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Islam

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• Shariah (Islamic law) is comprised of Quran, Sunnah - traditions (practice and example) of Prophet Muhammad and Hadith - stories about Muhammad, his actions and additional (extra-Quranic) teachings & guidance. In addition, contemporary issues not dealt with directly by these sources are legalized by analogy and consensus of Muslim scholars.

Poster: Apart From The Qur'an Are There Any Other Sacred Sources?

• Islam provides guidance for religious life through all aspects of life. Shariah is concerned with preserving human dignity through five principles:

  • preservation of life

  • preservation of progeny (family)

  • preservation of intellect (education)

  • preservation of wealth (property)

  • preservation of religion

Poster: How does Islam Guarantee Human Rigths?

Halal & Haram: Five kinds of action:

1. Prohibited (haram): no intoxicants, no fornication, no eating of pork (meat is ritually slaughtered and prepared - Halal meat), no Gambling, no usury (no charging of interest on loans, also try to avoid taking loans on which interest would be charged)

2. Frowned upon but not prohibited (e.g. divorce)

3. Neither good nor bad

4. Encouraged but not required (e.g., prayer in the mosque)

5. Required ("halal") (i.e., the Five Pillars)

Dietary regulations:

The term "halal" is used to describe religiously "kosher" meats. Like Judaism, Islam dictates proper kinds, slaughter and preparation of food. "Halal" food markets can be found in many urban areas with significant Muslim populations.

• Eid-al-Fitr - close of the fast of Ramadan, a great community feast and celebration

• Eid-al-Adha - close of the period of the Hajj, celebrated by all Muslims whether they have gone on pilgrimage that year or not. The "Feast of Sacrifice" commemorates Abraham�s willingness to sacrifice his son (Ishmael). Muslims typically purchase a lamb or goat for ritual sacrifice and then feast on the meat, sharing what they have with the poor who were not able to purchase their own sacrifice.

Circumcision: boys are religiously circumcised around age 7 or 8 but this is not mandated by Quran and age can vary from culture to culture

Family is very important:

• Duties of husband and wife are clearly defined: husband is to support wife (or wives) and children.

• Paternity issues are of special concern: a man must know which children are his so he knows who to give his paternal responsibility (thus a woman�s seclusion after her husband dies - see below). Paternal responsibility is taken seriously; even after divorce the father must continue to support and provide for his children. Such responsibility includes financial support and passing down of inheritance (to daughters as well as sons)

• The Quran dictates that widows and orphans be protected. Thus it is not uncommon for a male relative or some other man to take a widow as a second wife. In the least, the entire Muslim community is to extend support for those in need.

• Marriage:

• signing of a simple legal document before two witnesses plus secular state requirements (e.g., license).

• A Muslim man can marry a non-Muslim woman but a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man (the man is more likely to influence the woman away from Islam than to be influenced away by a woman). (This is not to say that in non-Muslim lands this does not happen.)

• Divorce:

• A woman is given the right to divorce her husband by simple declaration of intent (revolutionary for 7th century Arabia - or beyond).

• The husband declares his desire to divorce after the woman completes her menstrual cycle but before having relations with her again. They must wait three months (three more cycles) before the divorce is final and remain abstinent during this time. During this time the man can reconsider and reconcile. If they have relations during the waiting time the divorce decree is automatically null and void. All this assures that the woman is not pregnant with the man�s child.

• During the three months, an Imam will help with marital counseling.

Poster: Why Is The Family So Important To Muslims?

Death:

• Body is buried, not cremated

• Special prayer is held for the dead (in addition to the regular five daily prayers)

• A man mourns for one day; a woman mourns for four months, staying at home (this assures if she is or is not pregnant from her husband)

Poster: How Do Muslims View The Elderly, Death, And The Afterlife?