Islam

Islam means submission to the will of God. The teachings of the Qur'an are the basis of the beliefs of Muslims. Islam embraces people from many different countries and has its origins in the Middle East. It follows that there is a variety of first languages among Muslims, but all worship and religious practice is completed in Arabic.

The main principles of Islam include:

  • Belief in one God (Allah)
  • The Prophet Muhammad is God's final prophet.The Holy Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet as guidance for mankind
  • Life after death.

There are five obligations for Muslims that are known as the five mainpillars of Islam:

1. Shahadah - The declaration of faith that there is only one God (Allah) and Muhammad (PBUH) is his prophet. (Muslims show their respect for the prophet by saying 'Peace be upon him' after using his name.).
2. Salah - Prayers are said five times a day at fixed times facing towards Mecca (before sunrise, noon, mid/late afternoon, just after sunset, and night).
3. Zakah - The giving of alms or money to the poor.
4. Ramadan - Fasting during the hours of daylight for one month each year.
5. Hajj - there is a requirement to try to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once during a Muslim's lifetime. Additional pilgrimages result in additional merit.

Other points to note:

  • Muslims believe in the prophets of the book, including Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) , Musa (Moses) (PBUH), Isa (Jesus) (PBUH) and Muhammad (PBUH).
    It should be noted that Muslims respect Jesus as a prophet - they do notrecognise him as divine or as the Messiah or Christ.
  •  Many observant Muslims will keep the Qur'an wrapped up in a cloth cover. Sometimes Qur'anic verses are sewn into clothing or worn in a locket around the neck. This is not seen as jewellery, but as a religious artefact.
  • Muslims prefer to wash their hands, feet or other parts of their body (ablution) before they take the Qur'an in their hand.
  • Muslim women cannot pray, fast, or touch the Qur'an during menstruation.
  • Muslim men and women are equal in religion.
  • When meat is eaten, wherever possible it should be halal (i.e. meat that has been prepared according to religious custom). Muslims do not eat pork or any other pig products, or drink alcohol.
  • Islamic dress codes require Muslims to be modest at all times. The extent to which the traditions are observed will vary from family to family. Some Muslimwomen wear clothes that cover them from head to ankles.  Some Muslim men wear a skull-cap. Shoes are not worn indoors. Visitors to a Muslim home should expect to remove their shoes.
  • It would not generally be considered good manners for a man to shake the hand of a Muslim woman.

Many aspects of this way of life have an impact on daily life in a western country. Activities on Fridays should not interfere with the need to attend mosque

at midday, the need to pray at specific times should be respected and the understanding of modesty should be accommodated. If halal food is not available, then the vegetarian option is important. During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to live as normal a life as possible, but long hours of fasting may impact onstrength. Anyone considered to be at risk on grounds of health or age would not be expected to fast.

Followers: Muslims

Holy Book: The Qur'an

Main Religious Festivals: Most men and a number of women go to mosque for noon prayers (women may pray at home).Two Eid festivals that mark the end of Ramadan and the end of Pilgrimage

Holy Day: Friday

Language: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi (Persian), Punjabi, Urdu or the language of the country of origin

Community Contact:

Islamic Centre of the South West
12-13 York Road
Exeter
EX4 6PG

Tel: 01392 250597

www.exetermosque.org.uk