Beliefs & Questions
1. How belief impacts on people's lives – GodWord used to describe a personal transcendent Being, the world and others.
2. The changes (if any provided).
3. The benefits on individuals, communities, the world.
4. Examples of worth.
Being MuslimOne who submits to Allah by following the religion of Islam impacts on every aspect of a person's life.
In leading a life of submission to the will of AllahThe Arabic name for God, Muslims are always conscious of their obligations to Allah, to their families and to others.
Much of Muslim life is centred on worshipThe offering of praise and reverence to God via a religious service. The daily struggle of Greater JihadThe individual's struggle for good could be said to inform all aspects of Muslim life, however, it is also stressed that there are set times for prayer which turn the thoughts of a Muslim from the secularWithout reference to the sacred world to the sacred one and that after prayer there is a return to daily life and work. This is also seen in the observance of Friday prayersExtempore and set conversations with God, Salat-ul-Jumu'ahThe obligatory Friday Prayers , all work stops for the prayers but after the serviceReferring to either an act of worship or working for a cause is over, daily life returns.
IslamLiterally submission to God; one of the three great monotheistic Abrahamic religions does not require separation from the non-Muslim world but some of the laws of Islam require separation of a degree. Prayer times must be observed and food must be halalIn Islam those things which are permissible. The laws of modesty, particularly in relation to women have caused some difficulties for Muslims living in the western world. Whilst the Qur'anThe sacred text of Islam and believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to the Prophet does indicate what is suitably modest dress for both men and women, much practice is based on the local cultures of the countries in which Islam developed. This has caused some difficulties, in particular for women, who wish to observe a strict code of dress in the outside world with corresponding negative reactions in the media.
The teachings of shirk – association: regarding anything as being equal or partner to Allah has also caused problems when some western media have sought to represent the Prophet in addition to the particular representations also being offensive and derogatory. Muslims do not condemn freedom of speech but nevertheless this cannot extend to this sort of treatment of the Prophet of Allah.
It is important to note that these aspects separation from the non-Muslims world are not associated in any way with any idea of Muslims being better than others, such an idea is anathema and contrary to the teachings of the Qur'an.
These beliefs can lead to very tight-knit families and communities and in some ways could be seen as Muslims shutting themselves off from the world. This is not surprising in view of the very prejudiced media coverage which Islam has received in recent years as a result of atrocities such as the destruction of twin towers in New York, which action had nothing to do with the true teachings of Islam.
Websites
http://pof.reonline.org.uk/islam.php
http://www.al-islam.org/ethics/index.htm (book)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam
http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Q_Studies/ Articles from the fields of Qur'anic Studies
http://www.livingislam.org/ Traditional Islam website
http://www.uga.edu/islam/home.html One of the most comprehensive websites on Islam on the internet.
http://www.virtuallyislamic.com (This website provides a list of Islamic websites which are regularly updated, go to 'Islamic Studies Pathways')
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