The Islamic Religion The Islamic religion is growing rapidly every day. It has been estimated that 1.57 billion Muslims surround the world today (Greene, 2007). That is the second largest religion after Christianity at a 2.25 billion population (Greene, 2007). What is this growing religion called Islam and what does it take to become a true Muslim? Many questions arise about the Islamic religion as well as curiosity regarding the significance of major holy days, prayer, and most important what Muslims believe. “Submission to the will of God,” is what Islam can be defined as (Robinson, 2007). A person choosing to believe and submit himself or herself to the Islamic religion is called a Muslim. When a Muslim decides to commit to the Islamic religion, they are choosing to believe in a God named Allah (Robinson, 2007). Allah is an Arabic word that means, “the one true God” (Robinson, 2007). It is believed by religious historians that the Islamic religion originated by the Prophet Muhammad in 622 CE; however, most Islamic followers believe Muhammad was not born when Islam was created. In the Qur’an it states, “There is no god but God; Muhammad is the messenger of God” (Robinson, 2007). Allah chose the Prophet Muhammad to be his messenger, and spread his teachings from the Qur’an to any Muslims who wanted to convert, or to learn about the Islamic religion (Robinson, 2007). Allah wanted Muhammad to distribute his knowledge far and wide around the world. The Qur’an is the Bible for the Islamic religion, written in the Arabic language by Allah. It is stated that, “Muhammad was born in the late 6th century CE” (Robinson, 2007). He was the last of the Prophets, after Abraham, David, Moses, and Jesus. Muhammad seen as the “greatest of a series of Prophets,” was to bring clarification and structure to the followers of the Islamic religion (Robinson, 2007). Along with structure, Muhammad was to show Muslims what the five pillars stood for and how important it is to pray every day (Robinson, 2007). Praying, a significant attribute to the Islamic religion is done five times a day with numerous prayer-cycles (Henkel, 2005). One can do seven to eight cycles in one sitting, but it has to accumulate to 38 cycles by the fifth and final prayer of the day (Henkel, 2005). The Salat, a prayer performed by a Muslim is done before sunrise, at noon, in the afternoon, in the evening, and the final prayer at night (Henkel, 2005). Heiko Henkel states in his book, “Prayer times thus change with the cycle of the seasons and with geographical location” (Henkel, 2005). To find the times when praying should be performed, one can go to a website titled, Pray in Time, to be provided with all the details (Robinson, 2007). Throughout the praying cycle a Muslim can recite their own prayer, but must always remember to do the Salat at one point (Henkel, 2005). Here is a Salat prayer that a Muslim reads aloud;
God is magnificent
God is magnificent
God is magnificent
God is magnificent
I know and affirm without doubt:
There is no god but God (twice)
I know and affirm without doubt: Muhammad is God’s messenger (twice)
Come, to the salat
Come, to the salat
Come, to work
Come, to work
God is magnificent
God is magnificent
There is no god but God (Henkel, 2005, p. 494).
Along with the prayer there are certain body movements that must be incorporated to make the Salat complete. A step-by-step illustration is provided below.
Example 1. Diagram Diagram 1. A diagram distribution from the educational search engine EBSCOhost, Rheumatology International, by authors Humeira Badsha and Paul Tak
Note. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=33042170&site=ehost-live Prayer is the second most important of the five pillars that a Muslim should follow (Robinson, 2007). The five pillars are practices and duties one must follow in the Islamic religion (Robinson, 2007). Along with prayer, the other four pillars are very important practices to follow as a Muslim. The first pillar consists of reciting of a prayer called the Shahadan at least once a day (Robinson, 2007). The third pillar is donating regularly through Zakat; an Arabic word meaning purification and growth (Robinson, 2007). The fifth pillar is to make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca; a ceremony done in Saudi Arabia in which many Muslims around the world attend (Robinson, 2007). The fourth pillar is to fast during the holy month called Ramadan; one of the most extraordinary elements of being a Muslim (Robinson, 2007). A time to fast, pray, reflect, and give thanks to God for all his blessings, this is what Ramadan stands for. Ramadan is the most important holy day, and it is the time in which one gives thought back to “The Night of Power,” or “The Night of Destiny” (Tucson, 2009). This reflection is mainly done on the 27th night of Ramadan, when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Tucson, 2009). Ramadan is usually on the 9th lunar month, lasting between 29 to 30 days (Tucson, 2009). Ramadan is fourth on the list of the five pillars (Robinson, 2009). This holy month is a time for all Muslims, wherever they may