Pilgrims dress in identical clothes to show their equality – two seamless pieces of white cloth sown together.
Pilgrims dress in identical clothes to show their equality – two seamless pieces of white cloth sown together.
Muslims walk around the Ka’bah seven times (the ‘tawaf’). They kiss the sacred black stone and then run between two hills imitating Abraham’s concubine, Hagar, who searched for water in the desert to save Ishmael.
Muslims walk around the Ka’bah seven times (the ‘tawaf’). They kiss the sacred black stone and then run between two hills imitating Abraham’s concubine, Hagar, who searched for water in the desert to save Ishmael.
From noon on the 9th day until sunset, the pilgrim stands on the Plain of Arafat where Muhammud stood and recited the following verses to indicate that God had completed Islam….
“Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam for your religion.” (Qur'an Sura 5:5)
After sunset, the pilgrims set out for Mina, stopping at Muzdalifa where each pilgrim gathers seven small stones which, on the tenth day, at Mina, they add to the towering heap of stones already there.
After sunset, the pilgrims set out for Mina, stopping at Muzdalifa where each pilgrim gathers seven small stones which, on the tenth day, at Mina, they add to the towering heap of stones already there.
This custom refers to Abraham’s temptation by the devil to go mad when faced by the command to sacrifice his son. Then there is a great feast and any pilgrims who can afford it sacrifice animals and share this with the poor.
On the 12th day, the pilgrims return once more to Mecca, circle the Ka’bah seven times and end the state of purity.
The Sharia is the law of Islam (indeed some say ‘Sharia IS Islam’. It is accepted as law in a few Muslim countries (Sudan, Pakistan and Iran). It is based on the:
The Sharia is the law of Islam (indeed some say ‘Sharia IS Islam’. It is accepted as law in a few Muslim countries (Sudan, Pakistan and Iran). It is based on the:
(1) The Qur'an
(2) The Hadith
(3) The judgements of the community decided by scholars in Medina.
(4) More controversially, by the use of qiyas or analogy.This is used if something arises that is not covered by the first three and an attempt is made to draw analogies to arrive at what the Prophet would have said.
There are different schools of Islamic law, some relying on previous opinion, others on the consensus and others almost entirely on the hadith.
To Westerners, some aspects of Sharia law can seem barbaric (such as the beheading of adulterers, cutting the hands of thieves and whipping adulterers (a girl was whipped 100 times in northern Nigeria in 2001 [where Sharia law applied] as she had sex with three men. The men were not punished…)
To Westerners, some aspects of Sharia law can seem barbaric (such as the beheading of adulterers, cutting the hands of thieves and whipping adulterers (a girl was whipped 100 times in northern Nigeria in 2001 [where Sharia law applied] as she had sex with three men. The men were not punished…)
However to devout Muslims, Sharia is based on God’s direct command and obedience to it cannot be questioned. Not all Muslims, however, accept this strict interpretation.
The Qur'an makes clear that Islam is more than just outward observances:
The Qur'an makes clear that Islam is more than just outward observances:
“It is not piety that you turn your faces to the East and to the West. True piety is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day, the angels and the Book and the prophets; to give of one’s substance, however cherished, to kinsmen and orphans, the needy, the traveller, the beggars, and to ransom the slave, to perform the prayer, to pay the alms….” (2: 172)
Nevertheless outward observances and rituals are important.
Islam is highly positive about the world – The world is created by God and most things are good and are made for human enjoyment. Food and drink (other than alcoholic) is good, sex and procreation between married people is good, money and wealth are good (provided one gives to those in need).
Islam is highly positive about the world – The world is created by God and most things are good and are made for human enjoyment. Food and drink (other than alcoholic) is good, sex and procreation between married people is good, money and wealth are good (provided one gives to those in need).
The world is in a wonderful place and, in a way, is a foretaste of paradise to come. All that is required is submission to the will of Allah. ‘Inshallah’ or ‘As God wills’ is a very common phrase in most Islamic countries accepting an almost fatalistic determinism.
