Student 1

Object 1: The News Article

As a child, much of what I learned was from my mother’s religion, Sikhism. As a result of that, I recognized the influence that our culture has on our knowledge. Along with how much of what we know, and the ideas we form are based on our religion (or in line to the beliefs of said religion).

The news article I chose is how people from a Gurdwara, a place of worship for Sikh people, had forgiven a group for setting the Gurdwara on fire. In the Sikh community, situations are perceived by using the knowledge they gained from their religion. In Sikhism much of what they learn is from the Adi Granth, which discusses the lessons learned by early medieval saints of different religions and social classes. In this situation, they used the knowledge they learned from their culture, where a hymn speaks about forgiveness. In their culture they are taught the importance of forgiveness no matter what was done. This is also similar to the AOK of religion as it talks about the connection between both the knowledge people have in accordance with their religion.

While the Sikhs were motivated by the knowledge learned by their culture regarding forgiveness, the youth that burned down the place of worship showed how in their culture they were not properly informed about others. This also shows as a result of their limited teachings in their culture they are unable to make proper decisions. In conclusion, it is important to realize that despite important cultural teachings some people are unable to apply that knowledge with the new ones that they gain as they move forward in life.

Object 2: Dua Book

The Ismiali Dua is a prominent prayer in the Islamic religion. It is read 2 times a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. The text is written in Arabic but also has an English translation with a breakdown of what the meaning is.

The Dua was written over a century ago with association to Shia Muslims, which is the second largest branch of Islam. This book is considered to be part of our culture, and as a child I was told to memorize the Dua so that I could reach the gateway of Allah’s mercy. This book is a representation of our culture as it is believed by many that reading it would not only benefit you in the present but also during your day of ascension as well. This now leads to how this item is connected to the relation between knowledge and culture. The entirety of this Dua communicates the importance of Allah and how through this prayer they are able to enhance their religious connection by praying for the current Imam to pray for you and accept your prayer. As a result of the implementation of the Dua in Ismiali culture, people learn the importance of the Imam and the control that Allah has on his deities, along with how difficulties can be eased by simply saying “Bismeh-Allah-al-Rahman-ir-Rahim'' (In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful).

Overall, the importance of the Dua is recognized by what the words mean and how it represents the connection that Allah has with the people on Earth. Along with gaining spiritual clarity that can only be achieved by reciting this prayer, learning important information can be helpful in any situation.

Object 3: Tasbih

A Tasbih, which is the rosary used when praying as Ismaili’s, is a major representation of the Islamic culture. This is used during the time of prayer, and after prayer which is called Tasbih as well. It is a chain of 33 beads and is commonly hung in a car for protection. Initially I thought of the Tasbih to be something to play with when bored, but later understood the true significance of it as an Ismiali.

The concept around the Tasbih is that each of the 33-99 beads are used to recite the word “Muhammad” during the recitation of the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zarah. However, it also represents the 99 names of Allah. Along with that, in the Hadith, a collection of Prophet Muhammad sayings, he promoted the use of Tasbih stating that “Allah had not been worshiped by anything better than Tasbeeh Hazrat Zahra” showing how Allah would accept your worship better if you practice using Tasbih. The cultural influence surrounding the use of the Tasbih teaches those of the Ismiali religion how reverence with the use of the Tasbih would allow Allah to obtain their prayers and accept their wishes better than without the Tasbih. Similarly, this is also used in other regions where a person would pick up a rosary in a time of struggles to relieve their pressures with the help from God. This idea of the Tasbih/Rosary being involved in each religion and their culture, allows individuals to learn more about Allah as well and his relationship with those that pray to him.

Overall, the influence that culture has on the use of certain objects in religion prompts us to learn more about what it is we are praying for, and the benefits of doing such. Also allowing others to learn more about how their culture changes by their prayers.