be, to fast for the month, beginning at dawn to sunset (Tucson, 2009). Along with fasting, one must hold back from drinking, eating, conflict, and sexual relations (Tucson, 2009). Fasting is considered a blessing from God, and if one can participate during Ramadan there are many benefits both physically and spiritually for them (Tucson, 2009). Fasting helps one obtain self-discipline, and grow patience, which at times is forgotten throughout the year. One can sense their spirituality, which contributes to separating oneself from gossiping about others, lying, and becoming angry, or frustrated. If one is elderly, sick, pregnant, or traveling, they can make up the days missed later in the year, but most remember to do so (Tucson, 2009). If for physical reasons, one is not able to participate in the fasting of Ramadan, they can feed a person in need for every day missed (Tucson, 2009). Masjid Tucson said that, “We should take advantage of this month to purify our souls further through concentrated worship, reading of the Qur’an more often, giving charity, and doing good deeds” (Tucson, 2009). The significance of fasting during Ramadan is to show appreciation to God, and to thank him for his guidance through life (Tucson, 2009). To remember about all the food, and water he provides for everyone, and to thank him for all his blessings by praying to him more, and remembering him throughout the day (Tucson, 2009). Muslims can eat and drink once the sun is set. At this time Muslims should reflect with grateful appreciation of Gods gift to them (Tucson, 2009). When the holy month of Ramadan ends an Islamic celebration begins. This celebration is called the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast, or in Arabic Eid al-Fitr. This day is a time to be joyful for what one has, decorate their homes, and buy gifts for one another (Robinson, 2007). Along with Ramadan several other holy days are celebrated throughout the year by Muslims to show their appreciation to God. Some other holy days are the Al-Hijra, which is the Muslim New Year that is celebrated on the first lunar month (Robinson, 2007). The celebration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, which in Arabic is called Mawlid al-Nabi, and the second major Muslim holy day, Eid-Ul-Adha (Robinson, 2007). Eid-Ul-Adha, stands for the feast of sacrifice (Robinson, 2007). The feast of sacrifice happens on the 12th lunar month, after the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca (Robinson, 2007). It last for three days and is celebrated to remember Allah’s command to the Prophet Abraham, to sacrifice his first-born son to Allah (Robinson, 2007). This would show Abraham’s faith to Allah. During the days of Eid-Ul-Adha Muslims wear their nicest clothing, attend an Eid-prayer in the morning, and come together with family and friends, and make a festivity full of food, drinks, and desserts (Robinson, 2007). One-third of the food is eaten and the rest is donated to the poor. This is also a time in which Muslims, pray for forgiveness from God and strength of faith (Robinson, 2007). Muslims also forgive others, and take away harsh feelings they may have about someone (Robinson, 2007). The feast of sacrifice is a symbolism, showing the willingness of sacrifices a Muslim makes for Allah throughout their lives to stay in a truthful and unbending path. Along with many other attributes the involvement in the holy days plays an important rule of showing one’s true belief in God. The Islamic religion is about showing one’s faith to God by praying daily, participating in major holy days, and submitting oneself to Allah. The Islamic religion is about reciting the words of the Qur’an, and showing love and compassion through charity and sacrifice. It is with doing these practices and duties that make one a true Muslim. A passage from the Qur’an: And what will explain to you what the steep path is? It is the freeing of a (slave) from bondage; or the giving of food in a day of famine to an orphan relative, or to a needy in distress. Then will he be of those who believe, enjoin fortitude and encourage kindness and compassion. Chapter 90, Verses 12-17 (Robinson, 2007)

Reference
Badsha, H, & Tak, P. (2008, August). [Image of body positions when doing the Salat]
Rheumatology International. Retrieved January 12, 2010, from doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0557-0
Greene, R. (2009). Nearly 1 in 4 People Worldwide is Muslim, Report Says. Retrieved
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Muslim Ritual, 11 (3), 487-507. Retrieved December 2, 2009, from doi:10.1111/j.1467-9655.2005.00247.x Jones, K. (2007, July). The Character of God in the Qur’an. Retrieved November 19,
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Robinson, B. (2007, August). Selected quotations from the Holy Qur’an. Retrieved
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Tucson, M. (2009). Information of True Islam. International Community of Submitters.
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http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/practices/ramadan/index.html