This also provides a structure for life for which, in a post-modern Western world, many yearn.
Islam’s emphasis on the singleness of God and the centrality of obedience to God is central to monotheism.
Islam’s emphasis on the singleness of God and the centrality of obedience to God is central to monotheism.
There is a great sense of unity in Islam (in spite of the Shi’i/Sunni distinction. All Muslims, wherever they are, recognise the centrality of the Prophet and the Koran. The multiplicity of Churches so common in Christianity does not happen in Islam.
In times of crisis, there is a great sense of unity amongst Muslims.
Everyone is equal before God. Every Muslim is even buried in the same way. There is a simplicity of worship. Prince and pauper pray alike and together although race and class can in practice be important.
The rich share the experience of the poor (whether in fasting, prayer, pilgrimage, etc).
The beauty of fine art is affirmed and themes of nature can be expressed in calligraphy, carpets, mosaics and architecture (but not in religious paintings of people or animals – hence there are no paintings in Mosques).
The beauty of fine art is affirmed and themes of nature can be expressed in calligraphy, carpets, mosaics and architecture (but not in religious paintings of people or animals – hence there are no paintings in Mosques).
Carpets are often a work of art and can express a prayer as they are works of devotion and dedication.
Carpets are often a work of art and can express a prayer as they are works of devotion and dedication.
The ‘arabesque’ style has a theological significance bringing together unity and eternity – there are incredibly beautiful examples.
Al-Ghaznawi 1177/8
Al-Ghaznawi 1177/8
The Qur'an specifically says that all human beings are equal before God although Muslims are more equal than others and Christians and Jews are second class citizens.
The Qur'an specifically says that all human beings are equal before God although Muslims are more equal than others and Christians and Jews are second class citizens.
When Islam was introduced it represented a move forward for women in the tribal areas of Arabia where women were often treated badly – almost as male possessions. The Quaran limits the number of wives to four and these must all be treated equally. The Qur'an says: “..marry such women as seem good to you, two, three or four but if you feel you will not be equitable, then only one….” (4.4)
Women are allowed to own property (when this was not possible in the Christian West) and the Qur'an forbids female infanticide and also forced marriages.
Women are seen as supports for their husbands – rather than as independent individuals with the marriage.
‘If any of you cannot afford to marry a free, believing woman, marry a slave-girl who is a believer.. If after marriage they commit adultery they shall suffer half the penalty inflicted on free adulteresses.’ (Sura 4.25) (The Qur’an seems to accept slavery – and as the Qu’ran is the word of God this is signficant. The main slave traders in Africa were Muslims and twice as many slaves went to the Arab world than cross the Atlantic)
‘If any of you cannot afford to marry a free, believing woman, marry a slave-girl who is a believer.. If after marriage they commit adultery they shall suffer half the penalty inflicted on free adulteresses.’ (Sura 4.25) (The Qur’an seems to accept slavery – and as the Qu’ran is the word of God this is signficant. The main slave traders in Africa were Muslims and twice as many slaves went to the Arab world than cross the Atlantic)
‘Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the others, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient.’ (Sura 4.34)
On death, men shall inherit twice as much as women (Sura 4.176)
The equality of women can, therefore, be questioned from a Western perspective.
Women have to dress so that they do not provide a temptation to men. Muslims differ as to how this is to be interpreted. Some hold that every part of a woman’s body must be concealed – even her eyes. Others accept Western dress provided it is modest.
Women have to dress so that they do not provide a temptation to men. Muslims differ as to how this is to be interpreted. Some hold that every part of a woman’s body must be concealed – even her eyes. Others accept Western dress provided it is modest.
In Afghanistan the Taliban have forbidden women to work, to be educated, to be out on the street unless totally covered – but other Muslims see this as a perversion of the Qur'an. Much depends on interpretation.
In some sections of the Qur'an women clearly have a lower status than men – for instance the evidence of two women is equal to one man in a court of law. One problem in Islam is that it is not possible to say that this was a matter of culture when the Qur'an was written – as the Qur'an is the dictated word of God it is not culturally relative.
