believe that there purpose in life is to prepare themselves for the eternal paradise or heaven and hell is where they would go if they will live well and will not do good deeds in their present lives. These religions differ in many aspects though. Muslims question the Christians belief in only one God because of the existence of the Holy Trinity. They too do not believe Jesus as the Son of God; they insist that He is only a prophet like Mohammed. They also accuse Christians of paganism for praising symbols and such. Each of them says that they respect each other’s religions. However, for a long time now, the two continue to debate on many issues concerning their beliefs (“Comparison chart,” n.d.). Islam and Judaism. Jews, the followers of Judaism, believe in one God like Christians and the Muslims do. They too believe in angels and demons, and good deeds; and that their faith is based in a Holy Book called the Bible. Unlike the Christians, though, they believe that there is no Holy Trinity just as the Muslims do. They do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God; they argue that He was only a false prophet. Regardless with the likeness, Jews still view Christianity and Islam as only false interpretations and extensions of their faith (“Comparison chart,” n.d.). Conclusion Some people believe that Muslims are followers of a questionable faith for having queer and unique principles and values. It is inarguable. Granting credit on their strong and firm stance on their religion, though, there still seems to be an existing ‘label’ that makes other people doubt about the validity of its existence. This invisible ‘labeling’ can be seen by how other people of non-Muslim faith interact with the Muslim people – sometimes with undue judgment or even hostility. This seems to be the result of the ignorance. The problem is that they do not even attempt in knowing a little more than what they know superficially about our Muslim brothers and sisters. With the effort that many Muslims exert in shaping their religion and culture in suiting their selves to the culture of the place wherever they are living, Christians, Jews, people of other religions and atheists alike must do the same. The Muslim faith has colorful roots that are worth knowing and it is indeed our responsibility to know. References Ali, A. (1922). The spirit of Islam: a history of the evolution and ideals of Islam with a life of the prophet. London: Christophers. Comparison chart: Christianity and. Islam. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/christianity_islam.htm Curtis, E. E. (2009). Muslims in America: a short history. New York: Oxford UP. Eickelman, D. (1999, August 23). External forces altering Muslim worldview: education, mass media foster changes. The Washington Times, p. 12. Elias, J. J. (1999). Islam. London: Routledge. Esposito, J. L., Voll, J. O., & Bakar, O. (Eds.). (2008). Asian Islam in the 21st century. New York: Oxford UP. Farah, C. E. (2003). Islam: beliefs and observances. (7th ed.). Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. Islam. (2000). In American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (4th ed.). US: Houghton Mifflin Company. 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