Sacred Rituals:
The religious rituals of Islam are relatively few in number, but great in importance. The Following are essential practices to the Muslim faith:
~ The 5 Pillars of Islam
~ Birth Rites
~ Weddings
~ Ramadan
~ The 5 Pillars of Islam
~ Birth Rites
~ Weddings
~ Ramadan
5 Pillars of Islam:
5 Pillars of Islam
The most important Muslim practices are the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are the five obligations that every Muslim must satisfy in order to live a good and responsible life according to Islam.
1. Shahada
2. Salah
3. Zakat
4. Saum
5. Hajj
1. Shahada
2. Salah
3. Zakat
4. Saum
5. Hajj
Birth Rites:
Muslims have some very simple rites for welcoming a child. The Muslim call to prayer or Adhara ("God is great, there is no God but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. Come to prayer.") are the first words a newborn Muslim baby should hear. The baby's first taste should be something sweet, so parents may chew a piece of date and rub the juice along the baby's gums. After 7 days the baby's head is shaved to show that the child is a servant of Allah. Muslim baby's are also circumcised anytime before puberty.
Weddings:
Muslim weddings vary enormously according to the culture of the people involved. For many Muslims, it is the Islamic ceremony that counts as the actual wedding, and not the confirmation of that wedding in a registry office. In Islam, a person should be properly married, and this should include both the religious ceremony and the legal requirements of the law of the land. However, Muslims who marry without legal registration are putting their womenfolk at some risk, and their children are not legitimate.
Ramadan:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast during daylight hours. There are several reasons why Ramadan is considered important:
~ The Qua'rn was first revealed during this month
~ The gates of Heaven are open
~ The gates of Hell are closed and devils secured in Hell
~ The Qua'rn was first revealed during this month
~ The gates of Heaven are open
~ The gates of Hell are closed and devils secured in Hell
For more information on Islamic sacred rituals visit:
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/practices.htm
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/practices.htm
Bibliography:
BBC Religions 2013, Islam, Accessed 12 March 2013,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
BBC Religions 2013, Islam, Accessed 12 March 2013,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/