Many Muslims are implacably opposed to the state of Israel. This is NOT, however, the same as them being anti-Jewish. They see Zionism and the State of Israel as movements that are fundamentally unjust. Many Muslims reject the original UN declaration which gave Israel what had been Arab land for nearly 2000 years.
Many Muslims are implacably opposed to the state of Israel. This is NOT, however, the same as them being anti-Jewish. They see Zionism and the State of Israel as movements that are fundamentally unjust. Many Muslims reject the original UN declaration which gave Israel what had been Arab land for nearly 2000 years.
Still more, they reject U.S. and European support of Israel when Israel has occupied territory by force of arms against quite explicit United Nations rules and refuses to restore any of this territory.
Many Muslims see the West (which is predominantly Christian) conspiring with Israel to act unjustly and to deprive Arabs of land they rightfully own. The refugees in the Gaza strip, dispossessed of the their homeland, have come to stand as a symbol for this injustice.
“Islam is not opposed to Judaism but regards it as a religion of God… Rather, Islam is opposed to Zionism to Zionist politics and conduct… For its crimes against the individual Palestinian men and women, against the corporate existence of the Palestinians, against the individual Arabs of the surrounding countries.. Islam condemns Zionism. Islam demands that every atom’s weight of injustice perpetrated against the innocent be undone. Hence it opposed upon all Muslims the world over to rise like one man to put an end to injustice and to reinstate its sufferers in their lands, homes and properties… Therefore, the Islamic position leaves no chance for the Zionist state but to be dismantled and destroyed, and its wealth confiscated to pay off its liabilities.” (Ismail R. al Faruqi. 1983)
“Islam is not opposed to Judaism but regards it as a religion of God… Rather, Islam is opposed to Zionism to Zionist politics and conduct… For its crimes against the individual Palestinian men and women, against the corporate existence of the Palestinians, against the individual Arabs of the surrounding countries.. Islam condemns Zionism. Islam demands that every atom’s weight of injustice perpetrated against the innocent be undone. Hence it opposed upon all Muslims the world over to rise like one man to put an end to injustice and to reinstate its sufferers in their lands, homes and properties… Therefore, the Islamic position leaves no chance for the Zionist state but to be dismantled and destroyed, and its wealth confiscated to pay off its liabilities.” (Ismail R. al Faruqi. 1983)
The establishment of the State of Israel has a long history behind it. The 1917 British ‘Balfour Declaration’ was of crucial importance but, perhaps, of even greater significance was the Holocaust.
The establishment of the State of Israel has a long history behind it. The 1917 British ‘Balfour Declaration’ was of crucial importance but, perhaps, of even greater significance was the Holocaust.
After the second World War, the world was horrified at the extermination camps and the suffering of the Jews. There was a feeling of corporate guilt and a desire to put things right in some way – this lead to the U.N. declaration giving the Jews a homeland: Israel. BUT what was not considered was that the land was already occupied by Arabs. Due to various complex and disputed events, the Arabs left (or were forced to leave – depending on your viewpoint) and thus became homeless refugees.
It is small wonder that the anger of Muslims at this injustice is very great.
One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter. Nelson Mandela was once labelled as a terrorist – so were many government leaders in Africa. So is Gerry Adams, the leader of Sien Fein. Western countries brand Muslims who fight against Israel as ‘terrorists’, but to other Muslims they may be fighting for Justice.
One person’s terrorist is another person’s freedom fighter. Nelson Mandela was once labelled as a terrorist – so were many government leaders in Africa. So is Gerry Adams, the leader of Sien Fein. Western countries brand Muslims who fight against Israel as ‘terrorists’, but to other Muslims they may be fighting for Justice.
It must also be recognised, that religious convictions are frequently used by politicians around the world for their own selfish interests and that all motives are mixed. However understanding the perspectives of others is part of a process which inter-religious dialogue demands.
