The cherished Rules of Islam
March 28, 2008
Muslims are commanded to perform Salah [ritual prayers] five times a day. These prayers are obligatory on every Muslim above the age of puberty, with the exception being those menstruating, Psychologically and physically ill or those experiencing post- partum bleeding.
The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam are:
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Shahadah [profession of faith] and every believer in Islam must repeat the Shahadah or the basic creed which is ‘I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah [God] and I testify that Muhammad is the last and final messenger of Allah [God].
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Salat [ritual prayers- five times each day at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall. The five prayers are called Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Magrib and Ishaa’. Each prayer is done facing the east. Salat [Prayers] in intended to focus the mind on God and express gratitude and worship.
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Sawm [fasting during the month of Ramadaan]. Muslims put effort into the teachings of Islam by refraining from food, drink and sexual act between husband and wife from sunset to sundown. Fasting also help us to refrain from violence, anger, greed, lust, envy, gossip etc and focus on the sufferings poor and needy instead. Fasting is not compulsory for those with medical conditions, breast feeding or mensurating.
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Zakat [Charity] is obligatory for all Muslims to give charity to eliminate poverty and hardship. Muslims may donate as a voluntary act.
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Hajj [Pilgrimage]
Every Muslim is obliged to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they can afford it.
Muslims believes in Angels who worship Allah [God] in perfect obedience and their duties including recording every person’s actions, communicating revelations from God and taking a person soul at the time of death. Every Muslim believes in “The Day of Yawmal- Qiyamah [Judgment Day or The Day of Resurrection]. This day is preordained by God but unknown to man. Resurrection will be followed by the gathering of mankind, eliminating in their judgement.
Eating the flesh of swine is strongly forbidden in the Holy Quran and the Holy Bible. “And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. Leviticus 11:7-8.
A similar prohibition is also found in the Holy Quran. “He hath forbidden you dead meat, and blood and the flesh of swine and that on which any other name invoke besides that of god. Surat-ul-Baqara [2]:173.
The word halal means permissible and haram means forbidden. Pork, blood, alcoholic beverages or intoxicants, fanged beast of prey are all haram[forbidden]. Both Islam and Christianity forbid the consumption of amphibians, reptiles, horses, camels, elephant, cats, dogs, insects, donkeys, human meat, and some birds such as eagle, vulture, osprey and crows are not to be eaten/ used.
Muslims and non Muslims are welcome in mosques. However it is required to remove your shoes before entering a mosque or people homes. This is a practical, not a religious requirement. Muslim worshippers kneel and touch their foreheads to the carpet on the ground as they pray, so they would like to keep it clean. When worshippers performing their rituals avoid walking in front of them as this is considered impolite. Walk around or behind them.
Both men and women are expected to dress in a way which is modest and dignified. Women should wear a dress or skirt at least to the ankle, blouse preferable with elbow length or longer sleeve, loose fitted pants and a head scarf or hijab. Women should always wear modest conservative clothing which exposes a minimum of flesh. Men should wear long trousers and a sleeved shirt. A prayer hat is not compulsory.
Men and women are being separated in the mosques by a thick curtain in the center or a 6 ft wall. Many Muslims maintain that separation of the sexes because it is necessary to avoid all distractions. When a Muslim prays you pray with a pure heart and summits to god.
The culture of circumcision is a rite of passage in males that took place either shortly after birth, childhood or puberty. Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from the penis which is a religious commandment in Islam and it had been advocated for many reasons such as: religious beliefs, hygiene and therapeutics purposes.
Muslims at the time of prayers or reading the Holy Quran should be ritually clean and perform wudu or ghusl [ablution]. Ablution is required to maintain ritual cleanliness, though using toilet paper is acceptable when one is not able to wash themselves with water.
It is forbidden to read the Holy Quran when a person is Junub[ after sexual intercourse or wet dreams until he or she takes a bath].
It is compulsory to read the Holy Quran everyday even if it is a small portion and memorize as mush as you can.
Hijab mean to veil or to cover and refers to women head and body covering which gives a woman modesty, privacy and morality. A woman should always cover her head with a scarf when reading the Holy Quran, Praying, at funeral, functions and at all times.
One should enter the toilet with the left foot and leave with the right foot. It is not permissible to enter a toilet whilst carrying anything bearing the name of God.
Chastity is mandatory in Islam. Sex outside of marriage is forbidden and any maneuver or position that adds to pleasure of the sexual encounter is permissible and commendable between husband and wife. One exception is anal sex which is forbidden in Islam. Only penile-vaginal sex is permitted because it’s from the place where children are produced.
Apsana
- My Recent Life as an Islamic Woman Living in Guyana
- My Reality of God
- A Path to Devotion
- Phagwah Celebration: Held in Richmond Hill, New York 3/22/2008
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Comments
9 Responses to “The cherished Rules of Islam”
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Assalamu Alaikum Apsana,
Very nice and informative article on Islam. This is very good information for a new muslim or non-muslim. Please keep on writing and posting especially about Islam in Guyana for the world to read.
Thanks for visiting my blog. A Hafiz ul Quran is someone who has memorized the entire Quran. The person will then be given the title Hafiz. Some good information here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafiz_%28Qur%27an%29
I know there a few Hafiz ul Quran in Guyana. A couple of years ago there was a Hafiz ul Quran in Lusignan and he passed away at a young age.
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Walikum-o-Salam Khairun.Thank you for replying..My recent post on Circumcsion and Jihad seems controversial to some readers.However, i love to share my perspectives on Islam for the world to read about.
Recently i told someone that i am a Muslim and they referred to me as a suicide bomber.The nation need to realize that there is good and bad in every religion; whatever terrorist and suicide bombers have done and are still doing they are misguided individuals and using the name Islam to kill innocents.It is forbidden to kill and commit suicide.
Wanted to know much about your religion becose i really enjoy your rules
Well am a christian and i want to become a muslem can you help me out and in what ways can you help me.and will be very glade
What’s you motivation to follow islamic ways Emmanuel, if you don’t mind sharing?
why it is mandatory for muslim males to wear trousers above ankle?
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I cant say that i agree with what you typed up… care to clear things up for me?
Christian,
The Blog you are refering to was written by the author Apsana. The opinions and beliefs are that of the author. As to dating, date the one you feel you can share who you are with in an open and honest manner. I have no preference for religion and that never influences me.