INTRODUCTION
“...there is much that the world can learn from Islam. It is now practiced by one of every four people on Earth.”
- ABC News
“The religion of Islam is growing faster than any other religion in the world.”
– USA Today
“At this rate, Islam will surpass Christianity as the world’s largest religion by 2023.”
- Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes
Why study Islam? Religion is more than believing in a god. It is a philosophy and way of life. Religion helps shape a person's view of the world. And currently, Islam is shaping billions of people’s world.
The main activity for this Webquest will be to use the Internet to explore Islam and gain a better understanding of the Muslim people. Let's get going!
PROCESS
You will visit websites provided in this packet to research Islam, and use this information to answer each task’s questions completely.
Muslims believe that during the ninth month of the Muslim calender, the month of Ramadan, the Holy Quran (Koran) “was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation”.
One day Muhammad was sitting alone in the wilderness near Mecca when the Angel Gabriel appeared to him. The Angel commanded Muhammad to read. Muhammad responded “I am not a reader.” The Angel Gabriel then taught Muhammad some verses from the Quran, which Muhammad memorized.
These revelations continued for 10 days. Islamic scholars believe that the first revelation occurred on the night of the 27th day of Ramadan. This night is called the Laylat-al-Qadr (Night of Power). And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.
The receiving of the Holy Quran is to the Muslims what the receiving of the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai is to the Jews and Christians (see Shavuot on the Net).
Islam requires that all adherents perform five central duties, which are believed to strengthen their faith in and service to Allah. These duties are the 5 Pillars of Islam – the basic tenets of the faith, which all Muslims strive to perform, regardless of where they live or what sect they belong to.
Shahada (Shahaadah) (testimony of faith)
The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam. To perform the testimony of faith, one is required to say with conviction at least once in his or her life: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.” In order to convert to Islam, one must utter the shahaadah with complete conviction.
Salat (prayer) Muslims pray five times daily, at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night. Prayer often occurs in a mosque, but Muslims may pray anywhere: inside or outside, in their office, home, school or elsewhere. While praying, one faces Mecca and strives to recite his or her prayers from memory. Ideally, saalat are recited in Arabic.
Zakat (almsgiving) Charitable giving, or Zakat, is a requirement of faith for all Muslims. Used to benefit the poor, Zakat represents a fixed portion of one’s wealth and assets. Beyond this requirement, one may also perform an act of charity (sadaqah) by donating additional funds to the needy. Historically, the zakat was collected by Muslim caliphate at the end of each year. In modern times, almsgiving is incumbent upon the individual Muslim – except for in Saudi Arabia, where Zakat is strictly enforced by the rule of Islamic law.
Siyam (Sawm) (fasting) Sawm literally means any ritual fasting, but is generally understood to refer to ritual fasting during the month of Ramadan. From dawn to dusk for the entire month, Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and engaging in sexual relations. Through this physical abstinence, Muslims are able to focus intently on their spiritual selves, atoning for their sins and recommitting to serving Allah.
Hajj (pilgrimage) During the last month of the Islamic calendar, Dhu al-Hijjah, some two million Muslims ascend to the holy city of Mecca for the Hajj, or pilgrimage. Every able-bodied Muslim is required – if their finances permit – to make the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. If performing the hajj will put an undue burden on one’s family, he or she may appoint a proxy to fulfill this duty in his or her place. Once one completes a pilgrimage, he or she is able to add the title Haajj to his or her name. Islamic teachers are careful to warm, however, that the Hajj must be performed as an expression of devout faith – and not as a ploy to gain social status.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran “was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation”.
It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.
During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.
According to the Holy Quran:
One may eat and drink at any time during the night “until you can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight: then keep the fast until night”
The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things –
the telling of a lie
slander
denouncing someone behind his back
a false oath
greed or covetousness
These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid(Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called theTaraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.
On the evening of the either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day* of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.
*(According to Wikipedia: “Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is… What directs us to this is the Prophet’s :saw: saying: “Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five nights (i.e. 21st, 23 rd, 25th, 27th and 29th.”))
When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan.
Click "Islam" on the left side
Click "Major Themes" or "Frequently Asked Questions"
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have just explored and researched one of the major religions of the world. In addition to learning about Islam, you have learned that the Internet can be a valuable research tool. Isn’t it amazing?
Way to go!